[4] They have thick and strong tails, with typically a rough surface to the first (proximal) and sometimes second segment, that is used to produce a warning[2] sound when rubbed against the sting (save P.

[3] Due to their stings' quick-acting venom, they rely to lesser extent on their slender pinchers (chelae) to hold onto prey.

[1] The pectine teeth nearest the body in females are enlarged and dilated (P. granulatus and P. kalaharicus excepting), and the lower tarsi (third distal segment) of the front four legs are equipped with bristle combs.

Some recently described species (P. cimrmani, P. eritreaensis, P. truculentus and P. zavattarii) were not considered in the investigation, so that their positions within this system remain unresolved.

Grosphus madagascariensis Uroplectes triangulifer P. brevimanus P. distridor P. kuanyamarum P. gracilis P. nanus P. granulatus P. kalaharicus P. namibensis P. laevifrons P. stridulus P. liosoma P. heterurus P. granimanus P. hunteri P. capensis P. muelleri P. calvus P. pallidus P. planicauda P. mossambicensis P. kraepelini P. raudus P. schlechteri P. transvaalicus P. villosus