Abstract
This study describes variation in ontogenetic development of the parthenogenetic scorpion Tityus stigmurus based on variations in size, intermolt period, and number of instars. Individuals were created under laboratory conditions (28 ± 3oC) and subjected to similar diet regime. Comparative measurements of carapace, segment V of the metasoma, and the movable finger are used to estimate variations in size among instars. The application of Dyar rule shows a growth factor from 1.14 to 1.38 depending on the parameter analysed with intense variations in size between and within the different instars. The duration of the period from birth to adulthood was 871 days, after six moults. These data suggest that T. stigmurus has the longest post-embryonic development of Tityus genus and the existence of an extra molt to reach maturity.
Highlights
To understand the dynamics of arthropod populations, it is important to determine life-history characteristics that contribute to reproductive success
Juvenile growth rate and development time are key determinates of organism survival, size, age of maturity and adult reproduction. These factors are important for understanding the dynamics of arthropod populations (Kleinteich & Schneider, 2011; Roff, 1992; Stearns, 1992)
Variations in growth rates and developmental time have mainly been related to differences in the interaction between the individual genome and in
Summary
To understand the dynamics of arthropod populations, it is important to determine life-history characteristics that contribute to reproductive success. Juvenile growth rate and development time are key determinates of organism survival, size, age of maturity and adult reproduction. These factors are important for understanding the dynamics of arthropod populations (Kleinteich & Schneider, 2011; Roff, 1992; Stearns, 1992). Amongst the 1900 scorpion species (Stockmann & Ythier, 2010), parthenogenesis has been reported in approximately eight species (Francke, 2007; Ross, 2010). Seven of these species belong to the genus Tityus C. 1836 (Ross, 2010; Schneider & Cella, 2010), which is the largest genus of the Buthidae family, widely distributed across the Americas, from Costa Rica (Francke & Stocwell, 1987) to Central Argentina (Ojanguren Affilastro, 2005) and the Dominican Republic (Armas & Abud Antun, 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
