Some scorpions in the genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 (Bothriuridae) are special in that they are one of few scorpions having a winter activity period during real winter conditions. Andres A. Ojanguren-Affilastro and co-workers have recently published the first phylogenetic analysis of this genus. Two new species are described from Patagonia, Argentina.
Urophonius araucano Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2020
Urophonius pehuenche Ojanguren-Affilastro & Pizarro-Araya, 2020
The article also describes and discuss the unusual winter activity observed in some species of Urophonius. A few species actually seem to be active only in the winter! By the way, Urophonius granulatus (Pocock 1898) has the record of being the southernmost scorpion of the world.
Abstract:
The first phylogenetic analysis of genus Urophonius is performed based on morphological characters. Three monophyletic species groups are recovered. Species of the granulatus species group and Urophonius mondacai have summer or spring activity patterns. The exochus and brachycentrus species groups form a monophyletic group with a winter activity pattern, which is so far unique in scorpions from temperate and cold areas. Additionally, two new Patagonian species of Urophonius are described, one from Argentina and one from Chile. Finally, we discuss the southernmost distributions of scorpions in continental Patagonia. We suggest that the southern limit of the group could be related not only with a decrease in temperature, but also with an increase of precipitation.
Reference:
Ojanguren Affilastro AA, Ramirez MJ, Pizarro-Araya J. Phylogenetic analysis of the winter and southernmost scorpion genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 (Bothriuridae), with the description of two new Patagonian species. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 2020;289:50-66. [Subscription required for full text]
Thanks to Andres for sending me their article!
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