Bark scorpion (Centriodes sp.) in the field under a blacklight (UV light)

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A bark scorpion (Centroides sp., green in the photograph) is pictured in an oval of ultraviolet light (purple in the photograph), demonstrating a unique method for studying scorpions in their native habitat. The exoskeleton of scorpions (and some other arachnids, including crab spiders) fluoresces under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon that researchers take advantage of to locate scorpions at night in the wild. Recently, this feature has been used in taxonomy in addition to in detecting scorpions in the field.

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Primary or BEN resource type	Photograph
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Format	jpeg
Temporal and geographic description	This photograph was taken in mid-September 2007 in the Chihuahuan Desert approximately 20 miles south of Carlsbad, NM. The location was in Eddy County on the south bank of the Black River.
Ecological Core Concept	The science of ecology -- Research tools, technology, and innovations The science of ecology Individuals -- Physiology Individuals -- Morphology Individuals
Drought & Water-Ecosystem Services Collection	Off
Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection	Off
Big Data Collection	Off
Editor's Choice	No
Audience	Undergraduate upper division 15-16 Undergraduate lower division 13-14
Pedagogical Use Description	Uses for this image could include: discussion of arachnology, desert ecosystems, field sampling methods, unique morphological or physiological features, and scorpions.
Keywords	scorpion; blacklight; visual survey; ultraviolet; arachnid; fluorescence; UV; cuticle
Key taxa	Centroides; scorpion; Arachnida; Scorpiones
Life science discipline (subject)	Ecology
Primary Author Controlled Name	Todd Levine
Primary Author Affiliation	Miami University, Department of Zoology
Primary Author email	levinetd@muohio.edu
Rights	Copyright 2008 by Todd Levine.
Resource Editor	Unknown
Reviewer A	Unknown
Reviewer B	Unknown
Date Of Record Submission	2008-04-30

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Subject: Bark scorpion (<i>Centriodes</i> sp.) in the field under a blacklight (UV light)

Posted By: Aurora

Date Posted: 2010-03-17 06:45:59

A link to the article this is from would be useful.