A new species of Janalychas from India

 

Sudheer Kumar Jena and Pratyush Mohapatra have recently published an article describing a new species of Janalychas Kovarik, 2019 (Buthidae) from the Deccan Peninsula in India.

Janalychas fulvus Jena & Mohapatra, 2026

Abstract:
A novel buthid scorpion of the genus Janalychas Kovařík, 2019 is described from the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, based on an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular data for South Asian representatives. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to J. farkasi (Kovařík, 1997) from Nepal, but can be distinguished by the presence of a single carina on the mesosomal tergites (vs. three in J. farkasi) and the presence of denticles on sternite V. It can also be readily differentiated from its Indian congeners by a unique combination of morphological traits and its characteristic yellow, patterned coloration.

Reference:
Jena SK, Mohapatra PP. A new species of Janalychas Kovařík, 2019 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the Deccan Peninsula, India. Arthropoda Selecta. 2026;35(1):79–95. [Open Access]

Thanks to Victoria for informing me about the new species. 

Family Buthidae 

A new species of Liocheles from Western Himalays, India

 

Virender K. Bhardwaj and co-workers recently described a new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hormuridae) from Western Himalayas in India.

Liocheles gracilipalpus Bhardwaj, Katal, Lalremsanga & Mirza, 2026

Abstract:
Sampling in the Western Himalayas of India led to the discovery of a population of the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833, that differes from all Indian congeners. Molecular and morphological data confirmed the distinctiveness of the population, which is here described as a new species. The new species is morphologically similar to L. longimanus (Werner, 1939), from which it differs in the arrangement of trichobothria on external patella and structure of the hemispermatophore. A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the family Hormuridae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene is presented.

Reference:
Bhardwaj VK, Katal S, Lalremsanga HT, Mirza ZA. A new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) from the Western Himalayas. Euscorpius. 2026(441):1–13. [Open Access]

Family Hormuridae 

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 revision of the enigmatic genus Charmus from India and Sri Lanka with a couple of taxonomic updates

 

Charmus Karsch, 1879 (Buthidae) is a genus that is rarely encountered in the field and in collections. The few species in the genus are also very similar. Mihir Joshi and several co-workers have recently published a systematic review of this genus and have made a couple of taxonomic decisions.

Charmus dakshini Joshi, Deshpande, Ukale, Gowande, Bilat, Kovarik, Mottaz, Stahlavsky, Bastawade, Monod & Sulakhe, 2025 New species from southern India.

Charmus indicus Hirst, 1915 is synonymized with Charmus laneus Karsch, 1879.

Abstract:
India and Sri Lanka are known to exhibit high levels of biological diversity with many endemic taxa, such as the enigmatic scorpion genus Charmus Karsch, 1879. Members of this genus are rarely encountered in the field and are also known to be morphologically very similar, which impedes their systematic assessment. Our dedicated efforts towards sampling the members of the genus resulted in the collection of important material, which allowed us to carry out a thorough systematic revision of the genus using an integrated taxonomic approach. We propose several taxonomic changes based on the results of a detailed morphological study supported by molecular data. Charmus indicus Hirst, 1915 is synonymized with Charmus laneus Karsch, 1879, owing to the lack of morphological differences and low genetic divergence between the two taxa. We designate a neotype for Charmus sinhagadensis Tikader and Bastawade, 1983, and describe a new species from Sirumalai (Tamil Nadu, India). Moreover, we provide the first molecular phylogeny of Charmus based on Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S rRNA (16S) and 28S rRNA (28S) genes. The phylogenetic position of the genus within the family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837 is also tested using an independent genome-wide dataset (Ultraconserved Elements). Topological congruence and discrepancies between the phylogenies generated with Sanger sequences and the Ultraconserved Elements are commented on, and the reliability of these datasets when evaluating phylogenetic relationships at different hierarchical levels is further discussed.

Reference:
Joshi M, Deshpande S, Ukale S, Gowande G, Bilat J, Kovařík F, et al. Systematic Revision of the Genus Charmus Karsch, 1879 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), and Assessment of Its Phylogenetic Position Within Buthidae CL Koch, 1837 Using Ultraconserved Elements. Diversity. 2025;17:354. [Open Acces]

Thanks to Gerard and Frantisek for both sending me this article!

Family Buthidae