Test of Practical on Millipede and Centipede (Myriapoda).
Test of Practical on Millipede and Centipede (Myriapoda).
SPECIMEN: FRESHLY PRESERVED CENTIPEDE IN A PETRI DISH
Mode of nutrition is heterotrophic/Holozoic, and method of feeding is carnivorous (on insects, worms and spiders).
Because of the presence of a pair of poison claws used to paralyse/capture prey (Insects, worms and spiders).
The feature for feeding is mandibles, and the respiratory structures are tracheae, which open to the outside as spiracles.
Centipedes are nocturnal organisms that hide during the day under stones and wood logs and hunt in the night.
They possess an exoskeleton made of chitin that protects them against desiccation and mechanical injury.
Group name:
- Soil fauna/invertebrate
Habitat:
- Moist/ damp soil.
- Decaying wood.
- Leaf litter.
- Under stones.
- Bark of trees.
Biological Classification.
Phylum Arthropoda
Reasons:
- Presence of a chitinous exoskeleton
- Metameric segmentation
- Presence of jointed appendages attached to each segment.
- Bilaterally symmetrical
- Triploblastic coelomate
- Open circulation (haemocilic)
- Undergo moulting.
Class Chilopoda
Reasons:
- One pair of antennae
- One pair of poison claws
- One pair of legs per abdominal segment
Observable characteristics of a centipede
- One pair of antennae
- One pair of poison claws
- One pair of legs per abdominal segment (tergite) (a pair of legs to each tergite)
- The body consists of the (distinct) head and trunk
- The trunk is made up of a series of flattened segments.
- The first segment of the trunk bears a pair of poison claws.
- Each body segment, except the first and the last two, bears a pair of walking legs.
Observable Adaptive Features of Centipede
- Antennae for sensitivity
- Mouthparts for feeding
- Poison claws for killing prey and defence
- Flat body
- Colour blends with the environment
- Numerous legs for swift movement
Observable Features for Escaping Danger
- Poison claws for defence
- Legs for swift movement
- Dark colour blends with dark brown soil
- Flat body fits into cracks
Economic Importance of Centipede
- Biological control of insects and worms
- They can harm humans with their bite
- They improve soil fertility by burrowing
Agricultural importance of centipede
- They improve soil fertility by burrowing.
- Aerate the soil to improve air movement.
SPECIMEN: FRESHLY PRESERVED MILLIPEDE IN A PETRI DISH
Most body segments of millipedes have two pairs of legs that stick out from the sides of the body.
The segments that have two pairs of legs are called diplosomites.
The first few segments have only one pair of legs; they are called somites.
The second-to-last segment has no legs.
The last segment is called the anal segment; it is where waste (in the form of pellets) leaves the body.
Repugnatorial glands emit offensive fluid to repel enemies
Group name:
- Soil fauna/invertebrate
Habitat:
- Leaf litter
- Farm
- Garden
- Forest filter
- Forest soil
- logs
Sampling techniques
- Quadrat method
- Tullgren funnel
Biological Classification
Phylum Arthropoda
Reasons.
- Presence of a chitinous exoskeleton
- Metameric segmentation
- Presence of jointed appendages attached to each segment.
- Bilaterally symmetrical
- Triploblastic coelomate
- Open circulation (haemocilic)
- Undergo moulting.
Class Diplopoda
Reasons.
- Head is clearly defined
- Two pairs of legs per segment
- A pair of antennae
Observable Characteristics/Features of a Millipede
- Distinct head
- Two pairs of legs per segment
- A pair of antennae
- Small, numerous body segments
- Two pairs of legs per segment
- The head bears a pair of antennae, mouth parts and simple eyes.
- Cylindrical body.
Adaptive Features of a Millipede
- Sting glands for defence
- Antennae for sensitivity
- Mouth parts for feeding
- Numerous Legs for fast movement
Economic Importance of Millipedes
- Pest of crops and seedlings
- Improves soil fertility by burrowing/aeration of soil
- Breaks up litter into small pieces that aid enzymes in fungi and bacteria to act to form humus
Agricultural importance of millipedes
- Pest of crops and seedlings
- Improves soil fertility by burrowing/aeration of soil
- Breaks up litter into small pieces that aid enzymes in fungi and bacteria to act to form humus
Similarities Between Centipede and Millipede
- Jointed appendages
- Metameric segmentation
- A pair of antennae
- Numerous legs
- Chitinous exoskeleton
- Elongated body.
Differences Between Centipedes and Millipedes
| CENTIPEDE | MILLIPEDE |
| Few body segments | Numerous body segments. |
| Fast in movement | Slow in movement. |
| A pair of legs on each segment. | Two pairs of legs on each segment |
| It a carnivore | It is an herbivore |
| Dorsoventrally flattened body | Cylindrical body |
| Poisonous claws | No poisonous claws |
