A new species in the little known genus Spinochactas from French Guiana

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a second species in the endemic genus Spinochactas Lourenço, 2016 (Chactidae) from French Guiana.

Spinochactas camopi Lourenco, Chevalier & Ythier, 2022 

This is the smallest known chactid with a total lengt of 13-15 mm.

Abstract:
A new species of scorpion belonging to the genus Spinochactas Lourenço, 2016 (Chactidae) is described from the commune of Camopi, located close to the Eastern border of French Guiana with Brazil. The new species, Spinochactas camopi n. sp., is the second species belonging to the genus Spinochactas found in French Guiana, which remains endemic to this French overseas department. The description of the new species brings further evidence to the validity of the genus Spinochactas and to its biogeographic pattern of distribution which is now confirmed both for Inselberg formations and lowland rainforests of French Guiana. With the description of this new species, the number of known scorpion species occurring in French Guiana is increased to 40, of which 31 are endemic.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Chevalier J, Ythier É. Second record of the genus Spinochactas Lourenço, 2016 in French Guiana and description of a new species (Scorpiones: Chactidae). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (NS). 2022:1-7. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Eric for sending med the article!

Family Chactidae