Additions to the geographical distribution of the Malagasy family Microcharmidae Lourenço 1 996 (Scorpiones: Buthoidea) and description of three new species of Microcharmus Lourenço 1 995

Abstract

A more up to date biogeographic analysis of the patterns of distribution presented by the scorpions of the family Microcharmidae Lourenco 1996 are presented. This family is revalidated here based on numerous morphological characters. This Malagasy group of scorpions is represented by two genera, Microcharmus Lourenco 1995 and Neoprotobuthus Lourenco 2000 both endemic to the Island. The family Microcharmidae seems to be restricted to dry and wet forests formations in the northern and northwestern portions of the island. Here we describe three species new to science: Microcharmus andrei sp. n., Microcharmus antongil sp. n. and Microcharmus djangoa sp. n. The distribution of these new species seems to be restricted to the northern range of Madagascar, in habitats ranging from dry to wet forests, confirming therefore the patterns previously observed. Resume Une analyse biogeographique a jour portant sur les schemas de distribution des scorpions de la famille des Microcharmidae Lourenco 1996 est presentee. La famille est ici revalidee sur la base de nombreux caracteres morphologiques. Ce groupe de scorpions de Madagascar est represente par deux genres, Microcharmus Lourenco 1995 et Neoprotobuthus Lourenco 2000 tous deux endemiques de l’ile. La famille des Microcharmidae semble avoir une distribution limitee aux formations forestieres seches et humides des parties nord et nord-ouest de l’ile. Ici, nous decrivons trois especes nouvelles pour la science : Microcharmus andrei sp. n., Microcharmus antongil sp. n. et Microcharmus djangoa sp. n. La distribution de ces trois nouvelles especes semble limitee a la partie septentrionale de Madagascar, dans des habitats allant des forets seches a humides, ce qui confirme ainsi les schemas prealablement observes.