Uroplectes is a genus of scorpions in the family Buthidae. They are known commonly as the lesser thick-tailed scorpions. There are about 40 species distributed in the Afrotropical realm.[1] They are most diverse in South Africa.[2]

Uroplectes
U. flavoviridis at Pafuri, Kruger National Park
U. olivaceus with young, Soutpansberg
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Uroplectes
Peters, 1861
Type species
Uroplectes variegatus
Koch, 1844

These scorpions are generally about 3 to 6 centimeters long,[1] but a few are smaller, such as U. ansiedippenaarae, which is less than 2 centimeters in length.[2] They are variable in color from bright yellows to muted greens. They occur in many types of habitat from mountain forests to deserts. They live under rocks and in trees, and are sometimes seen invading houses.[1]

Species include:[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Uroplectes. Biodiversity Explorer. Iziko Museums.
  2. ^ a b c Prendini, L. (2015). A remarkably small species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), endemic to the Succulent Karoo of South Africa. African Invertebrates, 56(2), 499-513.
  3. ^ Jan Ove Rein (2012). "Buthidae". The Scorpion Files. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Prendini, L. (2015). Three new Uroplectes (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with punctate metasomal segments from tropical central Africa. American Museum Novitates 3840 1-32.