Urodacus novaehollandiae

Urodacus novaehollandiae, also known as the coastal burrowing scorpion or black sand scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the Urodacidae family. It is endemic to Australia, and was first described in 1861 by German naturaliat Wilhelm Peters.[1]

Urodacus novaehollandiae
Female syntype: dorsal (A) and ventral (B) aspects
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Urodacidae
Genus: Urodacus
Species:
U. novaehollandiae
Binomial name
Urodacus novaehollandiae
Peters, 1861 [1]
Synonyms
  • Iodacus orthurus Thorell, 1877
  • Urodacus bicolor Werner, 1936
  • Urodacus marianus Roewer, 1943

Description

The species grows to about 70–100 mm in length. Colouration is mainly yellowish-brown to dark brown, with the head and pincers darker.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs along the coast of South Australia from Adelaide westwards, around the Great Australian Bight and south-west Western Australia, to Perth. It is found in coastal dunes as well as in sandy soils farther inland at the western end of its range.[2]

Behaviour

The scorpions are nocturnal ambush predators. They dig spiral burrows up to 1 m deep where they shelter during the day. They are known to live until at least 12 years old.[2]

References
  1. Peters, W (1861). "Eine neue Eintheilung der Skorpione und über die von ihm in Mossambique gesammelten Arten von Skorpionen, aus welchem hier Auszug mitgetheilt wird". Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. 1861: 507–516 [511].
  2. "Urodacus novaehollandiae". Friends of Queens Park Bushland. FQPB. 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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