Pandinus or Heterometrus?

[wvtarantulaguy]

I traded an H selinus for this one today. I thought it was actually an Emperor Scorpion but after looking at some pics I'm not sure that it's not Heterometrus Yaleenis. Appreciate any help I'm still learning to ID. The shop sucks they never know what anything is.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

Pandinus. Was thinking P. imperator, but it might actually be P. dictator. The granulation is very pronounced.

Definitely not Srilankametrus yaleensis (ex. Heterometrus). I am also not aware of this species being in captivity.

 

[MorbidArachnid]

Maybe dictator, would look at the internal trichobothria to be sure. Here is a paper that shows the differences pretty clearly, do agree the granulation looks much more distinct and larger on the chela, but I would definitely check the trichobothria to be sure. We did recently get an import of true dictators into the US so it's not impossible.

 

[Diao]

I cannot believe you traded a Heterometrus silenus for that.

Yes, that is a Pandinopsis dictator. Consider yourself unbelievably lucky to have that individual at all, let alone to have received it in a trade for what is almost certainly the most common scorpion in the hobby.

 

[wvtarantulaguy]

Pandinus. Was thinking P. imperator, but it might actually be P. dictator. The granulation is very pronounced.

Definitely not Srilankametrus yaleensis (ex. Heterometrus). I am also not aware of this species being in captivity.

I forgot I posted it is P Imperator. So.etimes I dive to deep I yo things and question myself when jumper shouldn't. Lol. Highly doubt it's a dictator as she's super chill.

 

[wvtarantulaguy]

Maybe dictator, would look at the internal trichobothria to be sure. Here is a paper that shows the differences pretty clearly, do agree the granulation looks much more distinct and larger on the chela, but I would definitely check the trichobothria to be sure. We did recently get an import of true dictators into the US so it's not impossible.

She's very chill to be a dictator ut it's possible I guess

 

[wvtarantulaguy]

I cannot believe you traded a Heterometrus silenus for that.

Yes, that is a Pandinopsis dictator. Consider yourself unbelievably lucky to have that individual at all, let alone to have received it in a trade for what is almost certainly the most common scorpion in the hobby.

How sure are you. And can you tell me why. I seen her Chela sticking out and knew she was Pandinus. They are always miss labeling over there amd I've told them 100 times to make sure before they sell anything so I didn't feel bad about the trade. Lol

 

[darkness975]

She's very chill to be a dictator ut it's possible I guess

Not all individuals of every species act like the commonly seen personality traits assigned to them.

 

[Diao]

I forgot I posted it is P Imperator. So.etimes I dive to deep I yo things and question myself when jumper shouldn't. Lol. Highly doubt it's a dictator as she's super chill.

All of my Pandinopsis dictator are far more calm than any of my Pandinus imperator, especially my forest forms. My forest form P. imperator are the most spastic, aggressive, and sometimes downright nasty scorpions I own. In short, temperament is never, ever an attribute that can be used to determine the species of an animal.

The general shape and size of the chela in proportion to the rest of the body is a good indicator, with dictator usually sporting slightly smaller chela than their imperator cousins. They also present a specific formation of lines of carinae in the granulation on the chela, running horizontally/ somewhat parallel back from the fixed and movable fingers. The carapace is also covered with varying amounts of granulation that is also found on the tergites of the mesasoma.

On a more personal observation, I seem to notice the color of P. dictator to have a muted gray characteristic to it's overall black color, rather than the maroonish-brown buried in P. imperator's prominently black exoskeleton.

It is certainly not Srilankametrus yaleensis as that is a much smaller species with a few other distinguishing characteristics such as differing coloration and a very distinct and strong somewhat trapezoidal shape to their chela. Also, as far as I'm aware, there are not any individuals in the hobby outside of a handful kept by a few Asian hobbyists.

Anyway, congratulations on the score, you can keep them very similar to how you would keep a Heterometrus silenus or Pandinus imperator.

Also, if they are looking to trade more of them for more H. silenus, I'm sure there will be plenty of members here lined up to take that trade, lol

 

[wvtarantulaguy]

Not all individuals of every species act like the commonly seen personality traits assigned to them.

I definitely understand and have seen that with alot of sp

 

[wvtarantulaguy]

All of my Pandinopsis dictator are far more calm than any of my Pandinus imperator, especially my forest forms. My forest form P. imperator are the most spastic, aggressive, and sometimes downright nasty scorpions I own. In short, temperament is never, ever an attribute that can be used to determine the species of an animal.

The general shape and size of the chela in proportion to the rest of the body is a good indicator, with dictator usually sporting slightly smaller chela than their imperator cousins. They also present a specific formation of lines of carinae in the granulation on the chela, running horizontally/ somewhat parallel back from the fixed and movable fingers. The carapace is also covered with varying amounts of granulation that is also found on the tergites of the mesasoma.

On a more personal observation, I seem to notice the color of P. dictator to have a muted gray characteristic to it's overall black color, rather than the maroonish-brown buried in P. imperator's prominently black exoskeleton.

It is certainly not Srilankametrus yaleensis as that is a much smaller species with a few other distinguishing characteristics such as differing coloration and a very distinct and strong somewhat trapezoidal shape to their chela. Also, as far as I'm aware, there are not any individuals in the hobby outside of a handful kept by a few Asian hobbyists.

Anyway, congratulations on the score, you can keep them very similar to how you would keep a Heterometrus silenus or Pandinus imperator.

Also, if they are looking to trade more of them for more H. silenus, I'm sure there will be plenty of members here lined up to take that trade, lol

Lol I'm sure this I'd a one time thing they dropped the ball on but I have another Selinus just incase And appreciate the knowledge I'm still learning with scorpions but that's part of it. I'll be looking for a male for sure.