Heterometrus Identification

[Yolotli]

Hello; last week I got a Heterometrus from a Repticon, and I would like some help with identification. I've seen the scientific review of the genus, and based on it, my current guesses are H. spinifer, H. cyaenus, and H. petersii, though I want to make certain. If more pictures are necessary, I can take some more tonight. Thank you in advance.

 

[Collin Clary]

Looks to be H. petersii. Post pictures of the, carapace, chela, 5th metasomal segment, and (if possible) pectines to confirm the ID.

 

[Yolotli]

 

[Collin Clary]

Can you get pictures of the carapace?

Also, I should've specified, I need a lateral view of the 5th metasomal segment and chela.

 

[Yolotli]

Wasn't this the carapace?
Also, I'll have to wait to get lateral pictures of the chela and 5th metastomal segment; my scorpion got annoyed and returned to his log.

 

[Collin Clary]

Whoops! Sorry, a couple of the pictures weren't showing up for me for some reason.


It does look to be a H. petersii.

 

[Yolotli]

I couldn't get a lateral view of the chelicerae, so I settled for a frontal view.

 

[Collin Clary]

View attachment 233815 View attachment 233816
I couldn't get a lateral view of the chelicerae, so I settled for a frontal view.

Lateral picture of the chela, not chelicerae.

I'm certain it's a female H. petersii, so it's not really necessary now though. I looked back at your first pictures and with these new ones they were sufficient for an ID.

 

[Yolotli]

Thank you for the ID. However, I am surprised about the sex. I thought my scorpion was a male based on the pectines. I'm basing that on this diagram:

 

[Collin Clary]

The pectines on your scorpion do match those of a female. In addition to pectine size, The characters of primary external sexual dimorphism are the undivided genital operculum in the female, which opens in a single flap and is usually heart shaped with a small split in the posterior end. Comparatively, the male's genital operculum is usually oval shaped, and composed of two unconnected sclerites, which open independently and cover a pair of genital papillae.

Furthermore H. petersii also shows sexual dimorphism in that males will have an enlarged tooth on the movable finger of the chela that females lack.

 

[Yolotli]

Wow! It's really fascinating how much you know about this subject. Are you a scientist or scorpion breeder? Thank you for the help!

 

[Collin Clary]

I do breed scorpions, but not on a large enough scale that I would call myself a breeder.

Am I a scientist?

I suppose that would depend on your definition of scientist. Do I have a degree from an accredited university in a related field of study? No.

That being said, I do study scorpions, often communicate and occasionally work with arachnologists, and volunteer at educational institutions where I interact with the public. So I guess I could be called a citizen scientist in that regard.

 

[ArachnoDrew]

@Collin Clary mind identifying my 3 scorps if get some detailed pics

 

[Collin Clary]

@Collin Clary mind identifying my 3 scorps if get some detailed pics

I'd be happy to.

 

[ArachnoDrew]

Awesome lol I'll get some today