Zoology Commons^™

Ontogenetic Shifts In Microhabitat Use, Foraging And Temporal Activity For The Striped Bark Scorpion Centruroides Vittatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), C. Neal Mcreynolds

Euscorpius

Ontogenetic shifts in activity and habitat use by the scorpion Centruroides vittatus in Laredo, Texas can occur with shifts in microhabitat use, the height of the scorpion in vegetation and seasonal and lunar activity among different sizes of C. vittatus but not taxa of prey in the diet. The microhabitat use by the different size classes was significantly different with significant associations among the cacti with a high frequency of larger scorpions on prickly pear cactus and strawberry cactus and between grass and other vegetation with a high frequency of smaller scorpions on grass. A comparison of the mean height …

A New Scorpion Genus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) From Mexico, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

A new vaejovid genus from Mexico, Franckeus, gen. nov., is described based on unique neobothriotaxy. Species placed in this genus are from the Vaejovis “nigrescens” group (previously called the “nitidulus” group). Six species comprise this new genus, distributed throughout Mexico (mainland as well as Baja California Sur): Franckeus nitidulus, F. rubrimanus, F. platnicki, F. minckleyi, F. kochi and F. peninsularis. A new species of the Vaejovis “nigrescens” group, Vaejovis davidi, sp. nov., is also described.

Further Considerations On Scorpions Found In Baltic Amber, With A Description Of A New Species (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço

Euscorpius

A new species of Baltic fossil scorpion, Palaeolychas weitschati sp. n. is described based on a specimen found in amber from the Samland Peninsula in Baltic coast. The new species is the second one described for the genus Palaeolychas Lourenço et Weitschat, and thus belongs to the same lineage as the majority of other scorpions known from Baltic amber, which is clearly associated with the extant scorpion fauna of tropical regions in America, Asia and Africa. This new find attests, however, to a considerable degree of diversity in the Baltic amber-producing forests.

A New Trichobothrial Character For The High-Level Systematics Of Buthoidea (Scorpiones: Buthida), Victor Fet, Soleglad E. Michael, Graeme Lowe

Euscorpius

The high-level systematics and phylogeny of the scorpion superfamily Buthoidea are unresolved. A new, formerly undetected character is reported here: the relative alignment of d₃ trichobothrium and DM_c carina on the pedipalp patella. This and other characters are discussed in the context of possible high-level divisions of Buthoidea. Based on this analysis, we suggest a breakdown of Buthoidea into six proposed tentative phylogenetic groups: Buthus group, Ananteris group, Isometrus group, Charmus group, Uroplectes group, and Tityus group.

On The Type Locality Of Mesobuthus Vesiculatus (Pocock, 1899) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Ayşegül Karataş, Victor Fet, Muhammed M. Gharkheloo

Euscorpius

The type locality for Mesobuthus vesiculatus (Pocock, 1899) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is identified as Astarqān, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, at 38°32'03"N, 46°12' 36"E.

Redescription Of The Mexican Scorpion Centruroides Hoffmanni Armas, 1996 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Eliézer Martín-Frías, Luis F. De Armas, Jorge F. Paniagua-Solís

Euscorpius

The Mexican scorpion Centruroides hoffmanni Armas, 1996 is redescribed, based on adults of both sexes. It is readily diagnosed by its medium size, dark brown two-banded tergites and brown marbling on carapace, appendages and metasoma, pectinal tooth counts, the shape of the female basal plate of the pectines, development of metasomal carinae, and shape of the telson and subaculear tubercle. The geographical distribution of this species ranges from southeastern Oaxaca to southwestern Chiapas, Mexico. It was originally compared with Centruroides thorelli (Kraepelin, 1891), but actually it seems to be closely related to C. infamatus (C. L. Koch, 1845) and C. …

Aerial Insects Avoid Fluorescing Scorpions, Carl T. Kloock

Euscorpius

The ecological function of scorpion fluorescence under ultraviolet light is unknown. In fact, no response of any organism to scorpion fluorescence has been documented. To determine whether or not some potential prey, specifically aerial insects, respond to scorpion fluorescence, I compared the number of aerial insects captured on sticky traps containing fluorescent scorpions to the number captured on traps containing non-fluorescent scorpions during both full and new moons. The results show that aerial insects avoid fluorescing scorpions during the full moon, when fluorescence is at its peak, but not during the new moon when it is weakest. Avoidance of fluorescing …

A New Scorpion Species Of The Genus Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) From Morocco, Wilson R. Lourenço, Philippe Geniez

Euscorpius

A new species belonging to the genus Buthus Leach (Scorpiones, Buthidae) is described from northeast of Tarfaya in the extreme southwest of Morocco. The new species does not belong to the “Buthus occitanus species complex”, but is rather associated with Buthus atlantis Pocock, species also known from the southern of Morocco. With the description of Buthus bonito sp. n., t Morocco is raised to 12. A checklist of these species is provided.

Revision And Taxonomic Position Of Genera Afghanorthochirus Lourenço & Vachon, Baloorthochirus Kovařík, Butheolus Simon, Nanobuthus Pocock, Orthochiroides Kovařík, Pakistanorthochirus Lourenço, And Asian Orthochirus Karsch, With Descriptions Of Twelve New Species (Scorpiones, Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The genera Baloorthochirus, Butheolus, Orthochiroides, Pakistanorthochirus, and Asian species of the genus Orthochirus are revised and keys are presented to all species of Butheolus and Orthochiroides, Asian species of Orthochirus, and to species of all related genera. Afghanorthochirus Lourenço & Vachon, 1997 is synonymized with Orthochirus Karsch, 1892; Nanobuthus Pocock, 1895 is synonymized with Butheolus Simon, 1882; and Pakistanorthochirus Lourenço, 1997 is synonymized with Baloorthochirus Kovařík, 1996. Orthochiroides socotrensis sp. n. from Socotra Island and eleven new species of Orthochirus are described: O. afghanus sp. n., O. heratensis sp. n., O. jalalabadensis …

Antillean Scorpions Deposited At The Montana State University (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Luis F. De Armas

Euscorpius

A total of 71 specimens of Antillean scorpions belonging to three families [Liochelidae, Scorpionidae (Diplocentrinae), and Buthidae] and seven genera are deposited at the Montana Entomology Collection (MTEC) of the Montana State University. The most represented genus is Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836, which contains seven species from Dominican Republic. Those materials are from the following countries: Cuba, Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and St. Kitts. The male of Tityus septentrionalis Armas & Abud Antun, 2004 is described for the first time.

A New Vaejovis From The Mogollon Highlands Of Northern Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Richard F. Ayrey

Euscorpius

A new scorpion species, Vaejovis halli sp. nov., is described. This relatively small, brown new species is found on Mount Ord in the Mazatzal Mountains along the Mogollon Rim of northern Arizona. The new species appears most similar to V. vorhiesi Stahnke and V. deboerae Ayrey. The most distinguishing characteristic of this new species is the number of inner denticles (ID) found on the pedipalp fingers with six on the movable finger and usually five on the fixed finger, which more closely correlates with Vaejovis species from the mountains of southern Arizona rather than those geographically closer …

Longevity Of Mineral Supplements Within The Soil And Associated Use By White-Tailed Deer, Brian C. Peterson, Keith D. Koupal, Andrew K. Schissel, Cody M. Siegel

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Humans have baited wildlife such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for generations with the primary purpose of increasing hunting harvest success. Baiting regulation changes are often considered by state management agencies as they pertain to hunting opportunity, fair chase, and disease risk. Cervids require a variety of minerals to supplement biological processes, especially sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P). We developed artificial mineral supplement sites set in front of trail cameras to monitor deer use. Pooled soil samples were collected at mineral sites and compared to the surrounding area to determine the longevity of elevated minerals levels …

A Review Of The Genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828, With Descriptions Of Seven New Species (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The genus Heterometrus is revised and a key is presented to all species except H. tristis. Subgenera Chersonesometrus Couzijn, 1978, Gigantometrus Couzijn, 1978, Javanimetrus Couzijn, 1981 and Srilankametrus Couzijn, 1981 are synonymized with the subgenus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828. Seven new species of Heterometrus are described: H. beccaloniae sp. n., H. mysorensis sp. n., H. rolciki sp. n., and H. ubicki sp. n. from India, H. nepalensis sp. n., from Nepal, H. sejnai sp. n. from Thailand, and H. cimrmani sp. n. from Thailand and Vietnam. The following species and subspecies are synonymized: H. ( …

A Note On The Scorpions From The Pirin Mountains, Southwestern Bulgaria (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Euscorpiidae), Rolando Teruel, Victor Fet, Luis F. De Armas

Euscorpius

In the present note, four scorpion species are recorded from the Pirin Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria, including the first records for Bulgaria of both Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Buthidae) and the “mingrelicus complex” of the genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Euscorpiidae) (the latter based upon an undetermined species). Also, E. hadzii Caporiacco, 1950 and another undetermined species of Euscorpius belonging to the “carpathicus complex” are recorded from Pirin. The taxonomic affinities of the taxa are discussed, as well as some biogeographical considerations about the scorpions of this poorly studied mountainous area.

A Scorpion From A Peatbog: The First Arthropod Fossil From The Late Viséan Of The Moscow Coal Basin, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Yulia V. Mosseichik, Dmitry E. Shcherbakov

Euscorpius

This note describes a fossil fragment from the Upper Viséan (ca. 330 Ma), of the Moscow Coal Basin (Novgorod Region, Russia). The fossil is identified as the cuticle of a single leg segment (left femur) of a scorpion (Arachnida: Scorpiones), without any further taxonomic placement. The anatomical details of the fragment are given, along with ecological considerations. It is the first fossil scorpion record from Russia.

Alloscorpiops Wongpromi Sp. N. From Thailand And Laos (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae: Scorpiopinae), František Kovařík, Michael E. Soleglad, Ondřej Košulič

Euscorpius

Alloscorpiops wongpromi sp. n. from Thailand and Laos is described and compared with all other species of the genus Alloscorpiops Vachon, 1980. A key is presented to all species of the genus. A. wongpromi sp. n. is characterized mainly by a higher number of trichobothria on the patella, which has 33–37 external and 21–22 ventral trichobothria, and a dark-colored telson. The subgenus Laoscorpiops Lourenço, 2013 is synonymized with the nominotypical subgenus, because it was based on misinterpretation of the trichobothrial pattern, with two ventral accessory trichobothria on the chela regarded as part of the external Eb series.

Response Of Male Centruroides Vittatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) To Aerial And Substrate-Borne Chemical Signals, Steffany B. Steinmetz, Karen C. Bost, Douglas D. Gaffin

Euscorpius

Chemical signaling promotes mate location throughout numerous animal taxa. In this study we investigated the possibility that striped scorpions, Centruroides vittatus, use chemical signaling in the form of odor plumes or substrate-borne deposits as communication channels. A Y-shaped arena was constructed to test scorpions’ use of air-borne chemical cues in the detection of potential mates. A second, circular behavioral choice chamber was used to test male scorpions’ responses to female deposits by direct substrate contact. Male scorpions showed no tendency to move toward the female in tests of air-borne chemical transmission but they did demonstrate behavior associated with chemical …

Scorpiofauna Of Kashan (Esfahan Province, Iran) (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Valerio Vignoli, František Kovařík, Pierangelo Crucitti

Euscorpius

This work contains the results of the zoological expedition of the Società Romana di Scienze Naturali to Kashan, in Iran. Four days of intensive field research provided interesting data on the community structure of scorpions of Kashan. Thirty-two scorpion specimens, all belonging to the family Buthidae, are listed and ecological notes are included. Iranobuthus krali Kovařík, 1997, Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903) and Polisius persicus Fet, Capes & Sissom, 2001 were found for the first time in the examined localities. The species collected belong to different ecomorpho-types, characteristic for the particular geographic position of Kashan. We report presence of two species …

A Powerful New Light Source For Ultraviolet Detection Of Scorpions In The Field, Graeme Lowe, Steven R. Kutcher, Doug Edwards

Euscorpius

We describe a new portable solid-state ultraviolet (UV) light that should greatly improve the ease and effectiveness of fluorescent detection of scorpions in the field. The design is based on an array of InGaN light emitting diodes (LEDs). It is in-expensive, lightweight, simple to implement, energetically efficient and mechanically rugged. Scorpion cuticular fluorescence excited by an LED array is 13-fold brighter than excitation by previously available fluorescent tube lamps drawing the same current from the battery.

Genomic Legacy Of The African Cheetah, Acinonyx Jubatus, Pavel Dobrynin, Shiping Liu, Gaik Tamazian, Zijun Xiong, Andrey A. Yurchenko, Ksenia Krasheninnikova, Sergey Kliver, A. Schmidt-Kunzel, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Warren E. Johnson, Lukas F. K. Kuderna, Raquel Garcia-Perez, Marc De Manuel, Ricardo Godinez, Aleksey Komissarov, Alexey Makunin, Vladimir Brukhin, Weilin Qiu, Long Zhou, Fang Li, Jian Yi, Carlos A. Driscoll, Agostinho Antunes, T. K. Oleksyk, Eduardo Eizirik, Polina Perelman, Melody E. Roelke, David E. Wildt, Mark Diekhans, Tomas Marques-Bonet, Laurie Marker, Jong Bhak, Jun Wang, Guojie Zhang, Stephen J. O'Brien

Biology Faculty Articles

Background

Patterns of genetic and genomic variance are informative in inferring population history for human, model species and endangered populations.

Results

Here the genome sequence of wild-born African cheetahs reveals extreme genomic depletion in SNV incidence, SNV density, SNVs of coding genes, MHC class I and II genes, and mitochondrial DNA SNVs. Cheetah genomes are on average 95 % homozygous compared to the genomes of the outbred domestic cat (24.08 % homozygous), Virunga Mountain Gorilla (78.12 %), inbred Abyssinian cat (62.63 %), Tasmanian devil, domestic dog and other mammalian species. Demographic estimators impute two ancestral population bottlenecks: one >100,000 years …