Qualitative and quantitative analysis of intra-and interspecific behavioural patterns among scorpions

Abstract

Scorpions are known to be individualistic animals and of generally aggressive nature that do not interact readily with other individuals even of their own kind. Yet they do share the same habitat with other scorpions of both their own and other species, and are therefore likely to encounter other individuals. An attempt is made to understand how this co-existence is facilitated through behavioural means, in spite of the aggressive nature of scorpions in general. The behavioural interactions of four scorpion species:Scorpio maurus fuscus (Scorpionidae),Nebo hierichonticus (Diplocentridae),Buthotus judaicus andLeiurus quinquestriatus (Buthidae), that share the same habitat in the Mediterranean region of northern Israel: macqui, garrigue and oak woodland, are described. Behavioural patterns observed consisted largely of pedipalp and tail postures that on occasions express threat and even aggressiveness. Both buthids used largely their tails, whereas the scorpionid and diplocentrid used their massive pedipalps for grabbing. Although during much of the time no aggressive behaviours took place, the four species differed significantly in the amount of time allocated to aggressive displays, and in the degree of magnitude reached during aggressive encounters. All four species were significantly more aggressive in interspecific encounters than in intraspecific ones.Leiurus carried out assaults on other species to a significantly greater extent than did other species towards each other, culminating in death of its opponent.