Paraphrynus carolynae


Paraphrynus carolynae is a species of tailless whip scorpion from Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Description

13–20 mm in length, reddish-brown overall, with a darkened carapace.

Range

United States: southern Arizona and southeastern California
Mexico: Sonora, Michoacán, and Morelos

Habitat

Rocky areas, especially with fragmented vertical faces.

Ecology

Like all tailless whip scorpions, this species is largely nocturnal and feeds on smaller arthropods it feels with its antenniform legs.

Etymology

The specific epithet carolynae was chosen to honor the arachnologist Carolyn L. Mullinex.

Taxonomy

Populations from the Mexican state of Sonora and the U.S. state of Arizona were previously referred to as Paraphrynus mexicanus, but de Armas assigned the name Paraphrynus carolynae based on morphological differences.