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Family: Buthidae
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Genus: Rhopalurus
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Species: gibarae
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Region
Central America
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Countries
Cuba
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length ( mm ): 60 mm
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Description
Carapace is pale yellowish brown with faint traces of two brownish lines forming a V-shape around the interocular triangle and eyes surrounded with black. Tergites are yellowish brown and darker on the posterior portion. Metasomal segments I to III are pale yellowish brown, segment IV is dark reddish brown and segment V is blackish brown. Telson vesicle is reddish or reddish brown. metasomal segments I to III have a diffuse reddish brown median stripe ventrally. ventral surface and sternites are yellowish. Pedipalp femur and patella are yellowish without markings, manus is yellowish brown or brown with darker brown pigment on keels and fingers are black. Legs are yellowish brown without spotting. Pectines are whitish. Chelicerae yellowish.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Unknown
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Unknown
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Unknown
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Other
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Unknown; there are a number of dangerous Buthid scorpions, but also others known to cause minimal effects only. Without clinical data it is unclear where this species fits within that spectrum.
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but lethal potential cannot be excluded
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General: Local Effects
Unknown; however, in general, Buthid scorpions cause locally painful stings
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General: Local Necrosis
Unknown; unlikely based on experience with other Buthid scorpions
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General: General Systemic Effects
Unknown
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General: Myotoxicity
Unknown; unlikely based on experience with other Buthid scorpions
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Unknown; unlikely based on experience with other Buthid scorpions
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General: Renal Damage
Unknown; unlikely based on experience with other Buthid scorpions
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Unknown; possible given experience with medically important Buthid scorpions
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General: Other
Unknown
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for scorpion stings (in areas where no potentially dangerous species may be found)
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Details
1. Reassure the victim. Despite sometimes intense local pain, usually lasting less than one hour, these scorpions are not able to cause major of lethal envenoming and most stings will settle rapidly.
2. Do not apply a bandage or tourniquet, or cut, suck or incise the wound or apply electric shock. Neither the application of local heat or cold are proven as effective.
3. If the victim develops general symptoms or the pain remains severe after one hour, seek medical advice.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Stings by these scorpions are likely to cause only short lived local effects, such as pain, without systemic effects. Treatment is therefore reassurance and symptomatic, with analgesia only for severe and persistent pain, as short lived pain will likely resolve before analgesics can take effect. Update tetanus immune status. Be more cautious in young children, observing for several hours post-sting. No antivenom is available, or is required.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Not well defined. Most likely limited to local pain ± local swelling, without significant systemic effects. See detailed clinical summary for more specific detail, if known.
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General Approach to Management
Most cases will be minor & not require admission.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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