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Fattail scorpion: Difference between revisions
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== Body Design == | == Body Design == | ||
[[File:Androctonus bicolor.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Androctonus bicolor]] | [[File:Androctonus bicolor.jpg|thumb|150px|left|''Androctonus bicolor'']] | ||
The body design of the fattail scorpion has a beautiful look to it. These scorpions range from about four to ten centimeters long. The fattail scorpion's body can be divided into the [[cephalothorax]] and the [[abdomen]]. The cephalothorax is the scorpions head. The cephalothorax has six pairs of [[appendages]] and a pair of [[eyes]] on top, with a few other pairs of eyes on the corners of their head. The head is also covered by a [[carapace]], which is basically the upper part of the [[exoskeleton]]. The [[mesosoma]] is the front part of the abdomen. This is made up of six segments. The first segment mainly has the reproductive organs. The second segment has some sensory structures called [[pectines]], and all of the other segments have book lungs for respiration. <ref name=mlife> [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Scorpion Scorpion] "New World Encyclopedia". Web. December 2, 2012(date-of-access). </ref> Although the fattail scorpion has a few different types of species in the genus Androctonus, and they differ in color, most all of the scorpions can be identified by their fat tails. Most other scorpion species have a smaller tail(or stinger), but the fattail scorpion, as the name says, has a much thicker tail. | The body design of the fattail scorpion has a beautiful look to it. These scorpions range from about four to ten centimeters long. The fattail scorpion's body can be divided into the [[cephalothorax]] and the [[abdomen]]. The cephalothorax is the scorpions head. The cephalothorax has six pairs of [[appendages]] and a pair of [[eyes]] on top, with a few other pairs of eyes on the corners of their head. The head is also covered by a [[carapace]], which is basically the upper part of the [[exoskeleton]]. The [[mesosoma]] is the front part of the abdomen. This is made up of six segments. The first segment mainly has the reproductive organs. The second segment has some sensory structures called [[pectines]], and all of the other segments have book lungs for respiration. <ref name=mlife> [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Scorpion Scorpion] "New World Encyclopedia". Web. December 2, 2012(date-of-access). </ref> Although the fattail scorpion has a few different types of species in the genus Androctonus, and they differ in color, most all of the scorpions can be identified by their fat tails. Most other scorpion species have a smaller tail(or stinger), but the fattail scorpion, as the name says, has a much thicker tail. | ||
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The life cycle of a fattail scorpion is quite common. This scorpion, like most others, [[reproduces]] [[sexually]]. The Androctonus [[genus]] has both male and female [[genders]], so that makes it a little less complicated. The male finds the female, and after some pre-mating rituals, they begin to [[mate]]. First, however, the male leads the female to a suitable place to lay his [[spermataphore]]. The female then moves over this, allowing it to enter her, releasing the [[sperm]], [[fertilizing]] the female. The male then quickly retreats to avoid being eaten by the female. The female later gives birth to scorplings. Scorplings(baby scorpions) are born one by one. The [[litters]] average around eight members, but can vary from two all the way up to 100. | The life cycle of a fattail scorpion is quite common. This scorpion, like most others, [[reproduces]] [[sexually]]. The Androctonus [[genus]] has both male and female [[genders]], so that makes it a little less complicated. The male finds the female, and after some pre-mating rituals, they begin to [[mate]]. First, however, the male leads the female to a suitable place to lay his [[spermataphore]]. The female then moves over this, allowing it to enter her, releasing the [[sperm]], [[fertilizing]] the female. The male then quickly retreats to avoid being eaten by the female. The female later gives birth to scorplings. Scorplings(baby scorpions) are born one by one. The [[litters]] average around eight members, but can vary from two all the way up to 100. | ||
Once born, a Fattail scorpion can live from four all the way to twenty-five years. Once the scorpling is born, it stays on its mother's back until it finally [[molts]]. A scorpling cannot survive before its first molt without its mother, because it's in a fragile state and depends on the mother for regulating the moisture levels. Then the young scorpion continues to molt in order to continue growing. To grow, the scorpion molts periodically. Once the scorpion molts, it is very vulnerable because of its fragile [[exoskeleton]], but that grows back. As the exoskeleton is growing back, the scorpion has to stretch in order to make sure it can move once it is in the final molt. After about five to seven molts, the scorpion is considered to have reached [[maturity]]. New exoskeletons are not [[fluorescent]], but the florescence comes back as does the exoskeleton(scorpions with complete exoskeletons are fluorescent under a blacklight)<ref name=mlife>[http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Scorpion Scorpion] "New World Encyclopedia". Web. December 2, 2012(date-of-access). </ref> | Once born, a Fattail scorpion can live from four all the way to twenty-five years. Once the scorpling is born, it stays on its mother's back until it finally [[molts]]. A scorpling cannot survive before its first molt without its mother, because it's in a fragile state and depends on the mother for regulating the moisture levels. Then the young scorpion continues to molt in order to continue growing. To grow, the scorpion molts periodically. Once the scorpion molts, it is very vulnerable because of its fragile [[exoskeleton]], but that grows back. As the exoskeleton is growing back, the scorpion has to stretch in order to make sure it can move once it is in the final molt. After about five to seven molts, the scorpion is considered to have reached [[maturity]]. New exoskeletons are not [[fluorescent]], but the florescence comes back as does the exoskeleton(scorpions with complete exoskeletons are fluorescent under a [[blacklight]])<ref name=mlife>[http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Scorpion Scorpion] "New World Encyclopedia". Web. December 2, 2012(date-of-access). </ref> | ||
== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
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[[Venom]] from the fattail scorpion genus can be very deadly. Species differ in harm, but the most deadly scorpion in this genus is the arabian fattail scorpion. The yellow fattail scorpion is also deadly, but not quite as deadly as the arabian fattail. <ref> [http://funzonecollector.blogspot.com/2011/01/deadliest-scorpions.html The Deadliest Scorpions] "Funzone Collector" December 11, 2012 (Date-of-access). </ref> The venom from the yellow fattail scorpion is as [[poisonous]] as a [[cobra]]'s. It possesses the ability to kill a [[dog]] in around seven minutes. This venom can also kill a [[human]], but that takes around six to seven hours. In [[Mexico]] alone, around 8000 people die every year from scorpion stings in general. This does not mean the fattail scorpion specifically, but all scorpions. The key that makes this venom deadly is the [[neurotoxins]]. These neurotoxins affects the [[nervous system]], which [[paralyzes]] prey. However, as most people view this as a weapon, the main function of these [[stingers]] is defense. <ref> [http://www.bumblebee.org/invertebrates/Scorpions.htm Order Scorpionida Overview] "Bumblebee.org" December 13, 2012 (date-of-access) </ref>. | [[Venom]] from the fattail scorpion genus can be very deadly. Species differ in harm, but the most deadly scorpion in this genus is the arabian fattail scorpion. The yellow fattail scorpion is also deadly, but not quite as deadly as the arabian fattail. <ref> [http://funzonecollector.blogspot.com/2011/01/deadliest-scorpions.html The Deadliest Scorpions] "Funzone Collector" December 11, 2012 (Date-of-access). </ref> The venom from the yellow fattail scorpion is as [[poisonous]] as a [[cobra]]'s. It possesses the ability to kill a [[dog]] in around seven minutes. This venom can also kill a [[human]], but that takes around six to seven hours. In [[Mexico]] alone, around 8000 people die every year from scorpion stings in general. This does not mean the fattail scorpion specifically, but all scorpions. The key that makes this venom deadly is the [[neurotoxins]]. These neurotoxins affects the [[nervous system]], which [[paralyzes]] prey. However, as most people view this as a weapon, the main function of these [[stingers]] is defense. <ref> [http://www.bumblebee.org/invertebrates/Scorpions.htm Order Scorpionida Overview] "Bumblebee.org" December 13, 2012 (date-of-access) </ref>. | ||
In fact, the term "Androctonus" means man-killer. It is actually strongly debated that the Androctonus genus is the most deadly scorpion on the [[planet]], rivaling with the Arabian deathstalker. The venom of the Androctonus genus differs in exact components. The australis species is said to have LD50 values of 32 and 75 percent( LD50 means [[lethal]] [[dose]], 50 percent) <ref> [http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/a_australis.php Androctonus australis] "The Scorpion Files" December 13, 2012 (date-of-access) </ref> However, these venoms can also be good for humans, if used correctly. For example, in the species Androctonus crassicauda, the venom can decrease cellular viability in [[neuroblastoma]] and in [[breast cancer]] cells. <ref> [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014480011000384 Androctonus crassicauda venom limits growth of transformed cells] "ScienceDirect" December 12, 2012 (Date-of-access) </ref> | In fact, the term "Androctonus" means man-killer. It is actually strongly debated that the Androctonus genus is the most deadly scorpion on the [[planet]], rivaling with the Arabian deathstalker. The [[venom]] of the Androctonus genus differs in exact components. The australis species is said to have LD50 values of 32 and 75 percent( LD50 means [[lethal]] [[dose]], 50 percent) <ref> [http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/a_australis.php Androctonus australis] "The Scorpion Files" December 13, 2012 (date-of-access) </ref> However, these venoms can also be good for humans, if used correctly. For example, in the species ''Androctonus crassicauda'', the venom can decrease cellular viability in [[neuroblastoma]] and in [[breast cancer]] cells. <ref> [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014480011000384 Androctonus crassicauda venom limits growth of transformed cells] "ScienceDirect" December 12, 2012 (Date-of-access) </ref> | ||
== Video == | == Video == | ||
