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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jordan CuffORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
The Serpent Island centipede, Scolopendra abnormis, is a threatened centipede species found on only two small islands in the Indian Ocean: Round Island, located 22.5 km north-east of Mauritius, and Serpent Island, 4 km north-west of Round Island. Current understanding of its ecology is based on limited direct observations from 30 years ago. Round Island has since undergone significant habitat restoration. Hyperabundant non-native ants are also present, which may impact centipede nesting behaviour, ecology and survival. Recent methodological advances, such as high-throughput sequencing of dietary DNA, can extend our understanding of invertebrate ecology and provide data complementary to direct observation. Using a combination of dietary metabarcoding and observational approaches, we provide new insights into the ecology and natural history of this threatened invertebrate predator. Scolopendra abnormis nest most consistently in the root network found beneath endemic Pandanus vandermeeschii trees. They are also found in areas with good soil cover, herbaceous growth, and areas of bare rock slab. Only four of 43 centipedes in this study were found near an ant foraging trail, which may have significant implications for S. abnormis nesting habits. These centipedes primarily consume insect prey (particularly taxa within Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera), irrespective of centipede body size. A quarter of centipedes also consumed endemic lizards. We also found marked differences in diet composition between wet and dry seasons arising from the changing availability of prey. We provide additional natural history observations and conclude by suggesting conservation actions that would help better understand and safeguard S. abnormis populations.
Author(s): Tercel MPTG, Cuff JP, Vaughan IP, Symondson WOC, Goder M, Matadeen S, Tatayah RVV, Cole NC
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Endangered Species Research
Year: 2024
Volume: 54
Pages: 181-189
Online publication date: 13/06/2024
Acceptance date: 25/04/2024
Date deposited: 26/04/2024
ISSN (print): 1863-5407
ISSN (electronic): 1613-4796
Publisher: Inter-Research
URL: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01337
DOI: 10.3354/esr01337
Data Access Statement: Data are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.
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