Cannibalism in the Brazilian scorpion Tityus metuendus

 

Scorpions are predators that catch a wide diversity of prey, including members of their own species. Jonas martins and co-workers have recently published an article describing several cases of cannibalism in the Brazilian species Tityus metuendus Pocock, 1987 (Buthidae).

Abstract:
Scorpions are an important predator group in the habitats where they live, due to their voracity. However, their predatory habits are not well recorded, particularly in Amazonian species. Here we report four intraspecific predation events involving Tityus metuendus Pocock, 1987. In all cases, larger individuals acted as predators of smaller ones. These are the first reports of cannibalism involving scorpions in the Brazilian Amazon. Our findings are important to allow a better understanding of  intraspecific interactions in tropical scorpion assemblages.

Reference:
Martins JG, Almeida MR, Procópio RE, Lira AF. Cannibalism in Tityus metuendus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the Brazilian Amazon. Revista Chilena de Entomología. 2024;50(1):57-61. [Open Access]

All you need to know about the scorpions reported from the United Kingdom Overseas Territories

 

It is well known that southern parts mainland United Kingdom has an established colony of introduced Tetratrichobothrius flavicaudis (DeGeer, 1778) (Euscorpiidae). But UK also have several overseas territories (see map above for an overview) and little has been published on the scorpion fauna found there. 

Danniella Sherwood and co-workers have recently published an interesting review article summing up the current knowledge on the diversity, distribution, ecology, and medical importance of the scorpions reported from the United Kingdom Overseas Territories.

Abstract:
Current knowledge on the diversity, distribution, ecology and medical importance of the scorpions from the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) is synthesised and discussed. Scorpions are absent from British Antarctic and British Indian Ocean territories, the Falkland Islands, the Pitcairn Islands, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. No scorpions are native to Bermuda, but a single stowaway buthid has previously been detected and successfully intercepted. The remaining territories all contain endemic or long-term established introduced species, which is discussed in detail for each territory. Maps of the distribution of endemic and non-endemic taxa are presented, alongside photographs of specimens in life. Future research directions, particularly the need for additional research in biodiversity hotspots of the Caribbean, are discussed.

Reference:
Sherwood D, de Armas LF, Sharp A, Fowler L, Wilkins V. Scorpions (Arachnida Scorpiones) of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories: current knowledge and future directions. Biodiversity Journal. 2024;15(1):41-52. [Open Access provided by author]

Thanks to Danniella Sherwood and Victoria Tang for informing me about this article!