Mecistocephalus tahitiensis

This species has 47 pairs of legs and can reach 50 mm in length and 1.6 mm in width. The body is yellow with abundant dark pigment and a chestnut brown head. The head is nearly twice as long as wide. The anterior part of the clypeus is areolate and larger than the posterior part. The anterior part of the clypeus features six setae, with one pair posterior to the other two pairs. The pleurites on the side of the head (buccae) feature setae on the posterior half. Each of the second maxillae features a tiny claw at the tip. This species exhibits many traits that characterize the genus Mecistocephalus. For example, like other species in this genus, M. tahitiensis features a head with a transverse frontal line on the dorsal surface, buccae with setae, a coxosternite of the first maxillae that is divided down the middle by a suture, and an undivided coxosternite of the second maxillae. Furthermore, like other species in this genus, M. tahitiensis features a head that is evidently longer than wide, second maxillae with claws, and a longitudinal groove down the middle of the sternites of the leg-bearing segments. This species shares more distinctive features with its close relative M. angusticeps. For example, the species M. tahitiensis and M. angusticeps each feature only 47 leg pairs rather than the 49 pairs usually observed in the genus Mecistocephalus. …

This species is found in Australia, New Guinea, Samoa, and the Marquesas islands as well as Tahiti. Including M. tahitiensis porosus as a subspecies or a junior synonym, the species M. tahitiensis is also found in Fiji. This centipede is common in Australia, where this species has been recorded in Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. On the island of New Guinea, this species has been recorded at Sattelberg in Papua New Guinea. In Samoa, this species has been recorded on the island of Upolu. This centipede is also common throughout the Marquesas, where this species has been recorded on the islands of Eiao, Hatutu, Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, and Ua Pou.

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