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

 

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 required fewer probes to elicit a sting. Furthermore, at a higher temperature, scorpions were more likely to attempt and succeed in prey capture, but temperature did not seem to affect post-capture stinging behavior. As the temperature rises, increasing muscle performance and metabolic rate in ectotherms, it may cause an increase in prey capture attempts and faster reaction times, as observed in our experiment. These results support our hypothesis that both defensive and predatory behavior in H. obscurus is affected by temperature, allowing more insight into scorpion thermal ecology.

Nisani, Z., Bennett, M., Enriquez, A., Iniquez, M., Martinez Rios, E., & Stone, B. 2026 . Effect of temperature on the defensive and predatory behavior of the scorpion Hadrurus obscurus (Scorpiones: Hadruridae). Euscorpius, No. 433: 1-9. https://mds.marshall.edu/euscorpius/vol2026/iss433/1/