Uso de microhabitat e atividade de forrageio de escorpiões da Caatinga, em função da luminosidade lunar

Abstract

The Caatinga biome is one of the great natural regions of Brazil and is marked by its rich biodiversity. However, current research regarding this biodiversity is insufficient and, in the specific case of scorpion species, studies are especially needed. The present work investigates the foraging strategies of the scorpion speciesJaguajir rochae(Borelli, 1910), Bothriurus asperPocock, 1893, and Bothriurus rochaiMello-Leitão, 1932, within an area of the Caatinga, in order to analyze the possible occurrence of microhabitat overlap during foraging of these three species according to lunar luminosity and to determine the impact on foraging activity for Bothriurus asperor Bothriurus rochaidue to the abundance of Jaguajir rochae. Data was collected nocturnally in the Pollizadores Trail, in the municipalityof Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, between March and September of 2017. Scorpions were located utilizing an ultraviolet light and data was recorded for collection date, species, sex, exposure, microhabitat and activity. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing the program PAST, version 3.06. During 102 hours of field research, 262 total specimens were found with the research sample composed of 101 males,127 femalesand 34 unclassified juveniles. There was no correlation found between lunar luminosity and scorpion abundance, and nosignificant relation was found for microhabitat overlap and lunar luminosity and there was no abundance correlation found for bothriuridae and Jaguajir rochae.