Effect of temperature on the defensive and predatory behavior of the scorpion Hadrurus obscurus (Scorpiones: Hadruridae)

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  Effect of temperature on the defensive and predatory behavior of the scorpion Hadrurus obscurus (Scorpiones: Hadruridae) Abstract Scorpions employ their stinging mechanism both for defense and predation, and being ectothermic, temperature influences their physiology and behavior. As such, we hypothesized that temperature both affects defensive stinging and prey-capture behavior in scorpions. We tested the effects of body temperature on these behaviors in the desert hairy scorpion, Hadrurus obscurus Williams, 1970. In the first experiment, scorpions were placed in temperature-controlled chambers with either high (26-28°C) or low (21- 22°C) temperatures and probed to elicit a defensive sting. We recorded the reaction time and the number of probes needed to elicit a sting. In the second experiment, we observed and recorded prey capture behavior at three different temperatures (21, 29, and 33°C). Scorpions with higher body temperatures had faster defensive reaction times and require...

A multigene approach to identify the scorpion species (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Colima, Mexico, with comments on their venom diversity

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A multigene approach to identify the scorpion species (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Colima, Mexico, with comments on their venom diversity

Abstract

Scorpion species diversity in Colima was investigated with a multigene approach. Fieldwork produced 34 lots of scorpions that were analyzed with 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, COI, and 28S rDNA genetic markers. Our results confirmed prior phylogenetic results recovering the monophyly of the families Buthidae and Vaejovidae, some species groups, and genera. We recorded 11 described species of scorpions and found 3 putatively undescribed species of Centruroides, 1 of Mesomexovis, and 1 of Vaejovis. Furthermore, we obtained evidence that Centruroides elegans, C. infamatus,andC. limpidus do not occur in Colima, contrary to prior reports. Seven genetically different and medically relevant species of Centruroides for Colima are recorded for the first time. We used the InDRE database (Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia  Epidemiológicos),  which  contains  georeferenced  points  of  scorpions,  to  estimate  the  distribution  of  the  scorpion species found in our fieldwork. Finally, we discuss from a biogeographical, ecological, and medical point of view the presence and origin of the 14 scorpion species found in Colima.

E. González-Santillán et al. / Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 95 (2024): e9553732