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© Copyright Lorenzo Prendini 2026. All Rights Reserved.

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  3. 2021

A new troglomorphic, leaf-litter scorpion from Ecuador (Troglotayosicidae: Troglotayosicus)

Authors: Botero-Trujillo, R., Ochoa, J.A., and Prendini, L.

DOIPDF
Journal
American Museum Novitates
Volume and pages
3981: 1‑24
Year
2021
Published
November 3, 2021
Citation
Botero-Trujillo, R., Ochoa, J.A., and Prendini, L. 2021. A new troglomorphic, leaf-litter scorpion from Ecuador (Troglotayosicidae: Troglotayosicus). American Museum Novitates 3981: 1‑24. https://doi.org/10.1206/3981.1

Abstract

For several decades, Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981, remained an enigmatic, monotypic scorpion genus believed to be troglobitic. The discovery and description in recent years of several endogean species of the genus, inhabiting the leaf litter of tropical rainforests in Colombia and Ecuador, advanced knowledge about these scorpions. The known distribution of Troglotayosicus was considerably expanded along the Andes, and it was demonstrated that, despite the absence of median ocelli, the genus is composed primarily of species that inhabit leaf litter. In the present study, Troglotayosicus ballvei, sp. nov., is described from Sacha Huagra Lodge, adjacent to Archidona Municipality, in Napo Province, Ecuador, raising the number of Troglotayosicus species to six, three each in Colombia and Ecuador. An updated map of the known distribution of the genus is presented.

Keywords and Taxa

  • Troglotayosicus
  • Scorpiones
  • Arachnida
  • Troglotayosicidae
  • new species
  • taxonomy
  • systematics
  • Napo Province
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Scorpion
  • Plant litter
  • Rainforest
  • Simple eye in invertebrates