New Distributional Records with an Annotated List of Scolopendrid Centipedes (Myriapoda: Chilopoda) from West Bengal, India

The diversity and distribution of scolopendrid centipedes in eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, remain poorly documented despite their ecological importance. Previous studies recorded only thirteen species from the state, indicating a significant knowledge gap. The present study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the family Scolopendridae in West Bengal, based on surveys conducted between 2021 and 2024 across diverse habitats, supplemented by a literature review and examination of specimens. The study also clarifies several earlier taxonomic and distributional ambiguities through the reassessment of doubtful records and updated nomenclatural interpretations. A total of eighteen species are documented, increasing the known diversity from thirteen to eighteen species. Five species are recorded for the first time from the state, namely Ethmostigmus tristis (Meinert, 1886), Rhysida crassispina Kraepelin, 1903, Rhysida konda Joshi, Karanth & Edgecombe, 2020, Rhysida trispinosa (Jangi & Dass, 1984), and Scolopendra subspinipes Leach, 1815, representing notable range extensions in eastern India. The study provides taxonomic notes, diagnoses, materials examined, and an updated distributional list for all species. These results establish a comprehensive baseline for future taxonomic, ecological, and biogeographical research on scolopendrid centipedes in the region.