Brandbergia haringtoni Prendini, 2003

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

Brandbergia haringtoni Prendini, 2003

Brandbergia haringtoni: Prendini 2003 a: 159–165 , figs 1, 5–8, table 3.

Material examined: 1♀holotype, 1♀paratype ( AMNH [ AH 1029 ]), Goaseb, Brandberg [21°14'S: 14°35'E], 1.iii.1978, H. Pager, 1650 m, syntopic with U. planimanus .

Ecology and distribution: This endemic Namibian species is known only from two female specimens taken at a single, indefinite locality in the upper slopes (1650 m) of the Goaseb (Ga-Asab or Ga-Aseb) Gorge, just below the summit on the southern side of the Massif ( Figs 6 , 7 ). Two attempts to collect additional specimens at similar altitude in the upper reaches of the Goaseb Gorge (December 2003 and April 2006) were unsuccessful. It is likely that this species is restricted to the summit, upper and middle slopes of the Massif, where the rainfall is greater than at lower altitude. Based on its morphology, B. haringtoni is probably lapidicolous, sheltering under stones (Prendini 2001 b, 2003 a).

Figures

Fig. 6. Brandberg Massif (Namibia), upper slopes of Massif in Goaseb (Ga-Asab) Gorge, facing northeast, wet year. Dominant vegetation, Cyphostemma currorii (Hook.f.) Desc. and Ozoroa crassinervia (Engl.) R. Fern & A. Fern. Rocky slopes, habitat of Brandbergia haringtoni Prendini, 2003, Lisposoma elegans Lawrence, 1928, Hadogenes tityrus (Simon, 1888), and Uroplectes planimanus (Karsch, 1879). Woody vegetation, habitat of Uroplectes otjimbinguensis (Karsch, 1879).

Fig. 7. Brandberg Massif (Namibia), just below summit of Massif in Goaseb (Ga-Asab) Gorge, facing south to gravel plains, dry year. Rocky slopes, habitat of Brandbergia haringtoni Prendini, 2003, Hadogenes tityrus (Simon, 1888) and Uroplectes planimanus (Karsch, 1879).