A review of teratological abnormalities in scorpions

 

Teratology is the study of physiological development abnormalities of in organisms during their life span (Wikipedia, 2023). Teratological abnormalities in scorpions are known to occur in most families, involving many different body parts. 

Danniella Sherwood and Luis F. de Armas have recently published several new teratological findings and also a review of the literature on morphological anomalies in scorpions.

Abstract:
Whilst undertaking curation in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London, the senior author came across a jar of scorpions marked ‘scorpions with curled feet’. Further investigation showed this jar was full of scorpions with teratological anatomy. We hereby document and illustrate all of the specimens and discuss their respective anomalies. Furthermore, a comprehensive checklist of the literature on anomalies in scorpions, including giving the life stage and sex where known, is compiled for the benefit of future workers.

Reference:
Sherwood D, de Armas LF. On some teratological scorpions in the Natural History Museum, London and checklist of the scorpiological literature on morphological anomalies (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Euscorpius. 2023;2023(381):1-20. [Open Access]

Thanks to Danniella for informing me about their new article!