Lisposoma elegans Lawrence, 1928

Prendini, Lorenzo & Bird, Tharina L., 2008, Scorpions of the Brandberg Massif, Namibia: Species richness inversely correlated with altitude, African Invertebrates 49 (2), pp. 77-77 : 84-85

Lisposoma elegans Lawrence, 1928

Lisposoma elegans: Lawrence 1928: 281–286 , pl. XXIII, figs 52–57, pl. XXIV, fig. 58.

Material examined: 1 ♂ ( AMCC 172342 [ LP 5693]), Brandberg, Ga-Asab (Goaseb) Gorge, 21°12'35.3''S: 14°34'32.2''E, 1300 m, 1–2.iv.2006, L. Prendini, T.L. Bird & S.K. Uunona, UV detection on cool, dark, still night becoming windy later, on mid-slopes of Brandberg in arid savannah with Cyphostemma currorii (Hook.f.) Desc. and Aloe dichotoma Masson on larger granite outcrops and sandy loam soils, specimen taken on rock surface; 2 ♂ ( AMNH; AMCC 138987 [ LP 2526]), Brandberg, summit, below Longipoele, 21°11'34.9"S: 14°33'23.9"E, 1794 m, 23.xii.2003, L. Prendini, T.L. Bird & N.C. Krone, sheltered, flat sandy valley with granite domes and boulders intersected by dry watercourses, granitic loam soil with Stipagrostis –Aristida grassland, Boscia Lam. , Cyphostemma (Planch.) Alston , Euphorbia L. and Ozoroa Delile in rocky areas, specimens collected with UV detection on warm, dark, still night, sitting on ground surface; 1 ♂ ( AMNH), Brandberg, summit, between Longipoele and Helmpoele, 21°11'33.2"S: 14°33'31.4"E, 1830 m, 23.xii.2003, L. Prendini, T.L. Bird & N.C. Krone, sheltered, flat sandy valley with granite domes and boulders intersected by dry watercourses, granitic loam soil with Stipagrostis –Aristida grassland, Boscia , Cyphostemma , Euphorbia and Ozoroa in rocky areas, specimen collected with UV detection on warm, dark, still night, sitting on ground surface; 1 ♂ ( AMNH), Brandberg, summit, valley E Helmpoele, 21°11'31.9''S: 14°34'00.5''E, 1930 m, 3.iv.2006, L. Prendini, T.L. Bird & S.K. Uunona, UV detection on cool, still night (moonset 10 pm), on summit of Brandberg in sandy valley surrounded by granitic outcrops, arid savannah with C. currorii and A. dichotoma on larger granite outcrops and sandy-loam soils, specimen collected on stony ground; 1 ♂ 1♀( SMN 1860), Brandberg, N end Tsisab, 21°05'S: 14°40'E, 21.i–27.ii.1995, E. Marais, preservative pitfall traps; 1 juv.♀( SMN 1861), Tsisab ravine foot [Brandberg], 21°05'S: 14°40'E, 27.ii–20.vi.1995, E. Marais, preservative pitfall trap; 1 ♂ ( AMNH [ AH 2133]), 20 km S of Omatjette– Khorixas junction [21°03'S: 14°53'E], 6.ii.1981, A. Harington, near rocky hill, ground was sandy, area basically flat.

Ecology and distribution: This lapidicolous species shelters under stones (Lamoral 1979; Prendini 2001 b, 2003 c). Although it may also occur in Angola, this species has been recorded only from Namibia (Lamoral 1979; Prendini 2001 b, 2003 c, 2005 a). It has been collected from the base ( Fig. 4 ) to the summit ( Fig. 8 ) of the Brandberg and in rocky areas surrounding the Massif. Fet et al. (2004) and Soleglad et al. (2005) reported one specimen from Königstein (2573 m), the highest peak on the Massif.

Figures

Fig. 4. Brandberg Massif (Namibia), base of Massif at entrance to Goaseb (Ga-Asab) Gorge, facing north to Orabeskopf at summit, wet year. Dominant vegetation, Boscia foetida Schinz and Commiphora sp. Rocky flats, habitat of Hottentotta conspersus (Thorell, 1876), Parabuthus brevimanus (Thorell, 1876), Parabuthus villosus (Peters, 1862), and Opistophthalmus lamorali Prendini, 2000.

Fig. 8. Brandberg Massif (Namibia), Wasserfallfläche, plateau on summit of Massif, facing southwest, wet year. Dominant vegetation, Boscia albitrunca (Burch.) Gilg & Gilg-Ben., Cyphostemma currorii (Hook.f.) Desc.and Euphorbia sp. Rocky flats and slopes, habitat of Lisposoma elegans Lawrence, 1928, Hadogenes tityrus (Simon, 1888) and Uroplectes planimanus (Karsch, 1879). Sandy flats, habitat of Parabuthus brevimanus (Thorell, 1876) and Opistophthalmus carinatus (Peters, 1861). Woody vegetation, habitat of Uroplectes otjimbinguensis (Karsch, 1879).