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!