Hormurus macrochela is a species of scorpion in the Hormuridae family. It is native to Australia, where it occurs in north-eastern Queensland. It was first described in 2013.

Hormurus macrochela
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Hormuridae
Genus: Hormurus
Species:
H. macrochela
Binomial name
Hormurus macrochela
Monod, 2013[1]

Etymology

edit

The specific epithet macrochela comes from the Greek makos (‘long’) and chele (‘claw’), with reference to the extremely long pincers of the male.[1]

Description

edit

The species grows up to about 70 mm in length. Colouration is orange to dark brown to black. The pincers of the female are shorter and more robust than those of the male.[1]

Distribution and habitat

edit

The species has been recorded from three islands off the north-eastern Queensland coast between Ingham and Townsville. The scorpions were found in narrow rock crevices and between stones near creeks in rainforest and vine forest.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Monod, Lionel; Harvey, Mark S; Prendini, Lorenzo (2013). "Stenotopic Hormurus Thorell, 1876 scorpions from the monsoon ecosystems of northern Australia, with a discussion on the evolution of burrowing behaviour in Hormuridae Laurie, 1896". Revue suisse de Zoologie. 120 (2): 281–346. Retrieved 4 February 2023.