Gertschius agilis
This record describes Gertschius agilis (species). Recorded family: Vaejovidae. Recorded order: Scorpiones.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Scorpiones (Scorpions)
- Family
- Vaejovidae
- Genus
- Gertschius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Under loose rocks, flakes, and crevices in rocky slopes, cliffs, and roadcuts in oak/pine communities and upper desert, chaparral.
Geographic Range
Known in the USA only from roadcuts and cliffs along Ruby Road near Pena Blanca Lake, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona, and Antelope Gap and Grey Mountain in the Peloncillo Mountains of Hidalgo Co., New Mexico.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gertschius = patronym in honor of famed arachnologist, Willis Gertsch. agilis = agile, quick. Refers to their speed and agility.
About Scorpions: the wider group
Order-level background for Scorpiones, the group containing Gertschius agilis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Scorpiones includes ~2,700 described species. Scorpions are among the oldest terrestrial arthropods, with fossils dating back 435 million years to the Silurian period. They glow under ultraviolet light due to fluorescent compounds in their exoskeleton.
Ecological role of the group
Scorpions can survive extreme conditions - some species can be frozen for weeks and recover, and others survive extended starvation by reducing their metabolic rate by up to 97%. They are important desert predators controlling insect populations.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Scorpion stings cause an estimated 1.2 million envenomations and 3,250 deaths worldwide annually (WHO). Scorpion venom is the most expensive liquid on Earth at $39 million per gallon - it contains compounds being researched for cancer treatment and as painkillers.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, National Geographic, medical research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Gertschius agilis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kari J McWest; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban