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''Centruroides gracilis'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae, the bark scorpions. Its common names include Florida bark scorpion, brown bark scorpion, and slender brown scorpion.〔Rein, J. O. (''Centruroides gracilis''. ) The Scorpion Files. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. 2012.〕〔Muma, M. H. (1967). (Scorpions, whip scorpions and wind scorpions of Florida. ) In: ''Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Areas, Volume 4.'' Division of Plant Industry. Florida Department of Agriculture.〕 In Cuba it is known as ''alacran prieto'' ("dusky scorpion") and ''alacran azul'' ("blue scorpion").〔 It is native to parts of the Americas, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. It is present in other parts as an introduced species, including Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Jamaica,〔Teruel, R. (2008). (Confirmation of the occurrence of ''Centruroides gracilis'' (Latreille 1805) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Jamaica. ) ''Boletín Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa'' 42 370.〕 and Florida in the United States. It is also introduced in parts of Africa, including Cameroon and Gabon, as well as the Canary Islands.〔 The female of the species reaches up to 10 centimeters in length, while the male can exceed 15 centimeters. It is variable in color, sometimes with individuals of different colors occurring in one population, or even one litter. It may be reddish, black with reddish chelae, dark brown with yellowish legs and red chelae, or dark brown with reddish and black tail sections.〔 The female gives birth to a litter of 25 to 35 young,〔(''Centruroides gracilis''. ) Institute for the Study of Invasive Species. Texas State University.〕 with litters of 91 recorded. The juveniles ride on the female's back and undergo their first molt at eight days of age. A study of captive scorpions revealed the length of their life cycle. The juveniles progress through instar stages, sometimes dying of complications with the molting process. The female reaches maturity in roughly 300 days, after seven instars, but the males mature at different rates. Some reach sexual maturity in the sixth instar, at about 235 days of age, while some are not mature until the seventh instar, around 281 days old. At mating, the male engages in courtship behavior and produces a spermatophore.〔Francke, O. F. and S. K. Jones. (1982). (The life history of ''Centruroides gracilis'' (Scorpiones, Buthidae). ) ''J Arachnol'' 10 223-39.〕 Females can reproduce via parthenogenesis, as well.〔Teruel, R. (2004). (Primer registro de partenogénesis en ''Centruroides gracilis'' (Latreille, 1804) (Scorpiones: Buthidae). ) ''Revista Ibérica de Aracnología'' 9(30) 141-42.〕 In the laboratory the males had an average life span of about 33 months, while the females lived about 38 months.〔 This scorpion feeds on insects such as roaches.〔 Captive scorpions can be fed termites.〔Culbert, D. (Florida Scorpions. ) University of Florida IFAS Extension, Okeechobee County. April 10, 2005.〕 The scorpion lives under rocks and tree bark. When given the opportunity it will live in the walls of houses and under rubbish piles in yards.〔 Predators of the scorpion include the tarantula ''Brachypelma vagans''. The tarantula may kill the scorpion even if it is the scorpion that attacks first.〔Dor, A., et al. (2011). (Predatory interactions between ''Centruroides'' scorpions and the tarantula ''Brachypelma vagans''. ) ''Journal of Arachnology'' 39(1) 201-204.〕 The scorpion is venomous, but much less toxic than others of its genus. Its venom is neurotoxic and cardiotoxic, causing the release of catecholamines. Local effects from the sting can include pain, redness, itching, and swelling. The venom can produce cardiac effects such as arrhythmia, pulmonary edema, tachycardia or bradycardia, and hyper- or hypotension. Other possible symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, shock, convulsions, coma, and potentially death.〔(''Centruroides gracilis''. ) Clinical Toxinology Resources. The University of Adelaide.〕 This species is sometimes kept as a pet.〔 ==References== 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Centruroides gracilis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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