Family Diplocentridae

Classification · Pronunciation · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Range · Works Cited

Female D. lindo - Diplocentrus lindo - female

Diplocentrus lindo? - Diplocentrus lindo - female

Unidentified Scorpion - Diplocentrus spitzeri - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Scorpiones (Scorpions)

Family Diplocentridae

Pronunciation

dip-lo-CEN-trih-dee

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

The Diplocentridae was transferred to Scorpionidae in 2003, a move that is being questioned. Diplocentrids are unique in having reddish venom; a large, blunt subaculear tubercle; fifth metasomal segment has a transverse, usually semicircular carina at the distal end; ventral surface of tarsi armed with paired, spine-like setae. No other group of scorpions has many of these characters, and none other has them in combination. Its placement in Scorpionidae is therefore questioned and unlikely.

Explanation of Names

Diplocentridae Karsch 1880

Numbers

113 spp. in 8 genera total(1)

Genera (all but the last two occur in the Americas and Caribbean): Bioculus, Diplocentrus, Didymocentrus, Tarsoporosus, Cazierius, Oiclus, Heteronebo (New World + Middle East), Nebo (Middle East)

Range

Odd, disjunct distribution. Most of the members are in the Neotropics, from the Caribbean & northern South America into New Mexico & Texas; also in the Middle East

Works Cited

1.	Order Scorpiones C.L. Koch, 1850. In: Zhang Z.-Q. (ed.) Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification... Prendini L. 2011. Zootaxa 3148: 115–117.

Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 23 October, 2005 - 7:33am
Additional contributions by Kari McWest, ceiseman, v belov
Last updated 28 December, 2014 - 2:30pm

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