A new species of Urophonius from Chile

 

Urophonius Pocock, 1893 in the family Bothriuridae consists of small burrowing scorpions from southern South America. One special feature with this genus is that some of the species are active in winter. Andrés Ojanguren-Affilastro and co-workers have recently described a new species from Andean Mauline Chilean forests.

Urophonius trewanke Ojanguren-Affilastro, Alfaro, Ramirez, Camousseigt-Montolivo & Pizarro-Araya, 2024

The authors have also included a phylogenetic analysis of the genus based on morphological characters.

Abstract:
Urophonius trewanke sp. nov. is described from the Mauline Andean woods of northern Chilean Patagonia. This species belongs to the granulatus species group, which includes the most basal species within the genus. This species is only active in summer as in all species of its group. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Urophonius based on morphological characters to establish the position and relationships of the new species in the genus.

Reference:
Ojanguren-Affilastro AA, Alfaro FM, Ramírez MJ, Camousseigt-Montolivo B, Pizarro-Araya J. A new species of genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), from Andean Mauline Chilean forests, with a phylogenetic re-analysis of the genus. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 2024;100(2):469-82. [Full text supplied by authors]

Thanks to Victora Tang for informing me about this article!

Family Bothriruidae

New records of the buthid Mesobuthus rakhshanii in Iran

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published an article with new data on the distribution of  Mesobuthus rakhshanii Barahoei, 2022 (Buthidae) in Iran.

Abstract:
Mesobuthus rakhshanii Barahoei, 2022 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) was so far known only from the type locality in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. We give a list of numerous new records of this species from the same province. A map and detailed illustrations are provided.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Baghernavesi Z, Taherkhani Z, Akbari P, Moradi M. New records of Mesobuthus rakhshanii Barahoei, 2022 in Iran (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2024(389):1-9. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Pushy scorpion boys get more scorpion girls

 

Sorry for the tabloid headline. ;)

Scorpion females have a greater investment in the offspring than males and because of this are selected to be more picky when it comes to allowing males to mate. And an unwilling scorpion female is no joke, she can both push and sting an unwanted male. 

Milena Moreira and co-workers recently published a study on the sexual receptivity of female Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Buthidae) from Brazil in respone to eager males' courtship attempts. As expected, the females generally behaved aggressive towards flirting males, but in spite of this, the persistence of the male had a positive effect in courtship probability. So "pushy" and males actually had a greater chances of successful mating. One theory that might explain the female behavior is that the ability to overcome the aggressive behavior of females can be an indication of the quality of males.

It has to be added that the willingness of the females also was linked to the reproductive season indicating that also environmental factors may play a significant role in the males' success. 

Abstract:
Due to the high reproductive investment, females are the decisive sex when making decisions about whether or not to reproduce. Generally, female scorpions display aggressive sexual behavior in response to male reproductive advances when they are not receptive. However, female receptivity can vary over time, depending on environmental factors favorable to reproduction Thus, the current study aimed to examine the correlation between the number of reproductive attempts by male Tityus pusillus scorpion and mating success over time, considering the female's behavioral response. Behavioral analyses were monthly conducted on 150 T. pusillus field-caught pairs over a five-month period. Our results indicate that despite females reacting aggressively to male advances, the persistence of the male has a positive effect in courtship probability. Furthermore, we observed variations in female behavior throughout the studied period, suggesting that female receptivity might be linked to the reproductive season. Therefore, environmental factors may play a significant role in regulating scorpion reproduction in Neotropical forests.

Reference:
Moreira MOM, Moura GJB, Lira AFA. Sexual receptivity of females on Neotropical scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 in response to male reproductive advances. Biologia. 2024; Published Online 30.04.24. [Open Access]

Genetic and morphometric analysis of Hottentotta saulcyi in Iran reveal new cryptic species

 

The medical important scorpion Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880) (Buthidae) is widespread in Iran. Masoumeh Amiri and co-workers have studied the different populations and genetic and morphometric analyses revealed a new cryptic species.

Hottentotta hatamtiorum Amiri, Prendini, Hussen, Aliabadian, Siahsarvie & Mirshamsi, 2024

Abstract:
Morphological and genetic variation among populations of the widespread buthid scorpion, Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), occurring in western and southwestern Iran was explored using morphometric variables, one nuclear marker (28S rDNA) and three mitochondrial markers (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, and Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I). Genetic and morphometric statistical analyses revealed extensive cryptic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis with Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood uncovered two divergent clades, one of which is described as a new species, Hottentotta hatamtiorum sp. nov., from Ilam and Khuzestan Provinces, southwestern Iran. The description of the new species raises the total count of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 species to 61, twelve of which are endemic or subendemic to the Iranian Plateau.

Reference:
Amiri M, Prendini L, Hussen FS, Aliabadian M, Siahsarvie R, Mirshamsi O. Integrative systematics of the widespread Middle Eastern buthid scorpion, Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), reveals a new species in Iran. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 2024;82:323-41. [Open Access]

Thanks to Victoria Tang for sending me this article!

 Family Buthidae

The distribution of Androctonus amoreuxi in Morocco

 

Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) (Buthidae) has been known to have a very wide distribution ranging from Africa to Asia. Many of the Asian reports are probably misidentifications, and the real distribution of this species is probably Northern Africa and part of the Middle East.

Mohamed Mousaid and Victoria Tang have recently published an article summing up the distribution of  Androctonus amoreuxi in Morocco. The article also discuss suitable habitats for this species and the possibility of some hidden species within this potential species complex.

Abstract:
This is a brief synoptic review of Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1825) in Morocco. A summary of its morphological description is provided. Five new localities of this species in Morocco from Errachidia (1 station) and Tinghir (4 stations) provinces are reported, substantiated by photos of live specimens observed therein. Based on previous ecological study of this species, with its observation records on iNaturalist and geographical references from satellite images, we suggest that A. amoreuxi may spread more widely in the extreme southern Morocco, a Saharan area with vast arid regions of suitable ecological conditions for its dispersal, into the north of Mauritania. An updated distribution map of this species in Morocco is provided as per these new records and previous studies. Finally, after comparing its morphology with its congeners, we urge a more systematic review of this species giving the ambiguity of its true identity and the likelihood of being a species-complex comprising three cryptic lineages.

Reference:
Mousaid M, Tang V. Review of the distribution of Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1825) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Morocco. Serket. 2024;20(2):78-92. [Full text provided bu authors]

Thanks to Victoria for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae

Ananteridae is raised to family status

 

In a recent article, Eric Ythier has raised the subfamily Ananterinae Pocock, 1900 (in family Buthidae) to family status. Seven extant genera with associated species are transferred to the new family (see family page for more details).

Ananteridae Pocock, 1900

        Ananteris Thorell, 1891

        Ananteroides Borelli, 1911 

        Himalayotityobuthus Lourenço, 1997

        Lychasioides Vachon, 1974

        Microananteris Lourenço, 2003

        Tityobuthus Pocock, 1893

        Troglotityobuthus Lourenço, 2000 

Three extinct genera are also included in this family.

        Palaeotityobuthus Lourenço & Weitschat, 2000

        Palaeoananteris Lourenço & Weitschat, 2001

        Archaeoananteroides Lourenço, 2016

A new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Ananteridae) from Brazil is described in the article.

        Ananteris lourencoi Ythier, 2024

Abstract:
A new species belonging to the genus Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (family Ananteridae Pocock, 1900, stat. n.) is described on the basis of one male specimen collected at the Pico da Neblina, Brazil. Ananteris lourencoi sp. n. was collected between 2000-2300 m altitude, representing to our knowledge the highest altitude record for the genus Ananteris. The description of this new species brings further evidence about the biogeographic patterns of distribution presented by most species of the genus Ananteris, which are highly endemic in most natural formations of South America. This new scorpion taxon represents the 97th described species among the currently recognized species for the genus Ananteris (the 31st described from Brazil) and the 128th species described for the family Ananteridae stat. n. which is hereby confirmed as a valid family. The composition, distribution and altitude for the members of this family are discussed.

Reference:
Ythier E. A new high-altitude scorpion species of the genus Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Scorpiones: Ananteridae) from the Pico da Neblina, Brazil. Faunitaxys. 2024;12(19):1-9. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric for sending me this article!

Family Ananteridae

Family Buthidae