IDENTIFICATION (with reason) OF Buthus sp. (B.Sc. ZOOLOGY_CCF-CC5_SEM4)

  Identifying features are:

1. Multicellular heterotroph.
2. embryonic development, preceded by heterogametic fertilization.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Kingdom Animalia.

1. Segmented body covered by chitinous cuticle.
2. Body segment bear paired externally jointed appendages.
3. Anterior photoreceptors are present.

           Hence, the specimen belongs to the Phylum Arthropoda

1. Body is divisible into cephalothorax or prosoma & opisthosoma.
2. Prosoma bears 6 pairs of appendages.
3. First two pairs of appendages are chelicerae & pedipalpi.
4. Prosoma bears six pairs of appendages.
5. Median Ocelli present.
6. Book gill or book-lung is present.

         Hence, the specimen belongs to the Sub Phylum: Chelicerata

1. Body divisible into cephalothorax & abdomen.
2. Prosoma unsegmented, bears a pair of chelicerae, a pair of pedipalps & four pairs of walking legs.
3. Body terminates into poisonous sting.
4. Usually simple eyed.

          Hence, the specimen belongs to the Class: Arachnida

1. Elongated body, dorsoventrally flattened.
2. Anterior part of the body is broader than posterior part.
3. Second segment of mesosome bears comb like pectines.
4. Walking legs four pairs.
5. Stigmata are ventrally situated from 3rd to 6th segments of mesosoma.
6. A pair of median eyes & two to five pairs of lateral eyes present.
7. Terminal metasomal segment bulb-like & with a slightly curved, sharply pointed sting.

             Hence, the specimen seems to be Buthus sp.

Systematic Position (Ruppert & Barnes 1994)

 Kingdom: Animalia

   Phylum: Arthropoda

         Sub Phylum :Chelicerata

                 Class: Arachnida

                           Genus: Buthus