ZooKeys 590: A Taxonomic Review of the Centipede Genus Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) in Mainland Southeast Asia, with Description of a New Species from Laos

The genus Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758, includes common, large centipedes in Southeast Asia. Previous reports indicated that this region was in need of a comprehensive systematic revision to resolve several taxonomic ambiguities concerning this aggressively predatory, often synanthropic genus. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies revealed genetic structure within and between Southeast Asian Scolopendra species that correlated with biotic exchange with the Indian and Asian temperate regions. In this study, the mainland Southeast Asia Scolopendra species are comprehensively re-described and illustrated with light photographs and drawings based on new field collections, as well as morphological examination of specimens from several historical and type collections. Phylogenetic reconstruction uses additional sequences from three partial genes (COI, 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA) to identify two main species groups in Scolopendra in Southeast Asia. Distribution ranges for each of eight valid, previously named species are revised with new distribution maps, and diversity trends in the region are reviewed. A new species of Scolopendra from Laos is proposed, having additional records in Thailand and Vietnam, together with some biological remarks on several species of the genus.

Introduction   2
Methodology   4
Results   6
Phylogenetic relationships of mainland Southeast Asian Scolopendra   6
Species diversity of Scolopendra   12
Key to species of Scolopendra in mainland Southeast Asia   13
Systematics   14
      Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758   14
      Scolopendra subspinipes Leach, 1816   28
      Scolopendra subspinipes piceoflava Attems, 1934   40
      Scolopendra dehaani Brandt, 1840   46
      Scolopendra multidens Newport, 1844   63
      Scolopendra calcarata Porat, 1876   68
      Scolopendra japonica Koch, 1878   77
      Scolopendra pinguis Pocock, 1891   86
      Scolopendra dawydoffi Kronmüller, 2012   97
      Scolopendra cataracta Siriwut, Edgecombe & Panha, sp. n.   106
Acknowledgments   115
References   115