Abstract Background: Scorpions are arachnids that have a generalist diet, which use venom to subdue their prey. The study of their trophic ecology and capture behavior is still limited compared to other organisms, and aspects such as trophic specialization in this group have been little explored. Methods: In order to determine the relationship between feeding behavior and venom toxicity in the scorpion species Tityus fuhrmanni, 33 specimens were offered prey with different morphologies and defense mechanisms: spiders, cockroaches and crickets. In each of the experiments we recorded the following aspects: acceptance rate, immobilization time and the number of capture attempts. The median lethal dose of T. fuhrmanni venom against the three different types of prey was also evaluated. Results: We found that this species does not have a marked difference in acceptance for any of the evaluated prey, but the number of capture attempts of spiders is higher when compared to the other types of prey. The immobilization time is shorter in spiders compared to other prey and the LD50 was higher for cockroaches. Conclusions: These results indicate that T. fuhrmanni is a scorpion with a generalist diet, has a venom with a different potency among prey and is capable of discriminating between prey types and employing distinct strategies to subdue them.

Se reporta la distribución de Centruroides edwardsii (Gervais, 1843) para el departamento de Antioquia, y el área urbana de su capital político-administrativa, la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, con base a material depositado en la colección del Serpentario de la Universidad de Antioquia (SUA). Se estableció dimorfismo sexual en C. edwardsii, mediante análisis de escalamiento multidimensional y el modelo ANOSIM, encontrando que los machos son más grandes que las hembras. Se reporta para el área zona centro y nor-oriental de Medellín una importante colonia de este escorpión, hecho de gran relevancia debido a la importancia clínica de este escorpión. Se amplía además el rango de distribución desde el nivel del mar hasta los 2200 m s.n.m.

We report the distribution of the Centruroides edwardsii (Gervais, 1843) in the Antioquia province, and the urban area of the capital, Medellín, Colombia, based in the material examined in the collection of the Universidad de Antioquia Serpentarium (SUA). A sexual dimporphism were established in C. edwardsii when a multidimensional analysis and using for the statistical significance the ANOSIM model were performed founding higher sizes in males. An important colony of this scorpion is reported in the central and nor-oriental zone of Medellín, aspect that is very relevant since this scorpion is considered clinically relevante. The species distribution rank is also expanded from the sea level, up to 2200 m a.s.l.

En animales de pastoreo, el reporte de accidentes ofídicos es muy bajo y, además, presenta un amplio subregistro. A pesar de esto, es de gran utilidad conocer la incidencia de estos accidentes, pues son de gran importancia por las pérdidas económicas que pueden causar en el sector pecuario. Los accidentes por serpientes venenosas, tanto de la familia Viperidae como Elapidae, en caballos y ganado vacuno son frecuentes en muchos lugares del mundo, debido al aumento en la destinación de las tierras para la actividad ganadera. Colombia no es ajena a ello; sin embargo, el registro de este tipo de accidentalidad es muy bajo. En los diferentes reportes de accidentes ofídicos en animales, se ha observado que las principales manifestaciones sistémicas están caracterizadas por complicaciones cardiacas, hemodinámicas y neurotóxicas. Igualmente, se observan efectos locales, los cuales se caracterizan por presencia de hemorragias locales, edema y necrosis. El tratamiento específico utilizado en los accidentes por serpientes es la seroterapia, que consta de inmunoglobulinas G (Sueros IgG) completas o fraccionadas (Faboterápicos Fab o Fab2), específicas para un género o especie.

The report of ophidic accidents in grazing animals is very low, and it is also widely under recorded. In spite of this, it is of great use to know the incidence of these accidents, as they are very important due to the economic loss they may cause to the livestock sector. Accidents caused by poisonous snakes from the Viperidae and Elapidae families in horses and in cattle are very frequent in many parts of the world, given the increase in land destination for livestock. Colombia's case is no different; however, the report of this type of accidents is very low. In the different reports of ophidic accidents in animals, it is observed that the main systemic manifestations are characterized by cardiac, hemodynamic and neurotoxic complications. Likewise, local effects are observed, mainly characterized by the presence of local bleeding, edema and necrosis. The specific treatment used in accidents caused by snakes is serotherapy, which consists of full or fractional immunoglobulin G (IgG Serum) (Fabotherapics Fab or Fab2), specific for a gender or a species.

Em animais de pastoreio, o número de acidentes ofídicos reportado é muito baixo e, além disso, apresenta um amplo sub-registro. Apesar disto, é de grande utilidade conhecer a incidência destes acidentes, pois são de grande importância pelas perdas econômicas que podem causar no setor pecuário. Os acidentes por serpentes venenosas, tanto da família Viperidae como Elapidae, em cavalos e gado são frequentes em muitos lugares do mundo, devido ao aumento na destinação das terras para a atividade pecuarista. A Colômbia não é alheia a isso; porém, o registro deste tipo de acidentalidade é muito bajo. em os diferentes reportes de acidentes ofídicos em animais, se ha observado que as principais manifestações sistêmicas estão caracterizadas por complicações cardíacas, hemodinâmicas e neurotóxicas. Igualmente, se observam efeitos locais, os quais se caracterizam por presença de hemorragias locais, edema e necrose. O tratamento específico utilizado nos acidentes por serpentes é a seroterapia, que consta de imunoglobulinas G (Soros IgG) completas ou fracionadas (Faboterápicos Fab ou Fab2), específicas para um gênero ou espécie.