Morphology of a scorpion, dorsal view
Morphology of a scorpion, ventral view. Note in particular the sternum, which is bounded by the tops of the legs and the operculum.
Relative characteristics of the most important families (note the features of the medically out standing Buthidae):
c | Shape of the sternum |
Shape of the pincers |
|||
triangular |
pentagonal (sides parallel) |
wide or divided |
slender and smooth |
massive, sometimes angular, sometimes rough surface
|
|
Buthidae |
X | (only rarely) |
X | ||
Bothriuridae |
X | X | |||
Chactidae | X | X | |||
Chaerilidae | X |
X | |||
Euscorpiidae |
X | X | |||
Iuridae & Caboctonidae | (only rarely) | X | X | ||
Hemiscorpiidae | X | X | |||
Scorpionidae |
X | X | |||
Vaejovidae | X | X |