Physiological adaptions in winter active species of Urophonius

 

Scorpions are mainly known from warm regions and their adaptions to arid habitats are well studied. Less known and studied are scorpions that inhabit high altitudes or other habitats that experience sub-zero temperatures during the year. A special case among these are the two species Urophonius achalensis Abalos & Hominal, 1974 and U. brachycentrus (Thorell, 1876) (Bothriuridae) from Argentina that are unusual in that they actually are active during the winter (in periods with sub-zero temperatures).

C.Fernando Garcia and co-workers published last year a study investigating the possible physiological adaptations to different temperatures in the two winter active bothriurids. Their main conclusion is that the acclimatization to cold generates important lipidic metabolic variations in different organs and tissues.

Abstract:
Different organisms (mainly poikilotherms) are subject to environmental fluctuations that could affect their normal physiological functioning (e.g., by destabilization of biomembranes and rupture of biomolecules). As a result, animals regulate their body temperature and adapt to different environmental conditions through various physiological strategies. These adaptations are crucial in all organisms, although they are more relevant in those that have reached a great adaptive diversity such as scorpions. Within scorpions, the genus Urophonius presents species with winter activity, being this a peculiarity within the Order and an opportunity to study the strategies deployed by these organisms when facing different temperatures. Here, we explore three basic issues of lipid remodeling under high and low temperatures, using adults and juveniles of Urophonius achalensis and U. brachycentrus. First, as an indicator of metabolic state, we analyzed the lipidic changes in different tissues observing that low temperatures generate higher quantities of triacylglycerols and fewer amount of structural lipids and sphyngomielin. Furthermore, we studied the participation of fatty acids in adaptive homeoviscosity, showing that there are changes in the quantity of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids at low temperature (mainly 16:0, 18:0, 18:1 and 18:2). Finally, we observe that there are quantitative and qualitative variations in the cuticular hydrocarbons (with possible water barrier and chemical recognition function). These fluctuations are in some cases species-specific, metabolic-specific, tissue-specific and in others depend on the ontogenetic state.

Reference:
Garcia CF, Oviedo-Diego M, Laino A, Peterson G, Mattoni CI, Peretti AV, et al. Low temperatures induce physiological changes in lipids, fatty acids and hydrocarbons, in two rare winter scorpions of genus Urophonius (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae). J Therm Biol. 2021;96. [Sunscription required for full text]

Thanks to Andres Ojanguren-Affilastro for sending me their article!

Ectoparasitic fungi associated to scorpions

 

Recently, an enigmatic "organism" found attached to some tropical American scorpions turned out to be an ectoparasitic fungi belonging to the order Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota). 

Luis de Armas and co-workers have now published a study presenting 30 additional scorpion species belonging to three families (Buthidae, Diplocentridae and Vaejovidae) that are also recorded as known hosts for these fungi.

Abstract:
The until now "enigmatic organism" attached to some tropical American scorpions, schizomids and woodlice, has been recently confirmed as the thallus of ectoparasitic fungi belonging to the order Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota). Besides the already published but unidentified records, 30 additional scorpion species belonging to three families (Buthidae, Diplocentridae and Vaejovidae), are herein recorded as new known hosts for these fungi. Among arachnids, these ectoparasitic fungi have been detected on Opiliones, Schizomida (first record), Scorpiones (second record) and Acari.

Reference:
Teruel R, de Armas LF, Miranda RJ. Ectoparasitic fungi (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniomycetes: Laboulbeniales) associated to scorpions and short-tailed whipscorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones, Schizomida). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2021(39):144-6.

Thanks to Rolando for sending me their article!

 

How to identify high-risk areas for scorpionism in Brazil

 

Identifying scorpions of medical importance is important, but it is also important to be able to identify the areas were the risk of human-dangerous scorpion scorpion interactions are high. This is important so that preventive measures can be implemented optimally.

Talita Ferreira Amado and co-workers have recently published a study trying to identify high-risk areas for scorpionism in Brazil. They used a spatial prioritisation analysis to define priority areas for preventive and therapeutic actions against scorpion stings in Brazil. Spatial prioritisation indicated that the areas with higher risk exposure to accidents with scorpions are in northern and northeastern Brazil.

Interestingly, the study shows that the geographic occurrence of three of the four scorpion species with significant medical importance in Brazil (Tityus spp.) overlaps high human population densities. 

Abstract:
Objective To identify areas that present a higher risk of exposure to accidents with scorpions in Brazil.

Methods We used techniques of spatial prioritisation to determine the most vulnerable localities to envenomation by four scorpion species. Our prioritisation integrated ecological niche models with health investment, antivenin availability, access to health care facilities and metrics of human impact data.

Results The ecological niche models indicated that three scorpion species (Tityus bahiensis, Tityus serrulatus, and Tityus stigmurus) are more associated with human population density, while T. obscurus demonstrated a strong association with temperature variations during the year. Spatial prioritisation indicated that the areas with higher risk exposure to accidents with scorpions are in northern and northeastern Brazil. Alternatively, more isolated but densely populated areas in the southeastern and central regions also emerged as a priority.

Conclusion Mapping areas where humans are more likely to interact with scorpions can assist in the design of efficient public health policies.

Reference:
Amado TF, Moura TA, Riul P, Lira AFA, Badillo-Montaño R, Martinez PA. Vulnerable areas to accidents with scorpions in Brazil. Trop Med Int Health. 2021;26(5):591-601.[Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Andre Lira for sending me their article!

Population density estimation of scorpions in the coastal dunes at Laguna Manuela, Baja California, Mexico

 

 Baja California in Mexico has been a hotspot for scorpion diversity for many years with more than 60 reported species. But few studies have documented how abundant each species are in this area. 

Natalia Rodríguez-Revelo and Michael Wall have now published a study of the population density of the sccorpions in the Coastal Dunes at Laguna Manuela, Baja California, Mexico. The results showed that Vejovoidus longiunguis (Williams, 1969) Vajovidae), a purported dune specialist, was in extraordinarily large numbers relative to Centruroides exilicauda (Wood, 1863) (Buthidae), a widespread habitat generalist species.

Abstract:
While scorpion fauna of the Baja California Peninsula is well known for diversity, the biology of individual species has been less studied. The objective of the study was to assess abundance of scorpions of the coastal dunes at Laguna Manuela, Baja California, Mexico. In total, 182 scorpions were marked during 4 nights of sampling. Vejovoidus longiunguis (Williams, 1969), a purported dune specialist, was in extraordinarily large numbers relative to Centruroides exilicauda (Wood, 1863), a widespread habitat generalist species. The results contrasted with previous studies of V. longiunguis in different areas of its range.

Reference:
Rodríguez-Revelo N, Wall M. Population Density Estimation of Scorpions in the Coastal Dunes at Laguna Manuela, Baja California, Mexico. Southwestern Entomologist. 2021;46(4):941-6. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Luis Roque for sending this article to me!

Courtship behavior of the parthenogenetic scorpion Tityus stigmurus from Brazil

 

Most scorpions have sexual reproduction, but a few species seem to have parthenogensis as the main method for reproduction and in these species males are rare. We know very little about the courtship behavior in the species that can reproduce by either method.

Stênio Foerster and co-workers have recently published a study of the courtship repertoire of the Brazilian, parthenogenetic scorpion Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (Buthidae), which have sexual populations distributed throughout northeastern Brazil.

Overall, the reproductive repertoire of T. stigmurus was similar to that of other non-parthenogentic scorpions.

Abstract:
Scorpions can adopt different reproductive strategies (e.g., sexual or parthenogenesis) depending on the environmental conditions. In this study, we described the courtship repertoire of the parthenogenetic scorpion Tityus stigmurus, a species with inconspicuous sexual populations distributed throughout northeastern Brazil. Specimens of both sexes (10 male, 10 female) were obtained from field expeditions in three locations in northeastern Brazil and were paired under laboratory conditions in an intrapopulation design. All observations were conducted at night using red light positioned above an experimental arena. From the 10 courtship interactions observed in this study, only one pair successfully completed the reproductive repertoire that included the insemination process. The incomplete interactions were abruptly terminated by the females immediately after deposition of the spermatophore. Overall, the reproductive repertoire of T. stigmurus was similar to that of other scorpions, especially its congeners, possibly because this reproductive behavior emerged at a basal point in the evolution of scorpions. The acquisition of new insights into the reproductive biology of different scorpion species may improve the theoretical background for applications ranging from evolutionary biology to public health strategies.

Reference:
Foerster SIA, Dionisio-da-Silva W, dos Santos AB, de Albuquerque CMR, de Araújo Lira AF. Notes on the courtship behavior of the parthenogenetic scorpion Tityus stigmurus. Acta Arachnologica. 2021;70(2):83-6. [Open Access]

Thanks to Andre Lira for sending me their article!

A study of the defensive behavior of Tityus pusillus in relation to sex and threat level

 

Scorpions have a range of tactics to avoid being caught and eaten by predators. Some are passive like camouflage, while others are active like using the stinger and inject venom. Strategies chosen vary both between species and within species, and even between the sexes. 

Kamila Bento Cavalcanti de Albuquerque and Andre Felipe de Araujo Lira have recently published a study on the defensive behavior chosen by male and female Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Buthidae) in relation to threat level. One of their main findings was that  the scorpions, independently of sex, stung more often under high threat compared to low threat treatments. But there was no difference in female and male defensive behavior in respons to the threat intensity.

It is well known that scorpion use their venom with care as venom production is costly and this study is another confirmation of this.

Abstract:
Scorpion venom is composed mainly of peptides and proteins and has high metabolic cost. Thus, individuals need to be economic in its use. This study aimed to evaluate the reactions of Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 scorpion to threats of different intensities. For the experiments, 28 males and 26 females were used; animals were gently touched five times on their mesosoma at different time intervals. Touches with five second intervals were considered as the highintensity threats, while those with five-minute intervals were considered as the low-intensity threats. We found that scorpions, independently of sex, stung more often under high threat compared to low threat treatments. However, no significant differences in the defensive behavior of males and females were observed according to threat intensity. We can thus infer that regardless of sex, T. pusillus uses its stings and consequently venom only in situations of high threat.

Reference:
de Albuquerque KBC, de Araujo Lira AF. Sex-based defensive behavior influenced by threat level in the scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae). J Arachnol. 2021;49(3):402-6. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Andre Lira for sending me their article!

A new species of Lanzatus from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and Graeme Lowe have recently discovered a new species of Lanzatus Kovarik, 2001 (Buthidae).

Lanzatus huluul Kovarik & Lowe, 2021

Abstract:
The rare Horn of Africa buthid genus Lanzatus Kovařík, 2001 was newly collected in Somaliland in two localities. We describe a new species Lanzatus huluul sp. n. fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology, habitus, hemispermatophore and collection areas.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXVII. Lanzatus huluul sp. n. from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2021(344):1-12. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A revision of the genus Odontobuthus with three new species from Iran

 

Members of the clay-loving genus Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 (Buthidae) are distributed from central-eastern Iraq to north-western India. Hossein Barahoei and co-workers have recently published a review article with a morphometric and phylogenetic analysis of the genus. The validity of the current known species (six) are confirmed and three new species from Iran are described.

Odontobuthus baluchicus Barahoei, Prendini, Navidpour, Tahir, Aliabadian & Siahsarvie, 2021 

Odontobuthus chabaharensis Barahoei, Prendini, Navidpour, Tahir, Aliabadian & Siahsarvie, 2021 

Odontobuthus kermanus Barahoei, Prendini, Navidpour, Tahir, Aliabadian & Siahsarvie, 2021 

The article has an updated identification key for the genus.   

Abstract:
The ‘tooth-tailed’ scorpions of the buthid genus Odontobuthus comprises six species with an allopatric or parapatric pattern of distribution in the Middle East, but the diversity of Odontobuthus in Iran appears to be underestimated, with the limits of several species remaining unclear. In the present contribution, an integrative approach to the systematics of Odontobuthus was applied, to determine the taxonomic validity and phylogenetic relationships among its species. Statistical analyses of five meristic characters, 38 morphometric characters and 21 morphometric ratios, combined with molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, were conducted. All previously described species of Odontobuthus were found to be well supported, and new morphological diagnoses are here presented. Additionally, three new species: Odontobuthus baluchicus sp. nov. from the Makkoran Mountains, Odontobuthus chabaharensis sp. nov. from the coast of the Gulf of Oman (Sistan and Baluchistan Provinces) and Odontobuthus kermanus sp. nov. from Kerman Province, are described, raising the total number of Odontobuthus species to nine, six of which are endemic or subendemic to the Iranian Plateau. A distribution map and identification key to the species of Odontobuthus are also provided.

Reference:
Barahoei H, Prendini L, Navidpour S, Tahir HM, Aliabadian M, Siahsarvie R, et al. Integrative systematics of the tooth-tailed scorpions, Odontobuthus (Buthidae), with descriptions of three new species from the Iranian Plateau. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2021;XX:1-44. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Dr. Hossein Barahoei for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

 

The genus Hottentotta may have become established in Spain

 

Non-native species have been reported from many countries, but most of these are introduced and usually have not become established a a viable population. Spain are known for several introduced species, most notable the buthid Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) in the island Tenerife that seems to be an established population.

Rolando Teruel and Carlos Turiel now report of several findings of the African species Hottentotta hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787) (Buthidae) from northwestern Spain. The independent findings of three live, female specimens from two different locations may suggest that this species have become established in this part of Spain. 

Hottentotta hottentotta is an ideal candidate for colonization as its widespread distribution in tropical West Africa indicates a species with high ecological plasticity. In addition, the species is known for the ability to asexual reproduction by parthenogenesis.

It will be interesting to see if there will be further findings that can confirm the occurrence of this genus in Spain and in Europe.

Abstract:
The present note reports on the occurrence of the buthid scorpion Hottentotta hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787) at two localities in north-western Spain: Nieves (Galicia) and Gijon (Asturias). This species is markedly synanthropic and native to western Africa, where it is widespread and consists largely of parthenogentic populations. The finding of three live adult females independently at two different localities , but within the same geographical region (The Iberian northwest), suggests that this species could have successfully become established here. Spain now harbours four introduced species: one confirmed as established and two others seemingly so as well.

Reference:
Teruel R, Turiel C. "New kid on the block": The West African scorpion Hottentotta hottentotta (Frabricius, 1787) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) may have become established in Spain. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2021(39):107-9.

Thanks to Rolando, Carlos and Luis for all sending me this article!

A new species of Buthus from Central Spain

 

Happy New Year!

I have received quite a few new articles during the last month, but due to a long and well-deserved holiday I now have a long queue of interesting articles waiting. Please be patient, I will blog about them soon. :)

The Iberian scorpion fauna have exploded in the last year with the description of many new species with limited distribution. Now Rolando Turiel and Carlos Turiel have discovered another one from Serrania de Cuenca in central Spain.

Buthus pedrosousai Teruel & Turiel, 2021

The articles presents also updated distributional data for nine other Buthus Leach, 1815 (Buthidae) species in the region.

Abstract:
The present paper represents the third contribution to our taxonomic revision to the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 in the Iberian Peninsula. Herein, we describe a new species from the Serrania de Cuenca (central Spain) and present additional locality records to complement to known geographical distribution of a further nine species: Buthus alacanti Teruel & Turiel, 2020, Buthus baeticus Teruel & Turiel, 2020, Buthus delafuentei Teruel & Turiel, 2020, Buthus elongatus Rossi, 2012, Buthus ibericus Lourenco & Vachon, 2004, Buthus manchego Teruel & Turiel, 2020, Buthus montanus Lourenco & Vachon, 2004, Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789) and Buthus serrano Teruel & Turiel, 2020. The West European diversity of Buthus now reaches 15 species, all of them being local endemics.

Reference:
Teruel R, Turiel C. The genus Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iberian peninsula. Part 3: A new species from central Spain and new records. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2021(39):3-11.

Thanks to Rolando, Carlos and Luis for all sending me this article!

Family Buthidae