Why are smaller scorpions more dangerous than larger ones? We already have the answer. Fans of the Indiana Jones saga will remember that in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Dr. Jones warns that “when it comes to scorpions, the bigger the better.” And scientists have just proved him absolutely right, confirming that smaller species of scorpions have more powerful venoms.
Size does not matter
A team of researchers from the National University of Ireland analyzed a wide range of scorpion species and found that the smallest species -and, therefore, with smaller stings- were up to 100 times more lethal than the larger ones -and with smaller stingers. more robust.
The team analyzed 36 species of scorpions , including the death stalker or Palestinian yellow scorpion ( Leiurus quinquestriatus ), the rock scorpion ( Hadogenes granulatus ), and the bark scorpion ( Scorpion Centruroides noxius ). Their analysis included measurements of the animals’ average length, as well as the potency of their venom.
The study, published in the journal Toxins , revealed that the smallest scorpions on the planet in their analysis, such as the Brazilian yellow scorpion (about 7 centimeters in length), were more than 100 times more powerful than the largest species they studied. such as the rock scorpion (which can measure more than 20 centimeters in length).
They also found that the South African fat-tailed scorpion ( Androctonus australis ) is more than 10 times more powerful than the Israeli golden scorpion (Scorpio maurus ), despite having significantly smaller claws.
As a curiosity, the golden scorpion of Israel (Scorpio maurus ) was the first scorpion described by the naturalist Carlos Linnaeus.
The sting, it’s not everything
The more powerful scorpions had smaller bodies, but also smaller claws/stingers. “While species like the large-clawed scorpion can be small to medium in size, they rely primarily on their stingers rather than their relatively weak venom,” explained Alannah Forde, a NUI Galway graduate student studying zoology. By comparison, a small-bodied, small-clawed species like the yellow scorpion can be very dangerous to humans , especially children or allergy sufferers.
“When we look at the most potent and dangerous scorpion venoms, we find that they tend to be associated with species like the yellow scorpion, which are relatively small,” says co-author Kevin Healy. “By contrast, larger species such as rock scorpions have venoms that are likely to only cause mild pain.”
Understanding the connection between the size of the scorpion and the potency of the venom can help substantially with medical treatments. The team’s goal is to test these evolutionary rules about what makes some species more powerful to help develop better medical approaches to scorpion stings.
“As scientists, our job is also to put conventional wisdom to the test. The majority of victims hospitalized with severe symptoms after scorpion stings are children under the age of 15. Identifying the responsible species is essential to administering the correct treatment, and a simple rule like ‘bigger is better’ is a small first step in saving lives,” says Michel Dugon, head of the Venom System Lab at NUI Galway and lead author of the study.
Referencia: Alannah Forde, Adam Jacobsen, Michel M. Dugon, Kevin Healy. Scorpion Species with Smaller Body Sizes and Narrower Chelae Have the Highest Venom Potency. Toxins, 2022; 14 (3): 219 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14030219
