Diversity and seasonal composition of the scorpion fauna from a mountanious system on Pampean grasslands in central Argentina

SCHWERDT LEONELA; COPPERI SOFÍA; POMPOZZI GABRIEL; FERRETTI NELSON

STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016

0165-0521

Scorpions are one of the most important taxa for ecological, conservation, and biogeographic studies. Biodiversity in the Pampean grassland hilly environment is relevant because of the high number of native plant and animal taxa. We studied the diversity, abundance and phenology of a scorpion community in a natural reserve from central Argentina. Samples were taken monthly using pitfall traps (10 at each site). Five species of scorpions (269 individuals) were observed in the study site (Bothriuridae). Bothriurus prospicuus was the most abundant species with 40.15% of the total individuals captured. The Shannon index was H´= 0.69 and the Evenness index was 0.83. Scorpion abundance was significantly different between months and was significantly correlated with monthly mean temperature. The knowledge on the scorpion fauna in "Ernesto Tornquist? Provincial Park could help in the preservation of natural grassland habitats.