A new species of Parabuthus from Somalia

 

Frantisek Kovarik just published the description of a new species of Parabuthus Pocock, 1890  (Buthidae) from Somalia (Puntaland).

Parabuthus starhai Kovarik, 2025

Abstract:
A new species Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) is described. Combination of two characters, pectine teeth number 56–59 in both sexes and pedipalp chela length/ width ratio 3.65 in male and 5.47 in female differ P. starhai sp. n. from all other species in the region. Included is also a map of distribution of Parabuthus species in Horn of Africa.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXV. Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(405):1-10. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Androctonus from the Tassili n'Ajjer in Algeria

 

Eric Ythier and co-workers recently published an article describing a new species of the medical important genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the Tassili n'Ajjer in Algeria.

Androctonus ajjer Ythier, Sadine, Alioua & Lourenco, 2025

Abstract:
A new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 is described on the basis of one male specimen collected in Eferi, at the foothills of the Tassili n'Ajjer massif, Wilaya of Djanet, Algeria. This new scorpion taxon represents the 42nd known species of the genus Androctonus and the 7th reported from Algeria. A geographical distribution map of the Androctonus species occurring in the region of the Saharan Mountain ranges of Algeria and Niger is presented.

Reference:
Ythier E, Sadine SE, Alioua Y, Lourenco WR. A new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 from the Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(8):1-8. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A review on endemic scorpion species and subspecies in Morocco

 

Scorpions are a health problems in some regions of the world, among them Morocco. Knowledge about the scorpion fauna and the distribution of medical important species is important so that local and regional health providers can be prepared for sting accidents and envenomations. Information like this is also important for measures to prevent sting incidents.

Meriem Es-Saadi and co-workers recently published a review on endemic scorpion species and subspecies in Morocco. Their study identified fifty-five endemic species and subspecies in Morocco. Not surprisingly, the family Buthidae was most widespread. Knowledge about the distribution of the species in this family is important, as the most medical important species are members to this family.

Abstract:
Scorpion fauna is abundant in regions with arid and semi-arid climates, exposing these areas to a risk of envenomation, especially for children. Scorpion envenomations cause thousands of deaths each year, with notable incidences in the MENA region, South America, Latin and Central America, and India. Morocco is one of the countries most affected by this phenomenon; according to statistics from the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center (CAPM), approximately 8565 scorpion stings and envenomations were recorded annually between 2016 and 2022, mainly among children. A literature review was conducted to identify and catalog the endemic scorpion species in Morocco and explore the impact of climate change on their distribution. Sources included scientific journal articles, university theses, and field reports. The collected data were compiled and analyzed to create a distribution map of the endemic species. Our results identified fifty-five endemic species and subspecies in Morocco. The family Buthidae is the most widespread, with seventeen endemic species of the genus Buthus, nine of the genus Androctonus, five of the genus Butheoloides, four of the genus Buthacus, two each of the genera Orthochirus, Compsobuthus, and Hottentota, and one species each of the genera Microbuthus, Cicileiurus, and Saharobuthus. The family Scorpionidae includes nine endemic species, and two subspecies belonging to the genus Scorpio. A high level of endemism is observed in southern Morocco, highlighting a significant concentration of these species in this region. Ongoing climate change is likely to expand the population and distribution of scorpions, as well as the number of envenomations. The results underscore the importance of implementing control and prevention strategies to reduce the risks of envenomation, particularly in the context of climate change. Therefore, to develop management and prevention strategies is based on a thorough understanding

Reference:Es-Saadi M, Hamdi S, Khourcha S, Sadki K, Errafii K, Oukkache N. Endemic Scorpion Species and Subspecies in Morocco: A Comprehensive Overview. Toxicon. 2025;255:108253. [Subscritpion required for full text]

A new species of Isometrus (Reddyanus) from caves in Myanmar

 

Update 29.01.25:  In agreement with author Eric Ythier, the new species has been included in the genus Reddyanus in The Scorpion Files to avoid any confusion until the status of  Reddyanus has ben resolved. 

 Reddyanus alessandroi (Lourenco & Ythier, 2025)

Eric Ythier and Wilson Lourenco have recently published a new species of Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Saddan Cave in eastern Myanmar (Burma).

 Isometrus (Reddyanus) alessandroi Lourenco & Ythier, 2025

The authors do not accept the genus status for the subgenus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972, which is used in The Scorpion Files. I have listed the new species in Isometrus, but it probably belongs in Reddyanus (depending on how you view the status of the genus/subgenus).

The new species was found in a cave, but has no troglomorphic characters.

Abstract:
A new species belonging to the genus Isometrus Ehrenberg 1828, subgenus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972, is described from Myanmar: Isometrus (Reddyanus) alessandroi sp. n., which was collected in Saddan Cave, located in Kayin State, in the East of the country. In recent years the number of new species added to both subgenera Isometrus and Reddyanus have increased remarkably. Nevertheless, none of these descriptions concerned Myanmar. This particular geographic situation as well as a combination of several morphological features led us to propose here this new species.

Reference:
Ythier E, Lourenco WR. A new cave species of Isometrus Ehrenberg 1828 from Myanmar (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(4):1-6. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric for sending me their new article!

Family Buthidae

A study of Androctonus in Iran revels new species

 

Hossein Barahoei and co-workers recently published a study of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 found in Iran. They report of a new species from Eastern Iran.

Androctonus rostami Barahoei, Mirshamsi, Amiri, Moeinadin & Rakhshani, 2025

The number of species in the genus from Iran is now five: A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), A. kunti Yagmur, 2023,  A. sistanus Barahoei & Mirshamsi, 2022, A. sumericus Al-Khazali & Yagmur, 2023 and A. rostami Barahoei, Mirshamsi, Amiri, Moeinadin & Rakhshani, 2025.

The distribution range of the studied species in Iran is outlined and mapped. 

Abstract:
Two species of Androctonus have been reported to date from Iran: Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) and A. sistanus Barahoei and Mirshamsi, 2022, which is distributed only in the southeast of Iran. Investigating and identifying the distribution range of dangerous species is critically important for scorpion management. A total of 105 specimens of Androctonus were collected from representative locations in Esfahan, Yazd, Kerman, Hormozgan, Hamadan, and Khuzestan provinces. These samples were studied morphologically, morphometrically, molecularly (COI gene sequencing), and through species distribution modeling (SDM) using the MaxEnt model. Four Androctonus species were identified through the morphological and molecular studies: A. crassicauda, A. sistanus, A. sumericus, and A. rostami sp. nov. (from eastern Iran). The four described species of Androctonus in Iran form well-defined phenetic groups based on morphometric analyses. SDM results indicated that all predicted models have high accuracy and some overlap with each other. Temperature seasonality for A. crassicauda and annual precipitation for A. sistanus, A. rostami, and A. sumericus were the highest contributing variables. With this first Iranian report of A. sumericus, the description of a new species, and the presence of A. kunti in the northwest of Iran, the number of species of this genus in the country is increased to five. The distribution range of the studied species in Iran is outlined and mapped. The potential distribution modeling for the current period delineated the distribution range of each of the four sampled species. Considering the lethality of the venom of Androctonus scorpions, determination of species distribution ranges provides theoretical backing for studies of significant importance for the prevention of scorpion stings, as well as a foundation for further biochemical and serological studies to develop specific antivenoms for each species.

Reference:
Barahoei H, Mirshamsi O, Amiri M, Moeinadini A, Rakhshani E. Integrative taxonomy reveals the existence of a new species of fat-tailed scorpion Androctonus (Buthidae) in Iran. Turkish Journal of Zoology. 2025;49. [Full text not available yet]

Thanks to Gerard for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae

A study of prey capture and foraging in the buthid Buthus montanus from Spain

 

Francisco Sanchez-Pinero and co-workers recently published a study of foraging strategies and prey selection in Buthus montanus Lourenco & Vachon, 2004 (Buthidae) from an arid area in southeastern Spain.

The study shows that Buthus occitanus is a generalist predator that capture a wide range of prey types. Cannibalism is a major part of the diet. This species has a varied hunting ground as it was observed to hunt for prey on the ground surface, below ground and in shrub canopies.

Abstract:
Scorpions are diverse and abundant in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially in arid ecosystems where they play a relevant role as predators. However, few studies have examined diet composition, use of alternative foraging strategies, prey selection, and predator-prey size relationships of scorpions in different microhabitats. This study provides an analysis of the diet of Buthus montanus Lourenco & Vachon, 2004 in an arid area of SE Spain. Prey captured by scorpions were recorded during black-light censuses over the main activity season of B. montanus in the study area. Because scorpions were observed capturing prey on the ground surface, below ground, and in vegetation, prey availability was estimated using complementary methods for shrub- and ground-dwelling prey. Results show that B. montanus is a generalist predator that feeds on a diverse array of prey, although predatory arthropods and tenebrionid larvae comprised the highest proportion of its diet in both number of prey and biomass. Cannibalism was a major component of its diet, accounting for almost 25% of the biomass ingested, especially in large scorpions. The composition of the diet, prey-size variability, and predator-prey size relationship showed size-related differences. These size-related variations in the diet were also linked to habitat use, due to climbing vegetation by smaller scorpions. These results highlight the implications of ontogenetic shifts in the diet of B. montanus related to cannibalism by larger scorpions and climbing vegetation by smaller individuals, causing changes in the type of prey used by individuals of different size and predator-prey size relationships.

Reference:
Sánchez-Piñero F, Urbano-Tenorio F, Puerta-Rodríguez L. Foraging strategies, prey selection and size- and microhabitat-related diet variation in Buthus montanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in an arid area of SE Spain. The Journal of Arachnology. 2025;52(3):189-98. [Subscription required for full text]

Updated information about the distribution of the genus Scorpio in Northern Algeria and a redescription of Scorpio trarasensis

 

Eric Ythier and co-workers recently published an article with updated information about the Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 (Scorpionidae) fauna in Northern Algeria. The authors also present a redescription of Scorpio trarasensis Bouisset & Larrouy (1962). The article also includes an identification guide for the Scorpio species known from Northern Algeria.

Abstract:
Scorpio trarasensis Bouisset & Larrouy (1962), from the Trara Massif, in the western part of the Tellian Atlas of Algeria, is redescribed on the basis of new material collected and a neotype is designated (original type material is considered lost). The geographical distribution of the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 in Northern Algeria is updated based on additional material examined, and a key for their identification is proposed.

Reference:
Ythier E, Hammou MA, El Bouhissi  M, Mairif M. Redescription of Scorpio trarasensis Bouisset & Larrouy, 1962 and update on the distribution of the genus Scorpio linnaeus, 1758 in Northern Algeria (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Arachnides. 2025(120):1-11. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric and Gerard for sharing this article with me!

Family Scorpionidae