An integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n. from Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

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  An integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n. from Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) Abstract The genus  Euscorpius  Thorell, 1876 comprises a diverse and taxonomically challenging group of scorpions in the Mediterranean, with Greece representing one of its principal centers of diversity. In this study, we provide an integrative description of  Euscorpius diagorasi   sp. n. , a new species from Rhodes Island, Greece. The new species is described on the basis of adult male and female morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data. It is a small oligotrichous species characterized by a total length of approximately 21–25 mm, pale yellow to light brown coloration with darker reddish-brown pedipalps, pectinal tooth count of 8 in the male and 7 in the females, Pv = 7–8, Pe-et = 5–6, and a distinct mitochondrial lineage. Phylogenetic analyses based on COI recovered the Rhodian specimens as a strongly supported monophyletic lineage, sister to...

Cannibalistic behavior in Rhopalurus laticauda Thorell, 1876 and Tityus silvestris Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) under captivity in the extreme north of the Brazilian Amazon

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Cannibalistic behavior in Rhopalurus laticauda Thorell, 1876 and Tityus silvestris Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) under captivity in the extreme north of the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Scorpions are predators, with diets ranging from insects to other arachnids. Despite this, their predatory habits, especially in the Brazilian Amazon, are still poorly understood. This study documents, for the first time, cannibalistic events in the species Rhopalurus laticauda Thorell, 1876 and Tityus silvestris Pocock, 1987, both species found in Roraima. The first species is more common in open areas known as lavrado, while the second inhabits humid forests. During the study, we observed that, in most cases, the individuals involved in cannibalistic acts were of similar sizes. Only in one case, an adult preyed on a juvenile. These interactions, frequently associated with territorial disputes and for food, culminated in confrontations in which the weaker individual was subjugated. Our data, obtained under controlled captive conditions, revealed an aggressive and competitive behavior among scorpions of these species. It is important to highlight that similar behaviors were recorded in videos collected during field expeditions, suggesting that cannibalism also occurs in natural environments. The subjugated animals are consumed entirely in many cases, and in others, only parts of the consumed animals were found. These results contribute significantly to the understanding of the population dynamics of scorpions in the Amazon, indicating that intraspecific competition may be an important factor in the regulation of these populations.

Melo-dos-Santos, G. ., Melo-dos-Santos, G. ., Leite, T. M. ., Rocha, A. M. ., Jati, S. R. ., Frezarin-da-Silva, E. ., Cerni, F. A. ., Sibajev, A. ., Lira, A. F. . and Pucca, M. B. . (2025) “Cannibalistic behavior in <em>Rhopalurus laticauda</em> Thorell, 1876 and <em>Tityus silvestris</em> Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) under captivity in the extreme north of the Brazilian Amazon”, Revista Chilena de Entomología, 51(2). Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/87196 (Accessed: 1 May 2025).