|
Genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg,
1828
| |
|
Index of danger
|
| Heterometrus genus
is composed of: |
|
|
| Heterometrus
barberi (Pocock, 1900) |
India,
Myanmar (Burma). |
 Unknown  11-12 |
-
Adulte
female is 12,5 cm. long. Base color
uniformly black, only manus of
pedipalps orangish yellow. Chela
not lobiform, its length to width
ratio equals 2,2. Entire manus
rugate (merging blunt granules)
and without carinae. Patella of
pedipalps witout pronounced internal
tubercle. Carapace disc smooth,
at margins granulate. Telson bulbous,
vesicle longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
beccaloniae Kovarík,
2004 |
India. |
Unknown 14-16 |
-
Adult
female is up to 11 cm. long.
Color uniformly black, only telson
reddish yellow. Chela of pedipalp
length to width ratio 2,38.
Dorsal surface of manus granulate
and/or tuberculate, with carinae.
Patella of pedipalp granulate,
without pronounced internal tubercle
and with five carinae. Femur
of pedipalps unusually wide,
granulated
and convex. Carapace with smooth
disc and granulose margins. Mesosoma
smooth. Telson hirsute, bulbous
(in adults), vesicle longer than
aculeus. Genital operculum large,
in female about as wide or slightly
wider than long.
|
| Heterometrus
bengalensis (C. L.
Koch, 1841) |
India. |
14-17 14-17 |
-
Adults
are 9,5 to 11,5 cm. long Color
of adults uniformly reddih brown
to light brown. Male with chela,
femur and patella of pedipalp relatively
narrower and longer than in female.
Chela not lobiform, its length
to width ratio about 3,0 in male
and 2,2 in female. Much of manus
sparsely tuberculate, uneven, but
without discrete granule and carinae,
especially in male. Patella of
pedipalp without pronunced internal
tubercle. Carapace smooth, with
granules only at margins. Telson
hirsute, bulbous, vesicle longer
than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
cimrmani Kovarík,
2004 |
Thailand,
Vietnam. |
15-18 15-18 |
-
Adults
are 9 to 11,5 cm. long. Base color
of adults uniformly black to greenish
black. Male has longer but not
narrower femur and patella of pedipalp,
and
longer and narrower chela of pedipalp.
Chela slightly lobiform, its length
to width ration 2,8-3,0 in male
and 2,1-2,4 in female. Male fixed
fingers
of pedipalp shorter than manus.
Much of manus smooth, with punctae
arranged
in rows. patella of pedipalp with
ponounced internal tubercle. Carapace
with disc smooth and margins granulate.
Telson hirsute, elognate, vesicle
longer than aucleus.
|
| Heterometrus
cyaneus (C. L. Koch,
1836) |
Indonesia,
Philippines, Singapore, Japan? (introduced?) |
12-16 12-16 |
-
Adults
are 9,5 to 11,5 cm. long. Base
color of adults uniformly black
to greenish black, only telson
may be reddish brown. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions of pedipalps not
noticeable. Chela lobiform, its
length to width ratio in adults
between 2,0 and 2,3 in both sexes.
Dorsal surface of manus tuberculate.
Carinae weakly indicated. Patella
of pedipalp without prononced internal
tubercle. Carapace with disc smooth,
at sides may be granulate. Telson
hirsute, bulbous, vesicle longer
than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
flavimanus (Pocock,
1900) |
India. |
19-22 19-22 |
-
Adults
11-15 cm. long. Base color uniformly
reddish brown, manus of pedipalp,
legs and telson reddish to yellow.
Sexual dimorphism in proportions
of pedipalps not
noticeable. Chela strongly lobiform,
its length to width ratio about
1,7 in both sexes. Entire manus
covered by large, rounded granules
that do not form true carinae.
Patella of pedipalp without pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace usually
with disc smooth and all margins
granulate and tuberculate (in some
specimens entire carapace sparsely
granulate). Telson bulbous, vesicle
longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
fulvipes (C. L. Koch,
1837) |
India. |
12-18 12-18 |
-
Adults to
10 cm long. Color of adults uniformly
reddish brown to black, legs and
telson yellow
to yellowish brown, always lighter colored than body. Male has longer
femur and patella of pedipalp. Chela lobiform, its ratio between
1,7 and 1,9 in both sexes. Male
and female chela different shape
but approximaely same width. Entire
manus covered by large, rounded
granules
but devoid of carinae. Patella
of pedipalp without prononced internal
tubercle. Carapace of juveniles
and some females with disc smooth,
at margin granulate and anteriorly
tuberculate. Males and some females
with entire carapace
sparsely
granulate. Telson hirsute, vesicle
longer
than or as long as aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
gravimanus (Pocock,
1894) |
India,
Sri Lanka. |
12-15 12-15 |
-
Adults
8 to 10 cm long. Color of adults
uniformly
reddish brown, legs and telson usually
lighter
colored than body. Male has slightly longer femur and patella of pedipalp.
Chela lobiform, its length to width ratio between 2,0 and 2,2. Entire
manus covered by rounded granules
and
with five
carinae
mainly in
anterolateral
part. Patella of pedipalp smooth,
without pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace smooth and glossy. Telson
elongate,
vesicle shorter than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
indus (DeGeer, 1778) |
Sri
Lanka. |
11-15 11-15 |
-
Adults
are 9 to 13 cm long. Color
of adults uniformly reddish black to greenish black. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions of pedipalps not
noticeable.
Chela hirsute, lobiform, its adult
length to width ratio between 1,7
and 2,0. Entire manus covered by
rounded granules
that may merge and appear as rows.
Patella of pedipalp without pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace usually
smooth and glossy, occasionally
with granules
at margins.
Second
metasomal segment longer than wide. Vesicle of telson usually longer
than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
kanarensis (Pocock,
1900) |
India. |
13-14 10-13 |
-
Adults
12 to 15 cm long. Color of adults
uniformly reddish brown to black,
only manus and telson
may be lighter colored or occasionally black. Male has long but not
narrower chela of pedipalp than female. Other segments of pedipalps
do not show sexual dismorphism.
Chela length to width ratio 2,35
in male and 2,1-2,25 in females.
Chela lobiform and covered with
dense,
long setae.
Dorsal surface of pedipalp manus
relatively
smooth,
with effaced tubercles, without carinae. Patella of pedipalp without
pronounced internal tubercle. Carapace
usually smooth and glossy occasionally
with sparse
marginal granules and anterior
tubercles.
Telson densely hirsute, elongate, vesicle shorter than the aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
keralaensis Tikader & Bastawade,
1983 |
India. |
13 Unknown |
-
Male
of large size, 11
cm. long. Body
almost entirely black except reddish
brown, manus of pedipalp and yellowish
brown telson. Chelicera yellowish
brown on basal segment. Legs blackish
except yellowish brown on tarsus.
Pectines clear yellow. Ventral
surface blakish brown. Carapace
and tergites weakly granular. Chelicera
smooth.
Pedipalp stout but slender and
much long, manus also norrow and
long. Legs granular on femur and
patella. Pectines well developed.
Tergites without carinae. Sternite
smooth. Metasoma strong, all segments
carinated. Telson with globular
vesicle and strong aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
laoticus Couzijn, 1981 |
Cambodia,
Thailand, Vietnam. |
15-19 15-19 |
-
Adults
9 to 12,5 cm. long. Base color
of adults uniformly black, only
manus and telson may
be reddish brown. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions
of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela lobiform, its length to width ratio
2-2,3 in both sexes. Manus smooth,
with or without smooth
carninae,
sparsely
and finely punctate. Patella of
pedipalp without pronounced inernal
tubercle. Carapace and mesosoma
smooth without granules.
Telson hirsute, elongate, vesicle
longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
latimanus (Pocock,
1894) |
India. |
?? 13-15 |
-
Adults
are 7 to 10,5 cm. long. Color of
adults uniformly reddish brown
to black. Legs may be lighter colored
than body. Chela lobiform, rounded
and convex, its adult female length to
width ratio 1,6-1,7. Entire manus
covered by rounded granules, without
carinae. Patella of
pedipalp without pronounced inernal
tubercle. Carapace usually
smooth and glossy,
but granules always present anteriorly and occasionally on other margins.
Vesicle of telson usually shorter or as long as aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
liophysa (Thorell,
1888) |
Indonesia. |
13-18 13-18 |
-
Adults
are 11 to 14 cm. long. Base color
of adults unifomrly black to reddish
brown. Male with
chela, femur and patella of pedipalp
norrower and longer than
in female. Male fingers of pedipalp very long. Fixed finger longer
or at least as long as manus. Chela slightly lobiform, in male widest
basally and markedly narrowing torward fingers, its length to width
ratio ca. 3,0 in male, ca. 2,2
in female. Much of manus smooth.
Patella of
pedipalp with pronounced inernal
tubercle. Carapace granulate.
Telson
hirsute, elongate, vesicle longer
than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
liurus (Pocock, 1897) |
India. |
?? 10-14 |
-
Adults
less than 8 cm. long. Color uniformly
reddish brown, legs and telson
yellow to yellowish
or reddish brown, always lighter colored than body. Chela slightly
lobiform, hirsute, its length to width ratio 2,2-2,5. Dorsal surface
of pedipalp manus without carinae,
with large,
rounded
granules
of uneven size, some of wich may
merge.
Patella of
pedipalp without conspicous inernal
tubercle. Carapace smooth and glossy,
on margins sometimes sparsely granulose
and anterriorly tuberculate. Telson hirsute, bulbous, with vesicle
markedly longer than aculeus. Genital operculum large, approximately
as wide as long.
|
| Heterometrus
longimanus (Herbst,
1800) |
Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapur. |
12-18 12-18 |
-
Adults
9 to 14 cm. long. Base color of
adults uniformly black, only manus
and telson may
be reddish brown. Male with
chela, patella and femur of pedipalp norrower and longer than in female.
Male fingers of pedipalp very long. Fixed fingers longer or at least
as long as manus of pedipalp. Chela not lobiform in male, slightly
lobiform in female, its length to width ratio 3,3-4,4 in male, ca.
2,4 in female. Much of manus smooth,
sparsely tuberculate.
Patella of pedipalp with pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace usually
with disc smooth
and margins granulate. Telson hirsute,
elongate,
vesicle as long as or longer than vesicle.
|
| Heterometrus
madraspatensis Pocock,
1900 |
India. |
12-18 12-18 |
-
Adults
are 7 to 10 cm. long. Color of
adults uniformly reddish brown
to black, legs ans
telson yellow to yellowish
or reddish brown, always lighter colored than body. Male has longer
femur and patella of pedipalp than female. Chela lobiform, in male
narrower than in female, its length to width ratio 1,7-1,9 in females,
and 2,0-2,5 in males. Entire manus
covered by large, rounded
granules
but
devoid
of
carinae.
Patella of pedipalp without pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace of
juveniles and some females with
disc smooth and margins granulate and anteriorly tuberculate. Adult
males and some females with entire carapace sparsely granulated. Telson
hirsute, vesicle as long as or longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
mysorensis Kovarík,
2004 |
India. |
16-17 unknown |
-
Adulte
male about 12 cm. long. Female
unknown. Color uniformly reddish
brown,
only telson and leg tarsomeres
reddish yellow. Male assumed to have femur, pattella and chela of pedipalp
longer than female. Chela slightly lobed and strongly hirsute, its
length to width ratio 2,8. Dorsal
surface of pedipalp manus bears
rounded
granules
of
varying
size that
form elevated rows. Patella of
pedipalp without conspicous inernal
tubercle. Disc of carapace smooth
and glossy, margins finely granulose
and anteriorly slightly tuberculate.
Telson hirsute, with
vesicle as long as aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
nepalensis Kovarík,
2004 |
Nepal. |
14-15 unknown |
-
Adult
male about 8,5 cm. long. Color
uniformly reddish black, only telson
lighter
colored. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela hirsute, lobiform
its adult length to width ratio
2,2. Entire manus covered by ronded
granules.
Patella of pedipalp without pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace
smooth,
with
granules
only at margins. Second metasomal segment of male wider than long.
Telson bulbous, vesicle longer
than aculeus..
|
| Heterometrus
petersii (Thorell,
1876) |
Cambodia,
Laos, Malaysia?, Philippines, Thailand?,
Vietnam. |
15-19 15-19 |
-
Adults
9 to 12,5 cm long. Base color of
adults uniformly black, only manus
and telson may
be reddish brown.
Sexual dimorphism in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Male
has more pronounced tooth on movable finger of pedipalp. Chela rounded,
its length to width ratio 2-2,4
in both sexes. Much of manus smooth,
with smooth carinae
mainly
on margins.
Patella of pedipalp without pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace
disc smooth and margins granulate. Telson hirsute, elongate, vesicle
longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
phipsoni (Pocock, 1893) |
India. |
12-16 10-15 |
-
Adults
are 8,5 to 13 cm. long. Color of
adults uniformly reddish brown
to black. Male has
longer but not narrower
femur and patella of pedipalp and longer, usually narrower chela than
female. Chela slightly lobiform and strongly hirsute, its length to
width ratio 2,5-3 in males and
2,2-2,5 in females. Dorsal surface
of manus with large,
rounded
granules of uneven size, which
may merge
but do not form carinae. Patella of pedipalp without pronounced
internal tubercle. Carapace smooth
and glossy, only anterior part
slightly tberculate and margins
occasionally with sparse granules.
Telson hirsute, elongate, vesicle as long as or longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
rolciki Kovarik, 2004 |
India. |
10-12 10-12 |
-
Adults
are 8 to 10 cm long. Base color
of adults uniformly reddish brown
to black,
telson
may be lighter colored. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela slightly lobiform
and covered with long setae, its adult length to width ratio 2,3 in
both sexes. Dorsal surface of
manus smooth and uneven
to slightly
rugate,
without
granules and tubercles. Patella
of pedipalp without conspicous
inernal
tubercle. Carapace
and metaoma
with entire surface granulate. Telson hirsute and elongate, vesicle
as long as aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
scaber (Thorell, 1876) |
India. |
7-12 7-12 |
-
Adults
10 to 13 cm. long. Base color of
adults uniformly reddish brown
to black,
manus and telson
may be lighter colored or manus may be black. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela lobiform
and covered with long setae, its adult length to width ratio 1,7-2
in both sexes. Dorsal surface of
manus relatively smooth, with effaced
tubercles, without granule and
carinae. Patella
of pedipalp without conspicous
inernal
tubercle. Carapace and metaoma
with entire surface granulate, only sternites smooth. Telson hirsute,
vesicle as long as or longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
sejnai Kovarík,
2004 |
Thailand. |
13-14 13-14 |
-
Adults
8
to 11,5 cm.long. Base color of
adults uniformly reddish black
with telson
reddish
brown; metasoma may be
lighter colored than body. Sexual dimorphism
in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela lobiform, its
adult length to width ratio ca.
2,2 in both sexes. Patella of pedipalp
without pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace either entirely granulate
or disc smooth. Telson hirsute,
bulbous vesicle
as long as aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
serratus (Pocock, 1900) |
??
|
|
- In
search of informations
|
| Heterometrus
spinifer (Ehrenberg,
1828) |
India,
Malaysia, Thailand |
15-19 15-19 |
-
Adults
10 to 13,5 cm. long. Base color
of adult uniformly black, only
manus and telson may
be reddish brown.
In juveniles base color reddish brown, telson may be yellow. Sexual
dimorphism in proportions of pedipalps
not
noticeable.
Chela
slightly
lobiform, its adult length to wirdth
ratio 2,4-2,6 in both sexes.
Much of manus smooth, wit smooth
carinae
forming
irregular reticulation. Patella of pedipalp
with pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace with disc smooth and margins
granulate. Telson hirsute, elongate,
vesicle
loger than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
swammerdami Simon,
1872 |
India,
Sri Lanka. |
16-20 16-20 |
-
Large
scorpions, adults are 13 to 18
cm. long. Base color
uniformly reddish brown to reddish
black.
Juveniles
may be red with yellow telson. Sexual dimorphism in proportions of
pedipalps not noticeable. Chela strongly lobiform, its length to width
ratio 1,6-1,8 in both sexes. Entire
manus covered by large rounded
granule
that do
not
form
true carinae.
Patella of pedipalp
without pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace disc smooth, margins and
posterior portion granulate, and
anterior
portion granulate and tuberculate; occasionally entire surface sparsely
granulate. Telson bulbous, vesicle as long as or longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
thorellii (Pocock,
1892) |
Myanmar. |
13-18 13-18 |
-
Adults
9 to 12 cm. long. Base color of
adults uniformly brownish to black,
only manus and
telson may be reddish brown.
Male with chela, femur and patella of pedipalp narrower and longer
than in female. Chela not lobiform in male, slightly lobiform in female,
its length to width ratio 3,8-5,5
in male, 2,6-3,1 in female. Much
of manus reticulate, sparsely punctate
and
with smooth
carinae,
without granules. Patella of pedipalp
with pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace usually with disc smooth
and margins
granulate. Telson hirsute, elongate,
vesicle longer than aculeus.
|
| Heterometrus
tristis (Henderson,
1919) |
India. |
?? ?? |
-
Females
larger (approx. 10 cm. long) than
males (up
to 7,5 cm. long). Males darker
than females. Female yellowish
brown but more darker on metasomal
segments except yellowish vesicle.
Chelicera yellowish on basal segment
and reddish on carinae and fingers.
Legs yellowish. Carapace weakly
granular. Tergites and sternites
smooth. Chelicera smooth. Pedipalp
strong, stout, carinated, granular
and manus flat and enlarged. Legs
weakly granular onlyon femur. Pectines
well developed. Metasoma sout,
all segments carinated. Telson
with strong and stout aculeus.
Aculeus as long as vesicle in male
but shorter in female.
|
| Heterometrus
ubicki Kovarík,
2004 |
India. |
15-19 14-17 |
-
Adults
7 to 9 cm long. Color uniformly
reddish brow to black, legs yellow
and telson yellow to reddish
yellow. Male has femur, patella and chela of pedipalp longer than female.
Chela hirsute, its length to width ratio ca. 3,3 in males and 2,2 in
females. Dorsal surface of manus
tuberculate, without
carinae.
Patella of pedipalp
without pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace either
entirely
granulate or disc smooth. Telson
hirsute,
bulbous, vesicle longer than aculeus. Genital operculum large, in female
about as wide as long or slightly
wider than long.
|
| Heterometrus
wroughtoni (Pocock,
1899) |
India,
Pakistan. |
13-17 13-17 |
-
Adults
9,5 to 13 cm long. Color of adults
uniformly reddish brown. Juveniles
lighter
colored and usually
with yellow legs. Sexual dimorphism in proportions of
pedipalps not noticeable. Chela lobiform, its length to width ratio
1,8-2. Entire manus covered by
rounded granules
which
may merge
and dorsally form up to five
usually incomplete
rows. Patella of pedipalp
without pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace with disc smooth, granulose
margins
and tuberculate anterior portion.
Telson hirsute, elongate, vesicle
usually shorter
than aculeus..
|
| Heterometrus
xanthopus (Pocock,
1897) |
India,
Pakistan. |
13-16 13-16 |
-
Adults
6 to 8 cm long. Color of adults
uniformly reddish brown, legs and
telson
yellow to yellowish or reddish
brown, always lighter colored than body. Male has femur, patella and
chela of pedipalp longer than female. Chela lobiform, in male narrower,
its length to width ratio 2,1 in
males and 1,6 in females. Entire
manus covered by rounded minute
granules that may merge but devoid
of carinae.
Patella of pedipalp
without pronounced internal tubercle.
Carapace in juveniles with disc
smooth,
margins granulate and anterior
portion tuberculate; in adults
entire carapace sparsely granulated.
Vesicle of telson as long as or longer than vesicle..
|
The
Breeding
Temperature:
These
scorpions are, for the
majority, animals living
in burrows. The temperature
inside these burrows is
relatively stable because
of their depth. In breeding
one will be satisfied with
20 with 28°C. One will
take the minimal temperature
for the winter or the night,
the maximum one for the
summer or the day. The Heterometrus young
people need maximum heat
in order to have a regular
growth.
Food:
They
are good eaters, relatively
not difficult. For an
adult scorpion, even
the large cockroaches
will pose only little
problem to this kind
of scorpion. Of course,
adult crickets and locusts
make the deal as well.
Although I of it is not
very in favour, the small
mammals, mouse kind,
can have a meal for several
weeks, just as for the
small reptiles, lizards
kind. For the young scorpions,
the crickets will make
the base of the meal.
One can put to them without
problem of the preys
almost as large as them,
useless to put small
cricket, pass directly
to the average crickets.
The frequency of the
meals depends for many
the size preys but also
that the scorpion and
its age. On average,
the females eat much
more than the males,
give 2 to 3 adult crickets
per week for a specimen
of more than 10 cm.
Terrarium:
Of
big size for the adults
with much of wet peat,
and moss (Carex,
Sphagnum) are welcome,
as well as small plants
if you have a good luminosity.
Rocks punts and barks
also are very appreciated.
High hygroscopy (80 to
95%). A water dish is
very advised. The height
of the substrate will
be according to your
desire, because if you
put a good height of
peat, your Heterometrus will
generally be in their
burrow and thus not visible.
With less peat, Heterometrus will
hide under the pieces
of cork or the stones.
The quantity of peat
in a terrarium will also
be used for retaining
and redistributing a
good relative humidity.
One council to vaporize
water without too much
limestone (but by avoiding
rainwater of the large
cities), at least twice
per month for a large
terrarium and of once
per week for a smaller
vat.
Sociability:
Heterometrus are
sociable scorpions, between
of the same specimens
species but also between
specimens of the Heterometrus kind.
One can as note as they
support well the company
of Pandinus imperator.
However, to our knowledge,
it is not possible to
obtain hybrid specimens.
One will nevertheless
pay great attention because
it is possible to find
specimens of Heterometrus very
aggressive not supporting
other scorpions. The
young people can be to
keep in group without
big problem. Some cases
of cannibalism are noted
but only in the event
of lack of food. However,
in order to supervise
well the growth and the
catch of food, we advise
to separate the young
people and individually
to put them out of pot.
This will avoid seeing
the livestock being reduced
in the event of forgets.
Note:
Heterometrus are
not scorpions having
a venom able to kill
a human being. However,
some species can cause
serious lesions in the
event of puncture. With
the arrival in our terrariums
of new specimens discovered
recently, we advise the
greatest prudence
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
References :
- Fet,
Victor, Sissom, W. David, Lowe, Graeme & Braunwalder,
Matt E. CATALOG OF THE SCORPIONS OF THE
WORLD, 2000. The New York Entomological
Society.
- Keegan,
Hugh L., Scorpion of Medical Importance.1980.
- Kovarík
Frantisek, EUSCORPIUS N° 15,
2004.
- Pocock,
R. I., THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA, INCLUDING
CEYLONG AND BURMA. ARACHNIDA, 1900.
Kluwer Academic Publishers, London.
- Rein,
Jan Ove , The
Scorpion Files
- Tikader,
B. K., Bastawade, D.B. FAUNA OF INDIA,
SCORPIONS Vol. 3. 1983
|
