DISPERSION OF MEDICAL IMPORTANT SCORPION SPECIES IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

CANDIDO D.M. (1,3) & BÁRBARO K.C. (2,3)

(1) Lab. Arthropods; (2) Lab. Immunopathology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP; (3) Program of Post Graduation of Coord. of Control of Diseases of S. Paulo State.

Tityus serrulatus andTityus bahiensis are responsible for most of the reported accidents in Brazil. In the last few years the distribution of these animals expanded, including the urban areas of the state of São Paulo. This work aims to estimate the dispersion of T. serrulatus and its domain over T. bahiensis habitats in S. Paulo. Dispersion data was compiled from the reception of animals in the Laboratory of Arthropods (2000-2005). In the last 5 years the number of cities where scorpions were detected increased. Tityus bahiensis was observed in 44 cities in 2000 and increased 148% (109 cities) in 2005. Tityus serrulatus records increased from 18 to 91 cities (405%) in the same period. In both cases, the “Vale do Paraíba” region showed the highest number of cities with these animals. This expansion shows the great capacity of adaptation of T. serrulatus, a species that is not native to the area and was introduced in the state. Areas presenting sanitation problems and garbage accumulation, also favor the adaptation of these animals, which feed basically on insects. Parthenogenesis reproduction of T. serrulatus also collaborates to this expansion and settlement. On account of T. bahiensis, it is a native species of S. Paulo, but the destruction of its natural environment, associated to the sanitation problems described above, favour its dispersion.

KEY WORDS: scorpion, Tityus serrulatus, Tityus bahiensis, dispersion, São Paulo.

CORRESPONDENCE TO: Denise M. Candido, Laboratory of. Arthropods, Butantan Institute, Avenida Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, Brasil. Phone: 055XX11. 37267222 .R 2235. Email: denisecandido@butantan.gov.br