| This family includes 4 genera and 9 species [Updated 07.05.03].
Superstitioniids are some very interesting scorpions, most of
which are troglobites (cave dwelling species). Some of them
are found in wet caves in subtropical parts of Mexico. These
scorpions lack eyes and pigments. One species has been found
at depths of about 800 meters below the surface (the strange
thing about this scorpion is that it is quite large (around 70
mm long) and is pigmented. Other species in this family are
found in leaf litter (some of these also lack eyes and
pigmentation).
The scorpions in this family are found in North America
(Mexico and Southwestern USA).
"Superstitionia" is named for the Superstition Mountains
east of Phoenix, where the first specimens were collected by
Herbert Stahnke (at "Don's Camp" as told by Herbert Stahnke to
Kari McWest).
Only one species, Superstitionia donensis, has
been reported to occur in captivity.
No data has been found about the venom of these scorpions,
but, like S. donensis (McWest, pers. obs.), they are
probably harmless.
Left: Superstitionia donensis photo by Dr.
Graeme Lowe (C).
Right: Sotanochactas elliotti photo by Robert Mitchell (C).
SPECIES
FILES:
This list of genera and species is
based on Fet et al.(2000). Subspecies is not included in the list.
I try to update the list as additions and changes are published. * denotes changes after Fet et al. (2000). I will be grateful
for information about new development in the taxonomy of this family.
For information about synonyms and bibliographies, see Fet et al. (2000) | 
