Paravaejovis
Williams, 1980
Species Guides
4- Paravaejovis confusus(Yellow Devil Scorpion)
- Paravaejovis puritanus(Stripe-tailed scorpion)
- Paravaejovis spinigerus(stripe-tailed scorpion)
- Paravaejovis waeringi(Dune Devil Scorpion)
Paravaejovis is a of scorpions in the Vaejovidae containing approximately 11 described . The genus was established by Williams in 1980 and is distributed primarily in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. One species, Paravaejovis spinigerus (Arizona stripetail ), is particularly well-known and common in Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Paravaejovis: /ˌpærəˈviːdʒoʊvɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Members of Paravaejovis can be distinguished from other vaejovid by a combination of morphological characters including specific arrangements of (sensory hairs) on the and metasoma, as well as details of and tergite . The genus was revised from previously recognized groupings within Vaejovis, with transferred based on phylogenetic and morphological analyses.
Images
Habitat
in this occupy a range of in arid and semi-arid regions, including desert flats, rocky slopes, and grassland areas. Paravaejovis spinigerus has been observed in desert thorn-scrub habitat with vegetation such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), sweet acacia (Acacia constricta), and creosote (Larrea tridentata).
Distribution
The is distributed in the southwestern United States (primarily Arizona and New Mexico) and extends into northern Mexico. Individual have more restricted ranges within this broader region.
Behavior
Paravaejovis spinigerus has been observed to be , appearing at ultraviolet light traps. Like other scorpions, they are sit-and-wait .
Human Relevance
Paravaejovis spinigerus is a common in human-modified environments in Arizona and is frequently encountered by residents. The sting is generally considered medically insignificant to humans, causing local pain comparable to a sting, though individual reactions vary.
Similar Taxa
- VaejovisFormerly included now placed in Paravaejovis; distinguished by morphological and phylogenetic characters including trichobothrial patterns
- HoffmanniusSometimes used as a subgeneric designation for Paravaejovis; the relationship between these names has been subject to taxonomic revision
- SerradigitusAnother vaejovid in the same , sharing general body plan but differing in specific morphological characters
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was established by Williams in 1980 to accommodate previously placed in Vaejovis. The type species is Paravaejovis spinigerus (originally described as Vaejovis spinigerus by Wood in 1863). Some authors have used Hoffmannius as a subgeneric name within Paravaejovis.
Species List
The 11 described are: P. confusus, P. diazi, P. eusthenura, P. galbus, P. gravicaudus, P. hoffmanni, P. pumilis, P. puritanus, P. schwenkmeyeri, P. spinigerus, and P. waeringi. Most were described or transferred by Williams in 1970 and 1980.