Can montane and cave centipedes inhabit soil?

Abstract

Communities of centipedes (Chilopoda) were studied at three localities in eastern Bohemia (Czech Republic) near the town of Skuteč using modified subterranean traps. Centipedes were trapped separately from depths of 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95 cm to allow evaluation of the vertical distribution in the soil. Presence of centipedes in deeper soil profiles is related to their ability to colonize the subterranean environment. Lithobius tenebrosus fennoscandius, L. lucifugus, L. macilentus, Cryptops parisi, Strigamia acuminata, and S. transsilvanica inhabited deeper soil layers preferentially. This study shows that soil can be inhabited by cave centipedes or centipedes with montane distribution.