PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Scorpions use strongest defense mechanisms when under attack

2013-11-14
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Kallie Huss
onepress@plos.org
415-568-3162
Public Library of Science
Scorpions use strongest defense mechanisms when under attack

Scorpions tend to use their strongest defense mechanisms, according to new research published November 13 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Arie van der Meijden and colleagues at Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO) in Vairão, Portugal.

When attacked by a predator, a scorpion can choose to use either its pincers or its venomous stinger to defend itself. The performance of either the pincers (pinch force) or the stinger (venom strength) can depend on scorpion physical characteristics, like size and shape. But the actual mechanism that the scorpion chooses to use when defending itself—it can use the pincers, the stinger, or both—can depend on other evolutionary adaptations, so it's not clear whether their behavioral responses are actually correlated with maximum performance ability.

The authors here tested this hypothesis by comparing behavioral responses, performance measurements of pincers and stingers, and scorpion physical characteristics in individual scorpions. They found that pinch force and venom strength were highly variable but did correlate with specific physical characteristics of pincers and stingers. Scorpion behavioral defense responses were also highly variable, but importantly, also correlated with both the physical characteristics and performance measurements of pincers and stingers. Scorpions usually selected their strongest defensive behavior; for instance, species with strong pincers more often used their pincers in defense.

The researchers conclude that in situations when survival calls for maximum performance, scorpion behavior is correlated with performance. Van der Meijden sums up: "We found clear relationships between shape, performance, and behavior, even when taking their evolutionary history into account. When it comes to defense, it seems scorpions choose their best weapons. I managed to not even get stung once during this research."



INFORMATION:



Citation: van der Meijden A, Lobo Coelho P, Sousa P, Herrel A (2013) Choose Your Weapon: Defensive Behavior Is Associated with Morphology and Performance in Scorpions. PLOS ONE 8(11): e78955. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0078955

Financial Disclosure: This work was supported by FCT I&D grants to AvdM (PTDC/BIA-BEC/104644/2008 and PTDC/BIA-EVF/2687/2012). AvdM has been supported by FCT postdoctoral fellowship SFRH/BPD/48042/2008. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interest Statement: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

PLEASE LINK TO THE SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT (URL goes live after the embargo ends): http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078955

Disclaimer: This press release refers to upcoming articles in PLOS ONE. The releases have been provided by the article authors and/or journal staff. Any opinions expressed in these are the personal views of the contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of PLOS. PLOS expressly disclaims any and all warranties and liability in connection with the information found in the release and article and your use of such information.

About PLOS ONE: PLOS ONE is the first journal of primary research from all areas of science to employ a combination of peer review and post-publication rating and commenting, to maximize the impact of every report it publishes. PLOS ONE is published by the Public Library of Science (PLOS), the open-access publisher whose goal is to make the world's scientific and medical literature a public resource.

All works published in PLOS ONE are Open Access. Everything is immediately available—to read, download, redistribute, include in databases and otherwise use—without cost to anyone, anywhere, subject only to the condition that the original authors and source are properly attributed. For more information about PLOS ONE relevant to journalists, bloggers and press officers, including details of our press release process and our embargo policy, see the everyONE blog at http://everyone.plos.org/media.



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

The 'evolution' of Little Red Riding Hood

2013-11-14
The 'evolution' of Little Red Riding Hood New analysis reveals whether different folktales are related or not Evolutionary analysis can be used to study similarities among folktales, according to new research published November 13 in the open-access journal PLOS ...

Plasma experiment demonstrates admirable self-control

2013-11-14
Plasma experiment demonstrates admirable self-control Researchers exploit plasma self-organization as a path to economical fusion power A team of Chinese and American scientists has learned how to maintain high fusion performance under steady conditions by exploiting ...

Intranasal insulin improves cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes

2013-11-14
Intranasal insulin improves cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes BOSTON – In recent years, the link between type 2 diabetes and dementia has become widely recognized. Older individuals with diabetes develop Alzheimer's disease ...

Fantastic phonons: Blocking sound, channeling heat with 'unprecedented precision'

2013-11-14
Fantastic phonons: Blocking sound, channeling heat with 'unprecedented precision' Imagine living on a bustling city block, but free from the noise of car horns and people on the street. The emerging field of phononics could one day make this ...

Feral cats avoid urban coyotes, are surprisingly healthy

2013-11-14
Feral cats avoid urban coyotes, are surprisingly healthy Study suggests urban coyotes may 'protect' certain wildlife from cats COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cats that live outdoors in the city do their darnedest to steer clear of urban coyotes, a new study says. The cats cause less ...

NASA sees a re-awakening of ex-Depression 30W in a different ocean

2013-11-14
NASA sees a re-awakening of ex-Depression 30W in a different ocean The former tropical storm known as 30W that moved from the western North Pacific Ocean basin into the northern Indian Ocean appears to be ramping up for a short stint at depression status again. ...

Lifting fusion power onto an (optimized) pedestal

2013-11-14
Lifting fusion power onto an (optimized) pedestal New insights into a fusion plasma's transport barrier promise to boost future reactor performance In a collaborative effort, researchers in the United States and the United Kingdom have developed a new technique that ...

New antenna spreads good vibrations in fusion plasma

2013-11-14
New antenna spreads good vibrations in fusion plasma 'Shoelace Antenna' exploits naturally occurring resonant vibrations to regulate heat and particle flow through the plasma boundary in a tokamak fusion reactor If you want to catch a firefly, any old glass jar will ...

BUSM/BMC study shows decrease in sepsis mortality rates

2013-11-14
BUSM/BMC study shows decrease in sepsis mortality rates (Boston) – A recent study from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) shows a significant decrease in severe sepsis mortality rates over the past 20 years. Looking ...

Expert assessment: Ocean acidification may increase 170 percent this century

2013-11-14
Expert assessment: Ocean acidification may increase 170 percent this century Substantial costs expected from coral reef loss and declines in shellfisheries; Cold water corals also at risk In a major new international report, experts conclude ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

How NIL boosts college football’s competitive balance

Moffitt researchers develop machine learning model to predict urgent care visits for lung cancer patients

Construction secrets of honeybees: Study reveals how bees build hives in tricky spots

Wheat disease losses total $2.9 billion across the United States and Canada between 2018 and 2021

New funding fuels development of first potentially regenerative treatment for multiple sclerosis

NJIT student–faculty team wins best presentation award for ant swarm simulation

Ants defend plants from herbivores but can hinder pollination

When the wireless data runs dry

Inquiry into the history of science shows an early “inherence” bias

Picky eaters endure: Ecologists use DNA to explore diet breadth of wild herbivores

Study suggests most Americans would be healthier without daylight saving time

Increasing the level of the protein PI31 demonstrates neuroprotective effects in mice

Multi-energy X-ray curved surface imaging-with multi-layer in-situ grown scintillators

Metasurface enables compact and high-sensitivity atomic magnetometer

PFAS presence confirmed in the blood of children in Gipuzkoa

Why do people believe lies?

SwRI installs private 5G network for research, development, testing and evaluation

A new perspective in bone metabolism: Targeting the lysosome–iron–mitochondria axis for osteoclast regulation

Few military spouses use formal support services during, after deployment

Breakthrough in the hunt for light dark matter: QROCODILE project reveals world-leading constraints

2D x-ray imaging technique reveals hidden processes in CO2 electrolyzers

Rational high entropy doping strategy via modular in-situ/post solvothermal doping integration for microwave absorption

Circular Economy has been officially included in the ESCI

Recent advances in exciton-polariton in perovskite

Efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs in children and adolescents with obesity or type 2 diabetes

Over-the-counter sales of overdose reversal drug naloxone decline after initial surge

Global trends and disparities in social isolation

Country of birth, race, ethnicity, and prenatal depression

Kissick Family Foundation, Milken Institute announce $2 million in funding for frontotemporal dementia research and new call for proposals

Mayo Clinic study reveals hidden causes of heart attacks in younger adults, especially women

[Press-News.org] Scorpions use strongest defense mechanisms when under attack