Lithobius variegatus

Lithobius variegatus is a species of centipede found in Europe, sometimes called the common banded centipede or banded centipede.

Lithobius variegatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Myriapoda
Class:	Chilopoda
Order:	Lithobiomorpha
Family:	Lithobiidae
Genus:	Lithobius
Species:	L. variegatus
Binomial name
Lithobius variegatus Leach, 1814 [1]

L. variegatus can be distinguished from its close relative Lithobius forficatus by the presence of conspicuous purple or brown rings around its legs.[2] It preys on small invertebrates such as woodlice (including Philoscia muscorum, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber and Androniscus dentiger) and millipedes, including Polydesmus angustus and Tachypodoiulus niger. It, in turn, is eaten by birds such as magpies and blackbirds.[2]

For a long time, it was thought that L. variegatus was endemic to the British Isles, but populations were later discovered in the Channel Islands, Brittany, northwestern Spain and northern Portugal.[3] There are also records from southern Italy, Morocco and Tunisia, making it a good example of a member of the Lusitanian fauna – species found in the western Mediterranean region and extending northwards to the British Isles, but avoiding most of North-West Europe.[3]

L. variegatus also contains the subspecies L. v. rubripes, which was formerly treated as a separate species. It is more widespread in Western Europe and lacks the banding pattern on the legs.[3]

References

1. "Lithobius variegatus Leach, 1814". SysTax. Universität Ulm, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
2. "Banded centipede — Lithobius variegatus". Natural England. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
3. E. H. Eason & A. Serra (1986). "On the geographical distribution of Lithobius variegatus Leach, 1814, and the identity of Lithobius rubriceps Newport, 1845 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha)". Journal of Natural History. 20 (1): 23–29. doi:10.1080/00222938600770031.