First record of the family Pseudochactidae Gromov (Chelicerata, Scorpiones) from Laos and new biogeographic evidence of a Pangaean palaeodistribution.
A new genus and species of scorpion belonging to the recently named family Pseudochactidae is described based on two specimens collected in the Tham Xe Bangfai cave, Province of Khammouan, Laos. This new scorpion represents the second known record of a pseudochactid, and the first from Laos. The possible biogeographic consequences of this scorpion's distribution are discussed, associated with the possible Pangaean origin of pseudochactid scorpions.
Lourenço
Wilson R
WR
Département de systématique et évolution, USM 0602, section Arthropodes (Arachnologie), Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, CP 053, 61, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France. arachne@mnhn.fr
D000818:Animals; D018534:Earth, Planet; D019419:Evolution, Planetary; D005260:Female; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D007812:Laos; D008297:Male; D012605:Scorpions / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*