Mecistocephalus simplex explained

Mecistocephalus simplex is a species of centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. It is endemic to Australia, and was first described in 1920 by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin.^[1]

Description

The original description of this species is based on a specimen measuring 40 mm in length. This species has 49 pairs of legs.

Distribution

The species occurs in coastal north-eastern Queensland.^[2] The type locality is Cairns.^[1]

Behaviour

The centipedes are solitary terrestrial predators that inhabit plant litter and soil.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bonato L. . Chagas Junior A. . Edgecombe G.D. . Lewis J.G.E. . Minelli A. . Pereira L.A. . Shelley R.M. . Stoev P. . Zapparoli M. . 2016 . ChiloBase 2.0 . A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda) . Rosario Dioguardi and Giuseppe Cortese, University of Padua. 3 March 2023.
2. Web site: Species Mecistocephalus simplex Chamberlin, 1920. . 2010. Australian Faunal Directory . Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia . 3 March 2023.