Lychas variatus

Lychas variatus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Scorpiones
Family:	Buthidae
Genus:	Lychas
Species:	L. variatus
Binomial name
Lychas variatus (Thorell, 1877)
Synonyms
Isometrus thorelli Keyserling, 1885 Isometrus variatus Thorell, 1877 Isometrus variatus papuanus Thorell, 1888 Isometrus armatus Pocock, 1890 Lychas marmoreus kimberleyanus Kraepelin, 1916 Lychas spinatus Kraepelin, 1916 Lychas spinatus pallidus Glauert, 1925 Lychas spinatus besti Glauert, 1925 Lychas lappa Glauert, 1954

Lychas variatus, also known as the marbled scorpion or splendid marbled scorpion, is a species of small scorpion in the Buthidae family. It is native to Australia and New Guinea, and was first described in 1877 by Swedish arachnologist Tamerlan Thorell.

Description

The species grows to about 40 mm in length. Colouration is yellowish-brown mottled, or marbled, with light brown patches. The tail constitutes about half the length of the body, with a prong at the base of the stinger.

Distribution and habitat

As well as New Guinea, the species’ range covers much of northern and eastern Australia. It prefers warm and moist environments, and shelters beneath rocks, bark and plant litter.

Behaviour

The scorpions are terrestrial predators that hunt and feed on invertebrates. They may enter houses. Their sting is painful to humans but is not considered to be dangerous.