Sexual cannibalism in scorpions: fact or fiction?

PERETTI, A.V.; ACOSTA, L.E.; BENTON, T.G.

BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 1999 vol. 68 p. 485 - 496

0024-4066

Females of several scorpion species are currently deemed to be sexual cannibals, but this reputation is, however, largely built on anecdotal evidence from the older literature. Theoretical models predict that given the low rates of female-male encounter, males should allow themselves to be cannibalized after sperm transfer. The present paper examines the information available for a number of species to determine (a) whether sexual cannibalism is as widespread as previously suggested, and (b) whether it is likely to involve male selfsacrifice. Information on three scorpions currently regarded as sexual cannibals is presented: the bothriurids Bothriurus bonariensis (C.L. Koch) and Urophonius jheringii Pocock, and the buthid Leiurus quinquestriatus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg). No post-mating cannibalism was ever observed in these species, nor in another 19 representatives of four families. In L. quinquestriatus only two cases of cannibalism of the male by the female occurred, both in the beginning of courtship and after long periods of food deprivation. We suggest that if sexual cannibalism occurs in scorpions, it is most likely to be of an ?economic? type, where females perceive males as prey rather than mates, and not a ?self-sacrificial?, post-mating cannibalism enhancing the fitness of the offspring of the male.