Defensive stinging by Parabuthus transvaalicus scorpions: risk assessment and venom metering

Venom is a metabolically expensive commodity that animals should use judiciously. The venom-metering hypothesis proposes that venomous animals control, or meter, the quantity of venom they deploy during predatory or defensive situations. We sought to clarify experimentally whether the buthid scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus can regulate defensive venom expenditure based on perceived risk. Scorpions were tested […]