All articles tagged with #pincers
A study of 18 scorpion species found zinc, manganese, and iron are concentrated in stressed parts of their stingers and pincers, with zinc-rich tips and manganese layers on stingers and zinc/iron on claws, reinforcing these weapons to resist wear and boost hunting efficiency, offering insight into arthropod evolution.
Scientists mapped metal use in 18 scorpion species and found zinc concentrates at sting tips while manganese dominates down the stinger, with zinc and iron lining the inner cutting edge of pincers to boost durability; patterns vary by species according to hunting style, suggesting metal reinforcement evolves with weapon use. The study, using micro X-ray fluorescence microscopy, was published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface (2026).