| Ultimate legs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Synonyms | Anal legs, caudal legs, terminal legs |
| Origins | Legs |
| Function | Varied: defensive postures, mating rituals, anchoring |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Ultimate legs are a pair of modified rear legs unique to centipedes. Although they do not aid in locomotion, ultimate legs are used for a variety of uses, and their morphology varies accordingly.
Sexual dimorphism is frequently present. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Usage
As a defence against predators
In many species, ultimate legs are used in warning postures to scare off predators. The ultimate legs are raised, splayed, and sometimes waved back and forth. [1] [2] The presence of spines on the ultimate legs of some species also serves a defensive role- as Lewis & Kronmüller (2015) put it, "a predator approaching from behind would come into contact with a battery of spines." [2]
For suspension
Some species use their ultimate legs to hang or anchor themselves from trees or other desired objects. This has been recorded as playing a role in predation; the centipede suspends itself in the air and swings back and forth to capture prey. [2]
In contact with other centipedes
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Before mating, many species of Scolopendrid centipedes interlock ultimate legs. A similar behaviour has been recorded in ordinary meetings, wherein each centipede grasps the other's trunk with its ultimate legs. This possibly serves as a way to defuse aggression, and in some species may be held for several minutes. [2]
During mating, Scutigera coleoptrata raise and lower their ultimate legs, along with their antennae. [3]
As a means of sound production
Members of the genus Alipes stridulate their leaf-like ultimate legs, probably as a way to warn off predators. The legs continue to stridulate for up to half a minute if detached from the centipede. [2]
The ultimate legs of Rhysida immarginata togoensis emit a faint creaking or squeaking sound when detached and bent. [2]
References
- ^ a b Kenning, Matthes; Schendel, Vanessa; Müller, Carsten H. G.; Sombke, Andy (2019-01-14). "Comparative morphology of ultimate and walking legs in the centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda) with functional implications". Zoological Letters. 5 (1): 3. doi: 10.1186/s40851-018-0115-x. ISSN 2056-306X. PMC 6330759. PMID 30656061.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kronmüller, Christian; Lewis, John G. J. (2015-06-30). "On the function of the ultimate legs of some Scolopendridae (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha)". ZooKeys (510): 269–278. Bibcode: 2015ZooK..510..269K. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.510.8674. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC 4523778. PMID 26257548.
- ^ a b Kenning, Matthes; Müller, Carsten H. G.; Sombke, Andy (2017-11-14). "The ultimate legs of Chilopoda (Myriapoda): a review on their morphological disparity and functional variability". PeerJ. 5: e4023. doi: 10.7717/peerj.4023. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 5691793. PMID 29158971.
- ^ Sombke, Andy; Müller, Carsten H. G. (Apr 2021). "When SEM becomes a deceptive tool of analysis: the unexpected discovery of epidermal glands with stalked ducts on the ultimate legs of geophilomorph centipedes". Frontiers in Zoology. 18 (1): 17. doi: 10.1186/s12983-021-00402-3. ISSN 1742-9994. PMC 8056527. PMID 33879192.