The Chinese red-headed centipede, also known as the Chinese red head, (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans) is a centipede from East Asia and Australasia. It averages 20 cm (8 in) in length and lives in damp environments.
In ancient Chinese traditions, this centipede is used for its healing properties. Putting a Chinese red head on a rash or other skin-disease is said to speed up the healing process. The roasted dry centipede is pulverized and used in Korea for the treatment of back pain, furuncles, and sores.
S. s. mutilans is known for harbouring little aggression to other centipedes, a trait very rare amongst giant centipedes, and allows it to be kept communally. Antimicrobial activities of the identified compounds were reported against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, that possibly explain centipede's survival in harsh and polluted environments.
Females are incubator mothers, guarding the eggs by wrapping their bodies around their clutches until the eggs hatch.
This subspecies differs from other S. subspinipes subspecies in spination of the prefemur of the ventral legs, ventrally, dorsally, and medially.
Venom
Venoms of centipedes remained largely unstudied, and the components remain largely unknown. The venom of the Chinese red-headed centipede contains a small peptide toxin called RhTx, which increases activation of the TRPV1 ion channel, causing a localized burning pain. The crude venom is said to be toxic in mice and to induce platelet aggregation. In addition, another 26 neurotoxins belonging to 10 different groups of peptides have been identified. In January 2018, Chinese scientists found an antidote to the painful venom of centipede in the drug retigabine, used to treat epilepsy.
The biological actions of the toxins in centipede venom are mostly unknown. A peptide named S. s. mutilans venom toxin peptide (SsmTP) and S. s. mutilans 6 were identified in S. s. mutilans'''s venom. SsmTP consists of 66 amino acids, and its composition highly resembles those of neurotoxins. The peptide is found within the venom duct. SsmTP was found to be toxic to cells depending on the concentration administered. It promotes cell growth in low concentrations in vitro (i.e. outside a living organism), but is cytotoxic in high concentrations. A low concentration of SsmTP also protects cells from oxidative damage by inhibiting programmed cell death (apoptosis) and the inflammatory response initiator caspase-1.
Venom system morphology
Little is known about the venom and the venom apparatus of centipedes. Studies on venom gland described it as the cuticle and epidermis being turned inside out. The venom gland consists of many epithelial secretory units, each with its own excretory system that is shaped like valves. Centipedes of the order Scolopendromorpha have interspersed radial striated muscles between the secretory units, where one end connects to the lumen of the venom gland and the other end connects to peripheral muscles. These muscles may be used for the contraction and constriction of anthe gland during venom ejection. The venom glands of Scolopendridae species are elongated cylindrical shape, with the lumen spanning almost the entire length of the gland. The long span of the lumen likely allows greater control over the secretion of different venom components. The venom glands span along the outer curvature of trochanteroprefemur of each forcipule.
Uniqueness of venom
Centipede venom generally contains a few different enzymes that are very different from other arthropods, where metalloprotease, an enzyme that breaks down protein plays an important role. Centipede venom has effects on skeletal muscles, heart muscles, and neurons, and the effects are attributed to the larger protein molecules in the venom.