Life cycle of Hadrurus gertschi from Mexico

Ana Quijano-Ravell and co-workers have now published a study on the life cycle of Hadrurus gertschi Soleglad, 1976 (Caraboctonidae)*

[*This species was transfered to Hoffmannihadrurus by Fet & Soleglad i 2008 and this species is listed as Hoffmannihadrurus gertschi (Soleglad, 1976) in The Scorpion Files. Some scientists disagree on the validity of Hoffmannihadurus, as this paper is an example of. Also, some scientists choose to put Hadrurus in Iuridae and reject the validity of Caraboctonidae. See details here.]

Abstract:
The life cycle of Hadrurus gertschi Soleglad 1976 was reconstructed from field data taken during one year of observations in “La Coronilla”, near Ahuehuepan, in Tepecoacuilco de Trujano municipality, Guerrero, Mexico. The species inhabits tropical dry schrub forest in sympatry with three other scorpion species: Centruroides limpidus (Karsch 1879), Vaejovis variegatus Pocock 1898 and Vaejovis atenango Francke and González-Santillán 2007. A growth factor of 1.27 for the carapace length was determined and then used to estimate the morphometric changes between each instar to reach the adult stage and compared them with data obtained in the field. We concluded that this species requires 7 instars and 6 molts, and at least four years to reach adulthood. We also present the phenology of Hadrurus gertschi during one year, measured in relative abundance and surface activity pattern. Matting activity was observed in July, August, September and October.

Reference:
Quijano-Ravell AF, Ponce-Saavedra J, Francke OF. Ciclo de vida de Hadrurus gertschi Soleglad (Scorpiones, Iuridae) en una localidad del Estado de Guerrero, Mexico. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2011;19(133-145).

Thanks to Oscar Francke for sending me this paper!

Family Caraboctonidae