Behavioural changes in Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (SCORPIONES: BUTHIDAE) exposed to a pyrethroid insecticide
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Behavioural changes in Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (SCORPIONES: BUTHIDAE) exposed to a pyrethroid insecticide Adriana Barbosa dos Santos1 · Cleide Maria Ribeiro de Albuquerque1 Received: 5 October 2019 / Accepted: 8 May 2020 © Japan Ethological Society 2020
Abstract Chemical control remains a major management tool in limiting indoor infestations of scorpions in urban areas. However, information about the overall behavioural responses of these animals upon contact with insecticides, due to their neurotoxicological effects remains unclear. This study describes a set of stereotyped behaviours in Tityus stigmurus following exposure to a synthetic pyrethroid Type-1 (bifenthrin 20% w/v). We also investigated whether juvenile scorpions were more responsive than adults, if scorpions would be able to recognize and avoid the treated areas, and possible symptom reversibility. Animals were exposed to environments with and without pyrethroid treatment and their general behavioural changes, alteration in locomotion, and variation in motor activity were compared. Comb, chelicerae, and pedipalp cleaning following contact with treated surface suggests recognition of the insecticide; however, only juvenile individuals evaded treated areas. The main symptom of pre-intoxication was the reduction of mobility, followed by the release of a mucous substance through the chelicerae. Alterations in locomotion and motor activity were the most common behaviours during the intoxication phase, indicating the pyrethroid’s neurotoxic effects, although these alterations were mostly reversible, particularly in adults. These results provide the underlying neurotoxic response of the urban scorpion T. stigmurus to bifenthrin, showing an age-specific tolerance and reversibility of toxic symptoms. Thus, for generalizations about the use of insecticides in combating scorpions, it is essential to understand the direct and indirect effects of the product on these animals. Keywords Bifenthrin · Motor activity · Locomotion · Scorpion · Intoxication · Reverse symptom
Introduction Scorpion-induced poisoning is the main source of envenomation caused by arachnids in humans, accounting for a significant number of morbidity in adults and infant mortality cases throughout the world, mainly in Central and South America, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia (Isbister and Bawaskar 2014; Bawaskar and Bawaskar 2012; Santos et al. 2016). Of the 2478 known scorpion species (Rein 2020), 50 are dangerous to humans, and from these, approximately 30 are currently known to cause death (Marcussi et al. 2011). Although there is no methodology or specific product for the control of these arachnids, insecticide application by spraying supposed shelter sites constitutes a major tool for controlling site infestation (Chippaux * Adriana Barbosa dos Santos [email protected] 1
Programa de Pós‑Graduação Em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
and Goyffon 2008; Albuquerque et al. 2009; Ramires et al. 2011). This methodo
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