A new species of Cheloctonus from Congo

 

Based on old museum materials, Wilson Lourenco has recently published a new species in the genus Cheloctonus Pocock, 1892 (Hormuridae) from Congo.

Cheloctonus kakongo Lourenco, 2022

Abstract:
The study of one particular scorpion belonging to the genus Cheloctonus Pocock, 1892, found among specimens of the collection ‘E. Simon’ leads to the description of one new species. The new species was collected by Louis Petit during his field trips to Congo (Republic of Congo), a region which corresponded in the 19th century to Equatorial French Africa. The new discovery radically changes the area of distribution of the genus Cheloctonus limited until now to meridional Africa. This disrupted pattern of distribution is similar to that observed for the genus Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Une intéressante nouvelle espèce pour le genre Cheloctonus Pocock, 1892 (Scorpiones : Hormuridae) collectée en République du Congo. Faunitaxys. 2022;10(6):1-7. [Open Access]

Thanks to Nicolas Machiavel for informing me about this article!

Family Hormuridae

Bird eating scorpion

In the latest issue of the Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society, Leonard Vincent and Ty Breitman report an interesting observation of the South African scorpion, Cheloctonus jonesii Pocock, 1892 (Hemiscorpiidae) catching small birds of the species Red-Billed Quelea (Quelea quelea).

It is impossible to conclude from this observation if this scorpion regularly catch this bird as prey, or if this was a one time chance event. Hopefully, future investigations will reveal if we really do have a bird eating scorpion.

Abstract:
Scorpions are reported for the first time predating on birds. In Kruger National Park, South Africa, we observed, in an area of approximately 20 m2, eight Cheloctonus jonesii Pocock, 1892. Each scorpion was in its burrow and had captured, by a leg, a juvenile red-billed quelea Quelea quelea (Linnaeus, 1758).

Reference:
Vincent LS, Breitman T. The scorpion Cheloctonus jonesii Pocock, 1892 (Scorpiones, Liochelidae) as a possible predator of red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea (Linnaeus, 1758). Bull Br Arach Soc. 2010;15(2):59-60.