DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Revision of the New World scorpion genus Centruroides Marx, 1890: Systematics and Biogeography

尽管蝎子声名狼借，在世界范围内分布，医学，生态和保护的重要性，分类学研究很少。新的物种和分布记录不断被发现，但蝎子越来越受到栖息地破坏和收获纪念品和外来宠物贸易的威胁。 蝎子的研究由于现代概念和技术的不经常应用而受到阻碍。该项目将使用遗传和解剖数据来修改新世界蝎子的一个多样化和医学上重要的属，树皮蝎子，Centruroides。将进行实地考察，以发现新物种，文件分布，并收集新鲜材料。分类学将根据客观分析进行修订，并将编写一本关于整个属的专著。识别和定义Centruroides物种是有问题的。传统上使用的特征通常在密切相关的物种之间重叠，定义模糊，并且通常在种群内变化。即使是专家也很难识别物种。如果没有一个健全的分类学，就不可能确定哪些物种在医学上是重要的，哪些物种是危险的，从而无法制备和使用抗蛇毒血清。该项目将为所有Centruroides制作修订的物种描述和交互式识别键，并附有数字图像和物种分布图的链接。将培训一名蝎子分类学专家，并将通过互联网传播结果，供医疗专业人员和公众使用。

Despite notoriety, worldwide distribution, medical, ecological and conservation importance, scorpions are poorly studied taxonomically. New species and distribution records continue to be discovered, yet scorpions are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction and harvesting for the souvenir and exotic pet trades. Scorpion research is hampered by infrequent application of modern concepts and techniques. This project will use genetic and anatomical data to revise a diverse and medically important genus of New World scorpions, the bark scorpions, Centruroides. Fieldwork will be conducted to discover new species, document distributions, and gather fresh material. The taxonomy will be revised based on objective analysis, and a monograph on the entire genus will be produced. Identifying and defining Centruroides species is problematic. The characters traditionally used often overlap between closely related species, are vaguely defined, and often vary within a population. It may be difficult even for specialists to identify species. Without a sound taxonomy, it is thus impossible to determine which species are medically important and dangerous to prepare and administer anti-venom. This project will produce revised species descriptions and interactive identification keys, illustrated with digital images and links to maps of species distributions, for all Centruroides. An expert in scorpion systematics will be trained, and results will be disseminated via the Internet for use by medical professionals and the public.