&lt;b&gt;First definitive record of a whip scorpion &lt;I&gt;Labochirus tauricornis&lt;/I&gt; (Pocock, 1900) from Goa, India: with notes on its morphometry and pedipalp micro-morphology&lt;/b&gt;

Manoj Ramakant Borkar

doi:10.11609/jott.4084.10.7.11955-11962

Abstract

Bastawade & Borkar in 2008 made a passing reference to the presence of a single uropygid species in Goa, though without much primary diagnostic data on the collected specimen of four females. The present study puts in place a definitive record of the uropygid, Labochirus tauricornis Pocock, (1900) in the state of Goa, and addresses an important gap in our understanding of its occurrence, morphology, and ecology. Besides documenting the species of this cryptozoic, nocturnal arachnid predator commonly known as ‘Vinegaroon’ on account of their vinegary allomone spray; the present study also describes the gross morphology , morphometry and micro-morphology of non-ambulatory sub-raptorial pedipalps which are of taxonomic-diagnostic value, elucidated using scanning electron microscopy, in addition to routine stereomicroscopy. The paper also examines in detail, sexual dimorphism and morphometry of this uropygid species.

Highlights

As for whip scorpion diversity, 103 species under 16 genera have been reported worldwide (Harvey 2002, 2003)
The Asian whipscorpion diversity has been a contentious premise for arachnologists; firstly due to inadequate understanding of uropygid taxonomy but mostly due to little agreement on species-specific
Most species of whip scorpions are encountered in moist or seasonally moist forested habitats in tropical or subtropical environments, burrowing in the deeper soil strata outside the wet season

Summary

Introduction

As for whip scorpion diversity, 103 species under 16 genera have been reported worldwide (Harvey 2002, 2003). 83 species of whip scorpions have been brought on record from the Asian continent, making it the most diverse region of the world for uropygid diversity (Harvey 2003). The extant records of number and distribution of whip scorpion species clearly suggest gaps in our understanding of the global and Indian uropygid diversity, and underpins the need to have more exploratory surveys for compiling a comprehensive inventory. Such a view that impetus be provided for arachnid taxonomic research, in tropical and southern temperate regions before habitat modification and loss takes a toll on many species, is corroborated by Harvey (2002). The Asian whipscorpion diversity has been a contentious premise for arachnologists; firstly due to inadequate understanding of uropygid taxonomy but mostly due to little agreement on species-specific

Methods

Results

Conclusion