VietNamNet Bridge – The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources has recently announced a new scorpion species found in Dien Bien Province.

Chaerilus Pathom Lourenco & Pham scorpion. Photo: Vast.ac.vn

The scientific name of the new species is Chaerilus Pathom Lourenco & Pham. It was discovered by Dr. Pham Dinh Sac from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources and Dr. Wilson Lourenco from the Natural History Museum of Paris. The two scientists were conducting a survey of Pa Thom Cave in Dien Bien District when they made the discovery.

According to the National Academy of Science and Technology of Vietnam, the new species belongs to the Chaerilidae family. They are golden brown, with dark brown spots. The adult male scorpions are 17mm long. Their color is different from other species of the genus Chaerilus, with lighter color on the body. In addition, they have claws with 6-7 rows of prickles.

According to Dr. Sac, the new finding is not only important in science but also has high practical value. "Scorpion venom is a natural material for the pharmaceutical industry now and in the future," he says.

From 2010 to 2013, Dr. Sac and his colleagues conducted many surveys of invertebrate fauna in the area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province and and Ba Be in Bac Kan Province.

During this time, the team found three new scorpion species: Vietbocap canhi Lourenco & Pham, 2010; Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenco & Pham, 2012; and Euscorpiops cavernicola Lourenco & Pham, 2013.

Na Son