P. imperator vs. viatoris

[hadogenesmike]

Are there any readily visible trait differences between Pandinus imperator and Pandinus viatoris? I’m seeing viatoris on a lot of lists lately, but feel this is probably just another disguise for importing imperator.
Thanks!

 

[Beetles]

Imperator have larger claws, while viatoris have longer. Also viatoris have a more red colouring. No need to disguise emp imports most places that are listing them have true viatoris.

 

[wushiroll]

Anecdotally a few people also mention P. viatoris being smaller overall, not sure if that's true.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with both and can comment on the behavior of P. viatoris--is it as docile as P. imperator, and does it also tend to stay in its hide?

 

[Joey Spijkers]

I believe @Dylan Keife has experience with viatoris. Maybe he knows more about it.

 

[Crom]

There are some places with actual Pandipalpus viatoris right now, I think Underground or LLL. Petco was selling imperator as viatoris also recently tho lol. So be careful. Viatoris doesn't have granulated chelae, and are a bit smaller. Females do kinda look like mini imperator but with smooth chelae, very slight shipping indents but not granulated. Males are a lot different and have very long slimmer chelae and arms that are often reddish in color. Males are bigger than females in my experience. They have a lot less babies, 6 and 9 in my broods. Similar to Pandinoides species

 

[Dry Desert]

S

There are some places with actual Pandipalpus viatoris right now, I think Underground or LLL. Petco was selling imperator as viatoris also recently tho lol. So be careful. Viatoris doesn't have granulated chelae, and are a bit smaller. Females do kinda look like mini imperator but with smooth chelae, very slight shipping indents but not granulated. Males are a lot different and have very long slimmer chelae and arms that are often reddish in color. Males are bigger than females in my experience. They have a lot less babies, 6 and 9 in my broods. Similar to Pandinoides species

Size will be relative to actual country or part of that country that particular animal is from, and wether it's a Savannah or Forest species. Some Emperor's can show quite a bit or red colouring, some Dictators very dark. Some Dictators can be larger than Emperor's with heavy granulation. Some Cavimanus are often darker and mistaken for Dictators. Very difficult to see a single specimen for sale and say" ah, yes that's a xxx" I've been confused many times, especially when trying to ID sub adults. You need a good eye to spot some sub adult Swammys from adult Emperor's.Having a single specimen, it's hard sometimes.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

You need a good eye to spot some sub adult Swammys from adult Emperor's.Having a single specimen, it's hard sometimes.

G. swammerdami and P. imperator are easy to differenciate. Not in young instars, but around i5-i6 and up is no problem ID’ing in my experience.
Can’t speak for the other species though.

 

[Crom]

I have had quite a few dictator, imperator (savanna and forest), viatoris, cavimanus and swammerdami in my possession and have bred them all, aside from cavimanus. Personally, they are pretty easy for me to tell apart with a glance. Some locality variation exists within most species of anything, but there are quite a few easily distinguishable taxonomic traits belonging to each species that help identify them relatively easy. Anyone who confuses Pandinoides cavimanus for Pandinopsis dictator isn't very firmiliar with either, theyre vastly different. I can tell dictator and imperator apart at around 4/5i personally. But ya, some people don't know enough about these species and get a bit confused by telson colors and other non taxonomicly distinguished traits or size variation and think it means something more. Granted there is truth to forest and savanna form imperator size and I'm sure other species, but I've seen a lot of size variety within the same brood as well in all those species and it doesn't mean much at a species or taxonomic level.

 

[Crom]

I've also keep H. spinifer (and bred), C. tristis (ex H. mysorensis) and have kept H. silenus. Theres a general "large black scorpion" look to them, but plenty of ways to easily accurately identify them from eachother. Post clear pictures of any of those said species and I can identify it without reference

 

[Dry Desert]

G. swammerdami and P. imperator are easy to differenciate. Not in young instars, but around i5-i6 and up is no problem ID’ing in my experience.
Can’t speak for the other species though.

Well, good on y

I've also keep H. spinifer (and bred), C. tristis (ex H. mysorensis) and have kept H. silenus. Theres a general "large black scorpion" look to them, but plenty of ways to easily accurately identify them from eachother. Post clear pictures of any of those said species and I can identify it without reference

Well good for you - I did say it was sometimes difficult at i4/i5 ( SUB ADULT ) but you carry on spouting away like a boiling kettle, because no one else in this universe has any knowledge at all- apart from you. I have only seen one Swammy advertised for sale in the UK in the last 2 maybe more years, and I only know of one person that has any, so it a trifle difficult to ID. I don't do anything by pictures only hands on experience.

 

[Crom]

You quoted me trying to teach me something or correct what I said to the OP. I wasn't talking to you in this thread whatsoever until you did that. If you don't have access or much hands on experience identifying these scorpions, maybe don't try to school me or anyone else about it as if you do. Cuz I have a lot. Sorry that's frustrating.