Whipscorpion - Whipscorpion

A general term for animals belonging to the Arthropoda phylum, Arachnida order, Thelyphonida. There are about 75 species in the world, the largest of which is the North American Mastigoproctus giganteus , which is 75 mm long. Its name comes from its resemblance to a scorpion in both morphology and ecology. The anterior body is covered with a dorsal plate like a scorpion, and is broad and rectangular. The posterior body (body) is long and oval with 12 segments. The posterior three segments suddenly become thin and ring-shaped, and the end is long and whip-like. It is nocturnal, hiding under stones during the day and preying on walking insects with its powerful palps. It sometimes holds its whip-like tail upright, but does not sting like a scorpion, and instead squirts a strong acetic acid-smelling secretion from the olfactory gland in its anus. There are two species in Japan. Its English name is also called the Whip Scorpion.

The Amami false scorpion Typopeltis stimpsoni is found in southern Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands, and is about 40 mm long. It is black all over, with a reddish underside. The Taiwan false scorpion T. crucifer is found on Ishigaki Island, and resembles the previous species. The venom of the Amami false scorpion is 78.3% acetic acid, 5.8% caprylic acid, and 15.9% water.

[Work by Hattori Azesaku]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

節足動物門クモ形綱サソリモドキ目Thelyphonidaに属する動物の総称。世界に約75種を産し、最大種は北アメリカのマスチゴプロクツス・ギガンテウスMastigoproctus giganteusで、体長75ミリメートル。形態、生態ともサソリに似るのでこの名がある。前体はサソリ同様背甲板に覆われ、幅広く長方形。後体（胴部）は12節で長卵形。後端3節は急に細く環状となり、末端は長く鞭(むち)状となる。夜行性で日中は石の下などに潜み、歩行性の昆虫類などを強大な触肢(しょくし)で捕食する。鞭状の尾部を直立することがあるが、サソリのように刺傷はせず、肛門(こうもん)部の嗅腺(きゅうせん)から酢酸臭の強い分泌液を噴出する。日本には2種を産す。英名を直訳して別名ムチサソリともいう。

　アマミサソリモドキTypopeltis stimpsoniは、九州南部、南西諸島に分布し、体長40ミリメートル内外。全体黒色、腹面は赤みを帯びる。タイワンサソリモドキT. cruciferは石垣島に産し、前種に似る。アマミサソリモドキの毒成分は酢酸78.3％、カプリル酸5.8％、水分15.9％である。

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