An Arizona Bark Scorpion Found Consuming a Venomous Prey Item Nearly Twice its length

[Outpost31Survivor]

Wow, I wonder if C.sculpteratus has special component in its venom designed for S.polymorpha? If it does, is it for predator defense or for prey acquisition?

1 December 2013

An Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) Found Consuming a Venomous Prey Item Nearly Twice Its Length

Abstract
Arizona bark scorpions (Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing) are commonly found throughout the Sonoran Desert in southwestern North America, and they are well known for being the most venomous scorpion in the United States. Despite their medical significance, C. sculpturatus remains ecologically understudied, and little is known regarding its natural foraging and feeding behaviors. Here, we present the first documented case of C. sculpturatus feeding on the Sonoran Desert centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha Wood) in the wild.


Citation Download Citation
Michael M. Webber and Matthew R. Graham "An Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) Found Consuming a Venomous Prey Item Nearly Twice Its Length," Western North American Naturalist 73(4), 530-532, (1 December 2013).https://doi.org/10.3398/064.073.0406
Received: 27 December 2012; Accepted: 1 June 2013; Published: 1 December 2013

https://bioone.org/journals/western...nsuming-a-Venomous/10.3398/064.073.0406.short

 

[ArachnoDrew]

I dont think its.designed specifically for polymorpha. Sculpturarus venom is far more potent than that of a polymorpha . The scorpions just needs a sting anywhere and it's over in seconds

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

I dont think its.designed specifically for polymorpha. Sculpturarus venom is far more potent than that of a polymorpha . The scorpions just needs a sting anywhere and it's over in seconds

Centipedes are quite resilient and in this video taped scientific experiment conducted between pygmy rattlesnakes and Scolopendra viridis, the S.viridis on average survived pygmy rattlesnake bites for 20 minutes compared to 6 minutes average for brown skinks also used in the experiment. The S.polymorpha was twice or more the size of the C.sculpteratus.

video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/00000164-cea4-da64-afed-deecd6720000

https://www.google.com/amp/s/relay....ipede-rattlesnake-predator-prey-video-animals

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

You are probably right. C.sculpturus is simply more toxic to a S.polymorpha than a S.miliarius is to a S.viridis. But still that scorpion managed somehow to avoid a retaliatory strike by the centipede which surely would have done it in. I found this:

 

[StampFan]

https://www.academia.edu/15443480/A..._a_Venomous_Prey_Item_Nearly_Twice_Its_Length

 

[Outpost31Survivor]

https://www.academia.edu/15443480/A..._a_Venomous_Prey_Item_Nearly_Twice_Its_Length

Thanks I finally read the complete research paper. Interesting!

 

[RTTB]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.