Parental care in Cryptops hortensis (Donovan) (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha) from Serbia, The Balkan Peninsula

Abstract

Parental care in the geographically widespread cryptopid scolopendromorph Cryptops hortensis (Donovan) is described for the first time. It was observed that the adult female rolls her body around the mass of hatchlings with the ventral side against the brood. This finding supports the hypothesis that within the brooding centipedes, the female posi-tion with the terga outwards is a plesiomorphic state and probably a general feature of all Scolopendromorpha. In addition, the major external morphological characters of the fetus instar and adolescens I are described.