---
title: "What the sources say about the Brazilian Yellow Scorpion | AnimalTracks.wiki"
description: "50 claims from the Brazilian Yellow Scorpion profile, each beside the words of the source that backs it."
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---

# What the sources say about the Brazilian Yellow Scorpion (*Tityus serrulatus*)

> 50 claims from the Brazilian Yellow Scorpion profile, each beside the words of the source that backs it. A "..." marks a cut in a quote and [brackets] an insertion.

Profile: [Brazilian Yellow Scorpion](https://animaltracks.wiki/animals/brazilian-yellow-scorpion/)

## Pimenta et al. (2019). Selected to survive and kill: Tityus serrulatus, the Brazilian yellow scorpion. PLOS ONE.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214075

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| The species is mainly parthenogenetic, reproduction without a mate | As this is a mainly parthenogenetic species [21], only females could be obtained. |
| a female's unfertilized eggs develop directly into daughters | Tityus serrulatus is viviparous and can reproduce by parthenogenesis, producing progeny from non-fecundated eggs (note: "Daughters" rests on lourenco-2015's "the absence of males from all known populations": the progeny of these populations are female. No cached source says the young are genetic copies of the mother, so that wording was cut.) |
| unlike other scorpion species, which breed mainly in the hot, rainy months, she can do it in any month | differently from other scorpion species, which give birth more frequently during hot and rainy months in the summer [21], this species is capable of producing offspring throughout the year |
| There are now records of it in every other Brazilian region | there are currently records of T . serrulatus in all other Brazilian regions |
| transport by road or rail is one of the main ways it spreads | transportation by anthropic agents via roads or rail is one of the main ways of dispersion |
| Endurance may be what gets it through those journeys. | its exceptional ability to survive food and water deprivation, reported in this study, may contribute to the endurance needed to survive extensive displacement even when resources are limited (note: The source's "may contribute" kept as "may be".) |
| Laboratory scorpions with water but no food lasted up to 400 days | T . serrulatus is highly tolerant to food deprivation, with individuals enduring up to 400 days without food |
| with water but no food | control and FD animals had uninterrupted access to water (note: FD is the study's food-deprived group, the one that reached 400 days. Water-deprived groups died far sooner: "access to water played a pivotal role".) |
| some gave birth after 209 days of starvation | food-deprived animals were able to give birth after 209 days of starvation |
| It eats cockroaches, crickets, and spiders | elimination of invertebrates on which they feed (cockroaches, crickets, spiders, etc.) (note: Stated of the scorpions this T. serrulatus paper is about; butantan-booklet's natural-history section gives the same list (baratas, grilos, aranhas).) |
| waiting for prey to pass instead of hunting it down | T . serrulatus presents a typical "sit-and-wait" foraging strategy and does not actively search for food |
| this one species causes over 90,000 cases of envenomation a year | is the most medically relevant species in Brazil where it is spreading rapidly and causing over 90,000 cases of envenomation yearly |
| from Minas
    Gerais to all other regions of the country | there are currently records of T . serrulatus in all other Brazilian regions (note: stats.habitat; Minas Gerais is rosa-2015's "the state to which the species was once believed to be restricted".) |
| Cockroaches, crickets, and spiders | elimination of invertebrates on which they feed (cockroaches, crickets, spiders, etc.) (note: stats.diet.) |
| unfertilized eggs develop straight into daughters | Tityus serrulatus is viviparous and can reproduce by parthenogenesis, producing progeny from non-fecundated eggs (note: vibe.reason; 'daughters' rests on lourenco-2015's absence of males from all known populations, as in the body claim.) |
| in any month | this species is capable of producing offspring throughout the year (note: vibe.reason) |

## Lourenço (2015). What do we know about some of the most conspicuous scorpion species of the genus Tityus? A historical approach. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40409-015-0016-9

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| a row of saw-like teeth on its tail that gave the species its scientific name | These form a serrula (Fig 7) which is the origin of the Latin name of the species, T. serrulatus. (note: The serrula sits on the dorsal keels of metasomal segments III and IV, that is, the tail.) |
| Brazilian yellow scorpions are usually female | Tityus serrulatus was usually considered an obligate parthenogenetic species, but some isolated bisexual populations have finally been detected [60, 61]. However, bisexual populations appear to be extremely marginal within the present geographic distribution of the species (note: Population-level support: male-producing populations are the extremely marginal exception. Also in the body and FAQ 1.) |
| Scientists have found a few scattered populations that still seem to have males, though these appear to be rare exceptions | Tityus serrulatus was usually considered an obligate parthenogenetic species, but some isolated bisexual populations have finally been detected [60, 61]. However, bisexual populations appear to be extremely marginal within the present geographic distribution of the species |
| A few scattered populations with males have been found, but they appear to be rare exceptions within the species' range. | some isolated bisexual populations have finally been detected [60, 61]. However, bisexual populations appear to be extremely marginal within the present geographic distribution of the species (note: FAQ 1's designated ref; restates the body's claim.) |
| The species usually colonizes towns and cities, and it is easily carried from old ones to new ones by human transport. | T. serrulatus usually colonizes urban areas (cities and towns), and can easily be transported by human agency from old to new cities |
| Brasília was invaded and colonized in less than 15 to 20 years. | Brasilia, for instance, has been invaded and was colonized by T. serrulatus in less than 15-20 years |
| plus Argentina and Bolivia | It was also recorded in Argentina and Bolivia. |
| plus parts of Argentina and
    Bolivia | It was also recorded in Argentina and Bolivia. (note: stats.habitat closing clause.) |
| adults are usually female | Tityus serrulatus was usually considered an obligate parthenogenetic species, but some isolated bisexual populations have finally been detected [60, 61]. However, bisexual populations appear to be extremely marginal within the present geographic distribution of the species (note: vibe.reason) |

## Mario da Rosa et al. (2015). New record and occurrence map of Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Check List.

https://doi.org/10.15560/11.1.1556

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| grows about 5 to 7 centimeters long (2 to 2.75 inches) | It measures about 50–70 mm long when adult (note: 5–7 cm / 2–2.75 in, converted from the quote's 50–70 mm.) |
| pale yellow legs and pedipalps, a darker trunk | has pale yellow colored legs and pedipalps, but with a darker shade of yellow, tending to brown on the trunk, fingers and tip of the tail |
| was once believed to be restricted to Minas Gerais, in southeastern Brazil | Its holotype is a female from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Souza et al. 2009), the state to which the species was once believed to be restricted (note: The source's own hedge kept. pimenta-2019 says only "Originally, T. serrulatus was restricted to a single state in the South-eastern region of Brazil" without naming the state, so the state name comes from rosa-2015 with its "once believed".) |
| One specimen stung a supermarket worker handling a load of fruit sent from the southeast, and two more turned up at a trucking company. | The specimen was discovered at a supermarket in Porto Alegre ... after stinging the hand of an employee who was handling fruit. At the time of this accident he was handling a load of fruit coming from the southeast region of Brazil ... Two individuals were found on the premises of a trucking company. (note: Three records from Rio Grande do Sul, in the far south.) |

## Cologna et al. (2009). Tityus serrulatus Scorpion Venom and Toxins: An Overview. Protein & Peptide Letters.

https://doi.org/10.2174/092986609788923329

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| considered the most dangerous scorpion in South America | Tityus serrulatus is considered the most dangerous scorpion in South America and responsible for most of the fatal cases. |
| dangerLevel: Deadly | Tityus serrulatus is considered the most dangerous scorpion in South America and responsible for most of the fatal cases. |

## Horta et al. (2014). Molecular, Immunological, and Biological Characterization of Tityus serrulatus Venom Hyaluronidase: New Insights into Its Role in Envenomation. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002693

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| In Brazil, scorpion stings are recorded more often than bites from any other venomous animal, including snakes | In Brazil, scorpion accidents have the highest incidence when compared to those caused by other venomous animals, including snakes |
| The venom's neurotoxins act on sodium channels in nerve cells and disrupt the nerves and muscles, the heart, and breathing. | The main toxic components of Ts venom are the well-described α and β-type toxins, which act on different sites of voltage-sensitive sodium channels ... These neurotoxins disrupt the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems (note: "Nerves and muscles, the heart, and breathing" renders the quote's neuromuscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.) |
| Its venom carries neurotoxins that act on sodium channels in nerve cells and disrupt the nerves and muscles, the heart, and breathing, a mix of symptoms that can lead to death. | These neurotoxins disrupt the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems and elicit a complex pattern of clinical signs and symptoms that can lead to death. (note: FAQ 3's wording of the body sentence above.) |
| About 1.77 percent of scorpion stings in children up to 14 years old end in death, even though most stings happen to adults. | The mortality rate from scorpion stings is approximately 1.77% among children up to 14 years old, but most accidents occur in adults. (note: Scorpion stings in Brazil, not this species' alone; the sentence says "scorpion stings". Also FAQ 2.) |
| Tityus serrulatus is the species primarily responsible for severe scorpion stings in Brazil. | The yellow scorpion Tityus serrulatus (Ts) is the species primarily responsible for severe accidents because it is easily adapted to the urban environment |
| Moderate and severe cases are treated with painkillers and antivenom. | Treatment of moderate and severe scorpion stings consists of analgesics for pain and horse antiscorpionic or anti-arachnidic antivenom |
| dangerLevel: Deadly | The mortality rate from scorpion stings is approximately 1.77% among children up to 14 years old, but most accidents occur in adults |

## Reckziegel & Pinto (2014). Scorpionism in Brazil in the years 2000 to 2012. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases.

https://doi.org/10.1186/1678-9199-20-46

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| across Brazil the majority of scorpion sting cases are clinically mild, though most of the fatal ones are linked to *Tityus serrulatus* | The majority of cases were clinically mild, with a mortality rate of around 0.9%, while most fatal accidents were associated with the specie Tityus serrulatus (note: National scope, Brazil 2000 to 2012. Replaces a Campina Grande cohort whose own paper names Tityus stigmurus as the northeast's main offending species.) |
| dangerLevel: Deadly | The majority of cases were clinically mild, with a mortality rate of around 0.9%, while most fatal accidents were associated with the specie Tityus serrulatus (note: Deadly is 'capable of killing a human'; Extreme is 'without necessarily being lethal'. The tiers are capabilities, and the sources record deaths. Was Extreme.) |

## Escorpião: Controle de escorpiões de importância em saúde. Instituto Butantan.

https://publicacoeseducativas.butantan.gov.br/web/escorpiao/pages/pdf/livreto-escorpiao.pdf

| The page says | The source says |
| :--- | :--- |
| In the storm drains and rubble piles of Brazilian cities | terrenos baldios com mato, entulho ou lixo ... galerias de águas pluviais e esgoto, canais, bocas de lobo (note: Portuguese: "vacant lots with scrub, rubble or trash ... storm-water and sewer galleries, canals, storm drains." The booklet's natural-history section, covering the Brazilian scorpions of health importance, of which T. serrulatus is the first listed.) |
| does not need a mate to breed | Sua reprodução é partenogenética, na qual as fêmeas se reproduzem sem a necessidade da presença de um macho. (note: Portuguese: "Its reproduction is parthenogenetic, in which females reproduce without needing the presence of a male." From the booklet's Tityus serrulatus entry.) |
| A mother gives birth to roughly 20 to 25 live young about twice a year | Cada mãe tem aproximadamente dois partos por ano, com cerca de 20 a 25 filhotes cada. (note: Portuguese: "Each mother has approximately two litters a year, with about 20 to 25 young each.") |
| sheltering in drains, rubble, and scrubland | terrenos baldios com mato, entulho ou lixo ... galerias de águas pluviais e esgoto, canais, bocas de lobo (note: Portuguese: "vacant lots with scrub, rubble or trash ... storm-water and sewer galleries, canals, storm drains.") |
| Local health teams search for the scorpions at night with ultraviolet flashlights, which make the animals easier to see | As atividades de controle sob responsabilidade das equipes de saúde locais envolvem ... no caso de coleta em período noturno, lanternas de luz ultravioleta que facilitam a visualização dos animais (note: Portuguese: "Control activities, the responsibility of local health teams, involve ... in the case of nighttime collection, ultraviolet flashlights that make the animals easier to see.") |
| collect and remove them from inside and around buildings | a coleta e remoção dos escorpiões do ambiente, seja em áreas internas de edificações ou externas (note: Portuguese: "the collection and removal of scorpions from the environment, whether inside buildings or outdoors.") |
| The asexual arachnid that invaded Brazilian cities without needing a single male to reproduce. | Sua reprodução é partenogenética, na qual as fêmeas se reproduzem sem a necessidade da presença de um macho. (note: Portuguese: "reproduction is parthenogenetic, in which females reproduce without needing the presence of a male." The invasion half is the range claim above (pimenta-2019, records in all other Brazilian regions).) |
| Sewers, rubble piles, and scrubland | terrenos baldios com mato, entulho ou lixo ... galerias de águas pluviais e esgoto, canais, bocas de lobo (note: stats.habitat opening clause; same booklet list as the body.) |
| adult scorpions are usually female, and unfertilized
    eggs develop straight into daughters, and a female breeds with no male
    present | Sua reprodução é partenogenética, na qual as fêmeas se reproduzem sem a necessidade da presença de um macho. (note: stats.superpower; the all-female population is lourenco-2015's "absence of males from all known populations".) |
| a mother births roughly 20 to 25 young about twice a year | Cada mãe tem aproximadamente dois partos por ano, com cerca de 20 a 25 filhotes cada. (note: vibe.reason. Portuguese: "Each mother has approximately two litters a year, with about 20 to 25 young each.") |