Erich Volschenk

Erich S. Volschenk is an Australian arachnologist specializing in the systematics and taxonomy of scorpions, particularly those native to Australia. He is recognized for his extensive research on the genera Lychas and Urodacus, as well as his studies on pseudoscorpions and subterranean invertebrates.
Education and early career
Volschenk obtained his Bachelor of Science with first-class honours in 1996 from James Cook University, where he focused on pseudoscorpion systematics and the ecology of cave-dwelling invertebrates.
Research and contributions
As Australia's only dedicated scorpion taxonomist, Volschenk has revised major scorpion genera, including Lychas and Urodacus. His research extends to pseudoscorpions and the biology of subterranean invertebrates.
In 2008, Volschenk co-described Aops oncodactylus, the first known troglobitic scorpion in the family Urodacidae. The species was discovered in Western Australia and represents an adaptation to life in caves, including reduced pigmentation and elongated appendages.
Volschenk has also contributed to understanding the medical significance of scorpions. A 2003 study he co-authored examined the clinical effects of Australian scorpion stings, highlighting the mild but occasionally painful symptoms caused by species in genera like Hormurus and Lychas.
Selected publications
* Volschenk, E. S., & Prendini, L. (2008). Aops oncodactylus, gen. et sp. nov., the first troglobitic urodacid (Urodacidae: Scorpiones), with a re-assessment of cavernicolous, troglobitic, and troglomorphic scorpions. *Invertebrate Systematics*, 22(2), 235-257.
Taxa named in his honor
The schizomid species Apozomus volschenki was named to honor Volschenk's contributions to arachnology.

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