Courtship and mating in Heterometrus petersii

Jiao & Zhu has recently published a study on mating behavior and courtship in the Asian scorpion Heterometrus petersii (Scorpionidae). The study confirms most previously observed behavior components in other species (suggested readings: Polis & Sissom (1990), Benton (2001), Tallarovic et al. (2000) and Ross (2009)).

Heterometrus is a popular genus for captive breeding, and this paper is interesting for those that want to breed scorpions in this genus.

Abstract:
Courtship and mating in Heterometrus petersii (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) was observed in the laboratory. In this paper the behavior components displayed in courtship and mating are identified, analyzed and discussed.

Reference:
Jiao G-B, Zhu MS. Courtship and mating in Heterometrus petersi (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Euscorpius. 2009; (84):1-5. [Free fulltext]

Suggested Readings:
Polis, G. A. & W. D. Sissom. 1990. Life history. Pp. 161–223 in G. A. Polis (ed.) The Biology of Scorpions. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

Benton, T. G. 2001. Reproductive ecology. Pp. 288–294 in Brownell, P. H. & G. A. Polis (eds.) Scorpion Biology and Research. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Tallarovic, S. K., J. M. Melville & P. H. Brownell. 2000. Courtship and mating in the giant hairy desert scorpion, Hadrurus arizonensis (Scorpionidae, Iuridae). Journal of Insect Behavior, 13(6): 827–838.

Ross, L. K. 2009. Notes and observations on courtship and mating in Tityus (Atreus) magnimanus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases, 15(1):43–53.

Family Scorpionidae