BY SAPUMAL JAYASENA
A new breed of scorpion identified in Sri Lanka has been named after popular historical bandit of Sri Lanka Saradiel.
Many do not know that the research which led to the discovery was due to study of species of scorpions. That creature did not have such an attractive name. The two inch little scorpion found camouflaged in the sandy soil in Jaffna was identified as fatally poisonous, shattering the belief we had so far that the scorpion was only mildly poisonous. This scorpion is so very small, that it is not easily identified. The victim can be dead within 10 hours.yellowish scorpion. The vaccination for the snakebites did not answer and the man died. Sri Lanka did not have anti-venom drugs for that scorpion.
This specimen creature was sent to the Veterinary Hospital of Peradeniya and from there to Peradeniya University. Prof. Kithsiri Ranawaka led a team to identify this creature.
A British scientist researched about 14 types of scorpions in Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was known then) about 100 years ago.
A Czech scientist and his assistant who had researched on the scorpions worldwide helped the team of the Peradeniya University to identify this creature. It was a deadly poisonous scorpion which lived even in South India.
However, the study was continued throughout the country and it led to identify another four types of scorpions which had not been identified previously. Of these 18 varieties, 14 were endemic.
The yellowish scorpion’s bites must be treated within 10 hours. Otherwise the poison attacks the kidneys and the patient dies. The anti-venom vaccines produced by using the same scorpion is now imported from India and stored in the Jaffna hospital.
Sri Lanka is the habitat of the world’s biggest Giant Wild Scorpion which grows up to 23 centimeters. The smallest Sri Lankan scorpion is 1.4 cm and it is yet to be named. The ordinary black scorpions of the average size of 12 cm is found in wet zone, dry zone and intermediary areas like Colombo, Galle, Matara and Hambantota.
The Czech scientist proposed one of the new scorpion varieties named as Saradiel. He is also aware of the history of the countries in addition to the scorpions.
Saradiel was a local bandit similar to legendary Robin Hood. Saradiel robbed the property of the colonial officials and their local henchmen and distributed among the Sri Lankans who were suffering due to extreme taxation. He was hero among the local communities.
The scorpion named as Saradiel is one that jumps and bites but with no venom. It was named by Prof. Ranawaka and the team as Charmus Saradieli. Scorpion Saradiel is about 4cm long and the colour is dark brown.
Scorpion is a carnivore which eats small insects like ants. It lives in places like anthills, decaying logs, coconut husks and heaps of small rock. It is a nocturnal creature which directly breeds the offspring without eggs. The number of brood is normally seven or eight but sometimes increases up to 25-30.
Seventeen of the 18 scorpions found in Sri Lanka are non-venomous. They are preyed on by birds like kingfishers. Scorpions are important for the balance of nature.
Courtesy:Ceylon Today