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1 April 2009 Scorpions are a Food Item of American Black Bears in Sonora, Mexico
Carlos A. López-González, Robert W. Jones, Carmen Silva-Hurtado, Ivan A. Sáyago-Vázquez
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Abstract

The remains of the scorpion Diplocentrus peloncillensis Francke were found in 7 scats of black bears (Ursus americanus) collected in the Sierra de San Luis, Sonora, Mexico. The collection data and previously reported black bear population estimates for the study area suggested that, although scorpions are not a large part of black bear diets in Sonora, feeding on scorpions is not restricted to a single individual or family unit and is apparently a relatively common behavior in the population. Also, the discovery of D. peloncillensis in Sonora represents a new country record.

Se encontraron restos del escorpión, Diplocentrus peloncillensis Francke, en siete heces de oso negro (Ursus americanus) colectados en la Sierra de San Luis, Sonora, Mexico. Los datos de colección y estimaciones poblaciones previas de osos negros para el área de estudio sugieren que, aunque los escorpiones no son una parte importante en la dieta del oso negro en Sonora, la alimentación de escorpiones no estuvo restringida a un solo individuo ni a una familia y es un comportamiento relativamente común dentro de la población. Aparte, el descubrimiento de la especie D. peloncillensis en Sonora representa un nuevo registre para México.

© 2009
Carlos A. López-González, Robert W. Jones, Carmen Silva-Hurtado, and Ivan A. Sáyago-Vázquez "Scorpions are a Food Item of American Black Bears in Sonora, Mexico," Western North American Naturalist 69(1), 131-133, (1 April 2009). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.069.0106
Received: 10 April 2008; Accepted: 1 July 2008; Published: 1 April 2009
KEYWORDS
American black bear
diet
Diplocentrus peloncillensis
Scorpion
Ursus americanus
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