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- Title
Optimal sting use in the feeding behavior of the scorpion Hadrurus spadix.
- Authors
Edmunds, Martin C.; Sibly, Richard M.
- Abstract
Since venom is costly to produce and stinging is not obligatory in prey capture for scorpions, the need optimize use of resources suggests that venom should be reserved for prey that cannot otherwise be overpowered, (i.e., larger and/or more active prey). In accordance with these predictions, sting use by Hadrurus spadix Stahnke 1940 increased with prey size, reaching 100% once prey items were longer than the scorpion's pedipalp patella length, and with prey activity, which we manipulated by varying prey temperature. Surprisingly. the scorpions were slower to capture less active (cooler) prey than those that exhibited higher rates of activity. We suggest this is because prey are located by vibrations the substrate, with less active prey producing fewer vibrations.
- Subjects
STING (Anatomy); ANIMAL feeding behavior; HADRURUS; VENOM; SCORPIONS; ANIMAL behavior; PEDIPALP
- Publication
Journal of Arachnology, 2010, Vol 38, Issue 1, p123
- ISSN
0161-8202
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1636/Hi09-38.1