''Geophilus electricus'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

soil centipede Centipedes (from New Latin , "hundred", and Latin , "foot") are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda (Ancient Greek , ''kheilos'', lip, and New Latin suffix , "foot", describing the forcipules) of the subphylum Myriapoda, an a ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Geophilidae The Geophilidae are a polyphyletic, cosmopolitan family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Geophiloidea containing the mostly defunct clades Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, Chilenophilinae, and Macronicophilidae. Species in ...

found across temperate Europe, especially Britain and Ireland. Originally discovered and named ''Scolopendra electrica'' in 1758, it was later moved to its own genus,

Geophilus ''Geophilus '' is a large, heterogeneous genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae largely considered to be synonymous with '' Brachygeophilus''. It is a mostly holarctic genus characterized by a claw-shaped ultimate pretarsus, anteri ...

. As the first species described in this genus, it is considered by some to be the

type species In zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the species that contains the biological type specimen ...

(along with '' Geophilus carpophagus''). It is yellowish-orange in color and can grow up to 45 millimeters, with 55 to 75 leg pairs (more than other similar ''Geophilus'' species), a distinct carpophagus fossae on the anterior sternites, and a distinctive arrangement of the coxal pores of the last leg pair. Like many geophilomorphans, ''G. electricus'' has been known to glow in the dark, most likely as a defensive maneuver.

Etymology

The name comes from Latin 'electricus', meaning 'electric', most likely referring to its ability to glow in the dark.

Habitat

''G. electricus'' is found at altitudes below 400ft, and is partially a soil-dwelling species, living within 10cm below the ground or in the layer of leaf litter on top. It prefers gardens and arable land, making it mostly synanthropic, but has no bias toward inland or coastal sites. Its preferred soil types are clay, loam, and sandy.

References

electricus {{Improve categories, date=February 2022