A new species of the genus Paracryptops from India, with remarks on the generic and specific characters (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Cryptopidae)

Paracryptops spinosus , a new centipede species from Delhi, is described. The species is unique in the genus in that its anal legs have their femora and tibiae beset distally with extraordinary spines. It is pointed out that the exceedingly short poison claws supposed to be incapable of meeting in the middle cannot be depended upon to identify the genus Paracryptops . This character is apparent, not real and should be discarded. It is also pointed out that the number of tibial teeth used as a key character at species level, being subject to age variation, can be of limited taxonomic value and should be used with caution.