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Novel foraging behaviors of Scolopendra dehaani (Chilopoda: Scolopendridae) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

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Abstract

Large Scolopendrid centipedes are capable of preying on small vertebrates. However, details on their foraging behavior and diet under natural conditions are lacking. We describe novel behaviors of a widely distributed Southeast Asian centipede, Scolopendra dehaani, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. We report the first documented observation of a Scolopendra species actively foraging and capturing prey diurnally, as well as the first arboreal predation by S. dehaani, and provide brief insight into prey handling strategies large Scolopendrids may use to subdue vertebrate prey. Each of the three predation events were of S. dehaani feeding on small vertebrates, indicating that vertebrate prey may make up an important component of S. dehaani diet in the wild. We suggest S. dehaani, and likely other large “terrestrial” Scolopendrid centipedes which live in tropical forests, forage arboreally and may rely on large trees as arboreal refuges when terrestrial refuges are limited. Additionally, these observations demonstrate that some S. dehaani individuals may occasionally actively search for prey diurnally. Further studies are needed to better understand the ecological habits of S. dehaani and other tropical Scolopendra species.

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Data availability

The behavioral observation photographic evidence data used in this manuscript is archived online via Zenodo, and are available for download via DOI (http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4384791).

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) Grounds and Buildings, the SUT School of Biology, the SUT Institute of Science, and the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station for their logistic support to our projects. We would also like to thank the King Cobra Conservancy for their financial support, and the National Research Council of Thailand for providing research permits and allowing us to conduct our research in Thailand.

Funding

These observations took place fortuitously during a study on other organisms and therefore did not require any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Cameron W. Hodges & Jesse Goodyear

Authors
  1. Cameron W. Hodges
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  2. Jesse Goodyear
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Contributions

Conceptualization, C.W.H.; Methodology, C.W.H. & J.G.; Investigation, C.W.H. & J.G.; Writing – Original Draft, C.W.H.; Writing – Review & Editing, C.W.H. & J.G.; Visualization, C.W.H.

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Correspondence to Cameron W. Hodges.

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These observations occurred serendipitously while investigating another species, and therefore we did not need independent permits for these observations.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors of this communication state that there are no conflicts of interest or competing interest.

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Hodges, C.W., Goodyear, J. Novel foraging behaviors of Scolopendra dehaani (Chilopoda: Scolopendridae) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. Int J Trop Insect Sci 41, 3257–3262 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00431-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00431-9

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