Column scorpion
| Column scorpion | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Hadogenes bicolor | ||||||||||||
| Purcell , 1899 |
The column scorpion or thin-tailed scorpion ( Hadogenes bicolor ) is a scorpion from the family of the Hormuridae , but is assigned to the Bothriuridae by some systematics . It lives exclusively in the north-east of the Republic of South Africa in rocky mountain regions.
features
The species reaches a body length of up to approx. 70 millimeters, with a clearly flattened physique, a very long and narrow metasoma and long pedipalps. It is distinctively two-colored, the light chelicerae , legs and the telson contrast with the dark carapace, pedipalps , the tergites of the pro and mesosoma and the first to fifth segment of the metasoma , the sternites are also lighter in color. The carapace carries three pairs of lateral ocelli that are the same size as the median ocelli. The front edge is notched in the middle, the frontal lobes protrude to the front as rounded structures. With the exception of the sulci and frontal lobes, the carapace is finely grained. The chela of the pedipalps has a lobe-shaped appendage on its movable finger, which engages in a recess of the fixed finger, distal to this recess the fixed finger has a similar lobe. The chela is about four times as long as it is wide. The last leg links (telotarsi) have long, stiff rows of bristles and strongly curved claws; these enable good movement characteristics on rocky ground, where the animals can also walk upside down on overhanging rocks, but allow only limited movement on soft ground.
Hadogenes bicolor is very difficult to distinguish morphologically from the other species of the genus, especially from those of the bicolor species group. Essential distinguishing features are the shape of the chelicerene members and the sensory hairs ( trichobothria ) sitting on them . Since each species is endemic to one or a few neighboring mountain ranges in South Africa and their ranges do not overlap, it is easier to identify the species in the field.
Sexually mature males of the species are, as is typical for the genus, recognizable by their very narrow, greatly elongated metasoma, which is longer than the combined prosoma and mesosoma. Juvenile males and females are very similar to one another.
Biology and way of life
The species is a habitat specialist, it lives exclusively on bare, weathered granite and dolerite rocks of the Transvaal Drakensberg, where it looks for hiding places in narrow crevices, and more rarely under weathered, overlying boulders. The populated mountain regions are humid , with annual rainfall between about 600 and 1100 millimeters per year. It occurs together (sympatric) with the scorpion species Opistophthalmus glabrifrons , Pseudolychas pegleri , Uroplectes triangulifer , and occasionally with Opisthacanthus validus , Parabuthus transvaalicus and Uroplectes olivaceus . In the natural habitat, ring segments of various bipedal species are found in their hiding places , which are probably their main prey.
distribution
The species is endemic to South Africa and lives exclusively in the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo . The species has a larger range than many of the other 20 Hadogenes species, it also lives in some protected areas and is therefore not directly endangered. Like all related species, it is potentially endangered by excessive gathering of animals for terrarium keeping.
Reproduction
According to the typical mating behavior in spring, in which there is a kind of dance after the courtship, up to 50 young are born in summer, which spend on their mother's back until the first molt.
Poisonous effect
Hadogenes species are usually comparable to a bee or wasp sting in terms of their toxic effects. After the pain has subsided, no further symptoms are to be feared.
swell
- Lorenzo Prendini (2001): Two new species of Hadogenes (Scorpiones, Ischnuridae) from South Africa, with a redescription of Hadogenes bicolor and a discussion on the phylogenetic position of Hadogenes. Journal of Arachnology 29: 146-172. doi : 10.1636 / 0161-8202 (2001) 029 [0146: TNSOHS] 2.0.CO; 2
- Lorenzo Prendini (2006): New South African Flat Rock Scorpions (Liochelidae: Hadogenes). Americam Museum Novitates No.3502. 32 pp.
- AC Cantrell & G. Newlands (1985): A re-appraisal of the Rock Scorpions. Koedoe 28: 35-45.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hormuridae on the Scorpion files, by Jan Ove Rein
- ^ Drewes, Oliver: Das Trockenterrarium , Vivaria Verlag, 2010. ISBN 978-3981317602 .
- ↑ Christian Komposch (2010): Scorpions and scorpion poisons from a biological and human medical perspective (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Denisia 30: 279-317.