A study of the defensive behaviour of the buthid scorpion Buthus atlantis

 

The scorpions' sting and venom use is important in both prey capture and defense. Several studies have previously investigated sting use in defense and also the use of venom (dry versus wet stings and the discovery of prevenom). 

Youssef El Joud and co-workers have recently published a study analyzing how various factors such as temperature, prey type, and threatening conditions influence stinging behaviour, venom usage and regeneration in the scorpion Buthus atlantis Pocock, 1889 (Buthidae) from Morocco.

Their study shows that the scorpions are more ready to sting in defense in higher temperatures and that venom expenditure in B. atlantis is regulated by both temperature and threatening conditions.

Abstract:
Understanding animal’s behaviour and adaptation in the face of threats and predators under different biotic and abiotic conditions is fundamental in ecology. In this study we examined defensive behaviour of Buthus atlantis scorpion in order to assess how various factors such as temperature, prey type, and threatening conditions influence stinging behaviour, venom usage and regeneration. Our study had revealed that stings frequency was significantly lower in cooler temperature compared to the medium and warm temperature. Threatening condition had no significant effect in medium and warmer temperature, the difference between the two conditions was only significant in the cooler temperature. Conversely, we had shown that venom expenditure in B. atlantis is regulated by both temperature and threatening conditions. Our results show that scorpions maintained in higher temperatures yielded the greatest amount of venom compared to those in lower temperatures. Analyses of proteins concentration according to temperature and diet variation had revealed that scorpions placed in intermediate (25 ◦C) and warmer temperature (40 ◦C) had a significantly higher venom proteins concentration when compared to the cooler temperature (10 ◦C). Results also showed that scorpions adjust their venom usage based on their perception of danger, which can be influenced by temperature.

Reference:
El Joud Y, El Bouazzaoui A, El-Ghali S, Laghzaoui EM, Toulon O, Ait Larradia M, et al. Assessing the effects of temperature, diet and threat conditions on defensive behaviour and venom regeneration in scorpion (Buthus atlantis). J Therm Biol. 2024;124:103966. [Subscription required for full text]