Embryological study of scolopendromorph centipedes : A comparative embryological analysis on the affinity of myriapods and chelicerates

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In the animal phylogeny, one of the most interesting and attractive issues is the reconstruction of the groundplan and evolution of the Arthropod, which are the phylum largest in species number in animals. "Myriapoda" not only share many ancestral features in arthropods, but also their intragroup affinities have not been settled yet. Hence, it is the most significant for the reconstruction of the groundplan and evolution of arthropods to elucidate the myriapods in groundplan and morphogenesis.In the present study, the developmental process of Scolopocryptops rubiginosus L.Koch of Chilopoda, which are affiliated to the most basal clade in the myriapods, was examined and described in detail, the embryonic development being divided into nine stages and the postembryonic ones up to the third instar larva into five stages. The observations were argued in light of morphology and evolution.It was revealed that Chilopoda share the embryological plans with Chelicerata in many aspects, this being the first morphological contribution referring to the close resemblances good enough to postulate their affinity. It was also argued that Chilopoda represent the most basal dade with in Arthropod, to reconstruct the groundplan of Arthropoda.The knowledge obtained has been published in some papers, including a comprehensive article to be submitted to Journal of Morphology. In the course of the present study, I had conducted some embryological studies on insects as well, this being useful in extending the discussion in the present study.