Distribution
Craterostigmus crabilli from Kahurangi National Park, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. © Gonzalo Giribet
C. crabilli is found in New Zealand in North, South and Stewart Islands. Most records are in South Island. North Island has just three widely separated records.
Habitat
This centipede is found in a variety of native forest types and at elevations from near sea level (5m) to alpine (1,700m).
It can be found in Nothofagus (N. cliffortioides and N. menziesii), as well as podocarp and Metrosideros forest.
Specimens are most commonly found in rotting logs and in leaf litter, but have also been collected in moss and under stones, including scree on mountains.
Population biology
Despite widespread geographic distribution, the centipede is not abundant at any site, and there are rarely more than a few specimens in any collection.
