A new species of Lychas from Thailand

 

Wilson Lourenco and Eric Ythier have recently published a new species of Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae) from Thailand.

Lychas saiyok Lourenco & Ythier, 2026

The article also restores Lychas kotao Lourenço, 2020 to valid species from synonymy with L. mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798).

Abstract:
A new species, Lychas saiyok sp. n., is described from a cave in the Sai Yok National Park in western Thailand, on the basis of an adult male. The specimen was found in the walls of this karstic cave, approximately 50-60 meters from the entry. The new species is characterized by a moderate to small size with respect to the genus (42.9 mm in total length), a general coloration from yellow to pale yellow marked by a strong pigmentation over the body and appendages, which however shows a distinct pattern from the one commonly observed in L. mucronatus, the most common Lychas species found in Southeast Asia, chelicerae showing a peculiar pigmentation formed by marked blackish spots which do not form any type of reticular structure, and pectines moderately long with 22-21 teeth. This new taxon represents the 35th described species among the currently recognized species for the genus Lychas. The number of known Lychas species in Thailand is increased to six. The species status of L. kotao Lourenço, 2020 stat. n. from Ko Tao island (Thailand) is also revalidated.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Ythier E. A new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 from a cave in the Sai Yok National Parc in Thailand (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2026(48):55–60. [Full text supplied by author]

Thanks to Eric for informing me about their new article!

Family Buthidae