Phrynus
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2013
- Messages
- 65
Please bear with me this might get a little long-winded. But here it goes.
It's long been known that sexual dimorphism exist in amblypygi. While some genera are more dimorphic than others. In general, species of most Genera can be sexed visually... my observation is not in reference to determining male or female rather determining when a female is sexually mature and is a viable reproductive unit.
I have spent countless hours pestering my whipscorpions with LED lights, candling abdomens trying to make a determination whether or not it was time to introduce a mature male and a mature female. While most specimens in my collection are large enough that there is no question as to the maturity, the smaller specimens concerned me.
When and how long do mature whip scorpions stay fertile with OVA? Humans for instance have a very short window of fertility. Whip scorpions of the same species may not come in contact with each other due to drought or other environmental circumstances so it is important for them to have a very large window of opportunity for reproduction.
Here's what I found.
The first picture is of a female that molted four months ago and has not been paired with a male. This shows the eggs essentially remain on deck until she can locate a male of the same species. I decided to try the same method with a Florida tailless whip scorpion primarily because I have specimens that are captive-bred and the same holds true even with the dark pigmentation of the abdomen. My guess is you can determine sexual maturity in almost all whip scorpion species by candling/inspecting the underside for ova.
Thoughts?
Pb
It's long been known that sexual dimorphism exist in amblypygi. While some genera are more dimorphic than others. In general, species of most Genera can be sexed visually... my observation is not in reference to determining male or female rather determining when a female is sexually mature and is a viable reproductive unit.
I have spent countless hours pestering my whipscorpions with LED lights, candling abdomens trying to make a determination whether or not it was time to introduce a mature male and a mature female. While most specimens in my collection are large enough that there is no question as to the maturity, the smaller specimens concerned me.
When and how long do mature whip scorpions stay fertile with OVA? Humans for instance have a very short window of fertility. Whip scorpions of the same species may not come in contact with each other due to drought or other environmental circumstances so it is important for them to have a very large window of opportunity for reproduction.
Here's what I found.
The first picture is of a female that molted four months ago and has not been paired with a male. This shows the eggs essentially remain on deck until she can locate a male of the same species. I decided to try the same method with a Florida tailless whip scorpion primarily because I have specimens that are captive-bred and the same holds true even with the dark pigmentation of the abdomen. My guess is you can determine sexual maturity in almost all whip scorpion species by candling/inspecting the underside for ova.
Thoughts?
Pb