A new genus of scutigerid centipede from southern South America with the description of two new species and an updated molecular phylogeny of the myriapod order Scutigeromorpha (Myriapoda: Chilopoda).

Scutigeromorph centipedes are conspicuous, yet often ignored myriapods for which little work has been conducted in southern South America. After examining recent and museum collections from Chile and Argentina, two new species of generic uncertainty were identified. A new genus of scutigerid centipede, Edgethreua , is therefore described with two new species, E. chilensis from Central Chile (type species of the genus) and E. goloboffi from Argentinian Patagonia. The new genus is characterised by the presence of scattered setiform bristles with short paired spines and the absence of simple spinulae and spines on all stomatotergites, the presence of a single spine-bristle in the prefemur of the second maxilla, a patch of cuticular ridges and pores surrounding the sensilla of the proximal labral portion of the epipharynx, the morphology of the sensilla of the distal patch of the hypopharynx and the morphology of the female gonopods. A phylogenetic analysis of the new species using two nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (18S and 28S rRNA), two mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes (12S and 16S rRNA) and the mitochondrial protein-encoding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I show that the new genus does not cluster with any other described genus of scutigeromorph represented in molecular phylogenies. The data indicate that the new genus is probably sister group to a clade including the genera Lassophora , Ballonema and the subfamily Thereuoneminae, although one analysis suggests a position as sister group to Scutigerinae. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A4D453F3-9031-4E21-84C7-87F16C07AD51.

Three new centipede species of the genus Newportia Gervais, 1847 from Colombia (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopocryptopidae, Newportiinae).

Three new species of the genus Newportia Gervais, 1847 from Colombia are described and illustrated. They were found in the cloud forests of the eastern Andes and in the rainforests of the biogeographical Choc, ecosystems where the centipede fauna has been little studied. Newportia (Newportia) florezi sp. nov. differs from other Newportia species in the arrangement of the spinous processes on the prefemur of the ultimate legs, while Newportia (Newportia) anopla sp. nov. has a coxopleuron without any trace of a coxopleural process and possesses an atypically small forcipular coxosternite. Newportia (Newportia) tequendama sp. nov. is morphologically similar to Newportia pusilla Pocock, 1893, but differs in having an undivided tarsus 2 in the ultimate legs and the arrangement of the spinous processes on the prefemur and femur. An identification key for the Colombian species of Newportia is provided.

Centipede envenomation (Chilopoda): Case report.

Centipedes are venomous arthropods that have an elongated body, divided into many segments, presenting a pair of legs in each segment, adapted pairs of paws that simulate fangs and inject venom causing intense pain, with local erythema and edema, and rarely, blisters and skin necrosis. We present the case of a young woman pricked on her upper lip with intense swelling and local pain and discuss the real danger of envenomation and the therapeutic measures that should be taken.

Six new species of Aphilodon centipedes (Geophilidae: Aphilodontinae) from Brazil.

After recent sampling in the Southeast and Northeast of Brazil, six new species of Aphilodon are described and illustrated based on males and females. From the Atlantic Forest biome, Aphilodon foraminis n. sp., A. aiuruocae n. sp., A. acutus n. sp. and A. rectitibia n. sp. were registered in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Aphilodon cangaceiro n. sp. is the first record of Aphilodontinae for the state of Piau and was sampled in the Caatinga biome. Aphilodon bahianus n. sp. is the first species of Aphilodontinae known for the state of Bahia, being registered from the Atlantic Forest and in the Caatinga biomes. Additionally, some morphological characteristics of all known species of Aphilodon and their distributions are compared.

New records for the poorly-known monotypic genera Exallostreptus and Guaporeptus, and a list of species from Mato Grosso state, Brazil (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae)

New records for the species Exallostreptus vanzolinii Hoffman, 1988 and Guaporeptus paradisius Hoffman, 1988, known only from the state of Rondônia, are made from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Figures of gonopods, first and second leg-pair of males are provided. In addition, an updated list of 19 Spirostreptidae species from Mato Grosso is provided, with the species Plusioporus salvadorii, Trichogonostreptus (Oreastreptus) mattogrossensis, and Urostreptus tampiitauensis widely distributed in the state.(AU)

Filling a gap in the distribution of Taulidesmella tabatinga (Polydesmida, Pyrgodesmidae): a new record from the upper Amazon River, Brazil / Preenchendo uma lacuna na distribuição de Taulidesmella tabatinga (Polydesmida, Pyrgodesmidae): um novo registro do alto Rio Amazonas, Brasil

The millipede species Taulidesmella tabatinga is known from the border of Brazil with Peru and Colombia, Iquitos (Peru), and environs of Manaus (Brazil). Based on freshly collected material during the rainy season in 2014 along the Amazon River upriver from its confluence with the Negro River, we report a new record of T. tabatinga in floodplain forests in the municipality of Alvarães, Amazonas state (Brazil), filling a gap of 1,000 km between its previously known occurrence points. This record indicates that T. tabatinga is likely widespread along both margins of the upper Amazon River, mostly associated with tree trunks and litter of riparian and floodplain forests.(AU)

A espécie de Diplopoda Taulidesmella tabatinga é conhecida apenas da região de fronteira entre o Brasil com Peru e Colômbia, Iquitos (Peru), e arredores de Manaus (Brasil). Com base em material coletado recentemente durante a estação chuvosa em 2014 ao longo do Rio Amazonas a montante da confluência com o Rio Negro, nós reportamos um novo registro para T. tabatinga em florestas de várzea no município de Alvarães, Amazonas, preenchendo uma lacuna de 1000 km entre seus pontos de ocorrência previamente conhecidos. Este novo registro indica que T. tabatinga provavelmente é amplamente distribuída ao longo de ambas margens do alto do Rio Amazonas, principalmente associada a troncos de árvores e serapilheira de matas ciliares e inundáveis.(AU)

Three new species of the Amazonian millipede genus Leptherpum (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)

This study concerns the millipede genus Leptherpum Attems, 1931, which contains nine valid species distributed across the Amazonian rainforest of northeastern South America. The type species L. carinovatum (Attems, 1898) is reexamined based on the type material and high-resolution photographs, including the first scanning electron micrographs of this species. The following three new species are described: Leptherpum tialaura sp. nov. from the state of Pará, Brazil; Leptherpum battirolai sp. nov. from the state of Amazonas, Brazil; and Leptherpum buenovillegasi sp. nov. from the commune of Maripasoula, French Guiana. A brief review of Leptherpum taxonomy and geographic distribution is provided, along with a key to males.

So far from home: first record of Chondromorpha xanthotricha (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) in the Brazilian Amazon / Tão longe de casa: primeiro registro de Chondromorpha xanthotricha (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) para a Amazônia brasileira

The millipede Chondromorpha xanthotricha, supposedly native to Sri Lanka and southern India, is considered a pantropical species occurring in Southeast Asia, North America, Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. Here we report the first record of this species for Brazil, in the central Amazon region of the country, with taxonomic notes and images of male and female specimens.(AU)

O diplópode Chondromorpha xanthotricha, supostamente nativo do Sri Lanka e sul da Índia, é considerado uma espécie pantropical com ocorrência no Sudeste Asiático, América do Norte, Mesoamérica, Caribe, América Central e norte da América do Sul. Aqui nós reportamos o primeiro registro dessa espécie para o Brasil, na região central da Amazônia brasileira, com notas taxonômicas e ilustrações de espécimes macho e fêmea.(AU)

Recombinant Production and Characterization of a New Toxin from Cryptops iheringi Centipede Venom Revealed by Proteome and Transcriptome Analysis.

Among the Chilopoda class of centipede, the Cryptops genus is one of the most associated with envenomation in humans in the metropolitan region of the state of São Paulo. To date, there is no study in the literature about the toxins present in its venom. Thus, in this work, a transcriptomic characterization of the Cryptops iheringi venom gland, as well as a proteomic analysis of its venom, were performed to obtain a toxin profile of this species. These methods indicated that 57.9% of the sequences showed to be putative toxins unknown in public databases; among them, we pointed out a novel putative toxin named Cryptoxin-1. The recombinant form of this new toxin was able to promote edema in mice footpads with massive neutrophils infiltration, linking this toxin to envenomation symptoms observed in accidents with humans. Our findings may elucidate the role of this toxin in the venom, as well as the possibility to explore other proteins found in this work.

Cormocephalus (Cormocephalus) guildingii Newport, 1845 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha): a composite description, new samples from Western Mexico and a new species subgroup of Neotropical Cormocephalus (Cormocephalus).

Cormocephalus (C.) guildingii Newport, 1845one of the oldest names in this genusis described in detail for the first time, based on material from Western Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic; the range of this species is much expanded. Synonymy of C. impressus Porat, 1876 under C. guildingii is analyzed and confirmed. Relations between the latter and both C. ungulatus (Meinert, 1886) and C. andinus (Kraepelin, 1903) are analysed in detail. Both C. mundus Chamberlin, 1955 and C. (Cupipes) tingonus Chamberlin, 1957 are junior synonyms of C. ungulatus (Meinert, 1886). Cormocephalus mediosulcatus Attems, 1928 is suggested to be transferred to the genus Scolopendropsis as S. thayeri (Meinert, 1886) syn. nov. A new subclade (designated as the guildingii-subgroup) is established within the Neotropical clade of the genus Cormocephalus. It includes most Neotropical representatives of the gervaisianus species-group (sensu Schileyko Stagl 2004) united by nine diagnostic synapomorphies. Relations within the new subclade are analysed and its diagnosis is given.

Myriapod haemocyanin: the first three-dimensional reconstruction of Scolopendra subspinipes and preliminary structural analysis of S. viridicornis.

Haemocyanins (Hcs) are copper-containing, respiratory proteins that occur in the haemolymph of many arthropod species. Here, we report the presence of Hcs in the chilopode Myriapoda, demonstrating that these proteins are more widespread among the Arthropoda than previously thought. The analysis of transcriptome of S. subspinipes subpinipes reveals the presence of two distinct subunits of Hc, where the signal peptide is present, and six of prophenoloxidase (PPO), where the signal peptide is absent, in the 75 kDa range. Size exclusion chromatography profiles indicate different quaternary organization for Hc of both species, which was corroborated by TEM analysis: S. viridicornis Hc is a 6 × 6-mer and S. subspinipes Hc is a 3 × 6-mer, which resembles the half-structure of the 6 × 6-mer but also includes the presence of phenoloxidases, since the 1 × 6-mer quaternary organization is commonly associated with hexamers of PPO. Studies with Chelicerata showed that PPO activity are exclusively associated with the Hcs. This study indicates that Scolopendra may have different proteins playing oxygen transport (Hc) and PO function, both following the hexameric oligomerization observed in Hcs.

Mitochondrial activity disruption and local muscle damage induced in mice by Scolopendra polymorpha venom

Scolopendra polymorpha (S. polymorpha) is a predatory centipede whose venom contains a multiplicity of biochemical effectors that can cause muscle damage and cumulative cell destruction in its prey. Despite previous investigations of S. polymorpha and other centipede venoms, there is a lack of information on the morphological and biochemical patterns elicited by their myotoxic effects. To elucidate these processes, this paper presents evidence of skeletal muscle damage, and alterations in key biochemical mediators that appear only after exposure to centipede venom. Methods: Venom was collected and fractionated using RP-HPLC; mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was exposed to whole venom and venom fractions to evaluate myotoxicity by means of creatine kinase (CK) - a muscle damage marker - activity measurements and histochemical analysis. Results: CK activity was higher in EDL muscle exposed to venom than in unexposed muscle. This increase was observed after 15 min of venom incubation, and remained stable up to 45 min. Venom-exposed EDL muscle showed signs of muscle damage including necrosis, loss of fascicular structure as well as mitochondrial accumulations and ragged red fibers (RRF), suggesting an impairment in the normal mitochondrial arrangement. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and cytochrome oxidase (COX) tests also indicate that respiratory complexes might be affected. Conclusion: Our results suggest a different biochemical composition of S. polymorpha venom, based on the different effects of four venom fractions on the cells tested, according to statistical evidence. Fractions F6 and F7 caused the most important alterations.(AU)

Importancia del conocimiento de la entomología en la formación del médico en Colombia, Venezuela y América Latina / Importance of knowledge in entomology for the training of physicians from Colombia, Venezuela and Latin America

He leído con atención y beneplácito la carta al editor de Agudelo-Espina y colaboradores (1), en donde realizan comentarios acerca de la importancia y relevancia de incluir todo lo relacionado con la enseñanza de la entomología médica en las pensa de estudio para la formación de un médico general, particularmente en Risaralda, Pereira, Colombia. Aplaudo dichos comentarios especialmente porque la mayoría de los autores son estudiantes de pregrado, quienes, de acuerdo con nuestra experiencia, muchas veces consideran, si se quiere, con cierto desdén este tipo de conocimiento básico; al menos ese es al caso en la Universidad Nacional Experimental "Francisco de Miranda", estado Falcón, Venezuela. A pesar de que compartimos similares puntos de vista con los autores en la mayoría de los tópicos abordados en su artículo, no obstante, deseamos hacer comentarios, y ampliar y complementar las ideas abordadas. Si bien la palabra entomología deriva etimológicamente del griego "entomón" (insecto) y "logo" (ciencia), por extensión la entomología médica se encarga del estudio no sólo de los insectos que poseen importancia en la salud pública, sino que también de otras clases del Phylum de los artrópodos (Arachnida, Crustacea, Chilopoda, Diplopoda) (2), ya que muchos de los mismos pueden afectar a los humanos y sus animales de varias maneras, ya sea como i) una simple y mera molestia, e inclusive se considera la entomofobia dentro de los problemas médicos de tipo psiquiátrico; ii) pueden ocasionar envenenamientos con sus picaduras; iii) pueden actuar como endo y ectoparásitos, y iv) pueden actuar como vectores de peligrosos microorganismos patógenos (3). Por ello, pareciera ser deseable implementar también, probablemente con mayor propiedad y amplitud, el término artropodología médica o sanitaria.

I have read with attention and pleasure the letter to the editor by Agudelo-Espina et al (1), in which they comment on the importance and relevance of including everything related to the teaching of medical entomology in the curriculum for the training of a general practitioner, particularly in Risaralda, Pereira, Colombia. I applaud these comments especially because most of the authors are undergraduate students, who, according to our experience, often regard, if you will, this kind of basic knowledge with some disdain; at least that is the case at the Universidad Nacional Experimental "Francisco de Miranda", Falcón state, Venezuela. Although we share similar points of view with the authors on most of the topics addressed in their article, we would nevertheless like to make comments, and to expand and complement the ideas addressed. Although the word entomology is etymologically derived from the Greek "entomón" (insect) and "logo" (science), by extension medical entomology is concerned not only with the study of insects of public health importance, but also with other classes of the arthropod phylum (Arachnida, Crustacea, Chilopoda, Diplopoda) (2), as many of them can affect humans and their animals in various ways, either as (i) a mere nuisance, and entomophobia is even considered to be a psychiatric medical problem; ii) they can cause poisoning with their bites; iii) they can act as endo- and ectoparasites; and iv) they can act as vectors of dangerous pathogenic micro-organisms (3). Therefore, it would seem desirable to implement the term medical or sanitary arthropodology, probably more appropriately and more broadly.