Cryptops mauritianus Verhoeff, 1939

Lewis, John G. E., 2011, A review of the species in the genus Cryptops Leach, 1815 from the Old World related to Cryptops (Cryptops) hortensis (Donovan, 1810) (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, International Journal of Myriapodology 4, pp. 11-50 : 25-26

Cryptops mauritianus Verhoeff, 1939 Figs 68-70

Cryptops mauritianus Verhoeff, 1939 Zool. Jb. (Syst.) 72: 94, Table 5, figs 23-26.

Cryptops mauritianus : Lewis, 2002 J. Nat Hist. 36: 91, figs 22-35.

Diagnosis.

Length: 15-32 mm. With dark subcuticular pigment.

Cephalic plate with or without very short posterior paramedian sutures. Anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite almost straight with (3) 4 or 5 long submarginal setae on each side (Fig. 68). Not each side with 3+4-4+5 as stated by Lewis (2002) in his diagnosis. Poison gland calyx ovoid, situated in anterior quarter of trochanteroprefemur. Posterior margin of sternite 21 straight. Coxopleural pore field occupying no more than anterior 70% of coxopleuron, with 33-65 pores and several minute setae in pore field (Fig. 69). With 5-8 tibial and 3-4 tarsal saw teeth. Legs 1-20 with 2 minute pretarsal accessory spurs (Fig. 70).

Distribution.

Mauritius (SW Indian Ocean)

Remarks.

Lewis (2002) wrote "the small individuals … are very similar to [Mauritian] Cryptops decoratus [sensu Lewis] from which they may be distinguished by their minute tarsal claws [should have read minute pretarsal accessory spurs] a minor but consistent character, and incomplete tergite sulci". In a specimen of 10.5 mm the posterior margin of sternite 21 is rounded rather than straight. The Mauritius " Cryptops decoratus "is synonymised under Cryptops melanotypus in this paper (see below).