Toads prey upon scorpions and are resistant to their venom: A biological and ecological approach to scorpionism.

Toads prey upon scorpions and are resistant to their venom: A biological and ecological approach to scorpionism. Toxicon. 2020 Feb 17;: Authors: Jared C, Alexandre C, Mailho-Fontana PL, Pimenta DC, Brodie ED, Antoniazzi MM Abstract In recent years, SE Brazil, the most populous region in the country with an estimated population of 88 million, has been experiencing an alarming increase in scorpions accidents (scorpionism), mainly caused by the yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus), or "escorpião amarelo" in Portuguese. This species is considered particularly dangerous to humans and can reproduce by parthenogenesis favouring rapid dispersal and colonization of new environments. Since the 1940s, owing to the growing danger represented by scorpionism, public control policies have been developed, including active search for scorpions, together with the use of toxic substances applied in places most likely to serve as their refuges. Even so, the number of accidents is increasing year by year, presently at an alarming rate. It seems evident that the increase in accidents is directly (or primarily) related to the lack of predators that in healthy environmental conditions would naturally control scorpion populations. However, due to environmental changes, leading to a lack of predators, scorpions have been gradually invading the urban environment. Arachnids and insects in general, as well as some other invertebrates, are preyed upon by anuran a...
Source: Toxicon - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Toxicon Source Type: research