Ecological aspects of the interactions between Centruroides limbatus and Tityus ocelote (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in a Caribbean forest of Costa Rica

Abstract

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.