The distribution, spatial clustering, and density of trapdoor spiders in two California coastal dune ecosystems

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  The distribution, spatial clustering, and density of trapdoor spiders in two California coastal dune ecosystems Abstract Coastal dune ecosystems support endemic trapdoor spiders, yet population data for these species are limited. We conducted the first coastal dune trapdoor spider population estimation surveys at Moss Landing State Beach (California) and for Aptostichus stephencolberti Bond 2008 at Sunset State Beach using randomly selected 1m 2 quadrats across ~26,000 m 2 per site. Burrow densities were similar between sites (Sunset: 0.287 burrows/m 2 ; Moss: 0.453 burrows/m 2 ), yielding estimated population sizes of ~35,206 and ~30,959 individuals, respectively. However, spatial analyses revealed contrasting patterns of burrow distribution. At Sunset State Beach, burrow presence was strongly associated with vegetation and occurred closer to plants, despite vegetation being randomly distributed. In contrast, no vegetation–burrow association was detected at Moss Landing, alth...

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study

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Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background

Scorpion envenomation is a global health problem that results in life-threatening medical emergencies in the tropical and subtropical regions. Pediatric victims are at a higher risk of severe envenomation than are adults.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the clinical features and outcomes of patient’s hospitalized for scorpion stings at Tesseney Community Hospital.

Material and Methods

A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st June 2019 to 31st May 2020 in patients hospitalized due to scorpion stings at the Tesseney Community Hospital.

Results

About 165 scorpion-sting patients were admitted during the study period. The majority of cases were older than 15 years (61.8%) with an approximately equal male-to-female sex ratio (0.94:1), and the scorpion sting cases largely occurred in urban areas (57%) compared to rural areas. The black scorpion (38.8%) was the predominant scorpion; however, in some cases, the scorpion color was undetermined (31.5%). The foot was the predominant sting site (64.8%), followed by the hand (31.5%). Single stings (91.5%) were more frequent than multiple stings (8.5%). The majority (94.8%) of scorpion sting cases occurred during summer, with the highest scorpion sting cases occurring in September and October. The main clinical manifestations upon presentation were localized pain (70.3%) and sweating (56.4%), with more severe symptoms exhibited among age groups less than 15 years. The fatality rate (4.8%) was largely associated with age groups less than 15 years and class three scorpion stings.

Conclusion

Our study found that children experienced more severe envenoming symptoms and related mortality than adults did. This study may be a tool to identify at-risk population groups and build measures to prevent scorpion stings within the western lowlands of Eritrea.


Frezgi, O., Berhane, A., Tewelde, A. G., Ghebrewelde, G., Tekie, H., Kiflezgi, T., … Wohabey, H. A. (2025). Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study. Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine, 16, 125–135. https://doi.org/10.2147/RRTM.S536683