Received: August 26, 2008.

Accepted: March 27, 2009.

Abstract published online: March 31, 2009.

Full paper published online: May 30, 2009.

NOTES ON GESTATION PERIODS AND LITTER SIZE IN THE ARENICOLOUS BUTHID SCORPION Leiurus quinquestriatus (EHRENBERG, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Ross LK (1)

(1) Member of the American Arachnological Society, American Entomological Society and International Society of Arachnology.

ABSTRACT: The following notes on gestation periods and litter size in seven specimens of Leiurus quinquestriatus are presented as observational data. Specimens of Leiurus quinquestriatus from southern Egypt and southern Israel were mated in the laboratory during 2007; afterwards, gestation periods and litter sizes of all females were recorded. Previous studies on this species reported that the gestation period ranged from 150 to 155 days and that litter size was between 12 and 99 offspring. In the present study, gestation periods in specimens from both geographic regions varied from 155 to 227 days and litter sizes were between 35 and 87 offspring. The current contribution expands on previously published data on gestation periods and supports previously reported litter size in Leiurus quinquestriatus.

KEY WORDS: scorpions, Buthidae, Leiurus quinquestriatus, gestation period, litter size.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

LUCIAN K. ROSS, 6303 Tarnow, Detroit, Michigan 48210-1558, USA. Phone: +1 313 285 9336. Email: lucian.ross@yahoo.com; lkr@mail.org.