| Hemiscorpiidae | |
|---|---|
| Opisthacanthus rugiceps | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Hemiscorpiidae |
| Genera | |
|
See text |
|
| Diversity | |
| 12 genera, c. 70 species | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Ischnuridae |
|
Hemiscorpiidae is a family of scorpions with 72 described species in 12 genera. Their old name is Ischnuridae, which had to be changed due to a naming conflict with the damselfly family of the same name. They at one point also held the name Liochelidae.
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Most species have a very flat and broad body plan, due to their main habitat in tight rock crevices. Some long-living species can reach a length of more than 20 cm.
Hemiscorpiidae are distributed throughout the world's tropics and subtropics. The family's center of distribution appears to be Africa where several genera are found, although it is also known from Australasia, the Middle East, and South America
Many species are held as pets.In this family are one of the less venomous scopions. Only genus Hemiscorpius have a strong venom; especially that of Hemiscorpius lepturus can result in deadly accidents.