Mecistocephalus kurandanus

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Mecistocephalus kurandanus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Family: Mecistocephalidae
Genus: Mecistocephalus
Species:
M. kurandanus
Binomial name
Mecistocephalus kurandanus

Mecistocephalus kurandanus 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][2]

Description[edit]

The original description of this species is based on a specimen measuring 84 mm in length. This species has 49 pairs of legs.[1]

Distribution[edit]

The species occurs in coastal north-eastern Queensland.[3] The type locality is Kuranda, on the Atherton Tableland.[2]

Behaviour[edit]

The centipedes are solitary terrestrial predators that inhabit plant litter and soil.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Chamberlin, Ralph V. (1920). "The Myriopoda of the Australian region". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard College. 64 (1): 1–269 [60].
  2. ^ a b 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. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Species Mecistocephalus kurandanus Chamberlin, 1920". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2023.