URODACIDAE
Pocock, 1893

This endemic family from Australia consists only of 1 genus with 20 species [Updated 07.05.03]. This genus was originally placed in the Scorpionidae (subfamily Urodacinae), but was recently elevated to family status by Lorenzo Prendini (This is not reported in Fet et al. (2000), but the family status is recognized by Dr. Fet (pers. comm.)). The elevation to family status was based on a cladistic study of the superfamily Scorpionoidea. See Prendini's publication for details (see below).

Scorpions in this family are kept in captivity, especially (probably only) in Australia.

No medical data have been found, but the members of this family are probably of minor or no medical significance.

Prendini, L. (2000). Phylogeny and classification of the superfamily Scorpionoidea Latreille 1802 (Chelicerata, Scorpiones): An exemplar approach. Cladistics, 16, pp. 1-78.

Urodacus armatus photos by Dr. Harry Wilson.

This family was not included in Fet et al.(2000). The subfamily Hemiscorpiinae was elevated to family status by Lorenzo (2000) - se reference below. Subspecies is not included in the list. I try to update the list as additions and changes are published. * denotes changes after Fet et al. (2000). I will be grateful for information about new development in the taxonomy of this family. For information about synonyms and bibliographies, see Fet et al. (2000)

Prendini, L. (2000). Phylogeny and classification of the superfamily Scorpionoidea Latreille 1802 (Chelicerata, Scorpiones): An exemplar approach. Cladistics, 16, pp. 1-78.

SPECIES FILES:

Urodacus Peters, 1861
U. armatus Pocock, 1888
U. carinatus Hirst, 1911
U. centralis L. E. Koch, 1977
U. elongatus L. E. Koch, 1977
U. excellens Pocock, 1888
U. giulianii L. E. Koch, 1977
U. hartmeyeri Kraepelin, 1908
U. hoplurus Pocock, 1898
U. koolanensis L. E. Koch, 1977
U. lowei L. E. Koch, 1977
U. macrurus Pocock, 1899
U. manicatus (Thorell, 1876)
U. mckenziei Volschenk, Harvey & Smith, 2000*
U. megamastigus L. E. Koch, 1977
U. novaehollandiae Peters, 1861
U. planimanus Pocock, 1893
U. similis L. E. Koch, 1977
U. spinatus Pocock, 1902
U. varians Glauert, 1963
U. yaschenkoi (Birula, 1903)

Jan Ove Rein (C) 2003