Abstract

BLASCO-AROSTEGUI, Javier; GARCIA-GILA, Jaime  and  FRANCKE, Oscar F.. Ecological aspects of the interactions between Centruroides limbatus and Tityus ocelote (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in a Caribbean forest of Costa Rica. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2020, vol.91, e913418.  Epub Mar 01, 2021. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.3418.

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.

Keywords : Ecology; Cannibalism; Niche overlap; Competition.

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