Telson gland observed in the genus Superstitionia

Rolando Teruel and co-workers have recently observed a telson gland in the genus Superstitionia Stahnke, 1940 (Superstitioniidae) for the first time. The gland is only found in males. The gland is presumed to have an exocrine function.

Abstract:
In this note, we record for the first time the occurrence of a telson gland in the monotypic genus Superstitionia Stahnke 1940 (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae). The putative gland is marked by an elongated patch of wrinkled cuticle restricted to the dorso-apical surface of the telson vesicle of adult males, and is absent from females and immatures. Similar presumed glandular structures have been observed in a number of other scorpions, including many South American Bothriuridae, and the recently defined vaejovid genera Chihuahuanus González-Santillán et Prendini, 2013 and Maaykuyak González Santillán et Prendini, 2013.

Reference:
Teruel R, Lowe G, Fet V, Daniel KA. Occurrence of a telson gland in the genus Superstitionia Stahnke, 1940 (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae). Euscorpius. 2015(2014):1-5. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr. Rolando Teruel for sending me this article!