Data on electrophoretic mobility and enzymatic activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase from centipedes (chilopoda)

Lactate dehydrogenase has been analyzed electrophoretically, and its enzymatic activity level quantitatively evaluated in species of four Chilopoda orders. Scolopendromorpha, Scutigeromorpha, and most Lithobiomorpha showed a single activity band, while in Geophilomorpha more than one band was revealed, thus suggesting the existence of isozymes. Enzymatic activity was highest in Scutigeromorpha and in Scolopendromorpha, intermediate in Lithobiomorpha and very low in Geophilomorpha. It is presumed that the lactate dehydrogenase activity level has adaptive meaning in view of the different energy request during locomotion between slow and fast moving centipedes.