Mecistocephalus sechellarum
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Mecistocephalus sechellarum faces severe threats from habitat destruction on its limited Seychelles island range, where coastal development and tourism infrastructure have eliminated much of its native forest habitat. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that alter soil composition and leaf litter structure essential for this centipede's survival. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity affecting the humid microhabitats this species requires.
Habitat
This endemic centipede inhabits the leaf litter and soil layers of native forests on granite islands in the Seychelles archipelago. It requires humid microhabitats with stable temperature and moisture conditions found beneath decomposing vegetation in undisturbed forest ecosystems.
