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In this article we will discuss about the structure of Scorpions with the help of a diagram.
1. These are commonly known as “Scorpions” and are found under stones, bark of trees, rotten leaves, cow dung and in burrows and crevices in dark places.
2. Body elongated, segmented, slightly compressed dorsoventrally and is divided into a prosoma (capahalothorax) and an opisthosoma.
3. The prosoma is un-segmented, narrow in front and broad behind and bears a pair of large medium eyes and 4 pairs of lateral eyes.
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4. The opisthosoma is comprised of seven segmented mesosoma, five segmented slender metasoma and a sting or telson at the hind end.
5. The mesosoma is broad and jointed with prosoma and the second mesosomatic somite bears a pair of comb-like sensory pectins below.
6. The 3-6 mesosomatic segments bear paired stigmata or book-lungs along their ventrolateral sides for respiration.
7. The metasoma is slender, movably articulated and without appendages but is armed with poison apparatus.
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8. The prosoma bears six pairs of appendages below, of which first pair is chelicerae, second padipaipi and the remaining four pairs are walking legs.
9. The poison apparatus comprises an ampulla and curved spine or aculeus—the sting.
10. Sexes are separate and animals are viviparous.
