Isometroides vescus

(Redirected from Spider-hunting scorpion)

Isometroides vescus, also known as the spider-hunting scorpion or spiral burrow scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the Buthidae family. It is native to Australia, and was first described by German arachnologist Ferdinand Karsch in 1880.

Isometroides vescus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Isometroides
Species:
I. vescus
Binomial name
Isometroides vescus
(Karsch, 1880)
Synonyms
  • Isometrus vescus Karsch, 1880

Description

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The species grows to about 50 mm in length. It is mainly golden-brown in colour, with a dark brown tail tip.[1]

Distribution and habitat

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Found across much of inland Australia, except for the far north, the species occurs in sclerophyll forests and woodlands, as well as saltbush plains.[1]

Behaviour

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The scorpions are specialised free-ranging nocturnal predators of trapdoor spiders, and are often found in the vacant burrows of their prey.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Isometroides vescus (Karsch, 1880)". Atlas of Living Australia. ALA. Retrieved 30 January 2023.