Slovak zoologists from the environmental organization BROZ have discovered a previously unknown species of false scorpion in the French Polynesian archipelago. The newly discovered arthropod species was given the scientific name Olpium caputi in honor of the current President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine ZooKeys.
False scorpions or false scorpions are a group of small arthropods. It got its name because the front legs of false scorpions, like scorpions, end in grasping claws. Unlike their counterparts, false scorpions are very small (2-3 millimeters on average) and completely harmless to humans.
Scientists discovered a specimen of Olpium caputi while examining moss at an altitude of 1,450 meters on the summit of Mont Marau in the Tahiti Islands.
“As a female leader, she takes a strong stance and supports women and scientists. Even in the 21st century, women in science or in senior positions are rare. “The rarity of research in French Polynesia, the uniqueness of the discovery, and the fact that the new species is female led us to name the species after this inspiring woman who could be a model of courage and perseverance for many women,” said lead author Yana Khristoforeva.
According to the description, the body size of representatives of the new species is about three millimeters. Olpium caputi is the fifth known false scorpion species found on the islands of French Polynesia.
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