CR

Mecistocephalus cyclops

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Mecistocephalus cyclops faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation across its extremely limited range. The species' specialized soil-dwelling lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to agricultural conversion and urban development that alters soil chemistry and structure. Its restricted distribution amplifies the impact of any local disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting soil moisture levels critical for this centipede's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered centipede inhabits specialized soil environments in tropical or subtropical regions, requiring specific moisture and temperature conditions. It lives in leaf litter and upper soil layers of forest ecosystems, where it depends on stable microhabitat conditions for feeding and reproduction.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in MECISTOCEPHALIDAE

EN

Mecistocephalus megalodon

Unknown
CR

Mecistocephalus sechellarum

Unknown

Threatened in Seychelles

EN

Acropora mossambica

Declining
EN

Imperturbatia violescens

Stable
EN

Aldabra Fody

Foudia aldabrana

Increasing
CR

Ariadna ustulata

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Mecistocephalus cyclops classified as Critically Endangered?
Mecistocephalus cyclops is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Mecistocephalus cyclops faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation across its extremely limited range. The species' specialized soil-dwelling lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to agricultural conversion and urban development that alters soil chemistry and structure. Its restricted distribution amplifies the impact of any local disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting soil moisture levels critical for this centipede's survival.
Where does Mecistocephalus cyclops live?
Mecistocephalus cyclops occurs in Seychelles. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Mecistocephalus cyclops?
The main threats to Mecistocephalus cyclops are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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