Theatops

Newport, 1844

Theatops is a of in the Cryptopidae, Scolopendromorpha. in this genus are found in North America, southern Europe, and Asia. The genus includes Theatops posticus, a common eastern Nearctic species with a disjunct western , and Theatops chuanensis, the first Asian record of the family. Theatops species possess distinctive morphological features including modified ultimate legs, with some species exhibiting on the prefemora and .

Theatops californiensis by (c) Zac Peterson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zac Peterson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Theatops posticus by (c) Derek Hennen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Derek Hennen. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Theatops: /ˈθiːətɒps/

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Identification

Theatops can be distinguished from related by features of the ultimate legs, including the presence or absence of prefemoral and femoral . Theatops posticus exhibits small on the ultimate prefemora and/or in some southwestern , with coxopleurae bearing slightly elevated, caudally produced medial borders. Theatops chuanensis uniquely possesses on 7, a condition not found in other Theatops . The reliability of segment 7 spiracles as a diagnostic character for scolopendromorph genera has been questioned.

Images

Habitat

Rocky areas, under stones, in leaf litter, and in decaying logs. Found in pine-oak woodland, oak-juniper woodland, and riparian .

Distribution

North America (United States: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, California, Utah; Mexico: Baja California Norte, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas; Santa Cruz Island), southern Europe, and Asia (China: Sichuan Province).

Similar Taxa

Theatops californiensisPreviously confused with Theatops posticus; now recognized as a distinct Pacific based on phenotypic differences and geographic intermediacy of variants
Theatops erythrocephalusEuropean resembling Theatops californiensis; similarity represents convergence rather than conspecificity

More Details

Taxonomic History

The placement of Theatops has been subject to revision. Sources variously place the in Cryptopidae or Plutoniumidae. Theatops chuanensis represents the first Asian record of the family, previously known only from North America and southern Europe.