Heteronebo yntemai
Francke & Sissom, 1980
- Today's subject is Heteronebo yntemai Francke & Sissom,
1980. The generic name, Heteronebo, is from the Greek word hetero -,
meaning "other," and Nebo, a genus of large diplocentrid
scorpions from the Arabian Peninsula. The name indicates a perceived
relationship between the two taxa. The specific name, yntemai,
is a patronym honoring John A. Yntema, Bureau of Fish and Wildlife, St.
Croix, who collected many of the specimens used by Sissom & Francke
(1980) in their description of this species.
Vital Stats:
Systematics:
- This scorpion is in the family Diplocentridae.
Though similar to other American diplocentrids in overall morphology, Heteronebo shares
one characteristic with the genus Nebo, an Old-World diplocentrid.
Namely, the lack of a distinct transverse keel on the underside of the
metasomal segment V.
Original Description: Francke, O. F. & W. D. Sissom. 1980.
- Scorpions from the Virgin Islands (Arachnida, Scorpiones).
Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University, No. 65:1-19.
Distribution:
- Heteronebo yntemai is found in the U.S. and British Virgin
Islands. It has been reported from St. John Island and Mingo Cay in the
U.S. Virgin Islands, and Peter, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Mosquito islands
in the British Virgin Islands. Next to nothing is known of the habits of
this tiny scorpion (adult size is about 25 mm [1 inch]). I have found it
under stones and in limestone rubble on St. John Island. This scorpion
is quite common. Like all scorpions, this species is venomous, but not
of any danger to humans.
Fun Facts:
- There are about 15 described species and subspecies of Heteronebo.
Most species are found only on the islands of the Caribbean. However, two
species are known only from the tiny island of Abd-el-Kuri, Peoples Democratic
Republic of Yemen, at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Go figure.
-
- 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
