Irish scientists found that the smaller scorpion, which had smaller claws, they have stronger poison Sturdy tweezers than larger ones.
The NUI Galway team tested the following theory: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. With the “c” phrase, the band warned of the dangers of the small scorpion.As for scorpions, the bigger the better.”
While this may sound like a throwaway movie line from the adventurer, research shows there’s some truth to it.
team of scientists NUI Galway Ryan Institute Test the joke by analyzing 36 species of scorpions. The idea was to show that larger scorpions have less potent venom and are actually better at avoiding a nasty sting.
The results of the research were published in the international journal Toxins.
bigger is better
He shows more of the smallest scorpions in his analysis, such as the Brazilian yellow scorpion. 100 times stronger than larger species such as the rock scorpion.
The potency model referred not only to body size but also to pincer size with venoms found in smaller pincers. Included in the group was the South African fat-tailed scorpion. 10 times stronger Compared to species with larger claws and stronger robust claws, such as the Israeli golden scorpion.
Dr Kevin Healy, Professor of Zoology at NUI Galway and lead author, said: “Film fiction aside, there are good evolutionary reasons to expect results and they are important. medical effects for such patterns.
evolutionary compensation
The researchers noted that the scorpions use both their venomous stings and their pincers to catch their prey and defend themselves. Also, there an evolutionary compensation Between these weapons The energy used to make bigger tweezers means there is less energy for your chemical arsenal. This causes larger scorpions that can use their physical size to be less dependent on venom. Meanwhile, smaller species developed stronger poisons.
Dr Healy added: “When we look at the most potent scorpion venoms, we find that they are associated with species such as: death hunter. These are relatively small. In contrast, venom of larger species, such as rock scorpions, probably only causes mild pain.”
Alannah Forde, a graduate student at NUI Galway and lead author of the study, says: “When it comes to human bites, we not only found that bigger is better; We are also discovering that bigger tweezers is better when it comes to assessing the danger level of a scorpion. While species such as the big-clawed scorpion can be small to medium-sized, they rely primarily on their large claws rather than their relatively weak venom.”
scorpion sting
Scorpion stings are a global health problem, resulting in more than 1 million cases and thousands of deaths each year. Identifying the species involved in a sting is vital to treatment. This is why ground rules like “bigger is better” are often used. help for treatment.
The team’s goal is to test these evolutionary rules for what makes certain species more potent to help develop better medical approaches to stings.
Dr Michel Dugon, head of the Venom Systems Laboratory at NUI Galway and lead author of the study, said: “Our job as scientists is also to test popular wisdom. Most victims are hospitalized with severe symptoms after scorpion stings. They are children under the age of 15. Identifying the species responsible is crucial to administering the right treatment, and the simple rule that bigger is better is a small first step in saving lives.”
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