How to Identify and Classify Scorpions
  • 1. What is the most distinctive feature used for scorpion identification?
A) The color of the carapace
B) The metasoma (tail) and telson (stinger)
C) The number of eyes
D) The size of the pedipalps
  • 2. Which body segment is the carapace located on?
A) Metasoma
B) Abdomen
C) Telson
D) Cephalothorax
  • 3. What are pedipalps primarily used for?
A) Walking
B) Sensing vibrations
C) Breathing
D) Grasping prey and defense
  • 4. What is the term for the 'tail' of a scorpion?
A) Prosoma
B) Metasoma
C) Cephalothorax
D) Abdomen
  • 5. The stinger is located on which part of the scorpion?
A) Metasoma
B) Pedipalp
C) Telson
D) Carapace
  • 6. What is the name for the comb-like structures on the underside of a scorpion?
A) Coxae
B) Pectines
C) Spiracles
D) Chelicerae
  • 7. What is the primary function of pectines?
A) Breathing
B) Sensing vibrations and texture
C) Digesting food
D) Grasping prey
  • 8. How many eyes do scorpions typically have?
A) Only 2
B) One
C) 2-5 pairs (varies by species)
D) None
  • 9. What is the term for the mouthparts of a scorpion?
A) Pectines
B) Pedipalps
C) Chelicerae
D) Coxae
  • 10. Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic used for scorpion classification?
A) Pedipalp morphology
B) Number and arrangement of eyes
C) The presence of a gallbladder
D) Carapace structure
  • 11. What is the function of the chelicerae?
A) To sense vibrations
B) To grasp prey
C) To tear and manipulate food
D) To inject venom
  • 12. The number of segments in the metasoma can be helpful in identifying some species. How many segments does the metasoma typically have?
A) 5
B) 3
C) 7
D) 10
  • 13. Which of these characteristics is MOST useful in distinguishing between scorpion genera?
A) Overall size
B) Coloration
C) Keel patterns on the metasoma
D) Habitat
  • 14. What is a key difference between Buthidae and other scorpion families?
A) Buthidae lack a telson.
B) Buthidae have slender pedipalps and a thicker metasoma.
C) Buthidae are all harmless.
D) Buthidae are only found in deserts.
  • 15. What physical characteristic often indicates a scorpion is potentially dangerous?
A) Thick metasoma and slender pedipalps
B) Dark coloration
C) Small size
D) Slender metasoma and thick pedipalps
  • 16. What external feature can be observed to help determine the sex of a scorpion?
A) Metasoma length
B) Pectine size and shape
C) Pedipalp color
D) Carapace markings
  • 17. What term describes the exoskeleton of a scorpion?
A) Endoskeleton
B) Dermis
C) Chitinous skin
D) Cuticle
  • 18. What process allows a scorpion to grow?
A) Metamorphosis
B) Budding
C) Regeneration
D) Molting
  • 19. What is the scientific study of scorpions called?
A) Arachnology
B) Scorpiology
C) Herpetology
D) Entomology
  • 20. Which family of scorpions is known for its medically significant species in North America?
A) Vaejovidae
B) Scorpionidae
C) Diplocentridae
D) Buthidae
  • 21. The arrangement of eyes on the carapace is known as?
A) Cephalic region
B) Ocular tubercle
C) Eye socket
D) Visual field
  • 22. What is the sclerotization of the exoskeleton responsible for?
A) Flexibility
B) Hardness and rigidity
C) Coloration
D) Sensory perception
  • 23. What type of respiratory system do scorpions possess?
A) Trachea
B) Alveoli
C) Book lungs
D) Gills
  • 24. What is the name of the opening to the respiratory system?
A) Pectines
B) Spiracles
C) Gonopores
D) Chelicerae
  • 25. What is the function of the hemolymph in scorpions?
A) Venom production
B) Digestion
C) Transport nutrients and oxygen
D) Exoskeleton formation
  • 26. How many legs do scorpions have?
A) 8
B) 10
C) 6
D) 12
  • 27. What type of venom delivery system do scorpions possess?
A) Pedipalps
B) Mandibles
C) Aculeus and venom gland
D) Salivary glands
  • 28. What is the function of the 'stridulatory apparatus' found in some scorpion species?
A) Prey detection
B) Sound production
C) Water conservation
D) Venom injection
  • 29. What is the term for the sensory hairs found on scorpions?
A) Pectines
B) Spiracles
C) Setae
D) Chelicerae
Created with That Quiz — the site for test creation and grading in math and other subjects.