22 Eyl 2025 Pazartesi
Comparison of three non-invasive methods for determining on scorpions diet composition
Abstract : Data on the scorpion diet composition were collected using three non-invasive methods: 1) collecting prey remains in predator shelters; 2) visual night observations in nature; 3) observations in laboratory conditions. The first method allowed us to establish the taxonomic status of food items at the level of large taxa (order, family) and took into account both actual and hypothetical items. The second method allowed us to establish the generic and species affiliation of eaten items, as well as their numbers, but did not take into account potential food items. The third method allowed us to assess the feeding activity of predators as a whole additionally identifying the types of potential preys not accounted for by other methods, but did not reflect the actual quantitative and qualitative components of their trophic behavior. If we conditionally take the information content of the second method as 100%, then the information content of the first and third methods was approximately 50 and 80%, respectively. In terms of information content of data, the greatest coincidence was noted for the second and third methods. The obtained data indicate that each of the methods can be considered effective for use with a large sample size, since it allows collecting sufficiently reliable information. However, with a small sample size, it is still recommended to use all three methods in combination for greater objectivity of the finally results.