Predation of Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Lebanon
Predation of Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Lebanon
Abstract
I report the first documented case of the buthid scorpion Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) serving as prey for the tarantula Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) in Lebanon. The observation was made during a nocturnal survey in the Mount Lebanon region. The case contributes to the limited records of tarantula predation on scorpions and underscores the role of prey-predator size asymmetry in facilitating high-risk predation among arachnids.
Khashab, R. 2025 . Predation of Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Lebanon. Euscorpius, No. 423: 1-3.