I spent the monsoon of 2008 in the serene montane and evergreen forest of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh studying the scorpion diverity in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a part of the report that will be submitted to the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Dept. I will post the trip report soon.
Abstract:
A systematic account of 5 species of scorpions (Arachnida) collected during a survey in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) and adjoining area is given. Euscorpiops bhutanensis is a new record for
The
Though these forests are exceedingly diverse, our knowledge about them is unfortunately very poor and in bits and pieces. Extensive surveys are needed to get a preliminary idea of the faunal diversity of these areas.
The areas in and around EWS,
Methodology:
Areas adjoining Ramalingam, Lama Camp, Sessni, Khellong and Doimara were extensively surveyed. The searching in most of these places was restricted to the areas along the road. Though at places were access to the forest was possible those areas were also surveyed. Random search method was used during the survey and scorpions were searched for under rocks, in crevices and under fallen tree trunks. A UV torch was used to locate scorpions at night as scorpion’s florescence in UV increases the chances of spotting a scorpion. Once spotted the scorpion was picked up gently using forceps (6 inches long) and were placed safely in a bottle.
Similar looking specimens were photographed to check for trichobothrial patterns and number and the only the ones which showed significant variations were collected for further studying. The others were immediately released at the location of capture.
Systematic account
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Euscorpiidae
Euscorpiops bhutanensis Tikader and Bastawade
Medium sized scorpion. Entire body weakly granular. Carapace broad and anterior margin deeply notched in the middle. Chelicera smooth on basal surface. Pedipalps extremely thin, slender, elongated on femur, patella and manus (Plate 1) in males while normal in females. Pectines weakly developed 7 or 8 in number. Mesosomal tergites weakly granular and last sternite with two pair weak carinae. Metasoma weak with elongated telson with an annular ring. Body colour entirely while telson is red. Legs black in colour but tarsomere II brown.
Exterior surface of patella with 17 trichobothries while ventral surface with 7 or 8 trichobothries. Manus four times as long as wide in males while only two and half times as long as wide in females.
Distribution: Numerous specimens were observed under rocks and in crevices near Lama Camp (2350 m) in EWS.
Remark: The specimen was described on the basis of two male specimens collected from Gomchu,
Euscorpiops asthenurus Pocock
Medium sized scorpion but males bigger than females. Carapace and tergites sparsely granular. Metasoma weak, carinated and granular. Telson elongated with annular ring. Mesosomal sternites smooth. Last sternite well developed with smooth carinae. Pectines weak 5 or 6 in number. Body and pedipalps black in colour. Chelicera, mesosomal tergites and telson brownish in colour. Sternites yellowish. Legs black in colour with brown tips.
Exterior surface of patella with 18 trichobothries while ventral surface with 8 or 9 trichobothries.
Distribution: A single specimen was collected from Khellong (750 m) under a rock. Also known from other parts of Arunachal Pradesh and
Remarks: A common species.
Euscorpiops species
Large sized scorpion. The mesosoma is granulated, with one median carina, and the seventh segment ventrally bears four inconspicuous carinae. The entire carapace is granulated, without carinae. Pectinal teeth number 8, 9 or 10. The metasoma is smooth, carinated with only sparse granules. The dorsolateral carinae of the third and fourth segments posteriorly terminate in a pronounced tooth. The telson is elongate, with minute granules, exhibiting an annular ring at the vesicle/aculeus juncture. Body colour entirely black with red telson.
Exterior surface of patella with 18 trichobothries while ventral surface with 12 trichobothries. Chela length to width ratio 3.6
Distribution: Numerous specimens resembling above mentioned characters were obtained from Khellong (750 m) and Doimara (250 m).
Remarks: The specimens closely resemble E. beccaloniae but differ in some morphological aspects. E. beccaloniae was described from a single male specimen collected from
Scorpiops leptochirus Pocock
Medium sized scorpions. Entire body surface coarsely granular. Carapace elevated in the middle and more granular. Chelicera smooth with elongated fingers. Pectines with exceptionally long and tubular teeth 7 or 8 in number. Mesosoma densely granular with the sternite provided with two pairs of granular carinae. Metasoma granular with prominent keels. Telsons powerful as wide as segment V. Annular ring absent. Body colour entirely black or brown. Legs black with red tarsi. Pedipalps also black in colour. Telson reddish brown.
Pectines 2.5 times as long as wide. Trichobothries em1 and em2 of patella in the same plane. Trichobothries Esb3 not placed between Dt and Est.
Distribution: Two individuals were found one at Ramalingam (1250 m) and other at Sessni (1250 m). It is a widespread Euscorpid distributed all over Arunachal Pradesh.
Systematic account
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Chaerilidae
Chaerilus pictus Pocock
Male slender with extremely long metasoma and a peculiar telson. Male almost double the size of female. Female with short metasoma. Body surface weakly granular. Carinae on carapace and mesosoma not prominent. Metasoma carinated, all carinae crenulate. Chelicera smooth. Pedipalps short and robust. Manus with seven carinae. Legs smooth except on femur. Pectines weakly developed 5 in number. Body colour differs in males and females. Males reddish brown basic colour with dark violet variegations. Legs yellowish brown in colour. Metasoma brown with dark violet variegations. Females yellowish with brown variegations.
Aculeus to vesicle length ratio 1/8 in males and 1/3 in females. Manus with seven carinae. Median eye located anteriorly in the ratio 1:1.8.
Distribution: We found two male and two female specimens in Khellong (750 m) under pile of rocks. This is a rare species and hardly anything is known about them. It has been reported from Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Remarks: This find sheds new light on the probable range of this scorpion and may suggest that it is widely distributed.
Key to Scorpions of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
1. Anterior margin of carapace straight. Stigmatas circular…………………..Chaerilidae
Trichobothrial pattern “B” type.
2. Anterior margin of carapace deeply notched. Stigmatas slit-like…………..Euscorpiidae
Trichobothrial pattern “C” type.
1. Aculeus to vesicle length ratio 1/8 in males and 1/3 in females. Manus with seven carinae. Median eye located anteriorly in the ratio 1:1.8………………. Chaerilus pictus
2. Presence of annular ring. Trichobothries Eb3 placed distal to Dt on manus……… Euscorpiops………………………………3
Annular ring absent. Trichobothries Eb3 placed proximal to Dt on manus…………...Scorpiops……………4
3. Exterior surface of patella with 17 trichobothries while ventral surface with 7 or 8 trichobothries. Manus four times as long as wide in males while only two and half times as long as wide in females………………………… Euscorpiops bhutanensis
Exterior surface of patella with 18 trichobothries while ventral surface with 8 or 9 trichobothries…………………………………… Euscorpiops asthenurus
Exterior surface of patella with 18 trichobothries while ventral surface with 12 trichobothries. Chela length to width ratio 3.6…………………. Euscorpiops species
4. Pectines 2.5 times as long as wide. Trichobothries em1 and em2 of patella in the same plane. Trichobothries Esb3 not placed between Dt and Est…………….. Scorpiops leptochirus
Acknowledgements:
I am grateful to the following people in helping me with my stay at Eaglenest and during the preparation of this manuscript, Ramana Athreya for being a friend, philosopher, guide and providing adequate monetary support to carry out the survey. Chintan Sheth for all the discussions we have had over taxonomy and for being a very resourceful companion both on and off the field. Kesang, Sange Khandu and Dawa Tsering Tamang for helping me find scorpions and being more than porters to us. Mr. Indi Glow for making my stay comfortable in Eaglenest. Mr. G.N. Sinha, Director of SFRI Itanagar, for granting necessary permissions to loan and study the specimens. I thank Dr. D. B Bastawade for his useful comments in improving the manuscript, without his constant support and encouragement this MS would not have materialised. Thanks to all who might have felt that they have contributed in the preparation of this note.
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