Kristi King, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – If scorpions weren’t scary enough, scientists have discovered a new species of the poisionous arachnid that’s flourescent and lives underground.

The Wernerius inyoensis was discovered — where else? — in California’s Death Valley National Park by researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. When put under an ultraviolet light, the tiny species glows green and measures a little over half an inch in length. Its other notable feature is an unusual barb near its stinger. Scientists aren’t sure what the barb is used for.

The discovery was almost overlooked, according to a news release. A PhD candidate at the school found the creature with his father one night while volunteering for a field study in the area.

“Only a single male individual was found, but the physical uniqueness was enough to identify it as a new species,” says a researcher involved in the study.

WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow Kristi King and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)