Niche partitioning in scorpions across neotropical dry-wet forests in Brazil

 

Species inhabiting the same ecosystem usually tries to find their own niche to avoid competition and predation. A ecosystem with high heterogeneity will probably provides more niches and thereby contribute to a higher diversity.

Andre Felipe de Araujo Lira have recently published an article looking into "spatial niche dynamics of a scorpion assemblage along a dry-wet bioclimatic gradient characterized by sharp transitions in precipitation and humidity regimes" in an area in Brazil.

The study concludes that "spatial niche dynamics of scorpion assemblages along the dry-wet bioclimatic gradient in Brazilian forests are strongly influenced by both microhabitat availability and species ecological specificity". Check out the article for further details.

Abstract:

Reference: 
de Araujo Lira AF. Niche partitioning in scorpions across neotropical dry-wet forests: an intra- and interspecific analysis. Acta Oecologica. 2025;129:104134. [Subscription required for full text]

An observation of scorpion predation on a gecko in Greece

 

Scorpions prey on a wide variety of invertebrate prey and generally you can say that they will catch and eat any prey they can subdue without to much risk.  As most of you probably know, they can catch and eat vertebrate prey too as long as the can subdue them. Cases of predation on amphibians, reptiles and even small mammals have been reported. 

In a recent paper, Noureddine Benali and Guillaume Gomard have described a case of vertebrate predation from Greece where an Aegaeobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Buthidae) was seen eating on a juvenile gecko Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758). 

The authors think that this is not an isolated case and that opportunistic scorpions will catch and eat any prey they can subdue.

Abstract:
We report a natural case of predation on the gecko Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758) by Aegaeobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) in Western Peloponnese, Greece. The event was recorded during a nocturnal survey in a sandy habitat. The scorpion was observed grasping the gecko with its pedipalps and feeding on it. This observation provides new insights into the trophic interactions of A. gibbosus.

Reference:
Benali N, Gomard G. Predation on the gecko Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) by the scorpion Aegaeobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in western Peloponnese, Greece. Serket. 2025;21(1):60–3. [Full text supplied bu authors] 

Thanks to Noureddine Benali and Hisham El-Hennaway for sending me this article!  

First record of Lissothus occidentalis from Algeria

 

Mayssara El Bouhissi and co-workers recently published the first findings of Lissothus occidentalis Vachon, 1950 (Buthidae) from Algeria. This is a rare genus and new information about its distribution is very interesting. The article sums up the genus' distribution in North Africa. 

Abstract:
This note concerns a new record of Lissothus occidentalis Vachon, 1950 in Tindouf region of western Algeria. This discovery represents a significant eastward extension of the known distribution range of this species. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of the biological richness of the southern Saharan zones which is still poorly documented in terms of scorpions. The number of confirmed species of Lissothus in Algeria is raised to three.

Reference:
El Bouhissi  M, Hammou MA, Mohdeb S, Dahmani W, Cheddad A, Benali N, et al. First record of Lissothus occidentalis Vachon, 1950 from Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Serket. 2025;21(1):54–9. [Article supplied by authors]

Thanks to Noureddine Benali and Hisham El-Hennaway for sending me this article! 

A new species of Androctonus from Jordan

 

Bassam Abu Afifeh and co-workers recently published an article with the description of a new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from southern Jordan. 

Androctonus minaeus Abu Afifeh, Al-Saraireh & El-Hennaway, 2025 

The distribution of relevant species from Jordan and Egypt is also presented and discussed.

Abstract:
A new buthid scorpion species, Androctonus minaeus sp. n., is described from the Ma’an governorate in southern Jordan. This study provides a detailed morphological description, morphometric analysis, and diagnostic comparison with closely related species, particularly Androctonus bicolor and A. tenuissimus, using comparative material of these species from Egypt, along with ecological and distributional notes for each. Historical records of A. bicolor, A. amoreuxi, and A. australis from Jordan are reviewed and considered unverified due to the absence of supporting morphological data, and are therefore excluded from the confirmed scorpion fauna of Jordan pending further evidence. A distribution map of all examined specimens, along with previous records of related species from Egypt, is also provided to enhance our understanding of the geographic range and biogeography of this genus. The new species is distinguished by a unique combination of characters, including colouration, carinal development, and pedipalp proportions. The results contribute to a refined understanding of Androctonus diversity in the Levant and underscore the importance of critical reevaluation of regional scorpion records.

Reference:
Abu Afifeh B, Al-Saraireh M, El-Hennawy HK. A new Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 species from southern Jordan with implications for regional taxonomy and distribution (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Serket. 2025;21(1):12–32. [Open Access]

Thanks to Hirsham El-Hennaway for sending me scorpion articles published in Serket!

Family Buthidae 

 

An update on the description and the distribution of the endemic scorpion Orthochirus soufiensis in Algeria

 

Noureddine Benali and co-workers recently published an article on the endemic scorpion Orthochirus soufiensis Lourenço & Sadine, 2021 (Buthidae) from Algeria. 

The article reports of new findings of the scorpion and expanding the species' range in Algeria. In addition, the study presents an updated description of the species' morphology.

Abstract:
Orthochirus soufiensis Lourenço & Sadine, 2021 is an endemic scorpion of Algeria, recently discovered from El-Oued region (North-eastern Algeria) in desert area. This note concerns the distribution range update of this species with two new district localities; the first, over 265 km to the south, in the palm grove of Ouargla region (Eastern Algeria); and the second, more than 1000 km to the west, very close to the herbaceous Tamarix in Tindouf region (Southwest Algeria). These new localities may suggest a significant extension of the distribution area of this species to the detriment of the Orthochirus innesi. This work aims to reconsider the distribution of all scorpions in this vast country (Algeria), as well as the proposal of a condense field work, for a better knowledge of distribution of the scorpion fauna, especially in poorly or little prospected areas.

Reference:
Benali N, Boulila I, Meziane R, Menad FZ, El Bouhissi M, Hammou MA, et al. Distribution range and morphological update of Orthochirus soufiensis Lourenço & Sadine, 2021 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Algeria. Serket. 2025;21(1):44–53. [Article supplied by authors]

Thanks to Noureddine for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae 

A new species of Leiurus from Niger

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a new species of the medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the south of Niger. 

Leiurus sahelicus Lourenco, El-Hennaway & Ythier, 2025

The authors also restore Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenço & El-Hennawy, 2021 from synonymy with L. libycus (Birula, 1908).

A distribution map of the African members of Leiurus is also presented. 

Abstract:
One more African new species belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 is described. The description is based on six adult males and one adult female collected in the region of Mir, South of Niger. The new species shows affinities with other Leiurus species distributed in the Western portion of Africa; however, several characteristics attest that, once again, this population is certainly distinct. The ecological features of the type locality are particular since the area is characterised by savannah-like vegetation, instead of arid-desert formations; formation previously defined exclusively for Leiurus savanicola Lourenço, Qi & Cloudsley-Thompson, 2006 described from Cameroon and Leiurus nigerianus Lourenço, 2021 described from Nigeria. This new scorpion taxon represents the 28th known species of the genus Leiurus. Comments are equally proposed on the recent synonymy of Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenço & El-Hennawy, 2021 with Leiurus libycus (Birula, 1908), and this species is revalidated. A geographical distribution map of the distribution of the African species of the genus Leiurus is presented.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, El-Hennawy HK, Ythier E. A further new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the South of Niger and confirmation of the extension of the distribution range of the genus to the Southern zones of the Sahara Desert. Serket. 2025;21(1):1–11. [Article supplied by authors]

Thanks to Eric for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae 

A new species of Androctonus from Jordan

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers have recently published an article describing a new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Jordan.

Androctonus ammoneus Yagmur, Al-Saraireh & Abu fifeh, 2025

The new species seems to prefer to inhabit human-modified habitats and may therefor represent a potential health hazard in the areas of distribution.

This article has been in press for quite a long time and because this do not cite recent papers on Androctonus this fall. 

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Androctonus ammoneus sp. n., is described and illustrated from Zarqa Province, Jordan. Previous reports classified several Androctonus populations in Jordan as A. crassicauda. However, a comparative analysis with the neotype of A. crassicauda and other related species from Turkey and the Middle East reveals that A. ammoneus sp. n. is widely distributed in Jordan and represents a distinct species. The key distinguishing features include the chela structure and slenderness, metasomal carination, telson structure and general coloration. This study provides a comprehensive description and detailed illustrations of the new species, contributing to the taxonomic understanding of the genus Androctonus in the region.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Al-Saraireh M, Abu Afifeh B. Description of a New Species of Androctonus (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Jordan. Zoodiversity. 2025;59(5):383–98. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their new article!

Family Buthidae