Implications of autotomy of metasoma for locomotion, reproduction, foraging, and defense in scorpions

Abstract

The mechanisms of defense exhibited by the prey are incredibly diverse and play two main roles: to decrease the chance of detection by the predator and to increase the chance of escaping an attack. Among the defensive mechanisms that increase the chance of escaping, one of the most studied is autotomy, which is the voluntary detachment of body parts to avoid predation. Although this behavior avoids that the attack be fatal for the prey, the autotomy of body parts may have implications for other fitness components, such as locomotion, foraging, defense, and reproduction. In this project, we will study the implications of the autotomy of metasoma in scorpions of the genus Ananteris (Buthidae). After autotomy, the individuals lose almost 25% of their body mass, and also lose the telson (the stinging organ) and the anus, which results in gut blocking and subsequent constipation. Using A. balzani as study system, we will experimentally test several hypotheses related to the implications of the autotomy of metasoma for the escape velocity, prey capture success, reproductive success, and escape and survival probability upon a predatory attack. Each of these implications will be evaluated for males and females separately, and in some cases, they will be evaluated in the short- and long-term. The results that will be obtained in this project will shed light on the evolution of the autotomy in arthropods, and also on the sexual differences in its frequency because we expect to find differences in the costs and benefits of autotomy for males and females. (AU)