New cases of anatomical malformations in scorpions

  

There have been quite a few articles documenting anatomical malformations in scorpions (teratology). In a recent article, Danniella Sherwood and co-workers document three more cases of anatomical malformations in a Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 species from Australia and Parabuthus raudus (Simon, 1888) from Botswana (both Buthidae).

Abstract:
Three cases of tergite malformation are described: two in Parabuthus raudus (Simon, 1888) from Botswana and one in Lychas sp. from Australia. One adult female P. raudus had tergite IV almost split into two parts, an anomaly that also affected tergites II–III. In another female P. raudus, a longitudinal depression presented across tergites I–IV. In Lychas sp., tergites I–II are strongly constricted transversely, exposing the adjacent pleural membrane dorsally.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Jessnitz V, Tang V. Three more cases of tergite malformation in two buthid scorpion species revealed from citizen science data (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(46):135–7. [Full text available by authors]

Thanks to Danniella for sending me their article!