Etude d’occupation spatio-temporelle de scorpion Androctonus australis (Linnaeus,1758) dans la vallée du M’Zab, Ghardaïa, Sahara algérien

Abstract

Among the scorpions belonging to the Algerian fauna, Androctonus australis (Linnaeus, 1758), this species has high medical importance. During the year 2020 and 2021, we have conducted numerous studies on the ecology and biology of this species based on a sample of 220 individuals from various biotopes in the region of Ghardaïa which is located in the Sahara Desert of Algeria and considered as an arid ecosystem. This study concerned in particular the stages of variation and development of the species. The results allow us to define the favorable mating season of Androctonus australis which occurs during the autumn period when the climatic conditions are favorable, which means relatively low temperatures (about 18 °C) and winds blowing at a regular speed and in a constant direction. We also noted that the species develops a winter diapause of 5 to 6 months, during this period covering the entire winter season and a few weeks of spring, the females were inactive and begin their activity the end of March with a remarkable interval time before that of the trunks, In spring and summer, following parturition, a significant number of juveniles is observed. However, we noted that the number of males remains low compared to the females of Androctonus australis