Egg laying, maternal care and development of young in the scolopendromorph centipede, Cormocephalus anceps anceps Porat

The methods used to observe the construction of the brood chamber and rearing of the young by the female Cormocephalus anceps are described. The period of egg laying and the maternal care, essential for the survival of both eggs and brood, were observed and the behaviour of the female during this time is recorded. Two broods were successfully reared to first year adolescent stages in the laboratory. The two embryonic and three adolescent stages are briefly described and their developmental times recorded. Subsequent stages of development are noted by increase in size until sexual maturity is attained in the second year. The length of life and number of broods per female remains to be investigated.