Multicoloured Centipede in Tanzania, East Africa

[Elytra and Antenna]

However, can you tell if the specimen in the picture is male or female? Highly doubtful, at least in my opinion.

I said it looked like a male because it's so skinny. If you've kept centipedes for long you'll know females never look that way unless they're really sick. Caco made a wild unsupported guess and I thought I was allowed too but at least I had a pic on Caco's own site and the other site to back up my guesstimate.

---------- Post added 09-16-2012 at 08:21 PM ----------

Based on what people here have provided me with, that there are two very similar looking centipedes in the same region I would say you can indeed narrow it down to those two.

Take a look at Caco's website and find me the morsitans that looks like this as an adult? The only thing remotely close that's not the species I said is a baby "Egyptian" emerald which I'm guessing isn't from Tanzania and has a stripe down its back. Going strictly by Caco's own site he'd be wrong.

 

[Nanotrev]

I said it looked like a male because it's so skinny. If you've kept centipedes for long you'll know females never look that way unless they're really sick. Caco made a wild unsupported guess and I thought I was allowed too but at least I had a pic on Caco's own site and the other site to back up my guesstimate.

Then, based on that guesstimate I'll attempt to sex my own on that criteria later on and let you know how things go. Despite this, a male and female I have that are a proven pair (Scolopendra heros c. ) look almost identical. The only way to tell them apart is by the coloration of the male, which is slightly off for the species (that being a deep olive color- in no regards to the previous conversation) which makes me skeptical. Does anyone have any other input for this?

Take a look at Caco's website and find me the morsitans that looks like this as an adult? The only thing remotely close that's not the species I said is a baby "Egyptian" emerald which I'm guessing isn't from Tanzania and has a stripe down its back. Going strictly by Caco's own site he'd be wrong.

Not going strictly by Cacoseraph's website, I'd say I've seen photographs of what people say is Scolopendra mortisans which appear to be quite large, though I will admit they could be flawed. Why is it that you say "going strictly off Caco's website" instead of the overall conversation? I'm not trying to pin blame or the lack of knowledge on anyone. I'd say the point of my continued discussion is getting down to how one could reliably say which centipede is which and if you can sex them or not based on external appearance. I'd say it's redundant trying to argue which species the one in the blurry picture is. How we got to this point is silly, and until someone else adds their two cents I'm going to hop out being that we've both stated our general opinions. Without someone else adding in what they think things are going to continue on in a circle.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

Why is it that you say "going strictly off Caco's website" instead of the overall conversation?

Specific photo references. You're saying you believe S. morsitans comes in that color because Caco said it but his website photos are contrary to his statement but you're now claiming it's your opinion that S. morsitans come in that color but there's not even one photo and you've never seen either. If you're confused by Caco's use of Trachycormocephalus and Scolopendra for the same animal, Trachycormocephalus is a junior synonym of Scolopendra.

 

[SDCPs]

Caco made a wild unsupported guess and I thought I was allowed too but at least I had a pic on Caco's own site and the other site to back up my guesstimate.

I've looked at this thread and the arguments made. I know nothing about centipedes and cannot get involved. However...

I'd just like to clarify what I got out of it for the future based on what I've seen here and how I've been confused before.

1) Make SURE everyone knows you're guessing, and present any supporting evidence when you do--not after the fact:

I'm going to guess that's around 5cm and is an adult male Scolopendra mirabilis

E and A DID state that he was guessing. However, his highly precise (not necessarily accurate...since the thread starter replied it was actually 4-5 inches which could be an exaggeration but is far larger than 5 cm.) guess probably caused people to believe he was authoritatively blurry-photo-id'ing. In the future, he should probably add extra clarifiers such as

I said it looked like a male because it's so skinny. If you've kept centipedes for long you'll know females never look that way unless they're really sick...Take a look at Caco's website and find me the morsitans that looks like this as an adult? The only thing remotely close that's not the species I said is a baby "Egyptian" emerald which I'm guessing isn't from Tanzania and has a stripe down its back.

IMHO, adding reasons why he thought it was a "5cm...adult male Scolopendra mirabilis" would have avoided confusion and made for a more pleasant discussion. I, for one, appreciate A and E's posts but heartily wish he and others would spend some more time explaining when possible...aside from peoples' reputations as a knowledgeable enthusiasts--not everyone has gotten the chance to know us so for newcomers to the conversation there's reason to believe otherwise--we could as well be the uninformed, arrogant voice of some random arm-chair taxonomists for all newcomers know. Don't take these comment personally, I'm just trying to make my point (please add supporting thoughts/evidence to guesses) clear. More detail, although taking longer to add, can really help others understand and could save future trouble...say Krabbel added the information contained in his third post to his first or second post. No argument.

2)Since one does not know what a screename on a post represents, it would be advisable to refrain from condemning their posts until one has more information from them. Their qualifications may come later:

E and A:

It is easy to answer: Because I have both species at home and I am actually describing the species on the photo as a new one after carefully made examinations....

3) Unless the discussion is polite and courteous (without personal attacks and finger-pointing), knowledgeable individuals may drop out of the conversation leaving the rest to form what could be a less well-informed conclusion.

did you want to provide citations for anything or just huff and puff like normal?

4) The stature of those who are arguing back-and-forth without laying down their "evidence" right away (or at all) is diminished in the public eye. You look rude and even ignorant when it probably couldn't be farther from the truth.


I don't intend that post as a personal attack on anyone. I'm thinking out loud about what I've seen in this thread and in others.

the last line, "You look rude and even ignorant when it probably couldn't be farther from the truth." is directed at whoever reads the post an nobody in particular...but is meant to be, shall we say, convicting for each reader.

And lastly, the goal of my post is to advance the hobby, and influence discussions therein for the better. Let's have a great, polite, pleasant time talking about what we love. I'm glad I've seen some people around here have learned to argue in a gentle way, and I want to follow their example!

 

[Nanotrev]

Specific photo references. You're saying you believe S. morsitans comes in that color because Caco said it but his website photos are contrary to his statement but you're now claiming it's your opinion that S. morsitans come in that color but there's not even one photo and you've never seen either. If you're confused by Caco's use of Trachycormocephalus and Scolopendra for the same animal, Trachycormocephalus is a junior synonym of Scolopendra.

Quite a few things seem to be predicted here, apologies if I do not continue to contribute.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbuys/3886599751/
http://www.hippocampus-bildarchiv.com/tier_12120_ScolopendramorsitansYellow.htm

 

[SDCPs]

And forgive me if I've stepped beyond my bounds...but I'm still learning and will keep experimenting as long as I believe they're not more than mildly inappropriate or offensive.

 

[Nanotrev]

And forgive me if I've stepped beyond my bounds...but I'm still learning and will keep experimenting as long as I believe they're not more than mildly inappropriate or offensive.

I don't believe you've stepped beyond your limits at all.

 

[SDCPs]

I don't believe you've stepped beyond your limits at all.

Thank you. I need the input of others and I'm glad you mentioned it. The internet and these forums can be like a stone wall as times since responses are delayed, there's no way to perceive body language and it's hard to judge tone. I find it difficult to know how to interpret what I see here and then word my responses so others will understand my intentions accurately.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

Quite a few things seem to be predicted here, apologies if I do not continue to contribute.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbuys/3886599751/
http://www.hippocampus-bildarchiv.com/tier_12120_ScolopendramorsitansYellow.htm

The first one would be a wonderful example except that the colors are enhanced/faked (read through the comments and look at the green leaves). The second one I'm missing the reference.

 

[krabbelspinne]

E and A:

It is easy to answer: Because I have both species at home and I am actually describing the species on the photo as a new one after carefully made examinations....

 

[cacoseraph]

tanzi tiger that keyed out to morsitans. not all of them are that stark of white and black with a red head. some have a bit more yellow to them... rather like this one


darker range in color for something that keys out to morsitans

hey, remember when you published the centipede book and i said your ID skills were subpar but you managed to get the care right? how'd that turn out for ya? oh yeah, you had an "ID'ed" morsitans that was not even in the right subfamily. that sure was funny





edit:
not to mention coloration sucks in general for ID'ing stuff and specifically for centipedes that can go through moderately pronounced shifts during their molt cycles

 

[SDCPs]

hey, remember when you published the centipede book and i said your ID skills were subpar but you managed to get the care right? how'd that turn out for ya? oh yeah, you had an "ID'ed" morsitans that was not even in the right subfamily. that sure was funny

Hey, at least E & A wrote and published a centipede book. Even with a few errors (most carnivorous plant books have errors since new species are always being added, subspecies elevated...etc.) many hobbyists are very grateful they have something to guide them--especially with the care. For the casual hobbyist it can be said that great care information is much more important than taxonomic excellence.

I'm thinking of writing (I actually already started a year ago) a Drosophyllum Lusitanicum book since many growers struggle to germinate it and keep it alive. I don't have any taxonomy (or whatever you call it for plants) to do since there is only one species, but I will not delve into naming the different parts of the plants. What matters is how to get the darn things to grow! They are a very sensitive species.

But you just had to get the last word in...stir the pot after it settled :sarcasm:

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

tanzi tiger that keyed out to morsitans. not all of them are that stark of white and black with a red head. some have a bit more yellow to them... rather like this one darker range in color for something that keys out to morsitans

edit:
not to mention coloration sucks in general for ID'ing stuff and specifically for centipedes that can go through moderately pronounced shifts during their molt cycles

Where's your blue one? You always switch subjects when you can't back up what you say (you can start a new thread for a new subject). Of course color isn't a great indicator but on your "ID" you said you were going by color but you didn't even check the color with your own photos.

 

[zonbonzovi]

Mod's note

Sorry, I'm fashionably late.

Christ on a cracker! All of this petty squabbling for a blurry photo?! You two(and you know who you are) are grown men and should try behaving as such. This is unacceptable. The next time you decide to air your grievances via this subforum the penalties shall be swift and merciless. Use the friggin' PM function! Grrrr. Oh yeah...I don't wish to hear from anyone regarding this thread via PM. I do not care what your justification is.

While I'm leaving the thread open, it is only for the purpose of first hand information. Unless you have these specimens in your possession, remain silent.

Thanks for playing!