THE EVOLUTION OF SCORPIONISM IN BRAZIL IN RECENT YEARS

W. R. LOURENÇO(1), J. L. CLOUDSLEY-THOMPSON(2), O. CUELLAR(3), V. R. D. VON EICKSTEDT(4), B. BARRAVIERA(5), M. B. KNOX(6).

1 Laboratoire de Zoologie (Arthropodes), M.N.H.N., Paris, France, 2 Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom, 3 Departments of Biology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, U.S.A., 4 Laboratory of Venomous Arthropods of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil, 5 Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals - CEVAP - UNESP, State of São Paulo, Brazil, 6 Laboratory of Zoology, Brasília University (UnB), Brasília, Brazil.

ABSTRACT. In this paper further information concerning the ecological and biogeographical aspects of scorpionism is presented. Some of the information already outlined in three previous publications(10,14,16) is assessed, and new data given concerning the pattern of distribution presented by Tityus serrulatus in Brazil. Some new ideas are also proposed regarding the possible evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of parthenogenesis versus sexuality in both the short-term and the long-term.

KEY WORDS: scorpionism, Brazil, Tityus serrulatus.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

W.R. LOURENÇO, Laboratoire de Zoologie (Arthropodes), M.N.H.N., 61 rue de Buffon, 75005, Paris, France.