Hadogenes gunningi, commonly known as Gunning's rock scorpion or Rotsskerpioene in afrikaans, is a small species of scorpion of the genus Hadogenes. It is found in southern Africa, particularly the province of Gauteng.[1] The venom of the members of the genus Hadogenes has been compared to a nettle sting and will often results in an itch for roughly two minutes.[2][3]
| Hadogenes gunningi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Hormuridae |
| Genus: | Hadogenes |
| Species: | H. gunningi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hadogenes gunningi Purcell, 1899
| |
Description
editA smaller member of Hadogenes, sized at around 7 cm with the telson extended. The overall appearance is consistent with other African flat rock scorpions. The flattened carapace, pedipalps, and telson allow this species to quickly maneuver into the rock crevices that should be readily found within their ideal environments. The coloration is somewhat interesting when compared against other members of Hadogenes with the carapace being generally one overall shade of black, the legs being a lighter color, and being overall covered in a fine red setae giving it a somewhat tinted look.[4]
Habitat
editAlong with most other members of Hadogenes, gunningi's ideal environment is a slightly humid rocky outcrop with plenty of tight hiding placing that it can wedge itself into. This species is threatened by habitat loss due to localized mining operations in the regions that it's endemic to.
References
edit- ^ Engelbrecht, Ian (2005). Habitat Distribution Modeling and Estimating Minimum Viable Area for Population Persistence for Three Arachnids of Conservation Interest in Gauteng Province (Thesis). S2CID 89611778.
- ^ Cook, Robert B. (2020-06-10). "Minerals and Gemstones of East Africa by Bruce Cairncross. Strunk Nature–Penguin Random House of South Africa; www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za. 144 pages; 2019; R250 (softbound)". Rocks & Minerals. 95 (4): 381. doi:10.1080/00357529.2020.1759357. ISSN 0035-7529. S2CID 221061858.
- ^ "Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa". African Studies Companion Online. doi:10.1163/1872-9037_afco_asc_1248. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- ^ Netherlands, Edward C (2019-12-06). "Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa". African Journal of Herpetology. 68 (2): 134–136. doi:10.1080/21564574.2019.1700442. ISSN 2156-4574. S2CID 213056384.