Reproduction in Chiromachus ochropus from Seychelles

There are too many scorpion species that we do not know anything about when it comes to their biology. because of this it is interesting to read the new paper from Lourenco, Leguin & Cloudsley-Thompson on the embryonic and post-embryonic development of Chiromachus ochropus (C. L. Koch, 1837) (Hemiscorpiidae) from Fregate Island, Seychelles.

Interestingly, this species can grow up to 120 mm i total length.

Abstract:
Observations have been made since the end of the 1990s on living scorpions of the species Chiromachus ochropus (C. L. Koch, 1837). These were collected by British biologists, on a field trip to Fregate Island, Seychelles. The total duration of embryonic development averaged 25 months. The moults necessary to reach the various juvenile instars and adulthood took place at average ages of 10, 242, 596, 925, 1763, 2310, 2661, 2957, 3313 and 3773 days. These developmental periods are remarkable longer than those previously observed in any other species of scorpions. Eleven instars were observed among the specimens that had been reared in captivity. This is unique among scorpions. Morphometric growth values of the different instars are significantly inferior to those in other species studied. A significantly larger size was observed in some of the females collected in the field, suggesting the occasional existence of at least one extra instar.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Leguin E-A, Cloudsley Thompson JL. The embryonic and postembryonic developments of Chiromachus ochropus (C. L. Koch, 1837) (Scorpiones, Liochelidae) from Fregate Island, Seychelles. Entomol Mitt Zool Mus Hamburg. 2011;15(184):213-22.

Thanks to Wilson Lourenco and Gerard Dupre for sending me this paper!

Family Hemiscorpiidae