Parabuthus transvaalicus
| Parabuthus transvaalicus | |
|---|---|
| File:Parabuthus transvaalicus.jpg | |
| Parabuthus transvaalicus, sub-adult female | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Buthidae |
| Genus: | Parabuthus |
| Species: | P. transvaalicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Parabuthus transvaalicus Purcell, 1899
| |
| File:Parabuthus distribution.png | |
Parabuthus transvaalicus (known as the Transvaalicus thick-tailed scorpion, South African thick tail, or giant deathstalker) is a species of venomous scorpion from semi-arid parts of southern Africa.[1]
Description
[edit | edit source]Parabuthus transvaalicus grows to a length of 90–110 millimetres (3.5–4.3 in), and is dark brown or black in colour, so it is also known as the Black Thick-Tailed scorpion.[2] Its pincers are thin, but its tail is thickened, with the sting segment being as wide as the rest of the tail.[2] It is nocturnal, resting in a shallow burrow under rocks during the day.[2] It resembles its congener P. villosus, which is less strictly nocturnal, hairier and has a more westerly distribution.[2]
Distribution
[edit | edit source]Parabuthus transvaalicus is found in deserts, scrublands and semi-arid regions of Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, some parts of the Namib Desert and South Africa.[3]
Sting
[edit | edit source]Parabuthus transvaalicus is a dangerous, medically significant scorpion, which can both sting and spray its kurtoxin venom.[2] The first droplet of venom differs from the rest, and is referred to as "pre-venom".[4] A further potassium channel inhibitor, parabutoxin, has been isolated from the venom of P. transvaalicus.[5]
References
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External links
[edit | edit source]- File:Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Parabuthus transvaalicus at Wikispecies
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