Scorpion du Jour
Superstitionia
donensis Stahnke, 1940
- Today's subject is Superstitionia donensis Stahnke, 1940.
The generic name, Superstitionia, is a reference to the Superstition
Mountains of Arizona. The specific name, donensis, is also a
place name. According to Kari McWest, long-time associate of H. L. Stahnke, "donensis " refers
to Don's Camp, a small canyon entrance in the southern plains of the
Superstition Mountains. It was a meeting location for the Don's Society
of Phoenix.
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Vital Stats:
Systematics:
- This scorpion is in the family Superstitionidae.
This is a most unusual group of scorpions because all members except S.
donensis are specifically adapted for living in caves. Don't forget
to check out the higher resolution JPEG for Superstitionia
donensis.
Original Description:
- Stahnke, H.L. 1940. The scorpions of Arizona. Iowa State
College Journal of Science, 15:101-103.
Distribution:
- Superstitionia donensis is found in western New Mexico, Arizona,
extreme southern Nevada, and southern California in the United States.
It is also found in Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora
in Mexico. Next to nothing is known of the habits of this tiny scorpion
(adult size is about 25 mm). I have found it under stones on rocky hillsides
in sandy soil. Like all scorpions, this species is venomous, but not
of any danger to humans.
Fun Facts:
- Superstitionia donensis is not commonly encountered, but
can be locally abundant at certain times where it does occur. This species
is relatively primitive in its morphology, possessing characteristics
that are basic to all vaejovoid scorpions. As stated above, this species
appears to be primitive even among the superstitionids. Other species
in this family lack median and/or lateral eyes, and lack pigmentation
in the integument (these are cave adaptations). Another indication of
the great age of this family is its disjunct distribution world-wide. Troglotayosicus is
known from a single specimen from a cave in Colombia, South America; Belisarius is
known from caves in the East Pyrennes of France and Spain; and Alacran, Typhlochactas,
and Sotanochactas are known from caves and mountain leaf litter
(some Typhlochactas) in Mexico.
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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
