Lychas marmoreus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Lychas
Species:
L. marmoreus
Binomial name
Lychas marmoreus
(C.L.Koch, 1845)[1]
Synonyms
  • Tityus marmoreus C.L. Koch, 1845
  • Isometrus bituberculatus Pocock, 1891
  • Lychas marmoreus nigrescens Kraepelin, 1916
  • Lychas marmoreus obscurus Kraepelin, 1916
  • Lychas marmoreus splendens Kraepelin, 1916
  • Lychas marmoreus lucienkochi Fet, 1997

Lychas marmoreus, also known as the marbled scorpion, little marbled scorpion or bark scorpion, is a species of small scorpion in the Buthidae family. It is native to Australia, and was first described in 1845 by German arachnologist Carl Ludwig Koch.

Description

The scorpions grow to about 40 mm in length, with the tail longer than the body. Base colouration is brownish-yellow, overlaid with a dark brown to black mottled, or marbled, pattern. The stinger and tip of the tail are dark brown.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs across much of southern mainland Australia, especially the cooler and wetter parts, including urban areas. The scorpions shelter beneath stones and bark, in plant litter, and may enter houses.[2]

Behaviour

The scorpions hunt and feed on small invertebrates, especially termites. The sting can cause several hours of pain and inflammation in humans, and sometimes an allergic reaction, but is not usually considered dangerous.[3][2]

References

  1. Koch, C. L. (1845). Die Arachniden. Getreu nach der Natur abgebildet und beschrieben. Vol. 11. Nürnberg: C.H. Zeh'schen. p. 36.
  2. 1 2 3 "Lychas marmoreus (C.L. Koch, 1845)". Atlas of Living Australia. ALA. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
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