Sechelleptus seychellarum

(Desjardins, 1835)

Vernacular names
English : Seychelles giant millipede
French : Mille-pattes géant des Seychelles

Classification
Class : Diplopoda
Order : Spirostreptida
Family : Spirostreptidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach length above 30 cm. Global coloration is dark brown, almost black, with clear brown edge on each body segment. Legs are usually clear brown to pink.

Range and habitat
The species can be found on 14 small islands in the Seychelles archipelago. Only found in tropical rainforests, usually with dense vegetation cover, at altitudes above 200 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is in global decline because of habitat degradation due to introduced plant species. Climate change also creates dry conditions which favor the apparition of a parasitic fly species that kills adults.
Ex-Situ Programs : EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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