A new species of Compsobuthus from Pakistan

 

Muhammad Ishtiyaq and co-workers have recently published a new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) from Pakistan.

Compsobuthus lakkianis Ishtiyaq, Adnan, Khan, Ali & Barahoei, 2026

The article includes an identification key for all known species in Compsobuthus in Pakistan. 

Abstract:
Members of the genus Compsobuthus, is distributed across the Arabian Peninsula, central Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The genus is represented in Pakistan by four documented species from the werneri group including Compsobuthus atrostriatus (Pocock, 1897), C. pakistanus Kovařík and Ahmed, 2007, C. sindicus Kovařík and Ahmed, 2011, C. rugosulus (Pocock, 1900). In this study, we describe a new species within the werneri group, Compsobuthus lakkiansis sp. nov., collected from a semi-sandy area in Lakki Marwat District, northeast Pakistan. Morphometric data were recorded and compared with those of closely related congeners. This discovery establishes the first record of the genus Compsobuthus in Lakki Marwat and raises the number of its species in Pakistan to five. This work serves as a critical baseline for future research on scorpion biodiversity and aids in developing effective conservation strategies.

Reference:
Ishtiyaq M, Adnan M, Ali A, Khan S, Barahoei H. Compsobuthus lakkiansis sp. nov. (Scorpiones: Buthidae), New Species from Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 2026;Online First Article. [Open Access]

Thanks to Victoria for informing me about this article!

Family Buthidae 

An updated catalogue of the scorpions of Paraguay with biogeographical information

 

Paul Smith and co-workers have recently published a updated review of the scorpion fauna of Paraguay. The country's scorpion fauna seems to consist of at least fifteen species in five genera and three families (Ananteridae, Bothriuridae and Buthidae). 

An identification key for the known species of Paraguay is included and the article also comments on some taxonomic problems and biogeography.

Abstract:
We review and map the current distribution of the Paraguayan scorpion fauna using a hierarchical system of reliability, differentiating specimens examined, specimens not examined and photographic records. One new species (Bothriurus sp.), two new national records (Brachistosternus simoneae and Ananteris mariaterezae), and nineteen new departmental distribution records are reported. The national fauna is concluded to be composed of at least fifteen species in five genera and three families, with one other species considered to be of hypothetical occurrence and a further two of probable occurrence. An illustrated key suitable for identifying Paraguayan material is included, and comments regarding taxonomy and systematic problems that remain to be resolved, together with proven and potential medical significance, are provided.

Reference:
Smith P, Borges A, Santacruz J, Owen M. Catalogue of the scorpions of Paraguay, with an illustrated key and biogeographical assessment (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Ananteridae, Bothriuridae, Buthidae). Invertzool. 2026;23:453–504. [Open Access]

Thanks to Victoria for informing me about this article! 

An update on the little known scorpion fauna of El Salvador

 

Luis F. de Armas and Enrique Maldonado have recently published an article with an update on the  little known scorpion fauna of El Salvador. At least six species from two families occur in this country. An identification key is included in the article.

Abstract:
The scorpions from Republic of El Salvador, Central America, have been poorly studied. The present work confirms the presence of at least six species in this country: Didymocentrus krausi Francke, 1978 (Diplocentridae), and five species belonging to the genus Centruroides Marx, 1899 (Buthidae), including the first records for Centruroides koesteri Kraepelin, 1911, Centruroides tapachulaensis Hoffmann, 1932, and an unidentified species of the thorellii species-group. Centruroides tapachulaensis had been confused with Centruroides edwardsii (Gervais, 1843), Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) and Centruroides margaritatus (Gervais, 1841). None of five nominal identified species are Salvadoran endemism. A taxonomical key is included for the identification of these six scorpion species. Most of the new records were made based on available data on the iNaturalist citizen science website.

Reference:
de Armas LF, Maldonado E. La casi desconocida escorpiofauna (Arachnida: Scorpiones) de El Salvador, América Central. Revista Nicaraguense de Entomologia. 2026(433):1–33. [Full text supplied by author]

Thanks to Victoria for informing me about this article! 

 

A new species of Androctonus from Syria

 

Ersen Yagmur and Ahmad Aidek have recently published an article with a description of a new species in the medical important genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from The Deir ez-Zor Province in Syria.

Androctonus auzaricus Yagmur & Aidek, 2026

The article has an identification key for the genus Androctonus in Syria.

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Androctonus auzaricus sp. n., is described and illustrated from Deir ez-Zor Province, Syria. This species represents the first record of the genus Androctonus from Deir ez-Zor Province and the first formally described species of the genus from Syria. The new species is compared with congeners from Iraq, Jordan and Turkey, particularly A. turkiyensis, which was recently described from nearby areas in Turkey.

Reference:
Yağmur EA, Aidek AE. Androctonus auzaricus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) a new scorpion species from Deir ez-Zor Province, Syria. Journal of Natural History. 2026;60(29-32):1663–80. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae 

A new species of the little known genus Cicileus from Algeria

 

Lotfi Derradj and co-workers recently published an article describing a new species in the little known genus Cicileus Vachon, 1948 from southern Algeria.

Cicileus derradji Yagmur, Benali & Bikada

The article has an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Cicileus derradji sp. nov., is described from Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province, southern Algeria. The description is based on an adult male holotype, an adult female paratype and a juvenile specimen, and is supported by detailed morphological analyses, including colouration, morphometrics, carination patterns and trichobothrial arrangement. This discovery extends the known distribution of the genus Cicileus approximately 500 km southwestward within Algeria. With the addition of this species, the number of recognised species in the genus increases to six. The new species is compared with all previously known species of Cicileus, and detailed colour photographs, including images taken under ultraviolet illumination, are provided.

Reference:
Derradj L, Aydın Yağmur E, Benali N, Bikada M. Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). African Zoology. 2026:1–11. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Ersen Yagmur and Noureddine Benali for informing me about their new article!

Family Buthidae 

Three new species of Scorpiops from India

 

Shubhankar Deshpande and co-workers have recently described three new species of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiopidae) from India based on morphological and molecular analysis.

 Scorpiops ketkari Deshpande, Ukale, Bapat, Bastawade, Tang, Gowande & Sulakhe, 2026

 Scorpiops shilavasi Deshpande, Ukale, Bapat, Bastawade, Tang, Gowande & Sulakhe, 2026

 Scorpiops skorupi Deshpande, Ukale, Bapat, Bastawade, Tang, Gowande & Sulakhe, 2026 

Abstract:
The scorpion genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 exhibits significant diversity and high endemism. Our extensive arachnological surveys, species delimitation analyses and an integrative taxonomic approach revealed three new species of Scorpiops in peninsular India. Furthermore, we tested the phylogenetic placement of Scorpiops pachmarhicus Bastawade, 1992 and give the first description of a male specimen of the species. Additionally, we provide a detailed account of the hemispermatophore morphology in Scorpiops species from the maharashtraensis, satarensis, and tenuicauda clades for the first time.

Reference:
Deshpande S, Ukale S, Bapat S, Bastawade D, Tang V, Gowande G, et al. Beyond morphology alone: species delimitation, hemispermatophore comparisons and comments on the systematic status of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) with a description of three new species from peninsular India. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 2026. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Dr. Deshpande for sending me their article!

Family Scorpiopidae 

A review of the genus Nebo in Oman and the description of three new species

 

Graeme Lowe has published a review of the genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Diplocentridae) in Oman. Three new species were identified.

Nebo feulneri Lowe, 2026 

Nebo masirahensis Lowe, 2026 

Nebo nebulicola Lowe, 2026 

The existence of the three previously reported species in Oman is confirmed, and redescriptions are provided. The article also includes an identification key for the genus in Oman.

Regarding the major Prendini revision of all scorpion taxa that I recently blogged about, I have started mapping all the changes and their justification. There are several hundred changes, and this work will take some time. I also awaits reactions from the scorpion research community about the changes. The first line in the paper uses the work "consensus" about the content, but that is not in accordance with the reactions I have gotten so far. Many of the suggested changes are accepted, but others are refuted. So I will not update The Scorpion Files until I get some real consensus about the results (to avoid using a lot of time changing The Scorpion Files, and then have to change a lot back again after a few months because new papers will change Prendini's suggested changes. So please be patient and check the Prendini paper if you want to learn more about the changes he has suggested.

Abstract:
The taxonomy of the genus Nebo in Oman is revised based on an analysis of 427 samples from 135 localities spanning the length of the country. All three previously known species, N. franckei Vachon, 1980, N. omanensis Francke, 1980, and N. whitei Vachon, 1980, were found and are redescribed. Three new species, N. feulneri sp. n., N. masirahensis sp. n., and N. nebulicola sp. n. from the Arabian Sea coast are described, and a new record of N. henjamicus is reported from the Musandam Peninsula. Species diagnoses are based on coloration, morphometric ratios, multivariate analyses of sclerite dimensions, scalloping of male pedipalp fingers, and granulation of female carapace and pedipalp movable fingers. The populations of Nebo comprise a series of allopatric or sympatric species distributed over four local centers of endemism on coastal regions of Oman: Al Hajar mountains, northern Central Coast, southern Central Coast, and Dhofar mountains.

Reference:
Lowe G. The genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) in Oman. Euscorpius. 2026(429):1–139.

Family Diplocentridae 

 

A new species of Ananteris from French Guiana

 

Eric Ythier and Wilson Lourenco have recently described a new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Ananteridae) from the foot of the Mount Grand Matoury in French Guiana.

Ananteris duponti Ythier & Lourenco, 2026

The article has am identification key for the Ananteris species in French Guiana. 

The biogeography of the family and the genus is discussed.

Abstract:
One new species belonging to the genus Ananteris Thorell is described from the foot of the Mount Grand Matoury, French Guiana. 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 many natural formations of South America and in particular in French Guiana. The new taxon described here raises the number of known species for the genus Ananteris in French Guiana to 13, and the total number of currently recognized species for the genus to 100. A geographical distribution map of the species occurring in French Guiana is presented and an identification key is proposed.

Reference:
Ythier E, Lourenco WR. On the genus Ananteris Thorell, 1891 in French Guiana, with description of a new species. Faunitaxys. 2026;14(18):1–12. [Open Access]

Family Ananteridae 

A revision of the rare genus Liobuthus with a description of four new species from Central Asia

 

The genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Buthidae) is a rare, psammophilic genus with one species from Central Asia. Victor Fet and co-workers recently published a revision of the genus, and based on DNA-analysis and morphology, four new species are described.

Liobuthus atamuradovi (Turkmenistan)

Liobuthus danovi (Kazakhstan, Northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)

Liobuthus shukurovi (Southwestern Tajikistan)

Liobuthus vachoni (Southern Kazakhstan)

An identification key for the five species in the genus is included.

Abstract:
The rare Central Asian psammophilic scorpion genus, Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), is revised. Five species are delineated according to results from three species delimitation approaches using mitochondrial DNA. Results are supported by diagnostic morphology, including an assessment of the distinctive neobothriotaxy. The type species, L. kessleri Birula, 1898, is confirmed for Iran (northeast), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (south). Four new species are described: L. atamuradovi sp. n. (Turkmenistan), L. danovi sp. n. (Kazakhstan, northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), L. shukurovi sp. n. (southwestern Tajikistan), and L. vachoni sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan), The unique additive neobothriotaxy (on both pedipalp femur and patella) first discovered by Vachon (1958) is confirmed and analyzed.

Reference:
Fet V, Kovarik F, Lowe G, Graham MR. A revision of the psammophilic genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), with a description of four new species from Central Asia. Euscorpius. 2026(427):1–67. [Open Access]

family Buthidae 

A new cave-dwelling scorpion from Brazil

 

More or less obligatory, cave-dwelling scorpions are found in several areas. Some with distinct troglomorphic traits like reduced pigmentation and the lack of eyes. Jonas Eduardo Gallão and Deyvison Bonfim Ribeiro have recently described a new obligatory, subterranean species in the genus Troglorhopalurus Lourenço, Baptista & Giupponi, 2004 (Buthidae) from three caves in Ituaçu, State of Bahia in Brazil.

Troglorhopalurus araras Gallão & Ribeiro, 2026

The new species lack typical troglomorphic traits except for having thinner cuticle than normal. This may represent a troglomorphic trait.

An identification guide for the genus is presented. Please note that this guide (and article) is missing Troglorhopalurus iuiu Carvalho, Silva, Emanuela de Souza & Feirreira, 2025. According to the authors, the reason for this was that they weren't aware of the description of this species when the paper was submitted. [Info about the missing species updated 02.03.26]

Abstract:
We describe Troglorhopalurus araras sp. n. based only on females, as a new obligatory and exclusively subterranean scorpion occurring in three caves from Ituaçu, State of Bahia, Brazil. The caves of Ituaçu belong to an isolated portion of the Una geomorphological group. Troglorhopalurus araras is the third known species of Troglorhopalurus and differs from its congeners by size, carination mainly in chela hand and metasoma, teeth of pecten, shape of telson spine, and colour. This new species enhances the diversity of cave-dwelling species in Brazilian caves, as well as the knowledge of cave scorpions. Troglorhopalurus araras must be considered threatened due to its restricted endemism at caves in the Chapada Diamantina.

Reference:
Gallão JE, Ribeiro DB. Troglorhopalurus araras (Scorpiones: Buthidae) a new subterranean scorpion from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Journal of Natural History. 2026;60(9-12):557–72. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae 

A review of the Centruroides fauna of Panama

 

Roberto Miranda and co-workers have recently published a review of the Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Buthidae) fauna of Panama. Five species are confirmed for Panama, but the reports of two more species that may have been introduced/may be present are discussed. An identification key of all seven species is included. The article includes information about distribution, habitats, natural history and medical importance of the species from Panama.

Abstract:
This review examines the taxonomy, distribution, natural history and scorpionism of the Centruroides species (Scorpiones: Buthidae) of Panama. A taxonomic key is provided to easily identify the five confirmed species from Panama, but also including Centruroides edwardsii (Gervais, 1843) and Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804). The recently reported first record of C. edwardsii in Panama seems to be based on misidentified specimens that belong to Centruroides granosus (Thorell, 1876), a Panamanian endemic species, or Centruroides margaritatus (Gervais, 1841), an introduced synanthropic species. Centruroides gracilis may potentially be present in this country. Only C. granosus and Centruroides panamensis Quintero and Esposito, 2014 are Panamanian endemics, whereas C. granosus and C. bicolor (Pocock, 1898) are the most widely distributed species in this Central American country. Envenomations by these species are frequent in Panama, but generally cause mild symptoms. Maps showing the distribution of the Panamanian Centruroides species are presented.

Reference:
Miranda RJ, De Armas LF, Cleghorn J, Lezcano JJ, Castillo LY, Cambra RA, et al. The species of the genus Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Panama. Zootaxa. 2026;5752(3):301–47. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to William Phillips for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae 

New study on the genus Auyantepuia and two new species from French Guiana

 

16.01.26: New species names are updated with correct year.  

The status of the genus Auyantepuia (Gonzalez-Sponga, 1978) (Chactidae) is controversial and some authors have synonymized the genus with other genera. In the recent years, several authors have accepted the validity of this genus, and The Scorpion Files has now listed the genus and the species originally placed within the genus.

Recently, Eric Ythier and co-workers have published a phylogenomic analysis of the genus Auyantepuia in French Guiana. Current species are diagnosed and two new species are described.

Auyantepuia kwata Ythier, Chevalier, Moreau & Murienne, 2026 

Auyantepuia mammandian Ythier, Chevalier, Moreau & Murienne, 2026 

The article has an identification key for the nine known species in French Guiana.

Abstract:
A review of the scorpions of the genus Auyantepuia (Scorpiones, Chactidae) in French Guiana is conducted using an integrative taxonomic approach combining molecular analysis performed on the mitochondrial genome of most species occurring in the territory and more traditional morphological analyses, leading to the descriptions of two new species, Auyantepuia kwata sp. nov. and Auyantepuia manmandinan sp. nov. Diagnoses are presented for all Auyantepuia species occurring in French Guiana and an identification key is proposed. The total number of recognized species in the genus Auyantepuia species is raised to 15.

Reference:
Ythier E, Chevalier J, Moreau L, Murienne J. A phylogenomic analysis of the genus Auyantepuia (Scorpiones: Chactidae) in French Guiana with the descriptions of two new species. European Journal of Taxonomy. 2026(1034):31–57. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric for sending me this article!

Family Chactidae 

A new species of Androctonus from Saudi Arabia

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently described a new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Najd Plateau of Saudi Arabia.

Androctonus najdensis Yagmur, Alqahtani & Badry, 2025 

The article also provides an identification key for the genus Androctonus in the Middle East, Turkey, and Iran.

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Androctonus najdensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Saudi Arabia. It is compared with existing species from the Middle East and Iran, notably A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) and the recently described A. tihamicus Alqahtani, Yağmur & Badry, 2023. Molecular analysis using the COI mitochondrial gene revealed a genetic divergence of 7.0 to 11% between A. najdensis sp. nov. and A. crassicauda sensu lato samples from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. The combination of molecular and morphological data supports the recognition of the Najd populations as a distinct species. Additionally, an identification key for Androctonus species in Iran and the Middle East is provided.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Alqahtani AR, Badry A. A new species of Androctonus from the Najd Plateau of Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones, Buthidae). ZooKeys. 2025(1262):33–59. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen Yagmur, Gerard Dupre and Matt Simon for all sending me a link to this new article! It is easy to stay updated with so much great help from all of you! :)

Family Buthidae 

A review of Androctonus in Iran with four new species

 

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published a review of the members of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828  (Buthidae) in Iran. Previously, most populations were assigned to the species A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), but this turned out to be a species complex with several hidden taxa. The current article have a redescription of the true A. crassicauda. 

Four new species are described from Iran:

Androctonus azerianus Yagmur & Kovarik, 2025.

Androctonus barahoeii Kovarik & Yagmur, 2025.

Androctonus caspius Kovarik, Yagmur, Fet & Lowe, 2025.

Androctonus transcaucasicus Kovarik, Yagmur, Fet & Lowe, 2025 (this species occurs in Armenia and Azerbaijan in addition to Iran).

Androctonus orientalis (Birula, 1900) is raised to species status from subspecies status (Prionurus crassicauda orientalis Birula, 1900).

Androctonus rostami Barahoei et al., 2025 is synonymized with Androctonus orientalis (Birula, 1900).

The article has an identification key for the confirmed species in Iran. A distribution map is also included. 

Abstract:
Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) is redescribed, based on the male neotype hereby designated, and a female topotype. Prionurus crassicauda orientalis Birula, 1900 is removed from synonymy, and elevated to species status as A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., based on the lectotype, hereby designated, a paralectotype and newly collected specimens. A. rostami Barahoei et al., 2025 is synonymized with A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., syn. n. In addition, four new species are described: A. azerianus sp. n. (Iran), A. barahoeii sp. n. (Iran), A. caspius sp. n. (Iran), A. transcaucasicus sp. n. (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran). All species are described and illustrated, and a map showing the confirmed distribution of the Androctonus species in Iran is provided.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Kovarik F, Fet V, Lowe G, Moradi M, Kalami F. Review of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 in Iran, with redescription of A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) and A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., and descriptions of four new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(422):1–69. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A systematic revision of the European Buthus species with 10 synonymizations

 

As readers of this blog will know, there have been major increase of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Buthidae) species in Europe in the last two decades. Initially, the only species known from the Iberian Peninsula was Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789). But this species complex was split into several new species, and in 2025 the number had reached almost 20.

Recently, Javier Blasco-Aróstegui and co-workers published a major systematic revision based on samples collected across the known distribution, rigorous phylogenetic analyses combining morphology, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, morphometric analyses, and ecological data. Their analysis has concluded with the synonymization of 10 species from the Iberian Peninsula. 

Buthus gonzalezdelavegai González-Moliné and Armas, 2024 is synonymzed with Buthus delafuentei Teruel and Turiel, 2020.

Buthus (Androctonus) ajax C.L. Koch, 1839 is synonymized with Buthus halius (C.L. Koch, 1839).

Buthus gabani Ythier, 2021 is synonymized with Buthus halius (C.L. Koch, 1839).

Buthus castellano Teruel and Turiel, 2022 is synonymized with Buthus halius (C.L. Koch, 1839).

Buthus baeticus Teruel and Turiel, 2020 is synonymized with Buthus ibericus Lourenço and Vachon, 2004.

Buthus alacanti Teruel and Turiel, 2020 is synonymized with Buthus manchego Teruel and Turiel, 2020.

Buthus serrano Teruel and Turiel, 2020 is synonymized with Buthus manchego Teruel and Turiel, 2020.

Buthus pedrosousai Teruel and Turiel, 2021 is synonymized with Buthus manchego Teruel and Turiel, 2020.

 Buthus pyrenaeus Ythier, 2021 is synonymized with Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789).

Buthus balmensis Ythier and Laborieux, 2022 is synonymized with Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789).

The remaining nine valid species from the Iberian Peninsula are redescribed and data on distribution and habitats are given. A identification guide for the nine species is also available.

Abstract:
The Palearctic buthid scorpion genus Buthus Leach, 1815, distributed from southwestern Europe (southern France and the Iberian Peninsula) across Africa north of the Sahara, to the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula, has undergone extensive taxonomic revision in the past two decades. Despite these efforts, its taxonomic composition remains confused, perhaps nowhere more so than in the Iberian Peninsula, where 20 putative species were recognized in the past two decades. Molecular phylogenetic studies of Buthus in northwestern Africa and southwestern Europe, based on a few, mostly mitochondrial gene loci, recovered a monophyletic origin for the European clade of Buthus and suggested the existence of several distinct lineages on the Iberian Peninsula. However, relationships with the species of Buthus from the North African Maghreb remained ambiguous. Morphological descriptions of new or revalidated species of Buthus, based in part on the molecular phylogenies but lacking robust diagnoses, and making little attempt to consider geographical variation, compounded the confusion. The present contribution provides a comprehensive, integrative revision of the European species of Buthus based on samples, including topotypes, collected across the known distribution, rigorous phylogenetic analyses combining morphology, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, morphometric analyses, and ecological data. Nine valid species of Buthus are recognized across France, Portugal, and Spain, and 10 new synonyms presented: Buthus delafuentei Teruel and Turiel, 2020 = Buthus gonzalezdelavegai González-Moliné and Armas, 2024, syn. n.; Buthus elongatus Rossi, 2021; Buthus garcialorcai Teruel and Turiel, 2020; Buthus halius (C.L. Koch, 1839) = Androctonus ajax C.L. Koch, 1839, syn. n. = Buthus gabani Ythier, 2021, syn. n. = Buthus castellano Teruel and Turiel, 2022, syn, n.; Buthus iaspis Teruel and Turiel, 2022; Buthus ibericus Lourenço and Vachon, 2004 = Buthus baeticus Teruel and Turiel, 2020, syn. n.; Buthus manchego Teruel and Turiel, 2020 = Buthus alacanti Teruel and Turiel, 2020, syn. n. = Buthus serrano Teruel and Turiel, 2020, syn. n. = Buthus pedrosousai Teruel and Turiel, 2021, syn. n.; Buthus montanus Lourenço and Vachon, 2004; Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789) = Buthus pyrenaeus Ythier, 2021, syn. n. = Buthus balmensis Ythier and Laborieux, 2022, syn. n. Revised, comparative diagnoses and illustrations are provided for each species, together with a distribution map and key to their identification.

Reference:
Blasco-Aróstegui J, Simone Y, Prendini L. Systematic revision of the European species of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Bulletin of The American Museum of Natural History. 2025(476):1–131. [Open Access]

Thanks to Yuri for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

Three new species of Androctonus from Morocco

 

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have investigated new materials from the occidental regions and recently they published the discovery of three new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Morocco.

Androctonus argoubi Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky 2025

Androctonus stockmanni Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky 2025

Androctonus vaneki Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky 2025

The article has an identification key for the three new species and the morphological similar A. sergenti Vachon, 1948.

Abstract:
New data are presented on the taxonomy and distribution of the dark species of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 in Morocco and Western Sahara. Three new species, A. argoubi sp. n., A. stockmanni sp. n., and A. vaneki sp. n. from Morocco are described, characterized by having metasoma I–IV ventrally punctate, a character that is well developed in A. stockmanni sp. n., and A. vaneki sp. n., and weakly developed in A. argoubi sp. n. Dark species from Morocco are compared with A. sergenti Vachon, 1948, and A. bourdoni Vachon, 1948. We describe and compare their external morphology, illustrating their characters comprehensively in color photographs. The hemispermatophores of two species are described and illustrated, and a map showing the distributions of the studied species is provided. Furthermore, for all three newly described species, we provided their karyograms, which are very similar (2n = 24) and demonstrate the karyotypic uniformity of the entire genus Androctonus.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stahlavsky F. Three new species of Androctonus from Morocco (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(420):1–29. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

New records of Androctonus from Iran

 

Hossein Barahoei and co-workers recently published an article presenting new records of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the East Azarbaijan Province in Iran. The article also provides an identification key to the species of Androctonus known from Iran.

Abstract:
Limited studies have been conducted on the scorpions of East Azarbaijan Province, resulting in the identification of seven Buthid species. The examination of Androctonus specimens collected from East Azarbaijan Province between 2021–2023 resulted in the identification of two new records, Androctonus kunti Yağmur, 2023 and Androctonus turkiyensis Yağmur, 2021. These two species were collected and described from east and south of Turkey respectively and recorded here for the first time from Iran. With the identification of A. kunti and A. turkiyensis, which before reported as Androctonus crassicauda, the total number of reported scorpion species in East Azarbaijan Province raised to eight, while the number of Androctonus species documented in Iran rose to six. Diagnostic characters of the two species and an identification key to Iranian Androctonus were provided.

Reference:
Barahoei H, Farmani M, Shahi M, Yousefi S, Rahmani F, Abbasi M. New records of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 from East Azarbaijan Province, Iran (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Iranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics. 2025;21(1):1–7. [Open Access]

A new species of Pandinops from Somaliland

 

Hot from the press, another new species from The Horn of Africa. This time, Frantisek Kovarik has described a new species of Pandinops Birula, 1913 (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland.

Pandinops sahil Kovarik, 2025

The author also synonymizes Pandinops bambii Rossi, 2017 with Pandinops turieli Kovařík, 2016. Please note that this species was never listed in The Scorpion Files, probably because I never got the article.

An identification key for the genus is provided.

Abstract:
Pandinops sahil sp. n. from Somaliland is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of holotype male of the new species, as well as of its habitat. Pandinops bambii Rossi, 2017 is synonymized with Pandinops turieli Kovařík, 2016, syn. n. A key for the species of Pandinops and a map of the distribution of the genus are provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XLI. Pandinops sahil sp. n. from Somaliland (Scorpionidae). Euscorpius. 2025(418):1–11. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae

A new species of Barbaracurus from Ethiopia

 

The scorpion diversity of the Horn of Africa is still growing. This week, Frantisek Kovarik and Hassan Elmi published a new species of Barbaracurus Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky, 2018 (Buthidae) from Ethiopia.

Barbaracurus lowei Kovarik & Elmi, 2025

The article has an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
Barbaracurus lowei sp. n. from Ethiopia is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of both sexes of the new species, as well as of their habitat. Included is a key for Barbaracurus and a map of the distribution of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XL. Barbaracurus lowei sp. n. from Ethiopia (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(417):1–11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Buthus from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have published a new species from The Horn of Africa. This time a new species of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Buthidae) has been discovered in Somaliland. The name of the new species is given because this is now the smallest species in the genus.

Buthus pygmaeus Kovarik, Lowe, Stahlavsky & Elmi, 2025

The article has an identification key for the Buthus species in The Horn of African.

Abstract:
New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somaliland. B. pygmaeus sp. n. is described, fully complemented with color photographs of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. In addition to the analysis of external morphology and hemispermatophore, we provide a description of the karyotype of B. pygmaeus sp. n. (2n=22). A key and distribution map of Buthus in the Horn of Africa (six species) are included.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stahlavsky F, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXIX. Buthus pygmaeus sp. n. from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(415):1–14. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae