Geophilus electricus

Geophilus electricus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Chilopoda
Order:	Geophilomorpha
Family:	Geophilidae
Genus:	Geophilus
Species:	G. electricus
Binomial name
	Geophilus electricus; (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
	Scolopendra electrica Linnaeus, 1758;

Geophilus electricus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. As the first species described in the genus Geophilus, it is considered by some to be the type species (along with Geophilus carpophagus).[1] It is found in gardens and churchyards across temperate Europe, especially Britain and Ireland. It is yellowish-orange in color and can grow up to 40 millimeters, with between 65-73 leg pairs (more than other similar Geophilus species), a distinct carpophagus fossae on the anterior sternites, and a distinctive arrangement of the coxal pores of the last leg pair.[2] Like many geophilomorphans, G. electricus has been known to glow in the dark, most likely as a defensive maneuver.[3][4]

Etymology

The name comes from Latin 'electricus', meaning 'electric', most likely referring to its ability to glow in the dark.

References

Crabill, Ralph E. (1954). "A conspectus of the northeastern North American species of Geophilus (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Geophilidae)". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 56: 172–188.
"Geophilus electricus (Linné, 1758)". British Myriapod and Isopod Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
Rosenberg, Jörg; Meyer-Rochow, Victor B. (2009). BIOLUMINESCENCE IN FOCUS - a collection of illuminating essays (1st ed.). Research Signpost. pp. 139–146. ISBN 978-81-308-0357-9. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
Ridley, H.N (1936). "THE LUMINOUS SECRETION OF THE CENTIPEDE GEOPHILUS ELECTRICUS (L.) AS A DEFENCE AGAINST THE ATTACK OF BEETLES, ETC". Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 11 (3–5): 48. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1936.tb00861.x. Retrieved 24 October 2021.

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[1] Crabill, Ralph E. (1954). "A conspectus of the northeastern North American species of Geophilus (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Geophilidae)". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 56: 172–188.

[2] "Geophilus electricus (Linné, 1758)". British Myriapod and Isopod Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.

[3] Rosenberg, Jörg; Meyer-Rochow, Victor B. (2009). BIOLUMINESCENCE IN FOCUS - a collection of illuminating essays (1st ed.). Research Signpost. pp. 139–146. ISBN 978-81-308-0357-9. Retrieved 24 October 2021.

[4] Ridley, H.N (1936). "THE LUMINOUS SECRETION OF THE CENTIPEDE GEOPHILUS ELECTRICUS (L.) AS A DEFENCE AGAINST THE ATTACK OF BEETLES, ETC". Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 11 (3–5): 48. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1936.tb00861.x. Retrieved 24 October 2021.