Ecological aspects of the interactions between Centruroides limbatus and Tityus ocelote (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in a Caribbean forest of Costa Rica
Por:
Blasco-Aróstegui J., García-Gila J., Francke O.F.
Publicada:
1 ene 2020
Resumen:
Scorpion species often occur in sympatry, especially in tropical forests. Here, we analyse aspects of the intraguild interactions occurring between Centruroides limbatus (Pocock, 1898) and Tityus ocelote Francke & Stockwell, 1987 (Buthidae) in a tropical forest of Costa Rica. We divided the study in 2 areas: north and south. Results show differences in abundance and distribution of C. limbatus (north = 16, south = 8) and T. ocelote (north = 2, south = 37); a major frequency of females for both species (74% ? and 26% ? in C. limbatus, 78% ? and 22% ? in T. ocelote; 55 sexed scorpions); similar microhabitat preferences (trees with vines, palms) and significant differences (p = 0.037) in the height at which both species were located above ground in each zone. Significant differences in height between zones showed disparity in habitat selection (north and south), whereas non-significant differences in height between species indicated niche overlap in those areas where they coexist, confirmed by the Morisita index for niche overlap in the southern zone (M-NO = 0.686). Cannibalism was reported in C. limbatus. These intraguild interactions indicate the existence of some level of competition between these scorpions. © 2020 Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. All rights reserved.
Filiaciones:
Blasco-Aróstegui J.:
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, 28006, Spain
García-Gila J.:
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, 28006, Spain
Francke O.F.:
Colección Nacional de Arácnidos, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado postal 70-153, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico
|