ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF EMBRYONIC STAGES OF KATOIKOGENIC SCORPION HETEROMETRUS XANTHOPUS (POCOCK) (SCORPIONIDAE).

The ovariuterus of H. xanthopus consists of three longitudinal tubes; interconnected by four transverse tubes. The ovariuterus is lined by outer layer of irregularly polygonal cells and the inner germinal epithelium layer with long and thin columnar cells. H. xanthopus is katoikogenic scorpion, the oocyte develop in specialized diverticulum that branch from the female ovariuterus. During development, specialized feeding apparatus called 'bottle and teat' appear between the stomodeum of embryo and hepatopancreas of the mother. It helps the embryo to absorb maternal nutrients. The gestation period of H. xanthopus is June to April (about 11 months).