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

尽管蝎子臭名昭著，分布在世界各地，但在医学、生态和保护方面具有重要意义，但在分类学上对蝎子的研究很少。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为纪念品和外来宠物交易而收获的威胁。由于不经常应用现代概念和技术，蝎子的研究受到阻碍。该项目将使用遗传和解剖学数据来修改新大陆蝎子的一个多样化的、具有重要医学意义的属--树皮蝎子，Centruroids。将进行实地调查，以发现新物种，记录分发情况，并收集新材料。将在客观分析的基础上修订分类，并将出版一本关于整个属的专著。识别和定义中心菊属物种是有问题的。传统上使用的特征经常在密切相关的物种之间重叠，定义模糊，并且在种群内往往不同。即使是专家也可能很难识别物种。因此，如果没有完善的分类学，就不可能确定哪些物种对制备和使用抗蛇毒血清具有重要的医学意义和危险。该项目将为所有Centruroidae编制经修订的物种说明和交互式识别代码，并附有数字图像和物种分布图的链接。将培训一名蝎子系统学专家，结果将通过互联网传播，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.