Parabuthus transvaalicus | |
---|---|
Parabuthus transvaalicus, sub-adult female | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | Buthidae |
Genus: | Parabuthus |
Species: | P. transvaalicus
|
Binomial name | |
Parabuthus transvaalicus Purcell, 1899
| |
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]
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]
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]
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]
Parabuthus transvaalicus | |
---|---|
Parabuthus transvaalicus, sub-adult female | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | Buthidae |
Genus: | Parabuthus |
Species: | P. transvaalicus
|
Binomial name | |
Parabuthus transvaalicus Purcell, 1899
| |
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]
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]
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]
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]