NUIG research shows smaller scorpions are deadlier

Scientists from NUI Galway have proven that smaller scorpion species pack the most potent venoms, proving Indiana Jones’s theory right.

For the first time, researchers have shown that smaller scorpions with smaller pincers have more powerful venoms compared to larger species with more robust claws.

The Galway scientists tested a theory espoused in the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull film, which warned of the dangers of small scorpions, and that “when it comes to scorpions, the bigger the better”.

While many assumed it was a throwaway line from the adventurous archaeologist, the research shows there is truth to it.

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The team of scientists at NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute analysed 36 species of scorpions to show that the larger arachnids have less potent venoms, and their stings are not as nasty as their smaller counterparts.

The venom of the smallest scorpions in their analysis, like the Brazilian yellow scorpion, was over 100 times more potent than the largest species they studied, such as the rock scorpion.

The potency pattern was not just about body size, but also pincer size.

Venoms found in species with the smallest pincers, including the South African thick-tail scorpion, is over ten times more potent than those with the largest and most robust pincers, such as the Israeli gold scorpion.

Dr Kevin Healy, Lecturer of Zoology at NUI Galway and senior author of the study, said there are good evolutionary reasons for this piece of movie trivia being true.

Scorpions use both their venomous sting and their pincers to defend themselves and capture prey, but there is an evolutionary trade-off between these weapons.

More energy is used to make bigger pincers, resulting in less energy for the animal’s chemical arsenal. This means larger scorpions use their physical size for defence and are less reliant on venoms, while smaller species have evolved more potent venoms for their own protection.

Global health problem

“When we look at the most potent, and dangerous, scorpion venoms we find they tend to be associated with species such as the deathstalker which are relatively small,” Dr Healy said. “In contrast, the biggest species such as rock scorpions have venoms that are likely to only cause slight pain.”

Alannah Forde, an NUI Galway graduate student and lead author of the study, said that bigger is better when it comes to people being stung. “We also found that bigger pincers are better when it comes to assessing the danger level of a scorpion. While species such as large-clawed scorpion might be small to medium in size, they mainly rely on their large pincers instead of their relatively weak venom.”

Scorpion stings are a global health problem, with more than one million cases and thousands of deaths every year, and this study aims to help develop better medical approaches.

Dr Michel Dugon, Head of the Venom System Lab at NUI Galway and a senior author of the study, said one of their jobs as scientists is to put popular wisdom to the test. “Most victims hospitalised with severe symptoms following scorpion stings are children below the age of 15.

“Identifying the species responsible is essential to administer the correct treatment, and a simple rule such as ‘bigger is better’ is a first small step toward saving lives.”

The results of the research have published in the international journal Toxins.