Scolopendra morsitans (Linnaeus, 1758)

Terra typica: ”in Indiis”.

Recent material from Martinique and Les Saintes (Guadeloupe). 1 spm, HC, Le Marin, la Huvet, SF, 80 m a.s.l., lat.14,48891, long. -60,85617, leg. Jacqueline Reminy, 15.10.2018 (CBGP, FAUN 17313); 5 spms, HC, Le François, Ilets de la Baie du François, Ilet Long, 11 m a.s.l., lat.14,61213, long. -60,85565, leg. RP, 22.09.1956 (FPM); 1 spm, HC, La Trinité, Caravelle, Pointe Ferrée, 13 m a.s.l., lat.14,74821, long. -60,89086, leg. RP, 18.01.1953 (FPM); 1 spm, HC, Sainte-Anne, Val d’Or, Service d’expérimentation en Agro-écologie, PT, 15 m a.s.l., lat.14,4402, long. -60,8717, leg. QG, 24.11.2020 (CBGP, FAUN 17314); 1 spm, HC, Le Marin, Massel, SF, 20 m a.s.l., lat.-60,84365, long. 14,502 73, leg. Nicolas Moulin NM, 16.10.2020 (CAEC, 9839); 1 spm, HC, St Martin, Red Rock, grass, 7 m a.s.l., lat.18,1151, long. -63,0372, leg. TD, 08.11.2021 (GBGP FAUN 17315).

Additional material. Guinea-Bissau, 1 spm (ZMMU, Rc 6557); India, Rajasthan, 1 spm (ZMMU, Rc 6559); Ceylon (or Sri Lanka), 1 spm (ZMMU, Rc 6822); Jamaica: 2 sad. (ZMMU, Rc 6958) + 2 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 6959) ; Madagascar, 1 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 7000); Vietnam: Hai Phong District, Dongkho Island, 1 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 6009) + Tay Ninh Province, 1 sad. (ZMMU, Rc 7001) + Ba Rio Vung Tao Province, 1 juv. (ZMMU, Rc 7012) + Ninh Thung Province, 1 spm (ZMMU, Rc 6000) ; Iran, Fars Province: 1 sad. (ZMMU, Rc 7057) + 1 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 7519) ; Philippines Cebu Island, 1ad (ZMMU, Rc 7162) ; Tonga, Nomuka Island: 2 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 7227) + 1 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 7228) ; Kenya, Malindi, 1 juv. (ZMMU, Rc 7230); Northern Algeria, 1 sad. (ZMMU, Rc 7524); Philippines, Manila, 1 ad. (ZMMU, Rc 7529); Seychelles, 8 spms (ZMMU, Rc 6001–6007); Australia, 1 spm (ZMMU, Rc 6008) .

Diagnosis. See Schileyko (1995: 75).

Ecology in Martinique. Eurytopic at very low altitudes only.

Range (after Lewis 2010: 107). USA (Florida), Mexico, Central and South America, Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Australia, islands of Atlantic, Indian and western and central Pacific Oceans. Frequently introduced. European citations are dubious.

Remarks. An undoubtedly introduced and well acclimatized species.