Cryptops Leach, 1815

Lewis, JGE, 2002, their adjacent islets (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha), Journal of Natural History 36, pp. 79-106 : 91

Genus Cryptops Leach

The subgenus Cryptops of the genus Cryptops including the subgenus Trichocryptops VerhoeOE, 1937 , contains 152 described species. Some of these are based on incomplete specimens and many descriptions are inadequate.

The four species here recorded namely, Cryptops mauritianus , Cryptops decoratus Lawrence, 1960 Cryptops niloticus Lewis, 1967 and a new species Cryptops daszaki are closely related, having the head without or with only very short paramedian sutures, the ®rst tergite lacking a ring suture and without or with only very short paramedian sutures. Paramedian sutures complete from tergite 4 or subsequent tergites. End leg femur without saw teeth.

The distinction drawn by Lewis (1999) between tergite paramedian sulci, the grooves seen by reēcted light and paramedian sutures (®ne hinge lines) is here maintained. Typically there is a hinge line at the bottom of the longitudinal groove but the line may extend beyond the limit of the groove and vice versa. Sulci are not seen in cleared preparations.