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