Mecistocephalus angusticeps ( Ribaut, 1914 )

Mecistocephalus angusticeps ( Ribaut, 1914) View in CoL

Fig. 11 B View Figure 11

Examined material.

11 specimens: NHMUK 015991461 , 1 ♂, Pandanus tectorius soil and litter, Cinq Cases , 24. 03. 1974, leg. V. W. Spaull ; NHMUK 015991462 , 1 ♀, 2 km N of Cinq Cases , 11. 03. 1974, leg. V. W. Spaull ; NHMUK 015991463 , 6 juveniles, Sideroxylon litter, Cinq Cases , 10–17.03. 1974, leg. V. W. Spaull ; NHMUK 015991464 , 1 ♀, Pandanus tectorius soil and litter, Cinq Cases / Point Hodoul , 27. 03. 1974, leg. V. W. Spaull ; NHMUK 015991465 , 1 ♂, Gionnet , Aldabra, 03. 12. 1974, leg. V. W. Spaull ; NHMUK 015991466 , 1 ♂, Casuarina , Aldabra , 04. 02. 1974, leg. V. W. Spaull .

Remarks.

Previously recorded from multiple localities near the East African Coast and the Western Indian Ocean ( Ribaut 1914; Bonato and Minelli 2010; Popovici et al. 2024), making natural dispersal a likely explanation for the presence of M. angusticeps in Aldabra. Presently examined specimens are morphologically indistinguishable from conspecifics recorded from the Seychelles and the Chagos Islands. Although not previously noted, the forcipular cerri were found to be absent in examined specimens (Fig. 11 B View Figure 11 ). In combination with other diagnostic characters (47 leg-bearing segments, conspicuous medial reduction in clypeal reticulation, large distal trochanteroprefemoral denticle and sternal sulcus not furcate), this allows for easy separation from other syntopic Mecistocephalus spp. within its range.