Morphology, Histology and Histochemistry of the Venom Apparatus of the Centipede, Scolopendra valida (Chilopoda, Scolopendridae)

Morphological, histological and histochemical characterizations of the venom apparatus of the centapede, S. valida have been investigated. The venom apparatus of Scolopendra valida consists of a pair of maxillipedes and venom glands situated anteriorly in the prosoma on either side of the first segment of the body. Each venom gland is continuous with a hollow tubular claw possessing a sharp tip and subterminal pore located on the outer curvature. The glandular epithelium is folded and consists of a mass of secretory epithelium, covered by a sheath of striated muscles. The secretory epithelium consists of high columnar venom-producing cells having dense cytoplasmic venom granules. The glandular canal lacks musculature and is lined with chitinous internal layer and simple cuboidal epithelium. The histochemical results indicate that the venom-producing cells of both glands elaborate glycosaminoglycan, acid mucosubstances, certain amino acids and proteins, but are devoid of glycogen. The structure and secretions of centipede venom glands are discussed within the context of the present results.