Uroplectes

{{Short description|Genus of scorpions}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Uroplectes flavoviridis.jpg

| image_caption = U. flavoviridis at Pafuri, Kruger National Park

| image2 = Uroplectes olivaceus.jpg

| image2_caption = U. olivaceus with young, Soutpansberg

| taxon = Uroplectes

| authority = Peters, 1861

| type_species = Uroplectes variegatus

| type_species_authority = Koch, 1844

}}

Uroplectes is a genus of scorpions in the family Buthidae. They are known commonly as the lesser thick-tailed scorpions. There are about 40 species distributed in the Afrotropical realm.[http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/arachnids/scorpions/buthidae/uroplectes.htm Uroplectes.] Biodiversity Explorer. Iziko Museums. They are most diverse in South Africa.Prendini, L. (2015). [http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.5733/afin.056.0201 A remarkably small species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), endemic to the Succulent Karoo of South Africa.] African Invertebrates, 56(2), 499-513.

These scorpions are generally about 3 to 6 centimeters long, but a few are smaller, such as U. ansiedippenaarae, which is less than 2 centimeters in length. They are variable in color from bright yellows to muted greens. They occur in many types of habitat from mountain forests to deserts. They live under rocks and in trees, and are sometimes seen invading houses.

Species include:{{cite web |url=http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/buthidae.php |title=Buthidae |work=The Scorpion Files |author=Jan Ove Rein |year=2012 |accessdate=June 20, 2012}}

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References

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Category:Buthidae

Category:Scorpion genera

Category:Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters

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