Sensory structures in the aculeus part of the scorpion's tail

 

It is well known that scorpions can detect and use chemical cues and substrate vibrations thanks to chemosensitive hairs and other structures on the pectins and on part of the pedipalps. In a recent article, Melek Erdek and Ersen Yagmur describe and discuss potential sensory structures found in the scorpions' aculeus. Aculeus is the outer part of the telson where the stinger starts and it is covered with aculear peg sensilla and pore holes. 

Abstract:
The scorpion telson is composed of a bulbous shaped base with two venom glands and an aculeus with two venom channels that open to the exterior. The cuticular surface of the aculeus is covered with aculear peg sensilla and pore holes. These sensillar pegs are located on the aculeus surface of the telson and function as contact chemoreceptors. Data on aculear peg sensilla are presented from both parvorders, four families, 15 genera and 15 species of extant scorpions. Although all aculear peg sensilla have a similar structure in all species and sexes in terms of their general morphology, their location and frequency on the surface of the aculeus cuticle varies. The shape of these sensilla is similar in all species, and the distribution density on the cuticle surface differs from species to species. The single slit sensilla were observed at various intervals and numbers in the aculeus-bulb connection area of the telson.

Reference:
Erdek M, Yagmur EA. A comprehensive evaluation of the aculear sensory structures in scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Arthropoda Selecta. 2024;33(3):355-74. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their article!