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Brigham Young University Brigham Young University
BYU ScholarsArchive BYU ScholarsArchive
Theses and Dissertations
1968-08-01
Scorpions of Utah Scorpions of Utah
John D. Johnson Brigham Young University - Provo
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BYU ScholarsArchive Citation BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Johnson, John D., "Scorpions of Utah" (1968). Theses and Dissertations. 7792. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7792
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SCORPIONS OF UTAH
· An Abstract of
A Thesis
Presented to the
Department of Zoology and Entomology
Brigham Young University
I n Part i a I Fu I f i I I men t
of the Requirements for the Degree
~laster of Science
By
John D. Johnson
August, 1968
2
ABSTRACT
Scorpions from Utah were collected and studied to deter
mine species present, geographic distribution, seasonal occur
rence, sex ratio, and some morphological variations associated
with distribution. Nine species were identified--Anuroctonus
phaeodactylus, Centruroides sculpturatus, Hadrurus ftrizonensis,
!:!.• spadix, Ve,io vis beck i, J_. boreus, J_. confusus, J_. wupat-
k i ens is, and an undescribed species of ..Y..cl_ovis, subgenus Paru
roctonus. Five species--£. sculpturatus, Ji. arizonensis, J_.
becki, J_. confusus, and J_. wupatkiensis--are reported from
Utah for the first time. �lost specimens were collected from
May through October, with greatest numbers taken in May, June,
and July. Sex ratios differed with the species. Two species-
A- phaeodactylus and J_. boreus--showed statistically significant
morphological variations in the lengths of �he preabdomens.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LI ST OF TABLES
LI ST OF FI GU RES
W a ■ • • a • ■ • ■ • • • C ■ • · ■ • W
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . METHODS ANO PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anuroctonus phaeodactyl~s (Wood) • . . • •
Centruroides ~culpturatu~ Ewing . . . . . . . Madru~ arizonensis Ewing • . . . . . rladruN1~ §2.ad ix Stahnke . . . . . . . . . . . Ve,jovis becki Gertsch and Al Ired • . . . Ve,i~vis boreus (Girard) . . . . . . . . . . . Ve,iovis confusus Stahnke
Ve,iovis wupatkiensis Stahnke
. . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . Vejovis species "W" . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SUMMARY •••••
l I TERA TURE CI TEO
• • • • • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • •
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
... I I I
Page
iv
V
3
6
6
12
I 3
15
15
17 18
26 29
33
35
Table
I •
2.
3.
4. s. 6.
7.
8.
9.
LIST OF TABLES
Collection data for Anuroctonus. phaeodactylus in Utah . • • . . • • . . • . . • • . .
~leasurements of the I engths of the carapace, preabdomen, postabdomen, and telson of Anuroctonus phaeodactylus from northern and southern7Jt"ah, w I th computations of mean and standard error ••••••••
the
Collection datci for fladrurus . . ar I zonens Is In Utah . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . .
Co 11 ect ion data for Hadrurus spadix In Utah
Collect ion data for Vejovis boreus In Utah . Measurements of the lengths of the carapace,
preabdomen, postabdomen, and telson of Vejovis boreus from northern and southern Utah, with computations of the mean and standard error • ............
Collection data for Vejovis confusus In Utah
Collection data for Vcjovis wupatkiensis In Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Co 11 ect ion data for Vejov is species "\'/" 1n Utah . • . . • . . . . . . . . • . . . .
. .
. .
. •
. .
. .
. .
. .
. •
IV
Page
9
10
14
14
19
23 28
30
32
figures
I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LI ST OF F I G URE S
Distribution of Anuroctonus phaeodactylus, Centruro ides .§.£!:_JI pturatus, and Hadrurus arizonensis in Utah •••••••••
The mean, standard deviation, and range of the lengths of the carapace, preabdomen, postabdomen, and telson of Anuroctonus phaeodactvlus from northern and southern Utah . • • . . . . . • • • • • . . . • • .
Distribution of Hadrurus spadix, becki, and V. boreus in Utah
V_ejov is
The mean, standard deviation, and range of the lengths of the carapace, preabdomen, postabdornen, and te I son of Ve.iov is boreus from northern and southern Utah ••
D i st r i 6 u t i on of Ve, i o v i s con f u s us , Y.... \VuRatkiensis, and Ve.iovis species "W' in Utah •••••••••.•..••
V
Page
8
11
16
24
27
INTRODUCTION
little is known about the scorpion fauna of Utah.
Biologists often see scorpions while collecting 1n desert
areas but even with the many sightings that have been made,
no systematic study has been made of these arthropods in Utah.
Stahnke (1950), Gertsch and Al Ired (1965), Gertsch and Sole-
glad (1966), and Wil Iiams (1966) studied scorpions of the
western United Stat es, but on I y Gertsch and So I eg I ad ( 1966) made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the Utah
fauna. Consequently, the objective of this study is to in-
crease our knowledge of the species of scorpions which occur
in the western United States, primarily in Utah.
The first scorpions collected in the area of the Great
Basin apparently were taken by Stansbury during the late
1840's, but none were named until 1854 (Ewing, 1928). Nothing
more was known of the scorpions of this region until Banks
(1900) I isted a number of species. According to Gertsch and
Soleglad (1966), however, most of Bank's records were of in-
correctly labeled and misidentified specimens from the Marx
collection now in the United States National Museum. After
1900 an increasingly greater interest was shown in scorpions,
but pub I ished information and pertinent co I lecting data for
this area are lacking. Many specimens collected in the Great
Basin have been used for teaching purposes 1n hi~h schools and
2
universities, but the collection data have been lost and the
specimens apparently destroyed.
Scorpions from the Utah portion of the Great Basin were
available from only one institution, Brigham Young University.
These specimens supplement collections made by me, which to-
gether constitute the basis for a listing of the species of
scorpions from Utah, their geographic distribution, seasonal
occurrence, sex ratio, and notes on some morphological varia-
tions associated with distribution.
Grateful acknowledgement is made for the valuable sug-
gestions and help given by Dr. Dorald ~,!. Allred, chairman of
my advisory committee, and Dr. Bertrand F. Harrison, committee
member. Dr. Stanley C. Wi I Iiams, San Francisco State College,
provided help in the verification and/or identification of
some specimens. Financial assistance was provided, 1n part,
by. a Kar I G. Maes er Research Award made to Ors. Dora Id M.
Allred and D Elden Seek by the Alumni Association of Brigham
Young University. The Department of Zoology and Entomology,
Brigham Young University, supplied laboratory space, equipment,
supplies, and some transportation.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Study Area
The study area includes representative collecting sites
within the political boundaries of Utah. This includes the
eastern portion of the Great Basin and the western portion of
the Colorado River Basin. The ecology and topography of these
basins were described by Durrant (1952), Hayward, Beck, and
Tanner (1958), Allred, Beck, and Jorgensen (1963), and Al Ired
(1968) as high, inland plateau regions. These two basins are
separated by ranges of high mountains which begin at the north-
west corner of Wyoming and ~xtend southward approximately two
thirds of the length of Utah, where they bear westward to the
southwest corner of the state. These mountains are among the
highest in Utah with elevations from 9,000 to 12,000 ft •. \vith-
in each basin are lower mountain ranges oriented in a north-
south direction.
Techniques
Scorpions 1n the university collection were collected
principally from under rocks and other ground cover during day-
I ight hours. I used the black I ight (ultraviolet) techn,ique
described by Honetschlager (1965) and collected most of my
specimens at night.
The method of taking measurements for the purpose of
4
comparison and identification generally fol lows the conven-
tional one used by scorpion systematists. The total length
was taken in one measurement from the anterior tip of the
carapace to the posterior tip of the cauda, excluding the tel-
son. The length of the cauda was taken as one measurement
from the anterior tip of the first caudal segment to the pos-
terior tip of the fifth segment, excluding the telson. The
length of the pedipalp was determined by one measurement from
the proximal end of the femur to the distal end of the fixed
finger, excluding the coxa and trochanter. The length of the
chela was taken as one measurement, and is not the sum of the
palm and fixed finger taken separately.
Adult scorpions were identified by use of taxonomic
keys published by Ewing (1928), Comstock (1948), Gertsch and
Allred (1965), Gertsch and Soleglad (1966), and Wi II iams and
Hadley (1967). Keys are not avai !able for the identification
of immature specimens, but most imma-ture scorpions collected
show morphological characteristics which are similar to those
found in adult forms, and thus can be assigned to a species
category.
A mean and standard error (x, s), suggested by Dr.
Clive D. Jorgensen, Department of Zoology and Entomology,
Brigham Young University, were computed to determine signifi-
cant (at 0(=.05) variations between populations of species of
scorpions that range from northern to southern Utah.
The names of all collectors who contributed scorpions
to this study have been abbreviated to the first letter of
5
each name as follows:
BB Bob Bradley HEV H. E. Vokes
BH&K Black, llayward, and King CFS J A Rowe and JAR- • • c. F. Smith BM Bob ~ld,lorr is
JDJ John D. Johnson BRL Boyd R. Lemora
JF J. Finley BW Brad Western
JR J. Rowe CC C. Cottam
LH L. Hook DEB o EI den Beck
MD Mary Dumas DMA Dora I M. A 11 red
MK M. Killpack DU Don Usher
PH Phi 11 Hastings EC E. Cottam
so Susan 01 i ver FC Franz Carnenzind
SCD Swan c. Daines FH f. Harmstrorn
VMT v. M. Tanner GFK G. F. Knowlton
WJG Wi II is J • Gertsch GMH G. M. Harmstrom
\YR \vi I I is Robertson
RESULTS
This study is based on a total of 736 specimens repre-
senting nine species of scorpions collected in Utah. Species
identified are AQuroctonus phaeodactylus, Centruroides sculptu-
ratus, Jiadrurus arizoncnsis, J:!. soadix, Ve,iovis becki, V.
boreus, V. confusus, X ■ wupatkiensis, and a new species of
Vejovis 1n the subgenus Paruroctonus (to be described by
Stanley C. Wil Iiams, San Francisco State College). Scorpions
and their collection data were studied to determine their geo-
graphic distribution, seasonal occurrence, sex ratio, and
morphological variations associated with distribution. These
are discussed under the I is~ings of each species.
Anuroctonus phaeodactylus (Wood)
Centrurus phaeodactylus Wood, 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia, p. 111; 1863, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia, (2)5:372. (Male, "Utah Territory";
evidently in U.S. National Museum)
Anuroctonus £haeodactvlus Pocock, 1902, Bio logia Central i-
Americana, Arachnida, Scorpiones, Pedipalpi and Solfugae,
p. 14, pl. 3, figs. 4-4e, pl. 4, figs. I-le.
Diagnosis. This is a monotypic species. In Utah it is
surpassed in length only by Hadruru~ arizonensis and~- spadix.
It may be distinguished from other species in Utah by its
7
relatively stout appearance, heavy pedipalps bearing short
black fingers, and a bulbous swelling posterior to the vessicle
on the telson in males. In some smaller males the sting re-
sembles that of the female in being drawn out evenly as a
curved spine.
Distribution. Anuroctonus ehaeodactylus ranges in
western Utah from the southern border of Idaho to the northern
border of Arizona. It is a I so knoi~n from sout horn Nevada,
southern California to Baja, California (Gertsch and Al Ired,
1965) Virginia, Colorado, and Guatemala (Pocock, 1902). For
Utah records, refer to Fig. I and Table I.
Remarks. Anuroctonus phaeodactylus Is typically a
burrowing scorpion that seems to exhibit a high degree of
aggregation in that it is not distributed at random, but
occurs in scattered but relatively dense colonies (Wil Iiams,
1966). Forty-seven spec I mens were co I I e cted from the Great
Basin of Utah. None were taken from the Colorado River Basin.
The ratio of males to females collected was 6:1, respectively.
Females were observed at the entrance to their burrows, but
their quick movements made capture difficult.
Specimens from northern Utah were compared with those
from southern Utah to determine morphological variati.ons asso-
ciated with distribution. A mean and standard error (i,s)
were computed for four characters--carapace, preabdomen, post-
abdomcn, and telson (Table 2, Fig. 2). At the 95% level there
was no significant difference between populations in the
0 A. phaeodactylus
~ c. sculpturatus
□ H. ari zonensi s
0
Fig. 1. Distribution of Anuroctonus phaeodactylus, Centruroides sculpturatus, and Hadrurus arizonensis in Utah.
8
Table 1. Collection data for ~-nuronctonus phaeodactylu~ in Utah.
-=~==== ___ ,., __ w, ________ --------County Location
Box Elder Lucin
Iron Cedar City
:Milla,rd Holden
Clear Lake
Tooele Knolls
Utah Provo
Date
VII/ 7/68
VI/ )_1/68
VI/ 1/68
VI/ 3/68
VII/ 5/68
VII/ ?/58
No. and sex Collector
16 m JDJ l f
5 m JDJ
l m JDJ
Ui m 3 f
l m
l m
JDJ
11 VIII/ ?/58 l m
JDJ
D113
DEB
G:MH
DEB
II x/ ?/67 1 ID
Spanish Fork v/ ?/28 1 f
Springville (no date recorded) l m
Washington 10 miles south VI/ 6/68 of Shi vi.•ri ts Indian Reservatj_on on U.S. hwy., 91
==========---------
l m
JF
JDJ
9
10
Table 2. Measurements of the lengths of the carapace, preabdomen,
postabdomen, and telson of Anuroctonus phaeodactylus from northern
and southern Utah, with computations of the mean and standard error.
Northern Utah Southern Utah
Car. Preab. Postab. Tel. Car. Preab. Po stab. Tel.
B.o 16.7 19.3 7.9 8.2 18-.8 20.0 9.o 8.o 15.7 19.9 7.4 8.9 13.7 20.7 7/3 8.2 16.2 20.0 7.5 R.4 19.9 20.6 7.8 7.9 17.7 13.6 7.0 8.1 20.7 20.9 3.o 7.9 13.3 19.5 7.5 7.3 13.9 19o2 7.4
9.1 1.5.9 13.3 . 7 .o 7.8 21.2 19.7 6.9 7.8 1.5.4 18.8 7.5 7.8 18.6 18.J 7.0 7.7 15.4 19.1 7.3 3.3 20.9 20.0 7/3 8.2 17.6 19.2 7.6 7.9 19.7 19.0 7.4 ,7 /3 13.9 18.6 7.3 s.o 21.1 19.4 7.2
8.2 14.2 19.2 7.1 7.3 20.8 18.7 7.0 8.1 16.4 19.3 7.5 8. 2. 20.6 19.2 7.3 7.9 18.0 20.0 7.6 8.3 19.8 19.2 6.8 7.8 15.1 19.0 7.1 8.4 16.0 20.9 7.6 7.5 14.9 18.7 6.8 7.? 18.7 19.7 7.0
8.9 17.0 21.4 8.3 7.3 17.8 13.4 6.9 8.5 13.0 21.7 7.7 3.o 15.5 19.0 7.3 8.8 13.0 21.7 7.9 B.o 17oO 19.l 7.2 8.5 12.9 22.9 8.7 7.9 14.0 19.8 7.6 9.0 14.3 21.0 7.9
Mean 8.14 15.38 19.:31 7.52 8.10 18.51 19.53 7.37 s. E • .:!.:,.19 +.72 +.55 +.21 .:!.:-13 +1.17 +.68 .:!.:•23 ·
11
9.0 21
8.5
i 20
B.o l- 19 s .
s C -r1 7.5 18 ~ s +' s M C C (I) •rl 17 H 7.0
~ +' bD C (l) 16 H North South
Ca1'.'apace 15
14
23 13
22 . s s North South s:::
•rl 21 Preabdomen ~ 9 +' s M 20 s C (l) C H •r-1
~ 8 4 19 +'
M C (I) H 7
North South North South
Postabdomen Telson
Fig. 2. The mean, standard deviation, and range of the lengths of the carapace, preabdomen, postabdo2en, and telson of Anuroctonus Ehaeodactylus from northern and southern Utah.
12
lengths of the car apace, postabdomen, and telson. However, a
significant difference (1.24 mm b et�een populations) is present
in the length s of the preabdomens.
Centruroides sculpturfatus Ewing
Centr uroides sculpturatus Ewing, 1928, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus.,
no. 2730, Vol. 73, Art. 9. pp. 20-21. (Adul t and young;
in U. S. National Museum).
Q_iagnosis. Centrurcides sculpturatus 1s a medium-sized
scorpion, comparable in length to Ve.iovis boreus. The base
color is yellow to orang e-brown with complete absence of mark-
ings on the body. It is similar in general appearance to 1 ■
�upatkiensis, but it is much longer and has a wider preabdomen.
The fingers of the c helae are long, but not as narrow and slen-
der as 1• wuoatkiensis. It may be distinguished from other
species in Utah by its re I at i ve I y I on g post abdomen and cl i st i net
tooth at the base o f the vessicle on the telson.
Distribution. Ccntruroides sculpturatus occurs abun
dant I y throughout southern Arizona (Ewing, 1928), and recent
records have extended its distributions into Puerto Penasco,
Sonora, r.Jexico (\vi 11 iarns and Hadle y, 1967). In Utah, two
females were collected by D Elden Beck from Hole-in-the Rock,
Kane County, May, 1953 (see Fig. I).
Remarks. This 1s the only known record of Centruroides
sculpturatus 1n Utah.
•
13
Hadrurus arizonensis Ewing
Hadrurus hirsutus arizonensis Ewing, 1928, Proc. U.S. Natl.
Mus., 73:8. (female; in U. S. National Museum).
Hadrurus arizonensis Stahnke, 1945, Amer. Mus. Novitates, no.
I 2 9 8 , p • 6 • I 9 5 6 , S co r p i on s •
Diagnosis. The genus Hadrurus contains the largest
Utah scorpions. The two species which occur in Utah, Hadrurus
arizonensis and~- spadix, are similar In length (up to 100
mm in the adult), and both are relatively densely covered with
red bristles. Hadrurus arizonensis may be distinguished from
fi. §padix by its overal I I ighter coloring and the presence of
a yellow interocular space extending from the median eyes to
the anterior edge of the carapace.
Distribution. Hadrurus . . ur I zonens Is 1 s kn 01•.m from
Arizona, southern Nevada, southern California, and southward
into Sonora, Mexico (Gertsch and Al Ired, 1965). For Utah
records refer to Fig. I and Table 3.
Remarks. This is the first time this species has been
reported from Utah. Three specimens were collected from the
Colorado River Basin area of Utah; none were taken from the
Great Basin. ~lorphological variations associated with distri-
bution were not studied due to the small number of specimens
co I I ected.
14
- Table 3. Collection data for Hadrurus ari zonensis in Utah.
County Location Date No. and sex Collector
Garfield Calf Creek XI/ ?/46 1 f ERL
Kane Kanab v/ 6/66 1 m SCD
Washington St. George ?/ ?/20 1 m VMT
Tatile 4. Collection data for Hadrurus spadix in Uta.'1.
County Location Date Noo and sex Collector
Garfield North Wash v/ ?/55 2 m MD
Grand Arches Natl. VITI/ ?/50 1 f DMA Monument
Moab vr/20/68 2 m JDJ
Kane Hole-in-the- V/16/53 1 m DEE Rock
San Juan Navajo Mt. V/ 2/55 2 f DEB Trading Post
II " 1 m BH&K 3 f
Glen Canyon V/17/68 2 f BM
Canyonlands Natl. vr/21/68 1 m JDJ Park (Needles 2 f campground)
Washington Zion Natl. Park VII/ 7/23 1 f VMT
Hadrurus spadix Stahnke
15
Hadrurus spadix Stahnke, 1940, Iowa State Co I I ege Jour. Sci•
15: 102; 1945, Ar.:3r. r.lus. Novitotes, no. 1298, p. 4 ■
(Type "syntypc 0
; in LI. S. National Museum).
Diagnosis. fladrurus spadix is structura I I y s i mi I ar to
fi. arizonensis, and color is the only distinguishing character
istic. Hadrurus spadix is dark brown, almost black, and lacks
the yellow interocular space described for ft. arizonensis.
Distribution. Hadrurus spadix is known from Nevada,
California; and eastern Oregon (Gertsch and Al Ired, 1965). For
Utah records refer to Fig. 3 and Table 4.
Remarks. Eighteen specimens of lladrur us ;5pc.1d ix adu It
and immature scorpions were collected in the Colorado River
Basin of U tah. Males and females were taken in a ratio of I :I.
Morphological variations associated with distribution were not
studied.
_Ye.io vis beck i Gertsch and A I I red
Ve,iovis becki Gertsch and Allred, 1965, Brigham Young Univ.
Sci. Bui I., Biol. Ser., 5:4:9-11. O,lalc holotype; in
American Museum of Natural History).
Di aqnos is. Ve,iov is beck i c I ose I y resemb I es J.... bore us,
but lacks the characteristic markings and robust, heavily
granulated hands of J.... borcus. The base color is yellow to
a a □ n
a
0 A a
t1
16
H. s2adi~
!• becki
v. boreus
D D
Fig. 3. Distribution of Hadrurus spadix, Vejovis becki, a11d V. boreus in Utah.
orange-brown. It may be distinguished from other species 1n
Utah by the presence of a dusky patch enclosing the median
eyes, which radiates forward almost to the anterior·edge of
the carapace. No other markings are present on the body.
Distribution. Vejovis becki 1s kno\vn from southern
Nevada and adjacent California (Gertsch and Al Ired, 1965).
· In Utah, six males and seven females were taken by me at
St. George, '1vashington County, June 5, 1968 (see Fig. 3).
Remarks. This is the first time Ve,iovis becki has
17
been reported in Utah. Thirteen specimens were collected 1n
the Great Gasin; none were taken from the Colorado River Basin.
~~rphological variations associated with distribution were not
studied.
Ve,iovis boreus (Girard)
Scorpio (Telegonus) borcus Girard, 1854, "in" Marcy, Explora-
tion of the Red River of Louisiana 1n the year 1852, p.
257. (Uncertain sex; evidently in U.S. National
Museum).
Ve.iovis boreus Ewing, 1928, Proc. U. S. Natl. Gius., Vol. 73,
Art. 9, p. 12.
Diagnosis. Ve,iovis boreus is medium-sized, comparable
in length to J!... confusus. It is the fourth largest species 1n
Utah, surpassed in length only by Hadrurus arizonensis, H■
§padix, and Anuroctonus phaeodactylus. It may be distinguished
18
from other species 1n Utah by the characteristic markings on
the carapace and preabdomen, and the robust, coarse I y granu-
1 ated pedipalps. The base color is pale yellow.
Distribution. Ve,iovis boreus is known from California,
Arizona, Colorado, Ayorning, Idaho, Oregon, \Vashing-4:on, Montana,
and North Dakota in the United States, and British Columbia and
Alberta in Canada (Gertsch and Soleglad, 1966). For Utah
records refer to fig. 3 and Table 5.
Remarks. Ve,iov is bore us is the most common and most
widely distributed of al I scorpions in Utah.
in the Great Basin and Colorado River Basin.
It occurs both
In Utah it
ranges from the southern border of Idaho to the northern border
of Arizona. Four hundred and one specimens were taken· in Utah.
Males and females were collected 1n a ratio of 1:1.9, respec-
tively. Specimens from northern Utah were compared with those
from southern Utah to determine mor~hological variations asso-
ciated with distribution. A mean and standard error (-;:z,s) were
computed for four characters--carapace, preabdomen, postabdomen,
and telson (Table 6, Fig. 4). No significant difference at
the 95% level occurred between populations in the length of
the carapace, postabdomen, and telson.
difference (.27 mm between population~,
lengths of the preabdomens.
_Y,_ejovi s confusus Stahnke
However, a significant
is present in the
Ve.iovis confusus Stahnke, 1940, Iowa State College Jour.
19
Table 5. Collection data for Vejovis boreus in Utah.
County Location Date No. and sex Collector '.,, ... -, .- •,H---,;,o,•-•~
Beaver :Milford IV/20/30 1 f VMT
Box Elder Brigh2m City VIII/ ?/28 2 f ·wR
Grouse Creek VI/ ?/28 l f V:MT foothillR
Lucin VI/19/52 2 f DEB
Locomotive Spring;-:: II 1 m DEB
Uta11 hwy. 70 VI/ 7/68 2 m JDJ and Grouse Creek 4 f road
Cache Blacksmith Fork VII/ 9/35 1 f JAR Canyon CFS
Logan VIII/26/36 1 f FH
Daggett Sheep Creek VI/ ?/26 1 f EC
Flaming Gorge VI/28/26 l f EC
Duchesne Roosevelt VII/ 5/68 11 m JDJ 12 f
Emery Ferron IT/ ? /28 2 f vffi.
Buckhorn Canyon IX/ 6/53 4 f VMT
Green River IV/ 7/l.i.6 2 +' GFK .L
I! v/ 7/46 1 f GFK
JI rs/ 6/l:6 1 m HEV 5 r
II VI/18/68 11 m JDJ 13 f
- ..
20
Table 5. (continued)
County Location Date No. and sex Collector
Garfield North Wash V/ ?/55 3 f MD
Grand Arches Natl. 11/12/48 1 f DEB Honument
II V/ 3/68 10 m JDJ 70 f
II VI/20/68 2 m JDJ 20 f
Hoab VII/10/67 1 f DU
Cisco VI/18/68 6 m JDJ 7 f
Castle Valley VI/19/68 11 m JDJ 14 f
Sego IV/28/68 1 f BW
Iron Parowan VIII/Jl/29 1 m VMT
Newcastle VI/ 5/68 4 m JDJ 5 r
Lund II 4 m ,JD,J 5 f
Kane Johnson Canyon VIII/30/53 4 f VHI'
Millard Delta VI/ 2/68 2 m JDJ 9 f
14 miles south VI/ 4/68 3 m JDJ of Deseret 10 f
Piute Kingston VI/25/52 1 m DEB 1 f
Salt Lake Salt Lake VI/22/30 1 m JR 2 f
San Juan Navajo Mt. Trading V/ 5/55 l m BE&K Post 1 f
Table 5. (continued)
County Location Date
San Juan Canyonlands Natl. VI/22/68 Park (Needles
Sevier
Tooele
Uinta
Utah
campground)
Hatch Trading Post
Richfield
II
Sevier Canyon
2 miles east of Glenwood
Fishlake
VI/23/68
VI/19/47
V/15/40
VII/19/40
VI/J0/40
VI/22/JO
Paradise Valley VIII/10/52
Skull Valley IV/19/39
Desert Range IX/ 9/50 Experiment Station
Knolls VII/ 5/68
Delle It
Dinasaur Natl. V/21/50 Monument (Quary)
II VII/ 6/68
Provo
Washington St. George
IX/ ?/28
III/19/Jl
Watercress III/29 /31 Springs (St. George)
Zion Natl. Park VI/ 9/68
No. and sex Collector
3 m 18 f
1 f
1 f
1 m 5 r 1 f
1 f
l m
1 f
1 f
2 f
1 m 9 f
6 m 9 f
2 f
19 m 26 f
1 m
1 m 1 f
2 f
3 f
JDJ
JDJ
DEB
WJG
WJG
WJG LH
WJG
MK
GFK
DEB
JDJ
JDJ
VMT
JDJ
V.MT
vnr
VMl'
JDJ
21
22
Table 5. (continued)
County Location Date No. and sex Collector
Wayne Fruita VII/17/31 2 f WJG
Torrey VI/17/38 3 f DEB VHI'
II VIII/ 7/52 1 f HK
23
Table 6. Measurements of the len~ths of the carapace, preabdomen,
postabri omen, and telson of Vejovis boreus from northern and southern
Utah, with computations of the mean and standard error.
Northern Utah Southern Utah
Car. Preab. Postab. Tel. Car. Prea.b. Postab. Tel.
4.9· 16.4 13.o 6.o 5.o 15.1 19.2 6.0 4.9 14.5 16.9 5.6 5.3 16.2 19.7 6.o 6.o 17.0 23.3 7.0 5.7 ll.3 21. 2 6.2 4.6 13.9 14.5 4.7 5.6 12.9 20.0 6.9 5.5 17.7 20.0 6.1 5.6 7.8 19.0 6.1
6.o , 19.1 21.9 6.9 6.4 12.7 24.0 7.5 6.4 19.4 21.4 6.8 5.9 10.6 22.5 6.7 5.5 13.3 19.0 6.o 5.3 13.3 21.5 6.3 5.3 15~5 21.3 6.o 5.7 15.3 21.3 6.3 5.,3 13.0 19.5 6.1 5.7 13.2 22.8 6.7
5.8 15~2 20.6 6.4 5.2 13.0 19.2 6.o 5.7 19.0 20.5 6.o 5.2 13.0 19.4 5.9 4.9 13.3 18.2 5.7 4.5 11.2 17.8 5.2 5.3 13~5 19.9 6.4 5.3 15.o 21.4 6.3 5.4 15.o 19.0 5.8 4.9 14.6 19.0 5.7 6.o' 15.6 21.0 6.9 4.9 12.3 13.5 5.7 5.7 17.9 19~3 6.2 4.3 14.5 16.9 5.2 5.o 12.0 16."9 5.3 6.7 1.3.9 22;3 6.9 5~6 16.~ 19.3 6.2 6.7 12.6 22.6 6.6 6.4 17.7 23.0 7.3 5.3 15.9 20.0 6.1
Mean 5.53 15.34 19.63 6.17 5.51 13.50 20.47 6.22 s. E.+.26 .:!:,-99 +.97 +.28 +.27 +l.03 +.87 +.26
7 19
s s C!
~ 18 •rl
..c: 6
.µ b.O ·r C! 0,2 17 H 5
16 .J North South
Carapace 15
s 14 s C!
•rl
..c: 13 +' t,.Q C! (l) H 12
11
7 10 s s c:: •rl 6 9 ..c:: .µ tlO c:: .s 5 8
North South North South
. Telson Preabdomen
Fig. 4. The mean, standard deviation, and range of the lengths of the carapace, preabdomen, postabdomen, and te1son of Vej_ovis £~!'= from northern and southern Utah.
24
'Fig. 4. ( continued)
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
25
North South
Postabdomen
26
Sci., 15: I 01. (Syntypes; in Arizona State University
Co. I I ect ion).
Diaonosis. Vejovi~ confusus closely resembles;!_. wupat-
kiensis in general appearance, but J... confusus ts slightly larger
and is I ightcr in color. Ve,iovis confusus may be distinguished
from other species in Utah by the lack of definite markings on
the body, a relatively thick fifth caudal segment, relatively
long pincers on the pedipalps, and a coarsely granulated, robust
telson bearing a short sting.
Distribution. _Yc.jovi.s confusus 1s kno\vn from southern
Nevada (Gertsch and Allred, 1965) and southern Ca! ifornia
(Wi 11 iams and Hadley, 1967). For Utah records refer to Fig. 5
and Tab I e 7.
Remarks. This is the first time Ve,iovis confusu~ has
been reported from Utah. Twenty-three specimens representing
adult and immature scorpions were c~I lectcd from localities in
the Great Basin and Colorado River Basin. ~-lales and females
were taken in a ratio o-f I :3.6, respcctivcl)'• Ve,iovis confusus
ranges from the southern border of Idaho to the northern border
of Arizona. Morphological variations were not studied due to
the small number of specimens collected.
Ve,iovis i-.,upatkiensis Stahnke
Ve iovis Wllpatkiensis Stahnke, 1940, Iowa State College Jour.
Sci., 15:101. (r.lale and female syntypes; in Arizona
State University Col lcction).
0
0 0
0
O V. confusus
A V. wupatkiensis
[] V. species 11W11
A
c□
27
Fj £1:. S. Distribution of Vejovis confusus, V. wuoatkiensis, and Vejovis species 11W11 in Utah.
Table 7. Collection data for Vejovis confusus in Utah.
County Location
Box Elder Ludn
Grand Arches Natl.
Millard
Monument
Holden
Clear Lake
Date
VII/ 7/68
vr/20/68
VI/ 1/68
·vi/ 3/68
San Juan Canyonlands Natl. VI/22/68 Park (Tower Ruins)
MonumPnt Valley
Utah Orem
Washington St. George
VJ/24/68
v/20/68
VI/ 5/68
No. and sex Collector
2 f JDJ
1 m (Rangers)
4 r 3 m 5 r 1 m 4 r 1 f
1 f
1 f
JDJ
JDJ
JDJ
JDJ
so
JDJ
28
29
Diagnosis. Jejovis wupatkiensis is a relatively smal I,
slender scorpion similar in appearance to X. confusus. However
X■ wupatkiensis is smaller and lacks the coarse granulation of
the cauda and te I son common to X ■ confusus. It may be distin-
guished from other species in Utah by its uniform yellow to
orange-brown color, the absence of any markings on the body,
very long fingers on the pedipalps, and a tubercle or tooth
beneath the base of the vessicle on the telson.
Distribution. Ve.iovis wupatkiensis is known from
northern Arizona westward to Nevada and adjacent California
(Gertsch and Allred, 1965). For Utah records refer to Fig. 5
and Tab I e 8.
Remarks. This is the first time Vejovis \\IUpatkiensis
has been reported in Utah. Eleven females were taken from the
Colorado River Basin in Utah. None were co I lected in the Great
Basin. Morphological variations associated with distribution
were not studied.
Ve,iovis species "\v''
Dia~nosis. This apparently is a new species of Ye,iovis
1n the subgenus Paruroctonus. It closely resembles J_. boreus,
but may be distinguished from that species by the absence of
the dusky, transverse bands on the segments of the pr~abdomen,
and the s1 ightly longer, less robust hands of the Pedipalps ..
I
30
Table 8. Collection data for Vejovis wupatkiensis in Utah.
County Locat:i.on Date No. and sex Collector
Grand Moab VI/ ?/23 2 f cc II V/ ?/55 5 f BH&.K
Thompson . V/ 3/68 1 f FC
San Juan Navajo Mt. V/ 2/55 2 f DEB Trading Post
Canyonlands Natl. VI/ ?/67 1 f PH Park (Tower Ruins)
31
Distribution. This species 1s known from Bluff, San
Juan County, Utah (Wi 11 i ams, 1968). For further Utah records,
refer to Fig. 5 and Table 9.
Remarks. T~-10 hundred and e i ght een specimens represent-
ing adult and immature scorpions were taken from the Colorado
River Basin in Utah. None were co I I ected in the Great Basin.
Wi I Iiams (1968) indicated that a new species had been
collected by him in 1967 from localities around Bluff, Utah.
Specimens co 11 ected by me in the same genera I area did not
fit existing keys. I concluded that it must be the sarne
species collected by Dr. Wil Iiams. Inasmuch as Dr. Wil Iiams
is not presently avai I able to study these specimens and the
description of his new species has not yet been published,
was unable to verify these identifications.
32
Table 9. Collection data for Vejovis species 'W" in Utah.
=========-=-===::::::==:::::::-:=::::::::::::::::::::::::==============:.:::::::==..:....:..:.=::::,-:::·· :::::.:.=:::::::::::::::=
County Location Date
Garfield ,'<5 miles west of VI/25/68 Dirty Devil River
Grand
on UtaJ1 hwy. 95
Dead Horse Pt. road
VI/19/68
Emery JO miles north VI/25/68 of Hanksville on Uta.1-i h1,ry. 24
San Juan Monument Valley VI/2)J68
Bluff VI/23/68
Canyonlands Natl. vr/20/68 Park (Needles campground)
tr VI/10/68
No. and sex Collector
5 f
25 f
2 f
56 f
26 f
50 f
54 f
JDJ
JDJ
JDJ
JDJ
JDJ
JDJ
BB
Scorpions from Utah were collected and studied to
determine species present, geographic distribution, seasonal
occurrence, sex ratio, and some morphological variations
associated with distribution. Only one institution in the
study area possessed scorpions available for study 1n addi-
tion to those taken by me. Therefore, the listing of species
present may not be complete for Utah because of the I imited
amount of collecting done.
A total of 736 scorpions, representing nine species,
were collected 1n Utah and are I isted in diminising order of
their abundance in my collection--Vejovis boreus, _Ye,iovis
species"~", Anuroctonus phaeodactylus, 1 ■ confusus, Hadrurus
_spadix, 1• becki, J_. wupatkiensis, J:!. arizonensis, and Centru-
roides sculQturatus. Centruroides sculpturatus, J:!. arizonensis,
1■ becki, 1■ confusus, and 1 ■ wupatkiensis are reported from
Utah for the first time.
Ve,iovis boreus is the most comr.ion and most widely distri-
buted of the Utah scorpions collected by me. Ve,iovis boreus
and 1■ confusus are found in both the Great Basin and Colorado
River Basin. Centruroides sculpturatus, Hadrurus arizonensis,
Ji. spa_dix, y_. wunatkiensis, and .Y.e.iovis species "V.J" have
distributions in the Colorado River Basin, whereas Anuroctonus
phaeodactylus and 1- becki are confined to the Great Basin.
Anuroctonus J?haeodacty I us, J... boreus, and J... confusus range
from the southern border of Idaho to the northern border of
Arizona.
34
Both males and females were taken from May through
October, with greatest numbers taken in May, June, and July.
Females were taken in greater numbers than were males. This
may be related to mating habits during the collecting periods.
Morphological variations associated with distribution
were distinguishable 1n two of the species col lected--An~-
tonus ehaeodacty I us and Ve,iov is boreus. A mean and standard
error (~ 1 s) were computed for four characters (carapace, pre-
abdomcn, postabdomen, and telson) on these two species. Other
species represented in this study were either I imited 1n their
distributions or collected in insufficient numbers to make a
val id statistical comparison. Populations from northern Utah
were. compared with those from southern Utah to determine
morphological variations. Analysis·of the duta showed no
significant morphological variations between the carapace,
postabdomen, and te I son at the 95% I eve I • llo\vever, a difference
does exist in the sizes of the preabdomens of the two popula-
ticns. Inasmuch as the means for the carapace, postabdomen,
and telson are not significantly different between the northern
and southern populations, it is assumed that they are of the
same species.
LI TERA TUR E CIT ED
Allred, D. M. 1968. Ticks of the National Reactor Testing Sta
tion. Brigham Young Univ. Sci. Bull., Biol. Ser.,
10(1):1-29.
Allred, D. �l., Beck, D. E., and C. D. Jorgensen. 1963.
Biotic communities of the Nevada Test Site. Brigham
Young Univ. Sci. Bull., Biol. Ser., 11(2):1-52.
Ban ks, N. 1900. Synopsis of North-Arner i can in vertebrates.
The scorpions, solpugids, and pedipalpi. Amer. Nat.,
34(9):421-427.
Comstock, J. H. 1948. The Spider Book. Revised and edited
by W. J. Gertsch. Comstock Publishing Co., Inc., New
York.
Durrant, S. D. 1952. �'ammals of Utah, taxonomy and distribu
tion. Univ. Kansas Pub., 1\lus. Nat. Hist., 6:1-549.
Ewing, ff. E. 1928. The scorpions of the \-.'es tern part of the
United States, with notes on those occursng in northern
Mexico. Proc. U. S. Nat. 1\lus., 73(9): 1-26.
Gertsch, \v. J., and D. M. A I I red.· 1965. Scorpions of the
Nevada Test Site. Brigham Young Univ. Sci. Bull., Biol.
Ser., 6(4):1-15.
Gertsch, \I. J., and M. Soleglad. 1966. The scorpions of the
,Ve,i_ovis bo� group (subgenus Paruroctonus) in north
America (Scorpionida, Vejovidae). Amer. Mus. Novitates,
2278:1-54.
- . ·---------
36
Hayward, C. L., Beck, D. E., and W.W. Tanner. 1958. Zoology
of the Upper Colorado River Gasin. Brigham Young Univ.·
Sci. Bu I I • , Bi o I • Ser. , I ( 3) I I - 7 4.
Honetschlagcr, L. D. 1965. A new method for hunting scor-
pions. Turtox News, 43(2):69-70.
Pocock, R. L. 1902. Scorpiones, Pedipalpi and Solfugae.
Biologia Centrali Americana, 71:12.
Stahnke, H. L. 1940. The Scorpions of Arizona. Iowa State
College J. Sci., 15:101-103.
Wi I Iiams, S. C. 1966. Burrowing activities of the scorpion
Anuroctonus ehaeodactylus (Wood) (Scorpionida:
Vejovidae). Proc. California Acad. Sci., Fourth Ser.,
34(8):419-428. Williams, S. C. 1968. Personal correspondence.
Williams, S. C., and N. F. Hadley. 1967. Scorpions of the
Puerto Penasco area (Chol la Bay), Sonora, Mexico, with
description of Ve.iovis baerg(, ne~v species. Proc.
California Acad. Sci., Fourth Ser., 35(5): 103-116.
Recommended