Variation in deathstalker scorpion

Question

I recently encountered a (probable) deathstalker scorpion in the Negev desert:

However, when trying to identify this species I found that in many/most photos of the yellow scorpion the final segment before the stinger was dark or even black (see the wiki link for examples) i.e., not yellow, as shown in the photo.
Is a black/dark pre-stinger segment an indication of some sort (perhaps venom?), or is it an indication of a separate species, or other? Clarification on this matter is most welcome.

Polypipe Wrangler · Answer

I haven't found an official reference, just a mention that the metasomal segment V can be pale in some adults.
Perhaps after molting the colour is different?
Also, dont know if it is Leiurus quinquestriatus, L. hebraeus, or L. abdullahbayrami
I see picture with the same pale coloration at sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-science‌​s/…

Triceratops · Answer

According to the Israeli Scorpions Field Guide, deathstalkers can have also pale metasomal segment V, so a black one isn't a sure identification sign although it is very common among deathstalkers. The characteristic of the Israeli deathstalker are 5 ridges along its back. The species of deathstalker in the Negev (and Israel) is Leiurus hebraeus.

Answered by Triceratops on August 23, 2020

RCampbell · Answer

The scorpion in question appears to be Buthacus leptochelys, and is not a Leiurus sp.

Variation in deathstalker scorpion

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