Systematics of the ‘thorellii’ clade of Centruroides and the efficacy of mini-barcodes for museum specimens

 

Museums around world have large collections of scorpions collected in the last centuries and the specimens found in these collections are naturally important in the study of scorpion taxonomy and diversity. 

Today's studies on taxonomy and phylogeny are relying more and more on molecular and genetic tools, and old museum specimens may pose a problems for these tools as they have never been preserved in the collections with these in mind. 

Aaron Goodman and co-workers have recently published an article investigating the efficacy of mini-barcodes combined with longer sequences of the Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene in the systematics of scorpions. This method can be used on old, badly preserved museums specimens from complete barcodes cannot be obtained.

The results also support the recognition of nine species of the ‘thorellii’ clade, in accordance with a recent taxonomic revision published by the same authors.

Abstract:
Fragmented and degraded DNA is pervasive among museum specimens, hindering molecular phylogenetics and species identification. Mini-barcodes, 200–300-base-pair (bp) fragments of barcoding genes, have proven effective for species-level identification of specimens from which complete barcodes cannot be obtained in many groups, but have yet to be tested in arachnids. The present study investigated the efficacy of mini-barcodes combined with longer sequences of the Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene in the systematics of the arboreal Neotropical ‘thorellii’ clade of Centruroides Marx, 1890 bark scorpions (Buthidae, C.L. Koch 1837), the species of which have proven to be difficult to identify and delimit due to their similar morphology. The phylogeny of 53 terminals, representing all nine species of the clade and representative species belonging to related clades of Centruroides, rooted on Heteroctenus junceus (Herbst, 1800) and based on up to 1078 base pairs of COI and 112 morphological characters, is presented to test the monophyly of the clade and the limits of its component species. The results support the recognition of nine species of the ‘thorellii’ clade, in accordance with a recent taxonomic revision, and highlight the efficacy of mini-barcodes for identifying morphologically similar cryptic species using specimens of variable age and preservation.

Reference:
Goodman AM, Prendini L, Esposito LA. Systematics of the Arboreal Neotropical ‘thorellii’Clade of Centruroides Bark Scorpions (Buthidae) and the Efficacy of Mini-Barcodes for Museum Specimens. Diversity. 2021;13(9):441. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Six new species of Centruroides from Guatemala and Mexico

 

Aaron Goodman and co-workers have recently published a phylogenetic analysis based on morphology and genetics of the Neotropical “thorellii” clade of Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Buthidae). Six new species have been described. All of them are tree- and bark living, some of them having been found more than 15 meters above the ground. 

Centruroides berstoni Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 (Guatemala)

Centruroides catemacoensis Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 (Mexico)

Centruroides chanae Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 (Mexico)

Centruroides cuauhmapan Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 (Mexico)

Centruroides hamadryas Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 (Mexico)

Centruroides yucatanensis Goodman, Prendini, Francke & Esposito, 2021 (Mexico)

Revised diagnosis are given for Centruroides hoffmanni Armas, 1996, Centruroides rileyi Sissom, 1995, and Centruroides schmidti Sissom, 1995. A identification key for the species in the “thorellii” clade of Centruroides is also available.

Abstract:
The arboreal Neotropical “thorellii” clade of Centruroides Marx, 1890, bark scorpions (Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837) is revised, using a novel approach to species delimitation. A phylogenetic analysis, based on 112 morphological characters and 1078 aligned DNA nucleotides from the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene, provided the framework for placing singletons from geographically disparate localities (and often with suboptimal preservation) using COI minibarcodes, thereby enlarging the taxon sample for diagnosis and delimitation of morphological species. Six new species are described, tripling the known diversity in the clade to nine: Centruroides berstoni, sp. nov.; Centruroides catemacoensis, sp. nov.; Centruroides chanae, sp. nov.; Centruroides cuauhmapan, sp. nov.; Centruroides hamadryas, sp. nov.; Centruroides yucatanensis, sp. nov. Revised diagnoses are presented for Centruroides hoffmanni Armas, 1996, Centruroides rileyi Sissom, 1995, and Centruroides schmidti Sissom, 1995. Comparative images, a key and distribution maps for all species of the clade are provided, along with a summary of available data for their ecology.

Reference:
Goodman AM, Prendini L, Francke OF, Esposito LA. Systematic Revision of the Arboreal Neotropical “Thorellii” Clade of Centruroides Marx, 1890, Bark Scorpions (Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837) with Descriptions of Six New Species. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 2021(452):1-92. [Open Access]

Thanks to Oscar Francke for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

 

Description of the female of Diplocentrus lachua from Guatemala

Rony E. Trujillo and co-workers have recently published a description of the adult female of the species  Diplocentrus lachua  (Diplocentridae) from Guatemala. Information of the known distribution of all described Guatemalan Diplocentrus species is also presented.

Abstract:
The female of the scorpion Diplocentrus lachua Armas, Trujillo & Agreda, 2011 is herein described, on the basis of a single specimen collected at Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá, Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala, type locality for this species. An emended diagnosis is provided and the known distribution of all described Guatemalan Diplocentrus species is graphically presented.

Reference:
Trujillo RE, de Armas LF, Gaitan CA. Description of the adult female of Diplocentrus lachua (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) from northeastern Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Euscorpius. 2019(289):1-9. [Open Access]

Family Diplocentridae

A scorpion from Guatemala on a visit to England

Scorpions sneaking into luggage, goods etc. and ending up as stowaways in non-scorpion countries is quite common. Several cases have been documented in journals and newspapers. A recent case from England was published by Rony E. Trujillo and co-workers. In this case, a female Centruroides thorellii (Kraepelin, 1891) (Buthidae) from Guatemala was found in the luggage of a family in England (that recently had visited Guatemala).

Abstract:
We recorded a pregnant female of the Central American bark stripped scorpion Centruroides thorellii (Kraepelin, 1891), which arrived to England as a stowaway in the bag of a woman that previously visited the Departments of Sacatepéquez, Sololá and San Marcos, Guatemala. On January 2, this C. thorellii female had a litter of three off-spring and three infertile eggs, but she has eaten them, probably as consequence of the stress caused by the hard travel and the environmental changes. We provide a map with the geographical distribution of this species and photos of the female detected in a British train.

Reference:
Trujillo RE, De Armas LF, Mansfield D. Centruroides thorellii (Scorpiones: Buthidae): Traveling from Guatemala to England Without a Passport. Euscorpius. 2017(239):1-4. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rony E. Trujillo for sending me his paper!

A new species of Centruroides from Guatemala

Rony Trujillo and Luis de Armas have recently published a new species of Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Buthidae) from Guatemala.

Centruroides ixil Trujillo & Armas, 2016

Abstract:
A new species of the genus Centruroides Marx, 1890 is described from Sotzil Village (15.61775°N, -91.09745°W, 1173 m a.s.l.), Chajul Municipality, Quiché Department, Guatemala, on basis of one female and one male. It closely resembles Centruroides caral Armas et Trujillo, 2013 from northeastern Guatemala (240 Km southeast of Chajul), but male differs by having a most globose pedipalp manus, as well as metasoma clearly more attenuate (len-gth/width ratio: segments II–IV = 2.4, 2.7 and 1.4, respectively; 1.7, 2.2 and 2.5 in the holotype of C. caral, the only known specimen of this taxon). Data on its habitat and some biogeographical comments are also given.

Reference:
Trujillo RE, de Armas LF. A New Species of Centruroides (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Quiché, Northwestern Guatemala. Euscorpius. 2016(233):1-8. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rony Trujillo for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

And another new species of Diplocentrus from Guatemala

Luis de Armas and Rony Trujillo have recently published a second new species of Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpionidae) from Guatemala (the first one was mentioned in my blog June 1th.).

Diplocentrus izabal Armas & Trujillo, 2016

Abstract:
Diplocentrus izabal sp. n. is herein described on basis to one male (holotype) and two females from El Estor municipality, Izabal department, eastern Guatemala. It seems to be a close relative of Diplocentrus lachua Armas, Trujillo & Agreda, 2012, from which it differs by having carapace almost smooth, with anteromedian notch V-shaped; pectines with 11 teeth in both sexes, and carapace clearly longer than pedipalp manus and metasomal segment V (D. lachua has carapace minutely granulate, with anteromedian notch U-shaped; pectines with 13 teeth in the males (female unknown), and carapace as long as both pedipalp manus and metasomal segment V).

Reference:
De Armas LF, Trujillo RE. A new species of Diplocentrus (Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) from western Izabal, Guatemala. Euscorpius. 2016(225):1-8. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rony Trujillo for sending me this article!

Family Scorpionidae

A new species of Diplocentrus from Guatemala

Rony E. Trujillo and Luis F. de Armas have recently published an article describing a new species of Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 from Unión Cantinil in Guatemala.

Diplocentrus popti Trujillo & Armas, 2016

Abstract:
A new species of the genus Diplocentrus Peters, 1861, is herein described from Unión Cantinil (1704 m a.s.l.; 15° 35’ 46.3’’ N – 91° 45’ 43.6’’ W), Huehuetenango department, Guatemala, based on a single adult male. It differs from Diplocentrus chol Francke, 2007 in the following characters: (1) tarsomere II of legs II-IV with 4/4:5/5:5/5:5/5 ventral spiniform setae (4-5/5: 5/5-6: 6/6 in D. chol); (2) pectines with 9 teeth (10-13 in D. chol); (3) pedipalp femur more granulose; (4) telson less globose (length/height ratio = 2,9 vs 2,5 in D. chol). With this new species the number of Guatemalan species of Diplocentrus is raised to seven.

Reference:
Trujillo RE, de Armas LF. Nueva especie de Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) del occidente de Guatemala. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2016(28):103-6. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Scorpionidae

A new Centruroides from Guatemala

Centruroides caral is a new species from Guatemala presented in the latest issue of the journal Euscorpius.

Luis de Armas and Rony Trujillo have recently described a new species of Centruroides Marz, 1890 (Buthidae) from Guatemala.

Centruroides caral Armas & Trujillo, 2013

Abstract:
A new species of the genus Centruroides Marx, 1890 is described from northeastern Guatemala on basis to an adult  male. By its general pattern and slight sexual dimorphism, the new species looks like  C. flavopictus (Pocock, 1898),  a  larger  species  from  Veracruz,  Mexico,  with  higher  pectinal  tooth  count  (males:  21  to  24  teeth)  and  stronger  subaculear tubercle. It also resembles Centruroides chamulaensis Hoffmann, 1932, from Chiapas, Mexico, a smaller  species  with  small  to  obsolete  subaculear  tubercle,  stronger  metasomal  carinae,  pedipalp  chelae  narrower  than  patella, and anterior margin of carapace almost straight (V-shaped in the new species).

Reference:
de Armas LF, Trujillo RE. A New Species of the Genus Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Guatemala. Euscorpius. 2013 (172):1-5. [Free full text]

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Diplocentrus from Guatemala

Rony Trujillo and Luis de Armas have recently published two new species of Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpionidae) from Guatemala.

Diplocentrus landelinoi Trujilo & Armas, 2012
Diplocentrus oxlajujbaktun Trujilo & Armas, 2012

Abstract:
Two new species of the genus Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 are described on the basis of three female specimens from the departments of Petén and Izabal, Guatemala. The species from Izabal resembles D. lourencoi Stockwell, 1988, from the same range (Cordillera del Merendón) but in Honduran territory. The species from Petén resembles D. maya Francke, 1977, recorded from Belize (Toledo District) and north-eastern Guatemala (departments of Petén and Izabal).

Reference:
Trujillo RE, de Armas LF. Dos especie nuevas de Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) de Guatemala. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2012 (21):131-8.

Family Diplocentridae

Scorpionism in Central America - a review

Tityus pachyurus is the species responsible for most sever envenomation cases in Panama. Photo: Dr. Carlos Viquez

Scorpionism in North America and South America is pretty well documented, but there have been few reports on scorpions of medical importance in Central America. This has probably been due to the scarcity of data for the region.

Borges and co-workers have now published a very good review article summing up the current knowledge of scorpionism in Central America with a special focus on Panama. Scorpions of medical importance includes species in the genera Centruroides (12 species) Marx, 1890 and Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (8 species). Species in the former genera seem to have minor medical importance in Central America, while at least four species in Tityus have been implicated in deaths and severe envenomations in Panama (and possible also in Costa Rica). Species of medical importance are:

Tityus asthenes Pocock, 1893
T. cerroazul Lourenço, 1986
T. festae Borelli, 1899
T. pachyurus Pocock, 1897

Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua have no documented cases of serious scorpion envenomations (but also lack the presence of Tityus).

Abstract:
 Scorpionism in the Americas occurs mainly in Mexico, northern South America and southeast Brazil. This article reviews the local scorpion fauna, available health statistics, and the literature to assess scorpionism in Central America. Notwithstanding its high toxicity in Mexico, most scorpion sting cases in Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica are produced by species in the genus Centruroides that are only mildly toxic to humans despite the existence of ion channel-active toxins in their venoms. Regional morbidity is low with the exception of Panama, where an incidence of 52 cases per 100,000 inhabitants was recorded for 2007, with 28 deaths from 1998 to 2006. Taxa belonging to the genus Tityus (also present in the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica) are responsible for fatalities in Panama, with Tityus pachyurus being the most important species medically. Most Tityus species inhabiting Panama are also found in northern South America from which they probably migrated upon closure of the Panamanian isthmus in the Miocene era. Incorporation of Panama as part of the northern South American endemic area of scorpionism is thereby suggested based on the incidence of these accidents and the geographical distribution of Panamanian Tityus species.

Reference:
Borges A, Miranda RJ, Pascale JM. Scorpionism in central America, with special reference to the case of Panama. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases. 2012;18(2):130-43. [Free full text]

Thanks to Jacek Szubert for informing me about this paper!

A new Plesiochactas from Guatemala

Rony Trujillo and Luis de Armas have recently published a new species of Plesiochactas Pocock, 1900 (Euscorpiidae) from Guatemala.

Plesiochactas vasquezi Trujillo & Armas, 2012

Abstract:
A new species of the scorpion genus Plesiochactas Pocock, 1900 is described on the basis of a single female specimen from the Cerro San Gil Spring Protection Reserve, Izabal department, Guatemala. It differs from P. dilutus Karsch, 1881 by lacking the median carina of sternite VII and from P. mitchelli Soleglad, 1976 by having a higher pectinal tooth count and by the presence of fulcra.

Reference:
Trujillo RE & de Armas, LF. (2012). Nueva Especie de Plesiochactas Pocock, 1900
(Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) de Guatemala. Boletin de la SEA (50):263-266.

Thanks to Rony Trujillo for sending me this paper!

Family Euscorpiidae

A new species of Diplocentrus from Guatemala

Armas, Trujillo & Agreda have recently published a new species of Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpionidae) from Guatemala.

Diplocentrus lachua Armas, Trujillo & Agreda, 2011

Abstract:
A new species of the scorpion genus Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 is described from the ecological region of Lachuá, Alta Verapaz department, Guatemala. It resembles D. maya Francke, 1977, but differs from it by having a darker pattern of coloration, chelicerae with dark reticulation, a sharper subaculear tubercle, trichobothrium Dt on the fixed finger, and other morphological differences.

Reference:
de Armas LF, Trujillo RE, Agreda EO. Nueva especie de Diplocentrus Peters, 1851 (Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) del noroeste de alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Boletin de la SEA. 2011(49):113-7.

Thanks to Rony Trujillo for sending me this paper!

Family Scorpionidae

Redescription of the adult male Diplocentrus maya

Ronny Trujillo and Luis de Armas have published a redescription of the adult male Diplocentrus maya Francke, 1977 (Scorpionidae*) from Guatemala. The paper also has a identification key for the species of Diplocentrus in Guatemala.

Abstract:
The male of Diplocentrus maya Francke 1977 is described, and new data are given on this taxon. A dichotomic key is provided for identification of the three Guatemalan species of the genus Diplocentrus Peters, 1861.

Reference:
Trujillo RE, de Armas LF. Descripcion del macho adulto de Diplocentrus maya Francke, 1977 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae). Boletin de la SEA. 2011(48):139-42.

Thanks to Ronny Trujillo for sending me this paper!

*Some authors have not accepted the inclusion of Diplocentrinae in Scorpionidae and have retained the family status for this taxa (Diplocentridae).

Family Scorpionidae

Centruroides news from Central America

Luis de Armas and Rony Trujillo have published a paper looking into some Centruroides (Buthidae) from Central America. A new species is described from Guatemala and Honduras:

Centruroides fallassisimus Armas & Trujillo, 2010 [Name spelling error corrected 26.09.11]

In addition, Centruroides granosus (Thorell, 1876) from Panama is restored to species status.

The paper has an identification key for Centruroides in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Abstract:
A new species of the buthid genus Centruroides Marx, 1890 is described from northeastern Guatemala and northwestem Honduras, Central America. lt resembles C. margaritatus (Gervals, 1841), but differs from it by having attenuated pedipalpal chelae and telson, the subaculear tubercle situated in a different position, almost bare pedipalps, having chelae with the dorsal intemal carina moderately granulose. It is suggested that some previous records of C. margaritatus might be misidentifications. A key is provided for the identification of the eight species ot this genus known from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Also, the Panamanian Centruroldes granosus (Thorell, 1876), comb. nov., is restored as a valid species.

Reference:
de Armas LF, Trujillo RE. Nueva especie de Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) de Guatemala y Honduras, America Central. Boletin de la SEA. 2010(47):235-40.

Family Buthidae

First report of Centruroides tapachulaensis from Guatemala

Luis de Armas and co-workers have recently published the first finding of Centruroides tapachulaensis (Buthidae) from Guatemala.

Abstract:
Centrureides tapachulaensis Hoffmann, 1932. previously known from the Mexican State of Chiapas, is recorded for the first time from Guatemala. The new records are from the southern departments of San Marcos, Solola, Suchitepéquez, Escuintla, El Progreso, Guatemala and Santa Rosa. new find raises to six the number of Centruroldes species known from Guatemala, for whose identification a dichotomic key is given.

Reference:
de Armas LF, Trujillo RE, Viquez C, Agreda EO. Primer registro de Centruroides tapachulaensis Hoffmann, 1932 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) para Guatemala. Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2010(46):261-6.

Family Buthidae

New Diplocentrus from Guatemala

Luise de Armas & Rony Trujillo have recently described a new Diplocentrus (Scorpionidae) from Guatemala:

Diplocentrus motagua Armas & Trujillo, 2009

Abstract:
Both sexes of a new species of the scorpion genus Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) is described from Zacapa Department, northeastern Guatemala. It is characterized by punctuation on the whole body, including appendages, a peculiarity shared with Diplocentrus melici Armas & Martín-Frías, 2004, from Veracruz state, Mexico, but it is smaller and has a lower pectinal tooth count, as well as a different tarsal ventral spine formula. A dichotomic key is provided for identification of the three Guatemalan species of the genus Diplocentrus.

Reference:
de Armas LF, Trujillo RE. Nueva especie de Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) de Guatemala. Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2009(45):67-72.

Thanks to Rony Trujillo for sending me this paper!

Family Scorpionidae

Redescription of Plesiochactas mitchelli

Little is known about the rare, Central American genus Plesiochactas (Euscorpiidae). Only two species have been described from a handful specimens. Kaleb Zarate-Galvez and Oscar Francke have now redescribed P. mitchelli from an adult female found in Mexico (close to the border of Guatemala where the only other known specimen was collected).

Abstract:
Plesiochactas mitchelli Soleglad 1976 was originally described from a juvenile female collected in ‘‘Guatemala’’ before 1902. The species is redescribed on the basis of an adult female from a specific locality in the state of Chiapas; it is the first record of this species from Mexico.

Reference:
Zarate-Galvez K, Francke OF. Redescription of Plesiochactas mitchelli (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae): a rare scorpion from Central America. Journal of Arachnology. 2009;37(3):338-45. [Subscription required for fulltext, but free fulltext after 12 months]

Family Euscorpiidae