Predation by giant centipedes, Scolopendra gigantea, on three species of bats in a Venezuelan cave

摘要: We report the first known cases of predation by centipedes, Scolopendra gigantea (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae), on three species of bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera), Mormoops megalophylla and Pteronotus davyi (Mor-moopidae), and Leptonycteris curasoae (Phyllostomidae). Our observations were made in Cueva del Guano, a limestone cave in Paraguaná Peninsula, Venezuela, that harbors important colonies of five bat species. These observations show that, nocturnally and diurnally, centipedes can perform two actions that most other bat predators cannot. First, they climb cave ceilings to catch and eat flying or perching bats. Second, they subdue bats substantially heavier than themselves. Such capabilities may allow large centipedes to prey on bats in what otherwise would be safe roosts.