Centipedes and Millipedes Toxins

MILLIPEDES

best protected of arthropods. possess defensive glands, in the form of integumental sacs arranged segmentally along the length of the body, from which they discharge such diverse toxins:  1,4-benzoquinones, phenols, hydrogen cyanide, quinazolinones, and alkaloids. the large 1,4-benzoquinone-discharging members of the orders Spirobolida and Spirosteptida, can eject their secretion in copious amounts in response to even mild provocation. Millipedes

Millipedes belong to the subphylum Myriapoda, along with the centipedes, symphylans and pauropods. As their name suggests, myriapods have a 'myriad of legs'. Millipedes (Class Diplopoda) are different from the other classes of Myriapods in that they have two pairs of legs for each body segment. Millipedes

Centipedes are carnivorous and primarily use their poison claws for venom delivery while hunting prey. Millipedes, on the other hand, are detritivores - they eat rotting leaves and other plant material and thus play a pivotal role in nutrient recycling within soils. Thus, there was never a need to evolve any venom-delivery mechanism. Millipedes have, however, developed their own ways to defend themselves from would-be predators. Millipedes

(Narceus gordanus) Millipedes

(Chicobolus spinigerus) Millipedes

(Rhinocricus padbergi) Millipedes

CENTIPEDES

A speedy, carnivorous invertebrate, found generally around decaying matter all around the world. Centipedes are not only carnivorous animals but the bite of the centipede also contains venom which means that the centipede kills it's prey before eating it. Despite their name, and the common conception that a centipede has 100 legs, this is in fact not true. The centipede has pairs of legs that run the length of the body of the centipede, which are normally between 15 and 30 pairs of legs in total and not 50. Centipedes

There are thought to be around 8,000 species of centipede worldwide, although only about 3,000 have actually been properly documented and undergone intense studying in the scientific world. Millipedes have two pairs, while centipedes bear one pair per segment, with the first pair of legs being modified into fangs. Centipedes are generally flattened and have a pair of well developed antennae on the head. Centipedes

(Scutigera coleoptrataLinnaeus) Centipedes

(Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae) Centipedes

According to Google Search, the toxin of Centipede is composed of histamine, Hyaluronidase (hyaluronan-degrading enzyme), saccharase, serotonin, protein-degrading enzyme and so on. Generally the protein and the enzyme are weak against heat. So the enzyme toxin of the Centipede can be deactivated by thermal denaturation. The thermal denaturation temperature may be about 42 ℃ (degrees centigrade). Centipedes

Centipede stings occur in the warmer climates throughout the world and their painful results have been known for centuries. The centipede venom is toxic to both mammals and insects. Centipedes

TOXINS Hyaluronidase Protease

BITES

If the millipede/centipede toxin gets on the skin, symptoms may include: Staining of the skin (turns brown) Intense burning or itching of skin Headache, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, palpitation, Blisters If the millipede/centipede toxin gets in the eyes, symptoms may include: Blindness (rare) Inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids (conjunctivitis) Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) Symptoms

Home Care Wash the exposed area with plenty of soap and water. Do NOT use alcohol to wash the area. Wash eyes with plenty of water if any toxin gets in them. Seek immediate medical attention. Tell the health care provider if any toxin got in the eyes. Treatment

References