Mimoscorpius
| Mimoscorpius | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Uropygi |
| Family: | Thelyphonidae |
| Genus: | Mimoscorpius Pocock, 1894 |
| Species: | M. pugnator |
| Binomial name | |
| Mimoscorpius pugnator (Butler, 1872) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Thelyphonus pugnator Mastigoproctus liochirus | |
Mimoscorpius is a monotypic genus of Thelyphonid whip scorpions, first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1894.[1] Its single species, Mimoscorpius pugnator is distributed in southern Guatemala.[2]
Morphology
[edit]Mimoscorpious pugnator has a black carapace with a bright red-orange ventral surface, reddish-brown legs and pedipalps, and a red-orange flagellum covered in fine hairs (setae). Collected specimens have ranged from 3.4 — 4.6cm long. The pedipalps of the male are longer than those of the female.[3]
Distribution
[edit]All of the six known specimens have been collected from Guatemala: five from El Papayo and one from Peña Blanca. It inhabits subtropical forests at an elevation of around 270m above sea level.[3]
Natural history
[edit]Mimoscorpious pugnator takes refuge in and under rotten logs, in holes at the bases of trees, and in the burrows of agoutis and armadillos. Multiple individuals may share a shelter. M. pugnator also shares shelters with schizomids.[3]
Like other whip scorpions, M. pugnator releases a chemical spray when threatened, the odor of which is similar to that of acetic acid[3] (from which whip scorpions derive their other common name, vinegaroons).
Description and taxonomy
[edit]Mimoscorpius pugnator was described by the English entomologist Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1872 as Thelyphonus pugnator[4] based on a male specimen.[3] The holotype is held in the Natural History Museum in London.[5] It was recorded as having been collected from the Philippines; this is now thought to be an error based on the collection of a further specimen from Guatemala and the morphologic similarity of the species to Central American whip scorpions.[3] Though the etymology of the species name is not remarked upon in the original description, it likely derives from the Latin pūgnātor, meaning fighter or combatant.[6]
The British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock re-described the species as the sole member of the new genus Mimoscorpius in 1984.[1] The female of the species was described in 2008.[3]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Pocock, Reginald Innes (1894). "Notes on the Thelyphonidae contained in the collection of the British Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 14 (80): 120–134. doi:10.1080/00222939408677779.
- ↑ "Mimoscorpius Pocock, 1894". World Uropygi Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Huff, Jeremy C.; Víquez, Carlos; Prendini, Lorenzo (31 December 2008). "Redescription of Mimoscorpius pugnator (Butler, 1872) (Arachnida: Thelyphonida), with first description of the female". American Museum Novitates (3633): 1–9. doi:10.1206/640.1 – via BioOne.
- ↑ Butler, Arthur G. (1872). "XXVIII.—A monograph of the genus Thelyphonus". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 10 (57): 200–206. doi:10.1080/00222937208696676.
- ↑ "Collection specimens - Specimens - 1903.8.15.377 - Data Portal". data.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Charlton T. Lewis, An Elementary Latin Dictionary, pūgnātor". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2026-07-17.