First report of parthenogenesis in the family Vaejovidae.

Richard Ayrey described Serradigitus miscionei (Vaejovidae) in 2011, but was not able to find any males. Now he has examined 187 specimens and all turned out to be females. In 15 examined broods, all 2nd instars were found to be females.This provides a strong evidence that this species reproduces by thelytokous parthenogenesis (has all-female broods).

This is the first reported case of parthenogenesis in the family Vaejovidae.

Abstract:
Thelytokous parthenogenesis (all-female broods) is strongly suggested for the vaejovid species Serradigitus miscionei (Vaejovidae) from southern Arizona, USA. This conclusion is based on the examination of 187 specimens and 15 broods, all determined as females.

Reference:
Ayrey RF. Serradigitus miscionei, the First Vaejovid Scorpion to Exhibit Parthenogenesis. Euscorpius. 2017(241):1-7. [Open Access]

A new Serradigitus from Arizona, USA

Richard Ayrey has recently described a new Serradigitus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) from southern Arizona (USA):

Serradigitus miscionei Ayrey, 2011

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Serradigitus miscionei, is described, placed in the genus Serradigitus Stahnke, 1974. These are small reddish-brown scorpions found on vertical surfaces, in the San Pedro River system and other river systems in southern, Arizona.

Reference:
Ayrey RF. Serradigitus miscionei (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), a new species from southern Arizona. Euscorpius. 2011(111):1-13. [Free fulltext]

Family Vaejovidae

New data on larval orientation in Vaejovis

It is well known that female scorpions carry first instar and pre-dispersal second instars scorplings on their back. The orientation of the instar on the female's back vary. In the genus Vaejovis, scorplings have been arranged in a longitudinal pattern of orientation.

Luc Ross now reports of a random larval orientation in Vaejovis confusus (Vaejovidae), which is the first in the genus. The paper also presents previously unreported cases of dorsal orientation in Vaejovidae.

A table with all data on larval orientation of Vaejovidae is presented.

Abstract:


Reference:
Ross LK. First report of random larval orientation in the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2009 (45):531-2.

Family Vaejovidae

A major review of the tarsal spinules and setae of vaejovid scorpions

Tarsal characters has been used in identification and classification of scorpions. Kari McWest has now done a major mapping of the tarsal spinules and setae of more than 400 vaejovid specimens representing over half of the species in the family. The result of this impressive work can be used in understanding vaejovid systematics and creating ID keys for the family.

Abstract:
The relative importance of tarsal characters in vaejovid scorpions has long been neglected. The spinules and setae of the third leg basitarsus and telotarsus of the North American scorpion family Vaejovidae are illustrated, described, and compared. Nomenclature for tarsal spinules and setae is included. Variation in setal numbers and patterns within taxonomic groups, including some species, is addressed. Certain tarsal setal and spinule patterns are found to provide good characters at the genus, species group, and species levels. Over 400 specimens representing over half of the species in the family Vaejovidae were examined for setal and spinule characters. The majority of these specimens were involved in ananalysis of telotarsal spinule counts of each leg. The most consistent characters that have taxonomic value were found on the telotarsus, including the relative numbers of the retroinferior and proinferior setae, the retroinferior terminal and proinferior terminal setae, and the numbers of the distal spinules of the ventromedian telotarsus surface. Other characters involving the basitarsus and additional telotarsus characters are addressed.

Reference:
McWest KJ. Tarsal spinules and setae of vaejovid scorpions (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Zootaxa. 2009(2001):1-126 [Subscription required for fulltext]

Family Vaejovidae