Parabuthus transvaalicus
| Parabuthus transvaalicus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Parabuthus transvaalicus, sub-adult female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Buthidae |
| Genus: | Parabuthus |
| Species: | P. transvaalicus
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| Binomial name | |
| Parabuthus transvaalicus Purcell, 1899
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| |
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
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
Parabuthus transvaalicus is found in
Sting
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
- ^ Norman Larsen. "Parabuthus transvaalicus (Transvaal thick-tailed scorpion)". Biodiversity Explorer. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86872-451-2.
- ^ Jan Ove Rein (2010). "Parabuthus transvaalicus (Purcell, 1899)". The Scorpion Files. Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
- PMID 12552107.
- PMID 14561751.
External links
Data related to Parabuthus transvaalicus at Wikispecies
