Erdek M.1*, Yağmur E.A.2 2024. A comprehensive evaluation of the aculear sensory structures in scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) // Arthropoda Selecta. Vol.33. No.3: 355–374 [in English].

1 Hakkari University, Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Hakkari, Turkey.

2 Manisa Celal Bayar University Alaşehir Vocational School, Alaşehir, Manisa, Turkey.

Melek Erdek melekerdek@hakkari.edu.tr ORCID 0000-0003-1060-4265

Ersen Aydın Yağmur ersen.yagmur@gmail.com ORCID 0000-0002-0396-3975

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.15298/arthsel.33.3.05

ABSTRACT. The scorpion telson is composed of a bulbous shaped base with two venom glands and an aculeus with two venom channels that open to the exterior. The cuticular surface of the aculeus is covered with aculear peg sensilla and pore holes. These sensillar pegs are located on the aculeus surface of the telson and function as contact chemoreceptors. Data on aculear peg sensilla are presented from both parvorders, four families, 15 genera and 15 species of extant scorpions. Although all aculear peg sensilla have a similar structure in all species and sexes in terms of their general morphology, their location and frequency on the surface of the aculeus cuticle varies. The shape of these sensilla is similar in all species, and the distribution density on the cuticle surface differs from species to species. The single slit sensilla were observed at various intervals and numbers in the aculeus-bulb connection area of the telson.

KEY WORDS: scorpions, telson, stinger, aculeus, aculear peg sensilla, slit sensilla, contact chemoreceptor.

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