Multiple scorpion species co-occur with humans and development in the desert southwest. However, where scorpions overlap in their distribution with humans varies spatially depending on landscape configuration. It is largely unknown how the scorpion community responds to varying levels of urbanization and landscape characteristics at finer spatial scales. The objective of this project was to evaluate how the abundance of scorpion species and composition of the scorpion community varied across the Phoenix Valley, Arizona in relation to the gradient of urbanization and other landscape characteristics. We predicted that populations for some species would decrease with urbanization, but that others would remain stable or increase in urbanized areas. During the summer of 2019, we surveyed 50 sites across the urban gradient using UV “black” lights by walking 560 m long transects three times.
Results/Conclusions
Results from Royle-Nichols occupancy modeling demonstrated that multiple scorpion species, including stripe-tailed (Paravaejovis spinigerus), giant desert hairy (Hadrurus arizonensis), and bark (Centruroides sculpturatus) scorpions occurred in wildland and low-density urbanization areas. However, as urbanization increased, the scorpion community changed substantially and was comprised of only one species, the bark scorpion, which became hyper abundant at several high-density urbanization sites. This study provides important information about the effects of urbanization on species and community composition. In addition, our work can help identify potential human-wildlife conflict zones with the one species of scorpion that poses a threat to human health. Further, we provide novel information about the scorpion community that can be used for educational outreach and conservation.