Centruroides
exilicauda
(Wood, 1863)
- Today's subject is Centruroides exilicauda (Wood,
1863). The generic name Centruroides is
from the Greek words centr-, meaning "pointed," and ur,
meaning "tail." The genus was originally called Centrurus,
but had to be changed to Centruroides because
the name Centrurus was already in
use for another animal. The "-oides " ending
means "like" or "the form of," so the name really
means "like Centrurus." The
specific name exilicauda is from
the Latin words meaning "slender" (exili-)
and "tail" (cauda).
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Systematics
- This scorpion is in the family Buthidae and
belongs to the Exilicauda species group of the genus Centruroides.
Synonyms include Scorpio (Atreus) californicus Girard,
1853, Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing,
1928 and Centruroides gertschi Stahnke,
1940. This scorpion exhibits a variety of different forms and color morphs
and almost certainly represents a cryptic species complex.
Original Description
- Wood, H.C. 1863. Descriptions of new species
of North American Pedipalpi. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia 1863:107-112.
Distribution
- Centruroides exilicauda is found
in southeastern California, Arizona, Nevada, southern Utah, and soutwestern
New Mexico in the United States. It is also found throughout the Baja
Peninsula and western Sonora in México. A typical "bark" or "crevice" scorpion, Centruroides
exilicauda is commonly encountered in a variety of situations.
It is most commonly found under rocks, logs, the bark of trees, and other
surface objects.
Fun Facts
- In the United States, this species was formerly called Centruroides
sculpturatus Stahnke, 1940. This name, however, was synonymized
under Centruroides exilicauda by
S.C. Williams in 1980. Centruroides sculpturatus gained
fame as "the Arizona deady scorpion" through the 50's and
60's. However, this scorpion, like most, is only dangerous or deadly
to infants and small children. These medium-sized scorpions cannot
inject a sufficient quantity of venom to kill an adult human. Certain
human individuals, however, may be allergic to the venom and can experience
life threatening side effects when stung (as occurs with bee stings).
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- Disclaimer: The views expressed here are mine
alone and do not represent the views of the Department of the Army
or the Smithsonian Institution... or anybody else for that matter.
- Dr. Scott A. Stockwell
