Distribution patterns in British Chilopoda

Twenty-one nonmaritime species of chilopod are recorded from northern Britain and a further fourteen from the South. All the northern species are characteristic of northern Europe with the exception of Lithobius variegatus Leach but the remainder include both Lusitanian and central European species. An examination of distribution patterns in relation to climate suggests that spring/summer temperatures may be significant in influencing occurrence except for L. variegatus where January isotherms show a better correlation although problems arise when altitudinal effects are examined. It is suggested that urban areas acting as “heat islands” may permit some species to occur in areas where they would otherwise be absent.