Leiurus quinquestriatus

Geographic Range

Deathstalkers, Leiurus quinquestriatus , are native to the Oriental, Palearctic, and Palearctic regions. Members of the nominal subspeices L. quinquestriatus quinquestriatus are found in northeastern Africa as far west as Algeria and Niger, as far south as Sudan, and as far west as Somalia. Members of the subspeices L. quinquestriatus hebraeus are found throughout the Middle East as far north as Turkey, east to Iran, and south to Oman and Yemen.

• Biogeographic Regions
• palearctic palearctic
  • native native
• oriental oriental
  • native native
• ethiopian ethiopian
  • native native

Habitat

Deathstalkers are found in arid and hyper-arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East. They generally reside under rocks or in abandoned burrows of other animals. They also create their own burrows about 20 cm below rocks.

• Habitat Regions
• terrestrial terrestrial

• Terrestrial Biomes
• desert or dune desert or dune

Physical Description

Deathstalkers are large venomous scorpions measuring 80 to 110 mm in length and weigh 1.0 to 2.5 g. They are yellowish in color with brown spots on the metasomal segment V and sometimes on the carapace and tergites. Tergites I and II have 5 carinae. The ventrolateral carinae have 3 to 4 rounded lobes, and the anal arch has 3 rounded lobes. Scorpions have 2 eyes on the top of the head and often 2 to 5 pairs of eyes on the front corners of their head.

• Other Physical Features
• venomous venomous

Development

Little information is available regarding the specifics of development of deathstalkers. However, most scorpions are viviparous. Young receive nourishment in the uterus either through the the embryo and uterine wall similiar to placentals or through active transport if extra-embryonic membranes are present. Young are relatively large when born. Most scorpions molt multiple times before becoming adults, though juveniles look like adults at all instars.

• Development - Life Cycle
• neotenic/paedomorphic

Reproduction

Courtship and sperm transfer in scorpions , including deathstalkers, is a complicated process involving a "romenade à deux." The male approaches a female and grasps her pedipalp chelae with his own chelae fingers. A form of dance then takes place, lasting for several minutes until the male ejects a spermatophore on suitable substrate. In the next stage, the male leads the female to position her genital aperture over the spermatophore, and the female takes up the sperm. Once sperm transfer has been completed, males and females usually separate.

Little is known about the specific reproductive behavior of deathstalkers. After a gestation period of 122 to 277 days (average 185), females give birth to 35 to 87 offspring (average 62.7).

• Key Reproductive Features
• sexual sexual
• fertilization fertilization
  • external external
• viviparous viviparous

Specific parental behaviors of deathstalkers have not been studied. However, in close relatives, young scorpions climb onto their mother’s back directly after birth. They remain on their mother's back for the duration of their first instar, taking advantage of their mother's protection. This also helps young regulate moisture.

• Parental Investment
• female parental care female parental care

Lifespan/Longevity

The lifespan of deathstalkers is not readily available. However, the lifespan of scorpions is variable, ranging from 4 to 25 years.

Behavior

Deathstalkers are nocturnal, which helps manage temperature and water balance, important functions for survival in dry habitats. Many species of scorpions dig burrows in the soil. They have flat bodies, allowing them to hide in small cracks, under rocks and under bark.

• Key Behaviors
• terricolous
• nocturnal nocturnal
• motile motile

Home Range

Little information is available regarding home ranges of deathstalkers.

Communication and Perception

Although scorpions have two eyes on the top of their head often 2 to 5 pairs of eyes on the front corners of their head, they do not have good vision. Scorpions, including deathstalkers, utilize their sense of touch to navigate and hunt, using their pectines and other organs. They have tiny slit-like tarsal sensory organs near the tips of their legs which help detect vibrations in the sand or soil. These organs can help provide information regarding the direction and distance from potential prey. Scorpions may also use substrate vibrations to identify potential mates and reduce violent interactions.

• Communication Channels
• tactile tactile

• Other Communication Modes
• vibrations vibrations

• Perception Channels
• tactile tactile
• vibrations vibrations

Food Habits

Scorpions , including deathstalkers, generally consume small insects, spiders , centipedes , earthworms , and other scorpions. Scorpions detect and capture prey using their sense of touch and by utilizing vibrations. They hide under stones, bark, wood, or other objects no the ground where they search for prey or wait in ambush. Once they capture prey, scorpions use their larger pincers to crush and draw prey toward the mouth.

• Primary Diet
• carnivore carnivore
  • insectivore insectivore

• Animal Foods
• insects
• terrestrial non-insect arthropods
• terrestrial worms

Predation

Deathstalkers are commonly preyed upon members of their own speices and by other scorpions . Other invertebrate predators (e.g. centipedes ) and vertebrates also prey on deathstalkers. They have high mortality directly after birth. Mortality is higher in adults than individuals of intermediate age.

Ecosystem Roles

Deathstalkers consume a variety of invertebrates and other scorpions. Deathstalkers are also preyed upon by vertebrates, centipedes , and other scorpions .

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Chlorotoxin originally isolated from venom of deathstalkers is used in cancer research. Research is also being pursued regarding the possible use of other components of their venom in the treatment of diabetes, as channels on which the neurotoxins act have been linked to the regulation of insulin. However, such research is still in its early stages. Scorpions are also good bio-indicators, as they are K-selected equilibrium species that comprise a major group of predatory arthropods in arid ecosystems. Their disappearance often indicates haabitat degradation. Programs to conserve terrestrial invertebrates often target scorpions.

• Positive Impacts
• source of medicine or drug source of medicine or drug
• research and education

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Because of their potent venom, deathstalkers are one of the most dangerous scorpions on Earth.

• Negative Impacts
• injures humans
  • bites or stings
  • venomous venomous

Conservation Status

Deathstalkers have not been evaluated by the IUCN, US Fish and Wildlife Service, or CITES.

Many species of scorpions are habitat specific and their ranges are restricted. Few species of scorpions receive formal protection, and many may disappear before being described. Scorpions are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction and collection for souvenirs and the pet trade. Scorpions could also be vulnerable because of small litter sizes, long generation times, and high mortality of sexually immature females.

Additional Links

Encyclopedia of Life

Contributors

Ahmet Ceceli (author), Rutgers University, John Horsfield (author), Rutgers University, David V. Howe (editor), Rutgers University, Gail McCormick (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.

References

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