New records and invasion risk of Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) in Brazil

  New records and invasion risk of Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) in Brazil Abstract Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 is a schizomid native to the Caribbean and Central America and is notable for facultative parthenogenesis and a broad synanthropic distribution. It is widely reported as an exotic species in several regions worldwide, with recognized invasive potential. Here, we expand its known distribution in Brazil by documenting the first records from the state of Mato Grosso and new occurrences in tourist caves in Bahia. We also model the species’ potential distribution in South America using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm under current and future climate scenarios. The models indicate higher habitat suitability in regions characterized by low annual temperature variation and consistent rainfall patterns, conditions typical of tropical and subterranean environments, and predict range expansion under future climate change, p...

A new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 from a cave in the Sai Yok National Parc in Thailand (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

 


A new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 from a cave in the Sai Yok National Parc in Thailand (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

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.

Lourenço, Wilson & Ythier, Eric. (2026). A new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 from a cave in the Sai Yok National Parc in Thailand (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Ibérica de Aracnología.