Discovery of an unknown cave-dwelling scorpion from Australia

 

It is always interesting to read about new, cave dwelling scorpions. Some of these are just troglophiles without any special morphological adaptions, while others are true troglobites with adaptions like lack of pigments and reduced or no eyes.

In a recent article, Michael Curran and co-workers describe a new scorpion discovered in caves the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The taxonomic status of the scorpion will be treated in a future article, but preliminary analysis place it in the family Bothriuridae. The new species has distinct troglomorphic traits. It lacks eyes and pigmentation, and has weakened/diminished appendages.

It will be interesting to read the follow-up study on the taxonomy of this scorpion and another unknown bothriurid fra the same area. These two specimens represent the first reported troglobitic members of the family Bothriuridae.

Abstract:
We report the first troglobitic members of the scorpion family Bothriuridae from Australia, discovered in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and provide a brief review of Australian troglofaunal scorpions. Scorpions are rare in subterranean ecosystems, with only 28 species recorded globally. Two described and two undescribed subterranean scorpion species were previously known from Australia. The Pilbara specimen documented herein exhibit pronounced troglomorphic traits, including complete loss of ocelli and pigmentation and weakened/diminished appendages, consistent with obligate subterranean adaptation. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses place the specimen within Bothriuridae. Photographs, collection details, and molecular data are provided. Together with a previously collected undescribed bothriurid from the Pilbara, this discovery represents the first documented troglobitic Bothriuridae globally. Formal taxonomic treatment will follow in a subsequent dedicated study.

Reference:
Curran M, Rodman S, Huey J, Floeckner S, Gunawardene N, Lythe M, et al. First record of troglobitic Bothriuridae (Scorpiones) in Australia from the Pilbara. Subterr Biol. 2026;56:85–101. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon and Francesco Frigioni for sending me this article!

Heavy metal scorpions

 

No, I'm blogging about the heavy metal band Scorpions! :)

Sam Campbell and co-workers have recently published an interesting study looking into how scorpions can harden their weapons. The scorpions main weapons are their powerful claws and their stinger (used to inject venom). The study hypothesizes that the scorpions are using metal enrichment in these structure to make them harder and stronger.

The study shows that metals like Zinc are used in strengthening the claws and the stinger, but not simultaneously. In species where Zinc was richly concentrated in the claws, it was scarce in the stinger, and vice versa. Scorpions with big claws usually crush prey and do not use the stinger, while species with more slender claws depend on the stinger and venom for subduing a prey. Interestingly, it was the latter groups where the metal content of the claws was highest. This has probably evolved as a compensation for the structural fragility of the scorpion withe slender claws.

An interesting study that both looks into the distribution and placing of the metals in the scorpion exoskeleton and discuss this in an evolutionary context.

Abstract:
Scorpions diverged from their closest relatives around the Ordovician Period, and since then, environmental interactions have shaped the evolution of the material properties of their exoskeletons. Hardening of this structure via the incorporation of transition metals has enabled biomechanical advancements in weapon development. Scorpion weapons consist of the stinger (telson) and claws (chelae) and contain diverse metals such as zinc, manganese and iron, though little is known about comparative patterns of incorporation across the wider clade. In this study, we harness X-ray-driven microanalytical techniques to characterize the different elemental enrichment patterns within the weapons of 18 species from a range of scorpion families. We hypothesized that enrichment by metal would be inversely correlated between weapons, tied to their functional roles and morphological diversity. We identified cryptic enrichment strategies, including weapon-selective elemental replacement and an inverse enrichment of Zn between weapons. Chela enrichment by Zn was found to positively correlate with a morphological indicator of chelae pinch strength, wherein Zn enrichment was greater in specimens with reduced crushing power. This study supports a growing body of research into the evolution of metal enrichment among invertebrates and provides a greater understanding of the material properties of the exoskeleton within weapon development.
 

Reference:
Campbell SI, Vicenzi EP, Lam T, Fry BG, Wood HM. Heavy metal predators: diverse elemental enrichment across the weapons of scorpions. J R Soc Interface. 2026;23(237). [Open Access]

A new species of Scorpio from Saudi Arabia

 

Abdulhadi Aloufi and co-workers have recently published an article describing a new species of Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 (Scorpionidae) from Saudi Arabia.

Scorpio furvus Aloufi, Afifeh, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2026 

Abstract:
A new species of Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 is described from Al Ula Governorate, Al Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia. Scorpio furvus sp. nov. is distinguished from closely related congeners, including S. fuscus, S. kruglovi, S. palmatus, S. jordanensis, and S. yemenensis, by a unique combination of morphological characters notably the granulation pattern of the pedipalp chela, metasomal proportions, pectinal structure and length, and overall dark coloration. Morphometric comparisons further support its distinct status. The discovery of this species highlights the underestimated diversity of the genus Scorpio in the Arabian Peninsula and reinforces the view that the Scorpio maurus complex comprises multiple geographically restricted taxa requiring continued integrative taxonomic investigation.

Reference:
Aloufi A, Abu Afifeh B, Al-Saraireh M, Amr ZS. A New Species of Scorpio from Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Taxonomy. 2026;6(2):26. [Open Access]

Thanks to Luis A. Roque for informing me about the new species.

Family Scorpionidae 

Ecological and social contexts of scorpion stings in Manaus, Brazil

 

Scorpionism is a well known problem in Brazil and also in many urban areas. In a recent article, Zehev Benzaken and co-workers have a more original focus on the occurrence and impact of scorpion stings in Brazil. 

They present the results from 30 interviews with sting victims and field observations of where the sting accidents happened. It is very interesting to read how the sting victims experienced the scorpion sting and how they reacted afterward. Also, the study shows that the structural conditions of households and the unplanned expansion of urban areas over natural environments are key factors in understanding the occurrence of scorpion stings.  

The study is an important contribution to finding ways to prevent scorpion accidents in areas where humans have moved into scorpion habitats. 

Abstract:
Scorpion stings remain a significant public health problem in tropical regions, particularly in Brazil, where an estimatied 117,185 cases are reported annually, reflecting a persistent and growing burden on the healthcare system. Globally, more than two million cases occur each year, especially in areas undergoing environmental disturbances such as deforestation and unplanned urbanization. This study investigates the ecological and social contexts of scorpion stings in Manaus, the largest metropolis of the Brazilian Amazon. This qualitative study was conducted at the Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation (FMT-HVD), a reference center for scorpion stings, between January 2020 and March 2025. Data were collected through clinical questionnaires, indepth interviews, and household field observations. Thematic analysis was performed using Atlas.ti. Thirty participants from different age groups were included. Most cases were clinically mild. Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis that address perceptions and reactions to the sting, environmental risk factors, postaccident behaviors, emotional impacts, and patient care pathways. Participants reported overlap between domestic spaces and forest fragments, limited knowledge about prevention, emotional distress, and barriers to accessing care, including late referrals and transportation difficulties. Scorpion stings in the Amazon are shaped by environmental, social, and structural factors. Integrated strategies involving environmental management, health education, urban planning, and improved healthcare access are essential to reduce their burden.

Reference:
Benzaken ZS, Cristino JS, Benzaken H, Sachett J, da Silva Carvalho E, da Silva Mendes Y, et al. Ecological and Social Contexts of Scorpion Stings in Manaus, the Largest Metropolis of the Brazilian Amazon. Toxicon. 2026:109122. [Open Access]

The effects of insecticide-contaminated prey on predatory behavior in the scorpion Tityus pusillus

 

Pesticides are commonly used in the fight against "pest-insects" like cockroaches. This can be harmful for other animals, like the predators eating these pesticide-contaminated prey and nature in general. Thayna Rhayane de Brito-Almeida and co-workers have recently published an article investigating the effects of insecticide-contaminated prey on predatory behavior in the scorpion Tityus pusillus  Pocock, 1893 (Buthidae).

The study shows that the acceptance rate prey exposed to insecticides was the same as for prey in the control group. However, there were some modifications in the prey capture behavior in the insecticide group compared to the control group. Also, scorpions that had ingested prey exposed to one type of insecticides showed signs of intoxication, but these were very short lived. It seems that Tityus pusillus is resistant to the insecticides tested.

Abstract:
In many countries, insecticide application in cities is the primary method used for urban pest control. However, the indiscriminate use of these chemical compounds may prejudice native predators which consume contaminated prey. This research aimed to evaluate the behavioural response of Tityus pusillus scorpions to prey previously exposed to different groups of insecticides. Two chemical compounds were tested: pyrethroid cypermethrin spray and the bait-type insecticide indoxacarb, which is an oxadiazine compound. Sixty scorpions were divided into three groups of 20 specimens each: a control group fed on cockroaches not exposed to any insecticide, a pyrethroid group fed on cockroaches previously exposed to cypermethrin, and an indoxacarb group fed on cockroaches exposed to oxadiazine. No difference was detected in prey acceptance among the three groups. Scorpions exposed to oxadiazine showed a non-significant trend toward longer capture latency, while pyrethroid-exposed individuals displayed transient signs of intoxication, with most recovering. Despite these short-term behavioural alterations, scorpions accepted contaminated prey, with no treatment effect on capture latency or acceptance probability. Our findings indicate short-term tolerance to the tested insecticides.

Reference:
Brito-Almeida T, Barbosa de Moura GJ, Lira A. Insecticide-contaminated prey alters predatory behaviour in the scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Arachnology. 2026;20:576–80. [Subscription required for full text]

A revision of all scorpion taxa of the world

 

Yesterday I was informed about a recent monograph published by Lorenzo Prendini containing a complete revision of all scorpion taxa of the world. This publication includes a huge amount of changes on family, genus and species level (synonymizations, new combinations, change of status etc.).

At the moment I'm not sure how to handle all of these changes, some that are controversial. I have gotten input from some researchers that are critical to this work and many of the conclusions. But this if of course a part of the scientific disagreements that we see all the time in science, including scorpion taxonomy.

Regardless of this, I will need time to read, understand and process all the changes proposed in this monograph. So it will take some time before The Scorpion Files will be updated. Those of you who are curious about the new changes can check out the paper, as if is freely available for all.

I will publish more about the changes when I start updating The Scorpion Files.

Thanks for your patience!

Reference:
Prendini L. All genera of the world: Order Scorpiones (Animalia: Arthropoda: Arachnida). Megataxa. 2026;019(2):270–378. [Open Access]

Jan Ove Rein
Editor 

A new species of Androctonus from Algeria

 

The vast areas of North Africa still harbor unidentified scorpion species. In a recent paper, Ersen Yagmur and co-workers describe a new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the Guezzam Province in southern Algeria.

Androctonus tinzaouatinensis Yagmur, Benali, Derradj & Bikada 2026 [Author names corrected 04.05.26]

The new species inhabits a hyper-arid Saharan biotope with summer daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C and annual rainfall extremely low.

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Androctonus tinzaouatinensis sp. n. is described and illustrated from the hyperarid Saharan regions of the Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province and Timiaouine District, Bordj Badji Mokhtar Province, southern Algeria. This new species represents the first record of the genus Androctonus from the Timiaouine and Tin Zaouatine areas. It is compared with congeners from Algeria and Niger, notably A. ajjer Ythier, Sadine, Alioua & Lourenço, A. amoreuxi (Audouin), and A. eburneus (Pallary).

Reference:
Yağmur EA, Benali N, Derradj L, Bikada M. Androctonus tinzaouatinensis a new scorpion species from In Guezzam Province, Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Journal of Natural History. 2026;60(17-20):1033–47. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae