On the appendage regeneration of Eupolybothrus transsylvanicus (Latzel) (Chilopoda: Lithobiidae)

Abstract

We have analyzed and discussed the indirect evidence of regeneration of the forcipular telopodites and the walking legs (reduced in size or abnormal characteristics such as atypical morphology and a reduced number of articles) in wild populations of the lithobiomorph centipede Eupolybothrus transsylvanicus (Latzel). In our opinion, these morphological defects can be interpreted as a result of incomplete regeneration. In some cases, the full segmentation of the regenerating appendages will be completed later in ontogeny through an anamorphic schedule of post-embryonic segment addition.