[Accident caused by Rhopalurus agamemnon (Koch, 1839) (Scorpiones, Buthidae)].
Accidents caused by scorpions are a serious public health problem in Brazil. Rhopalurus agamemnon is a large scorpion found in the Cerrado (savanna) biome, and it is very abundant in many localities in central Brazil. The species inhabits open savanna environments, and is common inside termite mounds. However, it disappears from places where the native vegetation has been removed. The accidents reported present moderate symptoms of envenoming, but are based on questionable identifications. Here, we present a report on an accident that was certainly caused by Rhopalurus agamemnon. We conclude that the few reports available do not make it possible to evaluate the severity of such accidents and the possible risk to public health from this scorpion.
Brandão
Reuber Albuquerque
RA
Laboratório de Fauna e Unidades de Conservação, Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF. reuberbrandao@yahoo.com.br
Françoso
Renata Dias
RD
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012605:Scorpions / Q000145:classification; D013045:Species Specificity