Androctonus australis? or libycus?

[Androctonus3000]

I'm having trouble with understanding just exactly what the difference is. The characteristic factors I understand, but what do I have? I have pictures in the scorpion galleries here listed under Buthidae, A. australis. Any help would be nice!!!

 

[Blaster]

Looks like Yours is the lybicus morph. There are several color forms of A. australis, for instance: A.a. "hector morph" - black telson, the further part of metasoma and black pedipalps; A. a. typical morph - normal, yellow colour on the whole body, with little brown accents; A. a. "lybicus morph" - only telson and the further part of metasoma are black, the rest is normal... Hope it was useful. Greetings.

 

[Androctonus3000]

Cool. You have confirmed my thoughts on what they may be. I also know Androctonus are slow growers. I'm still anxious to see 'em molt! The thicker the metasoma, the better!

 

[Selenops]

Cool. You have confirmed my thoughts on what they may be. I also know Androctonus are slow growers. I'm still anxious to see 'em molt! The thicker the metasoma, the better!

Now this raises a question, I have two A. australis, about precisely the same size but one has bulbous chela and pretty wicked thick metasoma and the other has thinner chela and normal metasoma (average? she is abit of alittle on the fatty side which has even diminished her metasoma even more).

What gives? They are by all practical measures the same size, it is possible there is some sexual diamorphism related to growth??? Or is it environmental or locale related???

Besides that, Androctonus3000, congrats on your catch, I love the heck oughta my A australis. They THRIVE simply on sand (maybe mixed with a small amount dried coconut coir) and a small-medium branch of grapewood partially buried. Fascinating creatures.

 

[Androctonus3000]

Exactly! I remember my very first pair of A. australis I had years back. I remember the metasoma of both male and female being FAT!!! The male especially. They were also from Egypt, as I recall. The location matters. I don't belive in the "sub-species" thing. It's Androctonus australis, period. Nothing else. It just depends on where it originated from. More harsh environments calls for different adaptations(not evolution). I wonder how much s@#t I'm gonna stur up with this one, har har.