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Opistophthalmus capensis
Life
> Eukaryotes
>
Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
(animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra >
Arthropoda > Arachnomorpha > Cheliceriformes > Chelicerata > Euchelicerata
> Arachnida > Scorpiones
(scorpions)
> Superfamily: Scorpionoidea > Family: Scorpionidae
> Genus: Opistophthalmus
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Opistophthalmus capensis, male, Table Mountain
National Park. [image
N. Larsen ©] |
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Opistophthalmus capensis female with young, under rock on Lions Head, Table
Mountain National Park. [image N. Larsen ©] |
Opistophthalmus capensis has a distribution
extending from St. Helena Bay on the west coast to Mossel Bay on the south coast
of the Western Cape. The 2 former subspecies have been elevated to species
status. The burrow is constucted under stone or a log usually on a slope with
the 1-3 entrances on the downhill side ensuring a dry burrow. A run leads to an
antechamber, possibly used by the scorpion for feeding. Males construct
shallower burrows or may shelter under any suitable place.
Text by
Norman Larsen © |
