Reproductive traits in Paruroctonus boreus

James Barron and Amy L. Weidlich have recently published a research note on reproduction in the Northen Scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus (Vaejovidae), which is one of the most widespread species in North America (and also the most northern species, ranging into southern Canada).

Abstract:
Despite its large geographic range, little is known about reproductive traits in the northern scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus). We analyzed reproductive traits for 36 females from a population near Billings, Montana. All data were collected within a single year. Litter size, offspring mass, total litter mass (TLM), and relative litter mass (RLM) were within the ranges of values reported for other species in the Vaejovidae. Female size (length or mass) was not correlated with any reproductive trait. Litter size and offspring mass were each positively correlated with RLM, suggesting that females investing relatively larger amounts of energy in reproduction increase both size and number of offspring. Finally, the within-litter coefficient of variation in offspring mass was negatively correlated with RLM, TLM, and mean offspring mass, suggesting that females investing more energy in reproduction produce more-uniformly sized offspring, an observation that appears common in scorpions.

Reference:
Barron JN, Weidlich AL. Reproductive traits in the northern scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus). West North Am Naturalist. 2009 Sep;69(3):399-402. [Free fultext]

Family Vaejovidae