A new species of Leiurus from Egypt

 

Wilson Lourenco and Hisham El-Hennawy have recetly published the discovery of a second species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Egypt.

Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenco & El-Hennaway, 2021

Pictures of the new species' super-dry habitat are also presented.

Abstract:
One more new species is described for the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg from Africa. The description is based on one juvenile female collected in the region NE of Maghra, east of the Qattara Depression, Egypt. Although some affinities may be suggested with L. quinquestriatus and L. hebraeus, species distributed in Egypt and Israel, several characteristics attest however that this population is certainly distinct. The type locality of the new species corresponds to a very poorly prospected zone in Egypt and further studies in the area should provide new material confirming the present decision.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, El-Hennawy HK. New considerations on the Leiurus Ehrenberg (Scorpiones: Buthidae) distributed in Africa and description of a particular species from Egypt. Serket. 2021;17(4):325-34. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae