Scorpions and life-history strategies: from evolutionary dynamics toward the scorpionism problem

Abstract This work aims to contribute to the general information on scorpion reproductive patterns in general including species that can be noxious to humans. Scorpions are unusual among terrestrial arthropods in several of their life-history traits since in many aspects their reproductive strategies are more similar to those of superior vertebrates than to those of arthropods in general. This communication focuses mainly on the aspects concerning embryonic and post-embryonic developments since these are quite peculiar in scorpions and can be directly connected to the scorpionism problem. As in previous similar contributions, the content of this communication is addressed mainly to non-specialists whose research embraces scorpions in several fields such as venom toxins and public health. A precise knowledge of reproductive strategies presented by several scorpion groups and, in particular, those of dangerous species may prove to be a useful tool in the interpretation of results dealing with scorpionism, and also lead to a better treatment of the problems caused by infamous scorpions.

摘要 本研究旨在补充蝎子生殖模式的通用研究资料，其中包括对人类具有毒害性的蝎子物种。蝎子在诸多生活史特征上与陆生节肢动物类群存在显著差异，其生殖策略在诸多层面更趋近于高等脊椎动物，而非一般节肢动物。鉴于蝎子的胚胎发育与胚后发育过程极具特殊性，且与蝎毒中毒问题直接相关，本文主要围绕这两类发育过程展开论述。与此前同类研究一致，本文的受众主要为研究领域涵盖蝎毒毒素、公共卫生等与蝎子相关内容的非专业研究者。精准掌握多个蝎子类群，尤其是危险性蝎种的生殖策略，将有助于解读蝎毒中毒相关研究结果，同时也能为妥善处置由剧毒蝎类引发的相关问题提供有力支撑。