Abstract
The epicuticular lipids of the scorpion,Centruroides sculpturatus (Buthidae), are composed mostly of hydrocarbons and cholesterol, with free fatty acids and alcohols being present in smaller proportions. Hydrocarbons of summer scorpions are predominantly long-chain branched alkanes. The fatty acid component is composed primarily of saturated and unsaturated sixteen- and eighteen-carbon molecules, while the aliphatic alcohols are primarily evenchain length molecules containing 18–32 carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons of scorpions collected during fall, winter and early spring are characterized by higher proportions of shorter n-alkanes, especially n-heptacosane and n-nonacosane. Transcuticular water loss rates of freshly-killed, sealed scorpions and total water loss rates of live scorpions are significantly higher in specimens collected in winter than in scorpions collected during summer months. The functional relationship between seasonal changes in cuticular permeability and epicuticular lipid composition is discussed.
Published Version
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