An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising: a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle, the housing including a shell having an LC format and a front face, a first resilient latch disposed on a surface of the shell and configured to engage the LC receptacle, the first resilient latch extending away from the front face, and a backbone configured to engage an outer surface of the shell on a first portion thereof and having a mounting structure disposed on a second portion thereof; a collar body disposed in the housing and retained between the outer shell and the backbone, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub including a first optical fiber mounted in a ferrule and having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a second end, wherein the collar body further includes a mechanical splice disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber; and a trigger coupled to an outer surface of the housing backbone, the trigger including a second latch that extends toward the front face, wherein a portion of the second latch overlaps a portion of the first latch, wherein the second latch engages the first latch when acted upon by a pressing force, characterized in that the second latch comprises a cap having an underhanging lip portion extending from one side of the cap and an overhanging lip portion extending from an opposite side of the cap, the underhanging lip portion and overhanging lip portion being configured to engage the cap of another trigger when the connector is utilized in a duplex format. a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle, the housing including a shell having an LC format and a front face, a first resilient latch disposed on a surface of the shell and configured to engage the LC receptacle, the first resilient latch extending away from the front face, and a backbone configured to engage an outer surface of the shell on a first portion thereof and having a mounting structure disposed on a second portion thereof; a collar body disposed in the housing and retained between the outer shell and the backbone, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub including a first optical fiber mounted in a ferrule and having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a second end, wherein the collar body further includes a mechanical splice disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber; and a trigger coupled to an outer surface of the housing backbone, the trigger including a second latch that extends toward the front face, wherein a portion of the second latch overlaps a portion of the first latch, wherein the second latch engages the first latch when acted upon by a pressing force, characterized in that the second latch comprises a cap having an underhanging lip portion extending from one side of the cap and an overhanging lip portion extending from an opposite side of the cap, the underhanging lip portion and overhanging lip portion being configured to engage the cap of another trigger when the connector is utilized in a duplex format.