On encrusted soil and mud: a preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the mud spider family Paratropididae Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) brings to light new species and genera

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Insights on the diet of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Ouarsenis mountains of northwestern Algeria

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Insights on the diet of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Ouarsenis mountains of northwestern Algeria


Abstract

This study is an empirical observation of the feeding behavior of the Buthus Leach, 1815, in the wild of the Ouarsenis Mountains (Tissemsilt and Tiaret regions, Northwestern Algeria) during the study period (2021–2022). We have observed 29 instances of Buthus species eating arthropods. The identifications of this prey yielded a list of 20 species belonging to 15 families and 9 orders. We note a dominance of the Orthoptera and Coleoptera, with 3 families and 5 species for each. Gryllidae and Scarabaeidae are the most represented, with 3 and 2 species, respectively. Also, we record some insects larvae eating and many cases of cannibalism and intraguild predation. All of the Buthus species' prey are intermediate or smaller arthropods.