Urodacus uncinus is a species of scorpion in the family Urodacidae. It is endemic to the northern part of Western Australia.[1]
| Urodacus uncinus | |
|---|---|
_and_female_(bottom).png)
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| Top = male (holotype)
Bottom = female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Urodacidae |
| Genus: | Urodacus |
| Species: | U. uncinus
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| Binomial name | |
| Urodacus uncinus Buzatto et al., 2023
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_and_Urodacus_lunatus_(green).png)
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| U. uncinus is only represented by yellow circles. | |
Description
editUrodacus uncinus is morphologically indistinguishable from U. lunatus and examination of the male genitalia is required.[1]
Distribution and ecology
editUrodacus uncinus is rare and is only known from 6 locations and 16 specimens in north-eastern Pilbara. It is known to occur in an area of around 12,000 km2 (4600 mi2). This number may not be accurate because of its potentially patchy distribution. That means the area may be under 10,000 km2 (3900 mi2). Species with such distributions are considered short-range endemic.[1]
Due to certain morphological features, it is thought to live a fossorial lifestyle. They may only live in creeks and drainage lines.[1]
Etymology
editThe specific epithet "uncinus" comes from Latin and means "hook". This refers to the aculeus (stinger) that is more strongly curved than what is usually seen in the genus.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Buzatto, Bruno A.; Clark, Huon L.; Harvey, Mark S.; Volschenk, Erich S. (2023-11-03). Cooper, Steven (ed.). "Two new species of burrowing scorpions (Urodacidae: Urodacus) from the Pilbara region of Western Australia with identical external morphology†". Australian Journal of Zoology. 71 (1). doi:10.1071/ZO23018. ISSN 0004-959X.