Urodacus armatus, also known as the yellow sand scorpion or inland desert scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the Urodacidae family. It is native to Australia. It was first described in 1888 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock.[1]
Urodacus armatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | Urodacidae |
Genus: | Urodacus |
Species: | U. armatus
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Binomial name | |
Urodacus armatus | |
Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe species grows to 30–60 mm in length. Colouring is usually light sandy with dark red leg joints.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is found over much of arid inland Australia on a variety of soils.[2]
Behaviour
editThe scorpions build short burrows and hunt small invertebrates through both active foraging and by ambushing their prey from the branches and foliage of low vegetation.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Pocock, R.I. (1888). "The species of the genus Urodacus contained in the collection of the British (Natural-History) Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 6. 2 (8): 169–175. doi:10.1080/00222938809460897.
- ^ a b c Mark A. Newton (2016). "Urodacus armatus". The Spiral Burrow – Australian Scorpions. Retrieved 7 February 2023.