Chilopoda.

Centipedes

Physiology and Structure:

  • The centipeds are elongated, multisegmented (usually 15-more than 118 segments), many-legged, tracheate arthropods. They have a distinct head and trunk. They posses a flattened body with a single pair of legs in each segment.
  • Maxillipeds (posion claws) are on the first segment and are used for capturing  preys.
  • Millipedes and centipedes are usually classified together, however, millipedes do not have posion claws and have two pairs of legs in each segment.

Centipedes by yarsyn.centipedes                       Milipedes by ambo_az. milipedes

https://www.flickr.com/photos/yarsyn/2098683400/         https://flickr.com/photos/ambo_az/2177938258/

 

Clinical Syndromes:

  • The bites of centipedes may be excruciating and cause swelling at the site of the bite. Reports of the effects of centipedes bites on humans are conflicting. One species, Scolopendra gigantea, which is found in Central and South America and the Galapagos Islands, reportedly has caused several death. With the exception of Scolopendra giga, the bite of other centipedes is harmless.

 

Treament, Prevention and Control:

  • Local measures such as the application of compresses of sodium bicarbonate or solutions of Epsom salts can be used to treat centipedes' bite.
  • Regular disposal of rubbish dwellings is one of the controls that are conducted regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Parasite is defined as an organism that derives its nutrients from another living organism, the host. Parasitic diseases are usually referred to those caused by protozoa, helminths and arthropods which love at the expense of their host. Successful parasites are the ones who are able to maintain their own life processes without killing their host.

Several ways to distinguish parasites infection and bacteria/viruses infection:

  1. Parasites have a complex life cycle that involves the formation of resistant cyst in the organism. (it can usually survive for long periods outside the host.)
  2. Life cycle might involve an insect vector (carrier) that is important for the transmission of disease. In most cases, it is impossible to eliminate the vector effectively.
  3. Some parasites are capable of infecting both humans and animals, thus both can act as reservoirs for the infection. This is true for most protozal infections carried by insects.
  4. Many parasites has life cycle that requires enough time to allow for the various stages to mature, either in soil or in an insect or host.