Cryptops inermipes Pocock, 1888

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 : 22-24

Cryptops inermipes Pocock, 1888 Figs 55-62

Cryptops inermipes Pocock, 1888 Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond. 38: 556, fig. 1.

Material examined.

BMNH. Holotype labelled Cryptops ( Cryptops ) inermipes Pocock type Indian Ocean: Xmas Island Lister J J. 88.96 HMS ‘Egeria’ BMNH(E) 200007 Chilo 1888.96.

Diagnosis.

Length 27 mm.Without dark subcutaneous pigment. Cephalic plate without sutures. Anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite barely protuberant, with three or four fine submarginal setae on each side on the anterior margin. Poison gland calyx ovoid, situated mainly in the anterior part of the trochanteroprefemur. Posterior margin of sternite 21 slightly curved. Coxopleural pore field occupying anterior 75% of coxopleuron, with about 70 pores. Ultimate tibia and tarsus without saw teeth. Pretarsal accessory spurs of legs 1-20 minute.

Description.

( Pocock’s (1888) data in parentheses where relevant).

Length 27 mm. Colour: brownish orange, cephalic plate brown. Antennal articles 16 [d]+16 [d], very long. Article 10 twice as long as wide (Fig. 55) with an irregular whorl of long basal setae (Fig. 56).

Cephalic plate without sutures, overlain by first tergite. Forcipular coxosternite slightly convex on each side with 4+3 fine submarginal setae (Fig. 57). Calyx of forcipular poison gland ovoid and situated in the anterior part of the trochanteroprefemur (Figs 58, 59).

Paramedian and crescentic sulci clearly visible from tergite 3 (second [tergite] with two shallow sulci; the rest, with the exception of the last, bearing four sulci). Sternite sulci not seen but the transverse apodeme is clear (each, the first excepted, with a median longitudinal sulcus, and most of them with a median transverse sulcus, the distinctness of this latter sulcus is variable, and it almost disappears in the posterior region of the body).

Sternite 21 with sides converging posteriorly with a slightly convex posterior margin (Fig. 60). Coxopleuron with about 70 pores and occupying approximately anterior 75% of the pore field. With two setae in the pore field, one behind and 6 on the posterior margin.

Ultimate legs now missing (denticles absent upon the under surface of the tibial and proximal tarsal segments of the anal legs). Twentieth pair of legs now missing. Ambulatory legs (Fig. 61) with undivided tarsi (legs, all that remain, remarkably hirsute but none of the segments spiny.). Pretarsal accessory spurs minute (Fig. 62).

Distribution.

Christmas Island (Indian Ocean).

Remarks.

The lack of saw teeth on the ultimate legs would appear to be an extremely rare mutation. The condition has not been reported from any other species in the genus. Unfortunately the fact that the ultimate legs are now missing does not allow confirmation of the condition. It is possible that Pocock (1888) mistook the twentieth for the ultimate pair of legs. The description provided here should allow confirmation of this when further specimens from Christmas Island become available.