Species Chihuahuanus russelli

Classification · Pronunciation · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Remarks

Vaejovis russelli - Chihuahuanus russelli - female

Westernmost russelli? - Chihuahuanus russelli - male

Scorpion, dorsal - Chihuahuanus russelli

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Scorpiones (Scorpions)

Family Vaejovidae

Genus Chihuahuanus

Species russelli (Chihuahuanus russelli)

Pronunciation

russell-eye, say the name "russell", and add "eye" to the end. Simple.

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

A member of the punctipalpi group of the genus Vaejovis, which also has V. crassimanus, V. sonorae, and V. hirsuticauda, in the US, and several species in northern and Baja California, Mexico.

Explanation of Names

Chihuahuanus russelli (Williams, 1971)

Name honors Dr. Fin Russell, venomologist.

Size

Adults are from 40 to 55 mm (about 2 inches), total length.

Identification

Red fingers, scalloped (open space between base of fingers); elongate metasoma (tail). Overall color yellow brown, rarely with markings on the back.

Range

The Chihuahuan Desert and associated grasslands and forests of se AZ to w. TX, and n. Mexico - Map (GBIF)

Habitat

Typically burrows under surface objects or in deserts/grasslands, usually at the bases of plants.

Remarks

Originally described from specimens collected in Portal, Cochise Co., Arizona, which was also the home of Dr. Fin Russell. This area is actually on the western fringe of its distribution. Numerous new records will soon be published that will drastically expand the known range.

Contributed by Kari J McWest on 3 January, 2008 - 8:21pm
Additional contributions by john and jane balaban, Mike Quinn
Last updated 1 November, 2021 - 7:17am

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