How big are Tityus serrulatus?
between 5–7 cm
Description. Adult specimens typically measure between 5–7 cm (2–3 in) in length. As suggested by its common name, coloration consists of pale-yellow legs (8 in total) and pedipalps, with a darker shade of yellowish brown on the trunk, fingers, and tip of the tail. Like other members of the family Buthidae, T.
What are the symptoms of Tityus serrulatus venom?
In addition to local symptoms, systemic manifestations can also occur. Tachycardia, diaphoresis, profuse sweating, psychomotor agitation, tremors, nausea, vomiting, sialorrhea, arterial hypertension, or hypotension are some systemic symptoms observed after T. serrulatus envenoming .
Understanding the complexity of Tityus serrulatus
Tityus serrulatus, the Brazilian yellow scorpion, is a species of scorpion of the family Buthidae. It is native to Brazil, and its venom is extremely toxic.It is the most dangerous scorpion in South America and is responsible for the most fatal cases.
Adult specimens typically measure between 5–7 cm (2–3 in) in length. As suggested by its common name, coloration consists of pale-yellow legs (8 in total) and pedipalps, with a darker shade of yellowish brown on the trunk, fingers[clarification needed], and tip of the tail. Like other members of the family Buthidae, T. serrulatus has a bulbous tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, which is segmented, with prominent ridges and serrations. The tail is tipped with a venom-injecting barb capable of immobilizing prey or delivering defensive strikes.
The species is endemic to Brazil and widely found throughout the country, including the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Sergipe, and Distrito Federal.
”Due to deforestation and growing urbanization, this species is becoming more and more present,” according to Rogério Bertani in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian. He is a scientist and scorpion specialist at the Butantan Institute in São Paulo. “I personally think that the problem will continue to grow.” By 2018 there was a notable increase in the number of T. serrulatus scorpions living in the urban spaces of São Paulo, contributing to an increase in reported scorpion stings in Brazil from 12,000 in 2000 to 140,000 by 2018. An abundance of prey, notably cockroaches, and shelter along with a lack of predators is believed to be a cause of the increase in scorpion numbers in Brazilian cities.
Potency
In Brazil, scorpions are credited with causing the highest incidence of human envenomations of all venomous animals. They cause more than all other venomous animals, including snakes and spiders, combined. With mortality rates ranging from 1.0 to 2.0% among children and elderly persons, T. serrulatus is responsible for more medically significant accidents than any other scorpion in the country. Most stings occur in urban areas, inside or near homes, with greater frequency in the south and southeast during the warm and rainy months, but with little or no seasonal variability in the north, northeast, and center-west.
Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom and toxins: an overview
Tityus serrulatus is considered the most dangerous scorpion in South America and responsible for most of the fatal cases. This review will focus on Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (Tsv), its long-chain Na(+)-channel toxins (NaTx), which include alpha- and beta-neurotoxins, short-chain K(+)-channel toxins (KTx), hyaluronidase, proteases and other peptides hitherto identified.
Tityus serrulatus scorpion is responsible for a significant number of envenomings in Brazil, ranging from mild to severe, and in some cases, leading to fatalities. While supportive care is the primary treatment modality, moderate and severe cases require antivenom administration despite potential limitations and adverse effects. The remarkable proliferation of T. serrulatus scorpions, attributed to their biology and asexual reproduction, contributes to a high incidence of envenomation. T. serrulatus scorpion venom predominantly consists of short proteins acting as neurotoxins (α and β), that primarily target ion channels. Nevertheless, high molecular weight compounds, including metalloproteases, serine proteases, phospholipases, and hyaluronidases, are also present in the venom. These compounds play a crucial role in envenomation, influencing the severity of symptoms and the spread of venom.
Abstract: The Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus is recorded
for the first time in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul,
thus filling a gap of 567 km in its distribution. A specimen of
the scorpion was collected in the urban area of the municipality of Santa Maria (29°43′51.31″ S, 053°48′5.74″ W) on 31 June
- A map was generated with the points of occurrence of
the species in the state.
Key words: Tityus serrulatus, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa
Maria, geographical distribution.
