The African species of the genus Schendylurus silvestri, 1907 (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Schendylldae)

Abstract

The genus Schendylurus has a wide distribution in the Neotropical Region, with about 40 species known to date. The genus is also present, but less widespread, in Africa, with 6 species, all insufficiently described by previous authors. The different species inhabit a variety of biotopes, including tropical and subtropical forest, steppe and savannah and temperate woodlands, at altitudes ranging from the sea level up to 4500 m in the Andes of South America. We do not know enough about the genus and its nearest relatives to be able to confidently suggest an explanation for the amphiatlantic pattern of distribution. At any rate, for geophilomorph centipedes dispersal by rafting over large distances must be sometimes considered (CRABILL, 1960 ) . W e have recently got the opportunity t o study materials belonging t o all African taxa of this genus, including type specimens of most of them. Accordingly, we offer here redescriptions and a key to the Old World species of the genus.