Pattern of geographical distribution presented by the scorpions of the genus Microcharmus Lourenco, with a description of a new species

Some suggestions are proposed regarding the pattern of distribution present ed by scorpions of the genus Microcharmus in Madagascar. This genus seems t o be present exclusively in rainforest formations in the north of the islan d. The description of a new species, also from the north, coincides with th is observed pattern. It is suggested here that the observed pattern of dist ribution is not only a consequence of recent ecological factors, but also o f historical biogeographical patterns associated with the antiquity of this lineage of scorpions. (C) 1999 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiq ues et medicales Elsevier SAS.