No abstract

We present a review and reassessment of anatomical variation in the ovariuterus (and associated follicles), digestive gland, and lateral lymphoid organs of scorpions, and discuss the contribution of these character systems to the understanding of scorpion phylogeny. New data, obtained using light microscopy, are presented from an examination of 55 scorpion species, representing most scorpion families, and are collated with observations from the literature. Six distinct types of ovariuterine anatomy are identified: five in the family Buthidae and one in the remaining (nonbuthid) families. The buthid genera Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 and Rhopalurus Thorell, 1876 are exceptional in possessing multiple types of ovariuterine anatomy among the congeneric species studied. The presence or absence of lateral lymphoid organs appears to be phylogenetically informative: the organ is absent in buthids, chaerilids and Pseudochactas Gromov, 1998. Embryo follicle morphology appears to be phylogenetically informative within the superfamily Scorpionoidea Latreille, 1802, where it supports the controversial sister‐group relationship between Urodacus Peters, 1861 and Heteroscorpion Birula, 1903. The mesosomal anatomy of Microcharmus Lourenço, 1995 (Microcharmidae Lourenço, 1996) is consistent with that of Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837, and we therefore propose the following new synonymy: Microcharmidae Lourenço, 1996 = Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 154, 651–675.

A new technique for examining the exomorphology of the scorpion epicuticle is described that utilizes the fluorescent property of scorpion cuticle. Fluorescence of the scorpion exoskeleton under longwave ultraviolet light is a well known property previously only utilized for the capture or observation of scorpions at night. Fluorescence is an energy emission that is analogous to the secondary electron emissions utilized in electron microscopy to provide information about surface detail. This new technique is fast, inexpensive and non-destructive, and provides an alternative means of documenting of surface macrosculpture for the description and identification of scorpion species.

There is little information on scorpion stings in Australia. The aim of this study is to describe the circumstances and clinical effects of stings by Australian scorpions. Cases of scorpion stings were collected prospectively from calls and presentations to Australian poison information centres and emergency departments from February 2000 to April 2002. Only definite scorpion stings where the scorpion was immediately collected and expertly identified were included. There were 95 patients, 33 males and 62 females, with a mean age of 32 (SD 19.5; range 1 -71) and 23 children (age , 15 years). Three families of scorpions caused all stings: Buthidae (79), Bothruiridae (11, all Cercophonius spp.) and Urodacidae (five, all Urodacus spp.). The majority of stings (76%) were by one genus of scorpion Lychas spp. Seventy one percent of stings occurred between 6pm and 8am and 82 (86%) occurred indoors. Sixty percent of stings occurred on distal limbs. The median duration of effects was 6 h (interquartile range (IQR): 1 -24 h). Immediate localised pain occurred in all cases and was severe in 76 cases (80%). Other local effects included red mark/redness (66%), tenderness (35%), numbness (12%) and paraesthesia (11%). Minor systemic effects (nausea, headache and malaise) occurred in 11% of cases. There were no deaths or major systemic envenoming. Less severe effects were observed for the larger Urodacus species, compared to Lychas spp. Scorpion stings in Australia do not appear to cause severe or life-threatening effects, even in children. This differs from other parts of the world, where severe envenoming is reported. The major clinical effect is severe pain, consistent with other scorpion stings. Most stings occurred indoors and at night. q