Abstract
A previous list of scorpions from the Brandberg Massif and vicinity, north-western Namibia (Omaruru District. Erongo Region), is updated, based on a survey of the Massif and surrounding areas (the region delimited by 21°00′S–21°30′S and 14°00′–15°00′E) conducted during three separate expeditions, and augmented by an examination of material in museum collections. More than 1000 specimens, representing more than 100 point-locality records, were examined for the study. Notes on the ecology and distribution of the scorpions on the Massif and surrounding areas are provided. Excluding one dubious record, 20 scorpion species in seven genera (Brandbergia, Lisposoma, Hottentotta, Parabuthus, Uroplectes, Hadogenes, and Opistophthalmus) of four families (Bothriuridae, Buthidae, Liochelidae, Scorpionidae) are recorded from the area, which presently has the richest scorpion fauna in Namibia, if not southern Africa, and ranks among those with the richest scorpion faunas in the world. The high diversity of scorpions on the Brandberg Massif and vicinity is attributed to the heterogeneity of landforms, substrata and habitats in the area. The scorpions of the Massif and surrounding areas may be classified into seven ecomorphotypes, using every available niche. The species richness of the scorpion fauna is inversely correlated with altitude. The greatest diversity of genera and species occurs at the base of the Massif and in the surrounding areas, and decreases towards the summit. Five species occur in the area surrounding the Massif but not at its base, five at its base (below 500 m) but not on its slopes, two on its lower slopes (500–1000 m), but not on its middle slope (1000–1500 m), upper slope (1500–2000 m) or summit (above 2000 m), and two on its summit, upper and middle slopes only. Only five species occur from the base to the summit of the Massif.
Highlights
Namibia presently has the highest species richness and endemism of scorpions in southern Africa (Prendini 2000a, 2005a)
Despite decades of research on the scorpions of Namibia, new species and even genera continue to be discovered within its borders (Prendini 2000a, b, 2003a, b, 2005a; Harington 2002), partly due to the rugged and inhospitable desert terrain and partly due to the cryptic nature of most desert scorpion species that inhabit it
Some of the most recently described Namibian scorpions are endemic to the Brandberg Massif and vicinity (Figs 1–8), in the Omaruru District (Erongo Region) of north-western Namibia (Prendini 2000a, 2003a)
Summary
Namibia presently has the highest species richness and endemism of scorpions in southern Africa (Prendini 2000a, 2005a). The species richness and endemism of scorpions in South Africa appears to be even greater than that of Namibia, based on work in preparation by the first author on several speciose genera, especially Hadogenes Kraepelin, 1894, Opistophthalmus C.L. Koch, 1837 and Uroplectes Peters, 1861. Some of the most recently described Namibian scorpions are endemic to the Brandberg Massif and vicinity (Figs 1–8), in the Omaruru District (Erongo Region) of north-western Namibia (Prendini 2000a, 2003a). The first expedition surveyed the base of the Brandberg Massif, including several major gorges intersecting its periphery, and surrounding areas (Figs 1–4). Collections were made at periodic intervals along a transect from the base to the summit during two different seasons (hot, dry and warm, wet)
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