Comparison of different methods for estimating developmental stages in the symbiotic scorpion Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876)

Abstract

Determination of developmental stages is an important tool for monitoring populations of medically important arthropods, including scorpions. Therefore, predictive tools for scorpion developmental stages may provide useful information for public health. Therefore, in this study we compared different methods to estimate the developmental stages of invasive and medically important scorpion species. Titius Stigmulus Collected in São Paulo. We tested the applicability of the following morphometric methods for larval instar estimation of field-caught larvae: grouping (K-means and Ward’s method), theory, and frequency distribution. T. stigmulus These methods showed similar results up to 5.Number larval stage. Our results support the literature regarding the non-objectivity of hierarchical clustering methods in determining the exact number of size classes in a sample. We also found that hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering methods give different results regarding the two largest size classes. The peak of the carapace length frequency curve and theoretical calculations using a growth coefficient of 1.26 were found to be useful in determining the developmental stage. Seven size classes were demonstrated, which is T. Stigmulus Individuals can reach maturity at age 6Number or 7Number Larva.

Campos, KA, Galati, EAB, & Lira, AFA (2024). Comparison of different methods for estimating developmental stages in the symbiotic scorpion Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876). Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 46(1), e68981. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v46i1.68981