Another discovery of a scorpion with a double stinger

 

Malformations in scorpions are well-known, but in a recent research note Salah Eddine Sadine presents one of the more special malformations: The presence of a a double aculeus. This was seen in a female Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) (Buthidae) from Algeria. The female was normal except for the double stinger and this special malformation is probably not a handicap for the scorpion.

Abstract:
An adult female of the buthid scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) from a palm grove of Ghardaïa region (central Algeria) having a bifid aculeus (double aculeus) is recorded. This type of malformation of the telson has not been previously reported for this species.

Reference:
Sadine SE. A remarkable bifid aculeus in Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) from central Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2021(38):191-2.

Thanks to Dr. Sadine for sending me his article!