Scorpiones

ACOSTA, L.E.; MAURY, E.A.

Biodiversidad de Artrópodos argentinos. Una perspectiva biotaxonómica.

Ediciones Sur

Lugar: La Plata, Argentina; Año: 1998; p. 545 - 559

The order Scorpiones is represented in Argentina by two families: the Gondwanian Bothriuridae are the most speciose and with wider range, whereas the cosmopolitan Buthidae are poorly represented in the country. A species checklist and an identification key for supraspecific entities are provided, to update those induded in earlier monographs and checklists. Nine genera and 41 nominal valid species are listed, as well as nine binomens with unclear status, and about 10 forms probably still unnamed, belonging mainly to Brachistosternus (Leptosternus), Bothriurus and Urophonius. Two genera and 24 species have not been found yet in other countries, and four species are small area endemics. Biogeographic patterns allow to the recognition of five areas belonging to a "subtropical" ancestry (Chacoan, Yungas, Mesopotamic, Misiones, and Pampasic areas), and four related to an "Andean-Patagonian" pattern (high-Andean, Palagonian, Subandean, and Peripampasic areas). Some features of the area where both major lineages overlap are discussed. Comments on conservation status are added. The scarce contributions on the biology of the group in Argentina are cited.