Cherry Red and Haitian Taxonomy?

[Mr. Mordax]

First off, I was wondering about Scolopendra subspinipes Malaysia cherry-red. Is this just a color morph of S. subspinipes? Or is it a subspecies, and if so, what's the entire scientific name? (That makes more sense to me, given the aggression I've read about, but I'm having a hard time coming up with Latin names.)

Second, about the Haitian giant centipede: Is the scientific name for that one S. alterans? I've had a few resources suggest that, but not many.

Sorry if this makes me sound ignorant, but I've still got a lot to learn about chilopods. Info is most greatly appreciated.

 

[ILoveHotDogs]

The Malaysian cherry red is Scolopedra subspinipes de haani.

You can get more info about it at scolopendromorpha.com. I don't know how common or rare they are in the hobby. I know that the Mau Chau color morph is easy to come by but I've never seen cherry reds for sale.

 

[bistrobob85]

I might be wrong but i think that the Haitian Giant is a locality of Scolopendra Subspinipes Subspinipes... There are also some pretty good chances that the market just mixes sc.s.subspinipes and sc.alternans under the name of ''Haitian Giant Centipede''...

phil.

 

[Gigas]

Cherry red are comming into circulation more, i know there quite a few broods floating around europe (i got me some P'lings XD)
And yes its a colourmorph

 

[CopperInMyVeins]

If your Haitian Giant looks anything like this, it is S. alternans, personally I haven't heard of any S. subspinipes being collected in Haiti. A couple of taxonomic differences, S. alternans has 5 smooth basal antenna segments, S. subspinipes has 6-8, S. alternans also has two claws on the first pair of walking legs, S. subspinipes does not. I'm sure Steven could list even more differences between the two.

 

[Mr. Mordax]

Thanks everyone for all the responses! It's cleared up quite a bit of confusion for me.

 

[bistrobob85]

Excellent description, Copperinmyveins . I'll note down what you just said in my little Centipede ID key document... What about the location of the spiracles?

phil.

 

[cacoseraph]

Excellent description, Copperinmyveins . I'll note down what you just said in my little Centipede ID key document... What about the location of the spiracles?

phil.

i believe all Scolopendra genus cents have the same type and arrangement of spiracles

 

[bistrobob85]

Thanks for the specification .