Scorpion observations in the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness Area (Nevada, USA)

Authors

Michael M. Webber, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Southern Nevada, 700 College Drive, Henderson, NV 89002; School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004Follow
Jeffrey R. Hill, Parasitology and Vector Biology (PARAVEC) Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004
Joseph R. Dertien, Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Nevada State University, 1300 Nevada State Drive, Henderson, NV 89002
Catriona Palmer, School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004
Sean A. Neiswenter, School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004

Abstract

The Wee Thump Wilderness Area is a 6050-acre old-growth Joshua tree forest located in southern Nevada within the boundaries of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. We performed nighttime searches using ultraviolet lights to document scorpion species from May to August in 2021 and 2022. Our observations, combined with DNA sequencing, allowed us to identify 2 species of scorpion within the open desert habitat (Paravaejovis confusus, Paruroctonus becki) and another that was commonly found along roadside berms (Anuroctonus phaiodactylus). Information collected on species occurrence, particularly within protected wilderness areas, provides valuable ecological data that can fuel hypothesis-driven research as well as inform land management decisions.


El Área Silvestre Wee Thump es un bosque de árboles Joshua antiguos de alrededor de 6050 acres, ubicado en el sur de Nevada, dentro de los límites del Monumento Nacional Avi Kwa Ame. Entre mayo y agosto de 2021 y 2022, realizamos búsquedas nocturnas utilizando luces ultravioleta para documentar las especies de escorpión que habitan en este bosque. Nuestras observaciones, combinadas con secuenciación de ADN, nos permitieron identificar dos especies de escorpión dentro del hábitat del desierto abierto (Paravaejovis confusus, Paruroctonus becki) y otra que se encontraba comúnmente a lo largo de la berma de las carreteras (Anuroctonus phaiodactylus). La información recopilada sobre la presencia de especies, especialmente en áreas silvestres protegidas, puede ofrecer datos ecológicos valiosos, que a su vez pueden impulsar investigaciones basadas en hipótesis y orientar decisiones de manejo del territorio.

Recommended Citation

Webber, Michael M.; Hill, Jeffrey R.; Dertien, Joseph R.; Palmer, Catriona; and Neiswenter, Sean A. (2026) "Scorpion observations in the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness Area (Nevada, USA)," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 86: No. 1, Article 14.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol86/iss1/14