Lychas Buchari
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''Lychas buchari'', also known as the yellow sand scorpion or Buchar's scorpion, is a species of small
scorpion Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the Order (biology), order Scorpiones. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by a pair of Chela (organ), grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward cur ...
in the
Buthidae The Buthidae are the largest family of scorpions, containing about 100 genera and 1339 species as of 2022. A few very large genera ('' Ananteris'', '' Centruroides'', '' Compsobuthus'', or '' Tityus'') are known, but a high number of species-poor ...
family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
. It is native to
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
, and was first described in 1997 by Czech
arachnologist Arachnology is the scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, ticks, and mites. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists. More narrowly ...
Frantisek Kovarik.


Etymology

The
species epithet Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany) ...
''buchari'' honours Czech
arachnologist Arachnology is the scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, ticks, and mites. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists. More narrowly ...
Jan Buchar of
Charles University Charles University (CUNI; , UK; ; ), or historically as the University of Prague (), is the largest university in the Czech Republic. It is one of the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, oldest universities in the world in conti ...
in Prague.


Description

The base colour of the species is a uniform yellow to yellowish-brown. They grow to an average length of 55 mm. They have an estimated life span of 8 years. They have the greatest number of pectinal teeth of all ''Lychas'' species, with a count of 26. These teeth are used to detect stimuli and convey neural signals throughout the scorpion's body. As small buthid scorpions they also carry a potent venom, with a researchers account of the sting comparing the pain to a sharp burn. Lasting 15 minutes with residual pain continuing another 2 hours. The sting site remained highly sensitive for the next 2 days. Like all scorpions they possess two main weapons, their stinging apparatus and pedipalps (claws). ''Lychas buchari'' has less pronounced pedipalps relative to other buthid scorpions and is more inclined to use their tail to both subdue prey and defend themselves. They glow under
ultraviolet Ultraviolet radiation, also known as simply UV, is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths of 10–400 nanometers, shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes about 10% of ...
light; the cause is unknown; some conjecture that it is due to the absorption of fluorescent minerals, though this is unconfirmed. This does make them easier targets for people to sample during night as they glow a bright greenish-blue colour when a ultraviolet light is used, contrasting sharply with the sandy environment.


Distribution and habitat

The species is found in central Australia, including northern
South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...
, western
New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...
and
Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...
. The scorpions have been seen to roam at night across sand-dunes surrounding dry
salt lake A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water that has a concentration of salts (typically sodium chloride) and other dissolved minerals significantly higher than most lakes (often defined as at least three grams of salt per liter). I ...
s.


Behaviour


Captivity

''Lychas burchari'' can survive in captivity but are only recommended to experts that have cared for buthid scorpions before. They have a generally timid manner but still can produce a painful sting. All enclosures should have sufficient space for the animals' well-being and simulate its natural habitat, red sand dunes; this is both for the scorpions health and quality of life.


Reproduction

Males and females have a couple defining features to help identify their separate sexes. On average males have longer tails (metasoma) and thinner bodies (mesosoma) compared to females. The pedipalps are also more bulbous and short on males compared to females which help for gripping their mating partner. The mating ritual/dance between scorpions is called the promenade à deux (walk for two). It begins with the male grasping the females pedipalps and circle each other for a few minutes. During this time the males spermatophore is being prepared and the female starts producing a substrate to accept the spermatophore. Once ready the male positions himself directly over the females genital region and excretes his sperm. Once the exchange is complete the scorpions will either go separate ways as normal, or if the female is particularly aggressive will then eat the male. After fertilisation the offspring develop in the ovariuterus or a small pocket that grows from there. The embryos are nourished through nutrient secretions within the ovariuterus. After the allotted gestation period all young is birthed at the same time.


Feeding

Lychas burchari, along with all desert dwelling scorpions, rely on pectinal teeth to sense vibrations on the sand surface. They are usually nocturnal hunters that go out at night and wait for suitable prey to come within range. Once they detect a prey target they approach pedipalps first and try to lock down the target. Then proceed to inject neuro toxins through their tail stinger to completely debilitate their prey. They prey on mostly small insects, spiders and even small lizards when the opportunity is available. Though having extremely small mouth parts means all prey caught must be mashed up and broken down with enzymes. This process can take up to an hour yet these scorpions can last months between meals.


References

buchari Scorpions of Australia Endemic fauna of Australia Arthropods of New South Wales Arthropods of South Australia Arthropods of Western Australia Animals described in 1997 {{Scorpion-stub