Tityus (genus)

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Tityus
Temporal range: Palaeogene–present
Tityus discrepans.jpg
Tityus discrepans
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Tityus
Koch, 1836
Species

More than 200, see text

Tityus is a large genus of thick-tailed scorpions (family Buthidae), the namesake of its subfamily Tityinae. As of 2021, Tityus contains more than 220 described species distributed in Central America and South America, from Costa Rica to Argentina. [1] [2] Species in the genus Tityus have been studied for hundreds of years, long before the taxonomic classification was put in place. Tityus tend to be of medium size for scorpions, roughly 50 to 70 millimeters long. [3]   They are dark brown or red in color, and can exhibit sexual dimorphism. [3] They can live in a variety of environments, ranging from urban to arid mountains to the Amazon Rainforest. Tityus scorpions are best known for their venom and potent sting. [4] [5] The genus contains several dangerously venomous scorpions, the best known of which is the Brazilian yellow scorpion, T. serrulatus . Its venom can cause severe illness (including pancreatitis), and in the young, old and infirm even death. [6] Some experts have argued that the genus as a whole may be paraphyletic, which could explain the knowledge gaps related to Tityus.   [3] [5]

Contents

Geography

Scorpions in the genus Tityus can live in several distinct environments across South America. However, there appears to be a clear geographic distinction that exists between species. [7] A species that inhabits the Andes Mountains will not also live in the Amazon Rainforest. In some South American countries, such as Argentina, the geographic range of Tityus scorpions is expanding. [7] [8] This creates a problem for the general public and healthcare. When scorpion stings become more frequent, it puts more strain on hospitals and healthcare facilities. [5]   [7] [8]

Venom

The genus Tityus is most well known for its venomous species. [5] Tityus serrulatus venom contains a powerful neurotoxin that affects almost all anatomical body systems. [4] The most dangerous species in the genus Tityus is serrulatus. [9] The nature of their venom and its ability to impact the entire body make Tityus serrulatus a particularly dangerous species. However, their stings are not often lethal, which may be due to low venom mass injected. [4] [10] Young children and seniors are at a higher risk of death than the general population. [4] Many factors are important for determining how dangerous a scorpion sting will be. [11] Variables such as venom composition, location of the sting, and the overall health makeup of the victim in question play a role in determining the lethality of a sting. [11] Scorpion stings are the most common cause of envenomation in Brazil, and are seen as a risk in urban environments. [4] [5] Scorpions in the genus Tityus have been studied by medical researchers for the purpose of identifying and understanding the toxins produced by various species. [4] [8]

Behavior

Little is yet understood about scorpion behavior in the genus Tityus. This is especially true of reproductive aspects, although some general patterns are known. Unlike the majority of arachnids that are oviparous, (i.e. hatching from eggs), in contrast all scorpions including those of the genus Tityus are viviparous, with live births. [12] Notably, several species of Tityus (including Tityusserrulatus) are parthenogenic, a process that allows females to reproduce without fertilization. This survival strategy may contribute to their success in challenging environments. [13]  When in contrast the two sexes undergo a mating process, the females can use chemical communication to induce male courtship. [14]  After being exposed to compounds associated with female scorpions, the males will alter their activity and perform behaviors characteristic of courtship. [14]  

Tityus, like other scorpions use the stingers for both subduing prey items but also for defense, which is a behavior demonstrated by both sexes. [15]  Venom is energetically expensive to create, so scorpions only use their stinger defensively when seriously threatened. [15]

Diet

Scorpions in the genus Tityus are carnivores. [3]  They feed on insects such as cockroaches and crickets. [3]  It is believed that members of the genus Tityus can survive for over a year without food, and even give birth after lengthy periods of starvation. [3]  This is another survival technique that helps them outlast unfavorable conditions.

Species

[?] Tityus thelyacanthus Mello-Leitão, 1933

Tityus trinitatis Trinidad Scorpion (Tityus trinitatis) 2.jpg
Tityus trinitatis
Trinidad
Tityus apozonalli in amber Tityus apozonalli plosone plate 02 B.jpg
Tityus apozonalli
in amber

References

  1. ↑ Rein, Jan Ove (2021). "Buthidae". The Scorpion Files. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ Jimmy A. Guerrero-Vargas, Caroline B. F. Mourão, Verónica Quintero-Hernández, Lourival D. Possani & Elisabeth F. Schwartz (2011). "Identification and phylogenetic analysis of Tityus pachyurus and Tityus obscurus novel putative Na+-channel scorpion toxins". PLoS ONE . 7 (2): e30478. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...7E0478G. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030478 . PMC   3280238 . PMID   22355312.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Santos, Maria Dulcineia dos; Porto, Tiago Jordão; Silva, Rejâne Maria Lira da; Brazil, Tania (2014-08-15). "Description of the male of Tityus kuryi Lourenço, 1997 and notes about males of Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1877) and Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae)". ZooKeys (435): 49–61. Bibcode:2014ZooK..435...49D. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.435.6694 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   4141186 . PMID   25152686.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bucaretchi, Fábio; Fernandes, Luciane C. R.; Fernandes, Carla B.; Branco, Maíra M.; Prado, Camila C.; Vieira, Ronan J.; De Capitani, Eduardo M.; Hyslop, Stephen (2014-10-01). "Clinical consequences of Tityus bahiensis and Tityus serrulatus scorpion stings in the region of Campinas, southeastern Brazil" . Toxicon. 89: 17–25. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.06.022. ISSN   0041-0101. PMID   25011046.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Mendoza-Tobar, Leydy Lorena; Meza-Cabrera, Ivonne Alejandra; Sepúlveda-Arias, Juan C.; Guerrero-Vargas, Jimmy Alexander (November 2021). "Comparison of the Scorpionism Caused by Centruroides margaritatus, Tityus pachyurus and Tityus n. sp. aff. metuendus Scorpion Venoms in Colombia". Toxins. 13 (11): 757. doi: 10.3390/toxins13110757 . ISSN   2072-6651. PMC   8625436 . PMID   34822541.
  6. ↑ Daniel Strickman, Stephen P. Frances & Mustapha Debboun (2009). Prevention of Bug Bites, Stings, and Disease . Oxford University Press. p.  236. ISBN   978-0-19-536578-8.
  7. 1 2 3 de Roodt, Adolfo; Lanari, Laura Cecilia; Remes-Lenicov, Mariana; Cargnel, Elda; Damin, Carlos Fabián; Greco, Vanina; Orduna, Tomás Agustín; Lloveras, Susana; Desio, Marcela Alejandra; van Grootheest, Jantine Henriette; Casas, Natalia (2020-04-20). "Change in the distribution of Tityus species of sanitary importance in Argentina" . Toxicon. 20th World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology. 177: S16 –S17. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.10.071. ISSN   0041-0101. S2CID   220411797.
  8. 1 2 3 Pimentel, Pollyana Maria de Oliveira; de Assis, Diego Rodney Rodrigues; Gualdrón-Lopez, Melisa; Barroso, Andréia; Brant, Fátima; Leite, Paulo Gaio; de Lima Oliveira, Bruno Cabral; Esper, Lisia; McKinnie, Shaun M. K.; Vederas, John C.; do Nascimento Cordeiro, Marta (2021-05-01). "Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom as a potential drug source for Chagas' disease: Trypanocidal and immunomodulatory activity" . Clinical Immunology. 226: 108713. doi:10.1016/j.clim.2021.108713. ISSN   1521-6616. PMID   33711450. S2CID   232217487.
  9. ↑ Miyamoto, Jackson G.; Andrade, Fabio B.; Ferraz, Camila R.; Cândido, Denise M.; Knysak, Irene; Venancio, Émerson J.; Verri, Waldiceu A.; Landgraf, Maristella A.; Landgraf, Richardt G.; Kwasniewski, Fábio H. (2018-01-01). "A comparative study of pathophysiological alterations in scorpionism induced by Tityus serrulatus and Tityus bahiensis venoms" . Toxicon. 141: 25–33. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.11.005. ISSN   0041-0101. PMID   29170053. S2CID   10071860.
  10. ↑ Pucca, Manuela Berto; Cerni, Felipe Augusto; Pinheiro Junior, Ernesto Lopes; Bordon, Karla de Castro Figueiredo; Amorim, Fernanda Gobbi; Cordeiro, Francielle Almeida; Longhim, Heloisa Tavoni; Cremonez, Caroline Marroni; Oliveira, Guilherme Honda; Arantes, Eliane Candiani (2015). "Tityus serrulatus venom – A lethal cocktail". Toxicon. 108: 272–284. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.10.015 . PMID   26522893 – via ResearchGate.
  11. 1 2 Pucca, Manuela Berto; Cerni, Felipe Augusto; Pinheiro Junior, Ernesto Lopes; Bordon, Karla de Castro Figueiredo; Amorim, Fernanda Gobbi; Cordeiro, Francielle Almeida; Longhim, Heloisa Tavoni; Cremonez, Caroline Marroni; Oliveira, Guilherme Honda; Arantes, Eliane Candiani (2015-12-15). "Tityus serrulatus venom – A lethal cocktail". Toxicon. 108: 272–284. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.10.015 . ISSN   0041-0101. PMID   26522893.
  12. ↑ Warburg, Michael R. (5 April 2012). "Pre- and Post-parturial Aspects of Scorpion Reproduction: a Review". European Journal of Entomology. 109 (2): 139–146. doi: 10.14411/eje.2012.018 .
  13. ↑ Lima, Juliana Figueiredo; Carvalho, Leonardo Sousa; Schneider, Marielle Cristina (June 2020). "The first chromosomal analysis of bisexual populations of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)" . The Journal of Arachnology. 48 (1): 77–83. doi:10.1636/0161-8202-48.1.77. ISSN   0161-8202. S2CID   220056924.
  14. 1 2 Pordeus, L.M.; Lira, A.F.A.; Albuquerque, C.M.R. (December 2019). "Male courtship behavior is triggered by female chemical cues in the scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)" . Canadian Journal of Zoology. 97 (12): 1122–1125. doi:10.1139/cjz-2019-0020. ISSN   0008-4301. S2CID   202020286.
  15. 1 2 Albuquerque, Kamila Bento Cavalcanti de; Lira, André Felipe de Araujo (December 2021). "Sex-based defensive behavior influenced by threat level in the scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)". The Journal of Arachnology. 49 (3): 402–406. doi: 10.1636/JoA-S-20-074 . ISSN   0161-8202. S2CID   245013948.
  16. ↑ Riquelme, F.; Villegas-Guzmán, G.; González-Santillán, E.; Córdova-Tabares, V.; Francke, O. F.; Piedra-Jiménez, D.; Estrada-Ruiz, E.; Luna-Castro, B. (2015). "New Fossil Scorpion from the Chiapas Amber Lagerstätte". PLOS ONE. 10 (8): 1–20. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1033396R. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133396 . PMC   4526686 . PMID   26244974.
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