Effect of lunar cycle on active population density of scorpions, their potential prey and predators
Effect of lunar cycle on active population density of scorpions, their potential prey and predators
Effect of lunar cycle on active population density of scorpions, their potential prey and predators
Muhammad Mohsin Ahsan1, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir2, Muhammad Khalid Mukhtar1
ABSTRACT
In the present study, effects of the lunar cycle on the activities of three scorpion species, Hottentotta tamulus,
Odontobuthus odonturus, and Androctonus finitimus, and their potential prey and predators were observed in the
field. The result showed that H. tamulus and A. finitimus were more active during dark nights compared to moonlight
nights; however, there was no obvious effect of the lunar cycle on the activity of O. odonturus. Young (Immature)
individuals of all scorpion species were always high in numbers at night, even under moonlight conditions. The
activity of scorpion prey had been always high during dark nights. No difference in numbers of scorpion predators
(shrews, lizards, centipedes, mice and rats) was noted in the presence or absence of moonlight, but they were
observed to be more active during the moonlight period than during moonless nights.
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