Abstract
The population dynamics of the vaejovid scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis were studied over a 4.5—yr period. A time—specific life table is presented. The shape of the survivorship curve is intermediate between Type I and Type II curves. The survivorship of both immature and mature males was significantly lower than that of females. Density—dependent regulation is evident for both immature and mature animals. Population size is stable and fluctuates around an equilibrium point. However, density—independent events can produce severe mortality. Both the net reproductive rate and the maximum rate of increase (rmax) were very low. Population and life history characteristics indicate that P. mesaenis possesses many attributes of an equilibrium or K—selected species. It is theorized that existence in a burrow predisposed the evolution of life history traits associated with equilibrium species.
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