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Special Survival Strategy of First-Instar Scorpions Revealed by Synchronous Molting Behavior from Social Facilitation of Maternal Care and Reciprocal Aggregation

Authors :
Yiyuan Guo
Songryong Li
Sijia Lu
Xinrong Wang
Zhijian Cao
Yingliang Wu
Source :
Insects, Vol 15, Iss 9, p 726 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Ecdysis is a well-known developmental feature among arthropods. Because the aggregate and synchronous molting of first-instar scorpions is markedly different from the common independent molting behavior of older scorpions and most arthropods, knowledge on the biological benefits of the unusual behavior of first-instar scorpions remain limited. Before the molting of newborn scorpions, their mothers exhibited a remarkable ability to efficiently locate the fallen offspring and help them climb onto their back, which was supported by strong maternal behavior because they climbed more swiftly than the 7-day postpartum scorpions. Most newborn scorpions molted and survived on the mother’s back, with a survival rate of approximately 100%, and most newborn scorpions survived via aggregate molting behavior on sand in the absence of mothers (89.83% ± 1.91%). The important role of the mother scorpion was further highlighted in mothers with one to five first-instar scorpions. While all first-instar scorpions individually or reciprocally molted and survived on the mother’s back, only 52.00% ± 7.14% to 79.20% ± 4.24% of newborn scorpions isolated from the mother could individually or reciprocally molt and survive on the sand, and the aggregated states of first-instar scorpions strengthened as their numbers on sand increased before molting. These results highlight collaborative molting as an evolutionary driving force for newborn scorpions. Taken together, both maternal care and collaborative aggregate molting behavior enhanced the survival of first-instar scorpions before and after molting, and these benefits for first-instar scorpions play essential and evolutionary roles in scorpion survival.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20754450
Volume :
15
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Insects
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.8e9791dbc2746738ec685f830b5ac15
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15090726