Australobuthus

Australobuthus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Australobuthus
Locket, 1990
Species:
A. xerolimniorum
Binomial name
Australobuthus xerolimniorum
Locket, 1990[1]

Australobuthus is a monotypic genus of scorpions in the Buthidae family. Its sole species is Australobuthus xerolimniorum, also known as the salt lake scorpion. It is endemic to Australia and was first described by Nicholas Locket in 1990.

Etymology

The generic name Australobuthus means ‘southern buthid’, with reference to the family. The epithet xerolimniorum ‘dry water body’ refers to the species’ habitat.[2]

Description

The scorpions are small, growing to a maximum length of about 45 mm. They are very pale in colour, largely lacking pigmentation.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is known only from the vicinity of salt lakes in inland South Australia.[2]

Behaviour

The scorpions are nocturnal surface foragers on the crusts and along the shorelines of salt lakes, preying on small invertebrates.[2]

References

  1. ^ Locket, NA (1990). "A new genus and species of scorpion from South Australia (Buthidae: Buthinae)". Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 114: 67–80.
  2. ^ a b c d Mark A. Newton (2016). "Australobuthus xerolimniorum (N A Locket, 1990)". The Spiral Burrow – Australian Scorpions. Retrieved 29 January 2023.


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