Vaejovis spinigerus
(Wood, 1863)
- Today's subject is Vaejovis spinigerus (Wood, 1863). The generic
name, Vaejovis, is based on the name for an Etruscan god of the
underworld (Etruria was an ancient country in what is now west central Italy).
The specific name, spinigerus, is from the Latin words spini -,
meaning "spine," and -gerus, meaning "bearing."
Vital Stats:
Systematics:
- This scorpion is in the family Vaejovidae and
belongs to the subfamily Syntropinae. I place V. spinigerus in the
Eusthenura species group, which in my opinion should be recognized as a genus.
Don't forget to check out the high resolution JPEGs for Vaejovis
spinigerus.
Original Description:
- Wood, H.E. 1863. Description of new species of North American Pedipalpi. Proceedings
of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philidelphia, (2):107-112.
Distribution:
- Vaejovis spinigerus has been reported from southern California,
Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, and Illinois in the United
States. It is also found in Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora
in Mexico. Vaejovis spinigerus may be found on sandy soil in a variety
of habitats, from desert floor to rocky hillside. Though venomous, this scorpion
is not considered dangerous.
Fun Facts:
- Vaejovis spinigerus is one of the more commonly encountered "non-buthid" species
in the southwestern U.S. It is typically found under any convenient surface
object (including sleeping bags, shoes, etc.) where it digs a short burrow
or "scrape" for protection. According to Joe Bigelow, Arizona Western
College, this species is normally an obligate burrower, digging burrows about
one meter deep in sandy soil.
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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
