02 February, 2012

First arboreal (tree-dwelling) bothriurid scorpion

Jaime Pizarro-Araya and co-workers report about the first arboreal (tree-dwelling) species in the family Bothriuridae.

Urophonius tumbensis
Cekalovic, 1981 was observed and collected active on threes in temperate forests in southern Chile. The scorpions were walking on the trunk and major branches at heights ranger from 2 to 2 meters above ground.

Abstract:
We present the first observations of an arboreal bothriurid scorpion and the first report of an arboreal scorpion from the temperate forests of southern Chile. Urophonius tumbensis Cekalovic 1981 was observed and captured with ultraviolet (UV) light at a height of up to 6 meters on trunks of Cryptocarya alba (Molina) Looser trees in the Hualpén Botanical Reserve (Bío Bío Region, Chile).

Reference:
Pizarro-Araya J, Ojanguren-Affilastro AA, Prendini L. First report of an arboreal scorpion (Bothriuridae: Urophonius) from the temperate forests of southern Chile. Gayana. 2011;75(2):187-91.

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this paper!

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