A study on ecology and biosystematics of some desert scorpions

Different habitats were explored for scorpion fauna in Cholistan desert near Bhawalnagar. Specimens were collected by pit fall traps during feasibility study of drainage project (SCARP-VIII) and Fordwah Eastern Sadiqia South (FESS) Salinity Control and Reclamation Project. A total number of 28 specimens belonging to single family Buthidae, single genus Buthus and eleven species namely, Buthus macmahoni, B. doriae, B. hendersoni, B. pachyurus, B. tamulus, B. alticola, B. caucuses, B. atrostriatus, B. acutecarinatus, B. australis, were identified as a result of present study. The most dominant species were the Buthus macmahoni which was 9 in No. and was found in loose sand dune high ridge and second species was B. doriae which was 5 in No. and was found is Gravel line where no vegetation. The most preferred habitat for scorpion fauna was sand dunes. The dominant plant species of this habitat were C. conglomeratus H. salicornicum, O. compressa. These plant species were more preferred by scorpions. The other habitats like loose sand dune with high ridge, gravel flat, and settled sand dune, flat with sand layer, were found be less abundant with respect to diversity and abundance of scorpion fauna. Accordingly B. macmahoni preferred loose sand dunes with high ridges bearing Calligonum polygonoides plant species. B. doriae preferred gravel flat with sand layer usually bearing Cyperus conglomeratus vegetation. B. tamulus preferred the settled sand dune bearing the vegetation of Tamarix aphylla similarly B. australis, B. pachyurus, B. hendersoni, and B. atrostriatus preferred sand dune in which B. australis bore the vegetation of Cyperus conglomeratus, B. pachyurus and B. hendersoni, bore the Haloxylon sallcornicum and the B. atrostriatus usually bearing Ochthochola compressa vegetation. The B. nigrifrons was found in the soil condition of flat with sand layer and preferred the vegetation of Ochthochola compressa. The information about the vegetation and soil condition for two species of B. caucasius and B. alticola was not recorded.