The medical importance of Tityus trivittatus in Brazil and its expanding distribution

 

As mentioned in several other posts, the expanding distribution of medical important Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) species in Brazil and other South American countries has had an increasing attention, especially because many of these species are also spreading into urban habitats.

 Paulo André Margonari Goldoni and co-workers have recently published an article looking into the epidemiology and expanding urban range distribution of Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin, 1898 (Buthidae) in Parana in Brazil.

The study confirms the need to map the distribution of medical important scorpions in the region and initiate public education programs related to the potential health consequences of scorpion stings. Fortunately, the sting cases examined involved local symptoms only (pain) and no serious cases.

Abstract:
The scorpion genus Tityus Koch, 1836, (Buthidae) includes most of the medically significant species in South America. Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin, 1898 occurs in urban areas and remnants of wet Chaco, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest in Paraguay and Brazil. Despite a low overall risk of mortality, its wide distribution, parthenogenesis, and synanthropy, pose potential public health concerns. In Brazil, the envenomation cases remain largely unknown. Here we present the first epidemiological reports of this species in Brazil (municipality of Foz do Iguaçu), including new occurrences in the state of Paraná. In addition, we also estimate the spatial factors influencing the records of T. trivittatus in Paraná based on the examined material. A total of 355 specimens were recorded and examined, with proximity to populated areas being the main factor influencing the species sampling bias. For the epidemiological reports, all sting cases involved local pain and occurred typically in feet, hands or legs. All cases were considered successfully treated by the local medical professionals These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance of T. trivittatus in southern Brazil.

Reference:
Goldoni PAM, Iniesta LFM, Cequinel JC, Marques-da-Silva E, Brescovit AD. First epidemiological reports and urban range extension of Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Paraná, Brazil. Studies in Environmental and Animal Sciences. 2025;6(2):e18435. [Open Access]

Thanks to Paulo for sending me their article!

Predator and prey - Scorpions vs. centipedes

 

Centipedes are known to catch and eat scorpions, but the role is also reversed sometimes. Both are known to be fierce predators that hunt a diversity of prey types, and it is not surprising that they sometimes hunt each other.

Danniella Sherwood and co-workers have recently published an article documenting 14 new cases of predation of centipedes by scorpions from several regions of the world. Most cases involved species in the family Buthidae, but one case involved the diplocentrid Nebo hierichonticus (Simon, 1872).

Abstract:
Fourteen new cases of centipede predation by scorpions is presented based on four records made by coauthors and ten provided by citizen scientists. Records span from Guinea, Israel, and South Africa to the United States.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Hernández HD, Henrard A, Waysman D. A feast of a thousand legs starts with a single sting: fourteen new cases of predation of centipedes (Myriopoda: Chilopoda) by scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(46):109–13. [Article provided by authors]

Thanks to Dannielle for sending me their article!