Vestigial Serrula In Scorpion Genera Paravaejovis, , Smeringurus And Vejovoidus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae),
2015
Marshall University
Vestigial Serrula In Scorpion Genera Paravaejovis, , Smeringurus And Vejovoidus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael S. Brewer, David P. A. Neff, Michael L. Norton
Euscorpius
The presence of vestigial serrula on the ventral edge of the cheliceral movable finger is established for vaejovid genera Paravaejovis, Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, and Vejovoidus. Detailed descriptions and SEM images illustrating the various manifestations of this interesting cheliceral structure are provided for many species of these four genera. A brief systematic overview of this structure as it exists in Recent scorpions is also presented.
Serrula In Retrospect: A Historical Look At Scorpion Literature (Scorpiones: Orthosterni),
2015
Marshall University
Serrula In Retrospect: A Historical Look At Scorpion Literature (Scorpiones: Orthosterni), Matthew R. Graham, Victor Fet
Euscorpius
Serrula, a small comb-like structure on the ventral aspect of cheliceral movable finger in scorpions, has often been overlooked or ignored. Scorpion genera that are currently known to possess serrula belong to six families: Chactidae, Euscorpiidae, Iuridae, Pseudochactidae, Superstitioniidae, and Vaejovidae. All relevant literature on scorpion serrula is reviewed, and serrula of representative scorpion taxa is illustrated by SEM images. We suggest that the inconsistency in reporting serrula is based on several factors (or combination thereof): (a) serrula tines can quite often be broken off partially or completely, especially in adults; (b) serrula can be vestigial and hardly visible under …
On The Poorly Known Genus Mesotityus González-Sponga, 1981 (Scorpiones: Buthidae),
2015
Marshall University
On The Poorly Known Genus Mesotityus González-Sponga, 1981 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Luis F. De Armas, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic
Euscorpius
Examination of new available material (18 females and six males) of the rare Venezuelan scorpion Mesotityus vondangeli González-Sponga, 1981 (Buthidae) demonstrated that there are consistent taxonomic characters to consider it as a genus different from Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 sensu stricto. Nevertheless, it shares important characters with species of the Tityus clathratus group (=subgenus Archaeotityus Lourenço, 2006). An emended diagnosis of Mesotityus is given, as well as data on natural history, meristic and morphometric variation.
Taxonomic Position Of The Genus Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 (Scorpiones: Buthidae),
2015
Marshall University
Taxonomic Position Of The Genus Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, Victor Fet
Euscorpius
Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 is a valid genus closely related to Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949, with which it shares most characters including the shape of carinae on the carapace and mesosoma. The main difference is that Sassanidotus has only three granules located proximally to the terminal granule on the movable finger of pedipalp, whereas Compsobuthus and also Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950 have four such granules. Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 includes two species, Sassanidotus zarudnyi (Birula, 1900) (type species) from Iran and Sassanidotus gracilis thus zarudnyi sarghadensis Birula, 1903, syn. n.) from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. The neotype is designated for S. zarudnyi.
Redescription And Lectotype Designation Of Vaejovis Lapidicola Stahnke, 1940 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae),
2015
Marshall University
Redescription And Lectotype Designation Of Vaejovis Lapidicola Stahnke, 1940 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham
Euscorpius
The original description of the Arizona scorpion species Vaejovis lapidicola Stahnke, 1940 consists of a single paragraph. Furthermore, a holotype for this species was never designated. To remedy this, two syntypes of V. lapidicola were obtained for study. A male syntype is redescribed and designated the lectotype, and a female is assigned as a paralectotype. The taxonomic status of V. lapidicola is also confirmed.
Laterobasal Aculear Serrations (Las) In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea),
2015
Marshall University
Laterobasal Aculear Serrations (Las) In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael S. Brewer
Euscorpius
The discovery of a new structure on the laterobasal aspect of the telson aculeus is described here for the first time. This structure, termed the laterobasal aculear serrations (LAS), is a row of minute denticles located on each side of the aculeus base, found exclusively in scorpion family Vaejovidae, thus potentially providing a new synapomorphy for this New World family. The LAS structure of major representative vaejovid genera and Vaejovis groups is illustrated with SEM micrographs. Also provided is a comprehensive list of non-vaejovid Recent scorpion genera examined where the LAS structure was found to be absent.
The Effect Of Insularity On The Seasonal Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae),
2015
University of Crete
The Effect Of Insularity On The Seasonal Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Dimitris Kaltsas, Iasmi Stathi, Moysis Mylonas
Euscorpius
We compared the population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus from autumn to mid-summer at two similar phryganic ecosystems, one in continental Greece (Thessalia, near Volos city) and one in insular Greece (eastern Crete). Data were collected monthly using the capture-recapture method. At both sites, density was low during the cold period and increased towards summer. During the samplings, only a small percentage of each population was present. Population density and co-occurrence of scorpions with scorpions or other animals was higher in Crete than in Volos, probably due to the higher inter- and intraspecific competition in Volos. The population structure of the …
Duplication Of Pedipalp Segments In The Scorpion Androctonus Crassicauda (Olivier, 1807),
2015
Niğde University
Duplication Of Pedipalp Segments In The Scorpion Androctonus Crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), Ayşegül Karataş, Mustafa Kürtüllü
Euscorpius
An unusual duplication of pedipalp segments is reported from the buthid scorpion Androctonus crassicauda. While the right pedipalp is normal, the anomaly described here occurred on the left pedipalp. This abnormally developed pedipalp included nine segments instead of normal six. It has two trochanters, two femurs and two patellae; the segments are arranged in the following order: coxa, trochanter I, femur I, patella I, trochanter II, femur II, patella II, chela hand, and movable finger. Morphometric measurements, photographs, and general features of the specimen are given.
Constellation Array In Scorpion Genera Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, Vejovoidus, And Paravaejovis (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae),
2015
Marshall University
Constellation Array In Scorpion Genera Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, Vejovoidus, And Paravaejovis (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael Brewer, David P. A. Neff, Michael L. Norton
Euscorpius
The constellation array (a recently discovered sensory structure on the fixed finger of pedipalp; Fet et al., 2006) is analyzed for a large set of species belonging to four genera in the family Vaejovidae: Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, Vejovoidus, and Paravaejovis. It is shown that this structure is an important taxonomic character. Two distinct configurations are identified, a two-sensilla array for Paruroctonus + Smeringurus + Vejovoidus and a three-sensilla array for genus Paravejovis, both differing from other vaejovid configurations so far investigated. The topology of these two array configurations are analyzed using landmark setae identified in this study.
Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Ii. Stahnkeini, A New Tribe In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea),
2015
Marshall University
Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Ii. Stahnkeini, A New Tribe In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet
Euscorpius
The diagnostic characters originally established by Herbert L. Stahnke (1940a, 1940b, 1974) in his description of genus Serradigitus are studied in detail from several new perspectives. A new genus, Stahnkeus, gen. nov., is described based on the presence of inner accessory (IAD) denticles on the chelal fingers, unprecedented in family Vaejovidae. Five species of Serradigitus are transferred to Stahnkeus: Stahnkeus harbisoni (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus harbisoni); Stahnkeus deserticola (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus deserticola); Stahnkeus subtilimanus (Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus subtilimanus); Stahnkeus allredi (Sissom et Stockwell, 1991), …
Eight New Species Of The Genera Scorpiops Peters, Euscorpiops Vachon, And Chaerilus Simon (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Chaerilidae) From Tibet And Yunnan, China,
2015
Hebei University
Eight New Species Of The Genera Scorpiops Peters, Euscorpiops Vachon, And Chaerilus Simon (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Chaerilidae) From Tibet And Yunnan, China, Jian-Xin Qi, Ming-Sheng Zhu, Wilson R. Lourenço
Euscorpius
Eight new species belonging to the genera Scorpiops and Euscorpiops (Euscorpiidae: Scorpiopinae) and Chaerilus (Chaerilidae) are described from China. These are: Scorpiops atomatus sp. n., Scorpiops langxian sp. n., Scorpiops luridus sp. n., Scorpiops pococki sp. n., Euscorpiops vachoni sp. n., Euscorpiops shidian sp. n., Euscorpiops karschi sp. n., and Chaerilus tessellatus sp. n. New records are also reported for these three genera, and the taxa are redescribed. Descriptions and redescriptions are based mainly on the material collected in Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province. Checklists and identification keys for Chinese species of …
The Systematic Position Of The Scorpion Genera Heteroscorpion Birula, 1903 And Urodacus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpionoidea),
2015
Marshall University
The Systematic Position Of The Scorpion Genera Heteroscorpion Birula, 1903 And Urodacus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpionoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet, František Kovařík
Euscorpius
Stockwell (1989), in an unpublished revision, suggested the elevation of subfamily Urodacinae to the family rank, and considered Heteroscorpioninae a subfamily of Ischnuridae. Heteroscorpioninae was formally elevated to the family rank by Lourenço (1996a), and Urodacinae, by Prendini (2000). As a result of a detailed cladistic analysis, Prendini (2000, 2003b) considered families Heteroscorpionidae and Urodacidae to be sister groups, although an al-ternative topology was available. Soleglad & Fet (2003b) questioned the results of Prendini (2000) but nevertheless retained the monophyly of Heteroscorpion and Urodacus pending more detailed analysis; they recognized two valid monotypic subfamilies, Heteroscorpioninae and Urodacinae, under Urodacidae. Our …
New Data On Distribution And Ecology Of Seven Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae),
2015
Marshall University
New Data On Distribution And Ecology Of Seven Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Marco Colombo
Euscorpius
The author observed seven species of Euscorpius in 1999–2005 (E. alpha, E. sicanus, E. tergestinus, E. concinnus, E. naupliensis, E. italicus, and E. flavicaudis) in their natural environment, mainly in Italy but also in France, Switzerland, and Greece. Ecology of these species is discussed as well as predatory behavior occasionally observed in nature. This work provides new data on the distribution and ecology of European Euscorpiidae.
Editorial: "Euscorpius" At 100,
2015
Marshall University
Editorial: "Euscorpius" At 100, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad
Euscorpius
With the publication of Graeme Lowe on Vachoniolus from Oman, our journal Euscorpius celebrates its 100th issue. Euscorpius is the first and only research publication completely devoted to scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Since its inception in 2001, Euscorpius published 100 issues authored by 79 zoologists from 23 countries (USA, Argentina, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, India, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.)
Review Of Tunisian Species Of The Genus Buthus With Descriptions Of Two New Species And A Discussion Of Ehrenberg’S Types (Scorpiones: Buthidae),
2015
Marshall University
Review Of Tunisian Species Of The Genus Buthus With Descriptions Of Two New Species And A Discussion Of Ehrenberg’S Types (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík
Euscorpius
Buthus chambiensis, sp. n. and Buthus dunlopi, sp. n. from Tunisia are described. Presented is also a key to four Tunisian species of the genus Buthus. The males of B. chambiensis, sp. n. and B. paris (C. L. Koch, 1839) have narrower chela than the females, which distinguishes them from B. tunetanus (Herbst, 1800) and B. dunlopi, sp. n. Uniformly yellowish mesosoma and very narrow chela of pedipalps distinguish B. chambiensis, sp. n. from Buthus paris (C. L. Koch, 1839). Morphologically closest to B. chambiensis sp. n. is Buthus barcaeus Birula, 1909, comb. n. …
A New Species Of The Genus Buthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Northern Cameroon,
2015
Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle
A New Species Of The Genus Buthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Northern Cameroon, Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin
Euscorpius
A new species belonging to the genus Buthus Leach (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from northern Cameroon in Central Western Africa. The new species can be included in the “Buthus occitanus” complex of species, and probably can be associated with the “Buthus occitanus” from the former French West Africa (AOF) previously reported by Vachon from this large region. This is the first record of a Buthus species from Cameroon, and with the description of Buthus prudenti sp. n., the status of one more population of Buthus spp. from the sub-Saharan region of Africa is clarified.
A Seven-Legged Scorpion: The First Teratological Leg Absence Found In Scorpio Maurus Fuscus (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae),
2015
Marshall University
A Seven-Legged Scorpion: The First Teratological Leg Absence Found In Scorpio Maurus Fuscus (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae), David David
Euscorpius
A teratological leg absence anomaly is reported and discussed in a Scorpio maurus fuscus (Scorpionidae) specimen from Israel. In this scorpion, the third right leg is completely missing, and the fourth right leg has a deformed coxa, which abuts the entire lateral edge of the sternum. The area anterior to the sternum is visibly curved to the right. This is the first leg absence anomaly reported in scorpions.
Malformed Pedipalp Finger Dentition Of The Scorpion Superstitionia Donensis (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae),
2015
Marshall University
Malformed Pedipalp Finger Dentition Of The Scorpion Superstitionia Donensis (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae), Matthew R. Graham
Euscorpius
A novel deformity of pedipalp finger dentition is presented from the scorpion Superstitionia donensis. This anomaly, present on the left pedipalp chela only, is herein described and discussed in regards to possible problems it could cause with species identification.
Name-Bearing Types Of Scorpions Deposited At The Institute Of Ecology And Systematics, Havana, Cuba (Arachnida: Scorpiones),
2015
Marshall University
Name-Bearing Types Of Scorpions Deposited At The Institute Of Ecology And Systematics, Havana, Cuba (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Luis F. De Armas
Euscorpius
In the Institute of Ecology and Systematics, Havana, there are deposited 76 name-bearing types (holotypes, lectotypes, and syntypes) of scorpions belonging to 10 genera of the families Buthidae (Alayotityus, Centruroides, Microtityus, Rhopalurus, Tityopsis, Tityus) and Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae (Cazierius, Didymocentrus, Diplocentrus, Heteronebo). Most of these materials are from the West Indies, mainly the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Navassa, Jamaica, Puerto Rico), but several are from Mexico. The collection includes species described mostly by P. Franganillo Balboa (1930–1936), A. Moreno Bonilla (1938–1940), and L. F. de Armas and his collaborators …
Scorpions Of Gaziantep Province, Turkey (Arachnida: Scorpiones),
2015
Niğde University
Scorpions Of Gaziantep Province, Turkey (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Ayşegül Karataş, Mehmet Çolak
Euscorpius
This study includes the results of the field studies in Gaziantep Province, which is located in the south-southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. In 1998–2005, 112 scorpion specimens were collected in this area. They belong to five species of the family Buthidae (Androctonus crassicauda, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Mesobuthus eupeus nordmanni), and one species of Scorpionidae (Scorpio maurus fuscus). Information about these species is provided; ecological notes are included.
