Lychas variatus
Lychas variatus | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | Buthidae |
Genus: | Lychas |
Species: | L. variatus |
Binomial name | |
Lychas variatus | |
Synonyms | |
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Lychas variatus, also known as the marbled scorpion or splendid marbled scorpion, is a species of small scorpion in the Buthidae family. It is native to Australia and New Guinea, and was first described in 1877 by Swedish arachnologist Tamerlan Thorell.[1]
Description
[edit]The species grows to about 40 mm in length. Colouration is yellowish-brown mottled, or marbled, with light brown patches. The tail constitutes about half the length of the body, with a prong at the base of the stinger.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]As well as New Guinea, the species’ range covers much of northern and eastern Australia. It prefers warm and moist environments, and shelters beneath rocks, bark and plant litter.[2]
Behaviour
[edit]The scorpions are terrestrial predators that hunt and feed on invertebrates. They may enter houses. Their sting is painful humans but is not considered to be dangerous.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Lychas_variatus_239300085.jpg/220px-Lychas_variatus_239300085.jpg)