Venom apparatus and toxicity of the centipede Ethmostigmus rubripes (Chilopoda, Scolopendridae)

Abstract

The venom apparatus of Ethmostigmus rubripes, a generalized predator, consists of the telopodites of the postcephalic segment, the basal article of w which contains the venom gland. Within the gland, venom granules are concentrated in intracellular secretory granules, from which they are discharged into vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the secretory cells and thereafter by exocytosis into the lumen of the gland. A venom duct carries venom to the venom claw, which introduces it into prey via a subterminal pore on the outer curvature of the claw. Pits containing pegs, presumed to be sensory, are concentrated near grooves leading to a cutting ridge proximal to the point of the claw. The venom is toxic both to mammals and insects.

Evolution, Morphology and Development of the Centipede Venom System

“…However, more recent studies (Menez et al 1990;Antoniazzi et al 2009) did not find any evidence of cell degeneration. It is likely that the The venom production cycle in centipedes has not been extensively investigated.…”

“…It is likely that the The venom production cycle in centipedes has not been extensively investigated. From various TEM investigations in scolopendromorphs, it seems that electron-dense granules are formed in the secretory cell (Dass and Jangi 1978;Menez et al 1990;Antoniazzi et al 2009). The occurrence of these granules is preceded by the multiplication of large strains of rough endoplasmic reticulum.…”

“…The occurrence of these granules is preceded by the multiplication of large strains of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The granules show sometimes lighter rod-like inclusions, which have been interpreted as a possible sign of solubilization before exocytosis (Menez et al 1990). …”

Dermohypodermite bactérienne et phlegmon du membre supérieur par morsure de scolopendre : à propos de deux cas

“…Leur corps aplati multisegmentaire possède une paire de pattes [6]. Le venin est de composition encore imparfaitement connue mais on sait qu'il contient des toxines thermolabiles, de la sérotonine, de la 5-hydroxytryptamine, de la phospholipase A hémolytique et des protéines cardiotoxiques appelées toxines S [7]. Une cytolysine a par ailleurs été retrouvée dans le venin des centipèdes géants en Amérique du Nord [1].…”

Venom regeneration in the centipede Scolopendra polymorpha: evidence for asynchronous venom component synthesis

“…First, knowledge of the kinematics of venom regeneration may yield insights into the largely unknown foraging ecology of scolopendromorphs (Wallwork, 1982;Menez et al, 1990;Molinari et al, 2005) as well as their defensive behavior. Although total depletion of venom supply (the aim in most venom regeneration studies, including this one) likely never occurs under natural conditions, it is possible that envenomation of multiple prey items (Campbell, 1932;Formanowicz and Bradley, 1987) or an intense encounter with a predator might decrease venom supply to the point that the centipede is constrained to wait for venom regeneration before additional prey can be captured or a potent defense can once again be mounted.…”