Urodacus similis

Scientific Name: Urodacus similis Koch 1977
Size: 65-80mm
Ecomorphotype: Fossorial – Obligate Burrower

Description: A member of the endemic Australian Urodacidae family, whose closest relatives include members of the Scorpionidae inc., Heterometrus, Opisthophthalmus, and Pandinus.

An obligate burrower known from the Kathleen Valley and Minnie Creek in WA. Similar in many respects to U. yaschenkoi, from which it can be distinguished by a number of features such as tarsal claws sometimes equal or near equal in length and very short first four tail segments. Colour is light yellow to reddish yellow-brown, with darker tergites. Legs light yellow with patella sometimes greyish. Chelicerae with some secondary serrations, less than U. yaschenkoi. Tail short in both sexes. Vesicle large, aculeus moderately short. Hand rounded, fingers long.

Reference:

Koch, L. E. 1977. The taxonomy, geographic distribution and evolutionary radiation of Australo-Papuan scorpions. Records of the Western Australian Museum 5 (2):83-367.