''Centruroides'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

scorpion Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always endi ...

s of the family

Buthidae The Buthidae are the largest family of scorpions, containing about 100 genera and 1339 species as of 2022. A few very large genera ('' Ananteris'', '' Centruroides'', ''Compsobuthus'', or '' Tityus'') are known, but a high number of species-po ...

. Several North American species are known by the common

vernacular name A vernacular or vernacular language is in contrast with a "standard language". It refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or region. The vernacular is typically the native language, n ...

bark scorpion. Numerous

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

are extensively found throughout the southern

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

Mexico Mexico ( Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guate ...

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

, the

Antilles The Antilles (; gcf, label=Antillean Creole, Antiy; es, Antillas; french: Antilles; nl, Antillen; ht, Antiy; pap, Antias; Jamaican Patois: ''Antiliiz'') is an archipelago bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the south and west, the Gulf of Mex ...

and northern

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the souther ...

. Some are known for their interesting patterning or large size (among Buthidae); most if not all fluoresce strongly under

ultraviolet Ultraviolet (UV) is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10 nm (with a corresponding frequency around 30 PHz) to 400 nm (750 THz), shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiati ...

illumination, except after

moulting In biology, moulting (British English), or molting (American English), also known as sloughing, shedding, or in many invertebrates, ecdysis, is the manner in which an animal routinely casts off a part of its body (often, but not always, an outer ...

. They contain several highly venomous species, and fatalities are known to occur. The venom of the Mexican scorpion ''Centruroides limpidus limpidus'' contains the

neurotoxin Neurotoxins are toxins that are destructive to nerve tissue (causing neurotoxicity). Neurotoxins are an extensive class of exogenous chemical neurological insultsSpencer 2000 that can adversely affect function in both developing and matur ...

Cll1 Toxin Cll1 is a toxin from the venom of the Mexican scorpion '' Centruroides limpidus limpidus'', which changes the activation threshold of sodium channels by binding to neurotoxin binding site 4, resulting in increased excitability. Etymolog ...

and Cll2.

Taxonomy

The number of species accepted as valid may vary, depending on the authority. The genus is highly speciose, containing at least 100 species: * ''

Centruroides alayoni ''Centruroides alayoni'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. Description Centruroides alayoni is a moderate-sized scorpion, with a typical length of . Its sandy dull brown colour matches the surrounding environment, giving it c ...

'' Armas, 1999 * ''

Centruroides altagraciae ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Teruel, de Armas & Kovarik, 2015 * '' Centruroides anchorellus'' Armas, 1976 * '' Centruroides arctimanus'' Armas, 1976 * ''

Centruroides baergi ''Centruroides baergi'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. They are commonly found in highlands and are almost exclusively found in the states of Oaxaca and southern Puebla, Mexico. ''C. baergi'' is the most abundant scorpion of ...

'' Hoffmann, 1932 * ''

Centruroides balsasensis ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Ponce & Francke, 2004 * ''

Centruroides bani ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Armas & Marcano Fondeur, 1987 * ''

Centruroides baracoae ''Centruroides baracoae'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References baracoae Animals described in 1976 {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Armas, 1976 * ''

Centruroides barbudensis ''Centruroides barbudensis'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It possesses excitatory neurotoxins that act on sodium and potassium channels. Toxic catecholamine-release can cause adrenergic cardiac effects. Distribution ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * '' Centruroides berstoni'' Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 * ''

Centruroides bertholdii ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' (Thorell, 1876) * ''

Centruroides bicolor ''Centruroides bicolor'' is a species of bark scorpion from Central America. Its specific name "''bicolor''" is from the Latin meaning "two colored" and refers to the markings of this species. Range This species is concentrated on the southern P ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * '' Centruroides bonito'' Quijano-Ravell, Teruel & Ponce-Saavedra, 2016 * '' Centruroides caral'' Armas & Trujillo, 2013 * ''

Centruroides caribbeanus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Centra ...

'' Teruel & Myers, 2017 * ''

Centruroides chamela ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Ponce-Saavedra & Francke, 2011 * ''

Centruroides chamulaensis ''Centruroides chamulaensis'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered ...

'' Hoffmann, 1932 * ''

Centruroides catemacoensis ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 * ''

Centruroides chanae ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 * ''

Centruroides chiapanensis ''Centruroides chiapanensis'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico. References Buthidae Scorpions described in 1932 Endemic scorpions of Mexico Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Hoffmann, 1932 * ''

Centruroides concordia ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Armas & Teruel, 2021 * ''

Centruroides cuauhmapan ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 * '' Centruroides edwardsii'' (Gervais, 1843) * ''

Centruroides elegans ''Centruroides elegans'' is a scorpion species in the genus '' Centruroides'' found in Mexico. References External links ''Centruroides elegans'' photo on www.flickr.com''Centruroides elegans'' at insectoid.info elegans Scorpions descr ...

'' (Thorell, 1876) * ''

Centruroides exilicauda ''Centruroides exilicauda'', the Baja California bark scorpion, is a species of bark scorpion found in Baja California. It is closely related to the Arizona bark scorpion (''Centruroides sculpturatus''), but is not considered dangerous. Previous ...

'' (Wood, 1863) * '' Centruroides exilimanus'' Teruel & Stockwell, 2002 * ''

Centruroides exsul ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' (Meise, 1933) * ''

Centruroides fallassisimus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' Armas & Trujillo, 2010 * ''

Centruroides farri ''Centruroides farri'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References Buthidae Animals described in 1976 Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Armas, 1976 * '' Centruroides flavopictus'' (Pocock, 1898) * ''

Centruroides franckei ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' Santibanez-Lopez & Contreras-Felix, 2013 * ''

Centruroides fulvipes ''Centruroides fulvipes'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to th ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * '' Centruroides galano'' Teruel, 2001 * '' Centruroides gracilis'' (Latreille, 1804) * '' Centruroides granosus'' (Thorell, 1876) * ''

Centruroides griseus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' (C. L. Koch, 1844) * '' Centruroides guanensis'' Franganillo, 1930 * ''

Centruroides hamadryas ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 * '' Centruroides hentzi'' (Banks, 1900) * ''

Centruroides hirsuticauda ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Teruel, 2011 * ''

Centruroides hirsutipalpus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Ponce-Saavedra & Francke, 2009 * '' Centruroides hoffmanni'' Armas, 1996 * '' Centruroides huichol'' Teruel, Ponce-Saavedra & Quijano-Ravell, 2015 * '' Centruroides infamatus'' (C. L. Koch, 1844) * '' Centruroides insulanus'' (Thorell, 1876) * '' Centruroides ixil'' Trujillo & Armas, 2016 * ''

Centruroides jaragua ''Centruroides jaragua'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References http://bultel.p.free.fr/En/Centruroides%20sp.htm Buthidae Animals described in 1999 Centruroides Arthropods of the Dominican Republic {{Scorpi ...

'' Armas, 1999 * '' Centruroides jorgeorum'' Santiago-Blay, 2009 * '' Centruroides koesteri'' Kraepelin, 1912 * ''

Centruroides lauriadnae ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Ponce-Saavedra & Francke, 2019 * ''

Centruroides limbatus ''Centruroides limbatus'' is a species of bark scorpion from Central America. Its specific name "''limbatus,''" is from the Latin meaning "black-edged," and refers to the darkly colored markings of this species.

'' (Pocock, 1898) * ''

Centruroides limpidus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' (Karsch, 1879) * ''

Centruroides luceorum ''Centruroides luceorum'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References Buthidae Animals described in 1999 Centruroides Arthropods of the Caribbean Arthropods of the Dominican Republic {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Armas, 1999 * '' Centruroides lucidus'' Teruel, Armas & Kovarik, 2015 * ''

Centruroides marcanoi ''Centruroides marcanoi'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References http://bultel.p.free.fr/En/Centruroides%20sp.htm Buthidae Animals described in 1981 Centruroides Arthropods of the Dominican Republic {{Scorp ...

'' Armas, 1981 * '' Centruroides margaritatus'' (Gervais, 1841) * '' Centruroides mascota'' Ponce-Saavedra & Francke, 2011 * ''

Centruroides meisei ''Centruroides chamulaensis'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References Buthidae Animals described in 1939 Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Hoffmann, 1939 * ''

Centruroides melanodactylus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Centra ...

'' Teruel, 2001 * '' Centruroides navarroi'' Teruel, 2001 * ''

Centruroides nigrescens ''Centruroides nigrescens'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico. References Centruroides Animals described in 1898 Endemic scorpions of Mexico {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * ''

Centruroides nigrimanus ''Centruroides nigrimanus'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. This species is endemic of Mexico (type from Oaxaca). It occurs in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero. ocock 1998 indicated a juvenile specimen from ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * '' Centruroides nigropunctatus'' Teruel, 2006 * ''

Centruroides nigrovariatus ''Centruroides nigrovariatus'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico. References Centruroides Animals described in 1898 Endemic scorpions of Mexico {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * ''

Centruroides nitidus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' (Thorell, 1876) * ''

Centruroides noxius ''Centruroides noxius'' is a species of scorpion native to Mexico. Description and behavior This species grows from 3.5 to 5 cm in length, its body is dark in color, usually black or brown, and its legs and pedipalps are generally light, ...

'' Hoffmann, 1932 * ''

Centruroides ochraceus ''Centruroides ochraceus'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico. References Buthidae Animals described in 1898 Scorpions of North America Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' (Pocock, 1898) * '' Centruroides orizaba'' Armas & Martin-Frias, 2003 * ''

Centruroides ornatus ''Centruroides ornatus'' is a species of scorpion Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a char ...

'' Pocock, 1902 * ''

Centruroides pallidiceps ''Centruroides pallidiceps'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico. References Buthidae Centruroides Endemic scorpions of Mexico Animals described in 1902 {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Pocock, 1902 * ''

Centruroides panamensis ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Arias & Esposito, 2014 * '' Centruroides platnicki'' Armas, 1981 * '' Centruroides pococki'' Sissom & Francke, 1983 * ''

Centruroides polito ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' Teruel, 2007 * ''

Centruroides poncei ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Teruel, Kovarik, Baldazo-Monsivais & Hoferek, 2015 * '' Centruroides possanii'' Gonzalez-Santillan, Galan-Sanchez & Valdez-Velazquez, 2019 * ''

Centruroides rileyi ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Sissom, 1995 * ''

Centruroides robertoi ''Centruroides robertoi'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. Distribution Cuba References Buthidae Animals described in 1976 Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Armas, 1976 * ''

Centruroides rodolfoi ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Santibanez-Lopez & Contreras-Felix, 2013 * ''

Centruroides romeroi ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Quijano-Ravell, De Armas, Francke & Ponce-Saavedra, 2019 * '' Centruroides ruana'' Quijano-Ravell & Ponce-Saavedra, 2016 * ''

Centruroides sanandres ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Armas, Sarmiento & Florez, 2012 * ''

Centruroides sasae ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' Santiago-Blay, 2009 * '' Centruroides schmidti'' Sissom, 1995 * ''

Centruroides sculpturatus :''The striped bark scorpion and the closely related Baja California bark scorpion are also called bark scorpions.'' The Arizona bark scorpion (''Centruroides sculpturatus'', once included in '' Centruroides exilicauda'') is a small light brown ...

'' Ewing, 1928 * ''

Centruroides serrano ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Santibanez-Lopez & Ponce-Saavedra, 2009 * ''

Centruroides simplex ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' (Thorell, 1876) * ''

Centruroides sissomi ''Centruroides sissomi'' is a species of scorpion Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a char ...

'' Armas, 1996 * '' Centruroides spectatus'' Teruel, 2006 * ''

Centruroides stockwelli ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Teruel, 2001 * ''

Centruroides suffusus ''Centruroides suffusus'', the Mexican scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References Buthidae Articles created by Qbugbot Animals described in 1902 {{scorpion-stub ...

'' (Pocock, 1902) * '' Centruroides tapachulaensis'' Hoffmann, 1932 * ''

Centruroides tecomanus ''Centruroides tecomanus'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is native to Mexico. References Buthidae Scorpions described in 1932 Endemic scorpions of Mexico Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Hoffmann, 1932 * '' Centruroides tenuis'' Thorell, 1876 * ''

Centruroides testaceus ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' (DeGeer, 1778) * ''

Centruroides thorellii ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' (Kraepelin, 1891) * ''

Centruroides tuxtla ''Centruroides tuxtla'' is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. References Buthidae Animals described in 1999 Centruroides {{Scorpion-stub ...

'' Armas, 1999 * ''

Centruroides underwoodi ''Centruroides underwoodi'' is a species of scorpion Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a c ...

'' Armas, 1976 * ''

Centruroides villegasi ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, ...

'' Baldazo-Monsivaiz, Ponce-Saavedra & Flores-Moreno, 2013 * ''

Centruroides vittatus The striped bark scorpion (''Centruroides vittatus'') is an extremely common scorpion found throughout the midsection of the United States and northern Mexico. It is perhaps the most frequently encountered scorpion in the U.S. Appearance A m ...

'' (Say, 1821) * ''

Centruroides yucatanensis ''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Cent ...

'' Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2702846 Scorpions of South America