Abstract
Our paper deals with the diversity of the scorpion fauna of Saswad-Jejuri region in western India, and highlights the conservation implications of quantitative studies. Eight species of scorpions from five genera and three families are recorded in 10 microhabitats. Some of these areas are categorized as ‘wastelands’ and hence are vulnerable for land use modifications. The interdependence of such microhabitats and their neglected inhabitants like scorpions is highlighted in this study. This information provides a baseline biological data for further demographic and ecological studies and stresses the need for impact assessment prior to undertaking developmental projects in ‘wastelands’, since arachnids exhibit restricted movements and are vulnerable to habitat modification.
Highlights
Quantitative documentation of biodiversity is an important aspect of ecology and a popular topic in recent times
The microhabitats occupied by scorpion fauna are often considered as ‘wastelands’ and are subjected to land use modifications such as plantations for social forestry to meet demands of fuel and fodder, plantations by the forest department, introduction of new irrigation facilities leading to development of orchards, croplands, and other horticultural and beautification activities, industrialization and urbanization
Our study provides a baseline biological data for further demographic and broader ecological studies (Pande et al 2004b, 2007) and emphasizes the need for impact assessment prior to undertaking developmental projects, especially since the taxa like arachnids exhibit restricted movements and are vulnerable to habitat modification
Summary
Quantitative documentation of biodiversity is an important aspect of ecology and a popular topic in recent times. Since minor taxa like scorpions occupy specific microhabitats as shown in this paper, such habitat modifications can have a negative impact on scorpion populations. This paper deals with the diversity of scorpion fauna with a systematic and quantitative approach and highlights the conservation implications of such studies. This is the first such attempt to highlight the diversity of scorpion fauna from India. Our study provides a baseline biological data for further demographic and broader ecological studies (Pande et al 2004b, 2007) and emphasizes the need for impact assessment prior to undertaking developmental projects, especially since the taxa like arachnids exhibit restricted movements and are vulnerable to habitat modification
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