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 revision of the genus Nebo in Saudi Arabia and a description of a new species from the Jazan Province

 

Bassam Abu Afifeh and co-workers have recently published a revision of the genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Diplocentridae) in Saudi Arabia and a description of a new species from  the Jazan Province.

Nebo jazanensis Abu Afifeh, Aloufi, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2023

Notes on the new species' habitat is also provided.

Abstract:
The genus Nebo Simon, 1878 in Saudi Arabia is revised based on morphometric and morphological characters for adult specimens. The presence of Nebo hierichonticus (Simon, 1872) has been justified for the first time from Saudi Arabia and compared with materials collected from Jordan. More specimens of Nebo yemenensis Francke, 1980 including adult males and females were collected and recorded in this study. Nebo jazanensis sp. n. is described and fully illustrated based on adult males and females collected from Jazan Province and compared with other species of the genus Nebo known from the Arabian Peninsula and Jordan. Notes on its habitats are provided.

Reference:
Afifeh BA, Aloufi A, Al-Saraireh M, Amr ZS. Revision of the Genus Nebo (Simon, 1878) in Saudi Arabia with a Description of a New Species from the Jazan Province (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae). Jordan Journal of Natural History. 2023;10(1):40-56. [Full text provided by authors]

Family Diplocentridae

The phylogenetic relationship among two species of genus Nebo from Saudi Arabia and Middle East

 

The genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Diplocentridae) consists of nine species distributed across Arabia and the Middle East. Due to few specimens available and complicated morphological characters, the taxonomical status of this genus is unresolved. 

Abdulaziz Alqahtani and co-workers have recently published a phylogenetic analysis of the species Nebo hierichonticus (Simon, 1872) and Nebo yemenensis Francke, 1980 from Saudi Arabia and from Palestine. Their analysis show that there are variations both within and between the two species and this may be an indication of undiscovered, cryptic species. More studies are necessary to confirm this.

Abstract:
Background The genus Nebo has been identified as a medically important scorpion species distributed across Arabia and the Middle East. However, its taxonomic status remains unclear.
Aim The molecular phylogeny of two Nebo species from Saudi Arabia and comparative sequences from Palestine is presented based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
Methodology Scorpion specimens were collected from two different localities, mainly the Southern part of Saudi Arabia. Then, DNA was extracted, amplified using invertebrate universal primers, and sequenced to identify the COI gene. The obtained sequences were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees based on maximum parsimony, neighborjoining, and Bayesian inference were constructed.
Results The inferred phylogeny indicates the monophyletic status of the family Diplocentridae and its subfamily Nebinae and Diplocentrinae. Also, the phylogenetic analyses support the existence of interspecific and intraspecific variations among/ within Nebo hierichonticus and Nebo yemenensis which may indicate distinct species.
Conclusion Further morphological studies with additional specimens from the Arabian Peninsula may reveal possible undiscovered and cryptic species.

Reference:
Alqahtani AR, Alotaibi NJ, Aly H, Badry A. The phylogenetic relationship among two species of genus Nebo (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) from Saudi Arabia and Middle East. BMC Zool. 2023;8(1):4. [Open Access]

Family Diplocentridae

A review of the scorpions the Arab Countries of the Middle East and their medical importance

 

Zuhair Amr and co-workers have recently published a review on the scorpions of the Arab countries of the Middle East. The article presents a list of scorpions known from the different countries and species of medical importance, treatment and epidemiological data are also given. This is a nice update to the knowledge of the scorpion fauna of this region and its impact on the human population.

Abstract:
The twelve Arab countries of the Middle East are inhabited by 117 species of scorpions of varying medical importance within six families. Scorpion stings are a very common occurrence throughout the region. Twentytwo scorpion species are considered to be dangerously venomous, causing potentially life threatening stings. Accessible literature in English and Arabic on scorpions, scorpion stings and available antivenoms was reviewed to document the scorpion fauna and scorpion stings in each country. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Jordan report the highest numbers of stings and envenomings. Clinically, the most important toxins in Old World scorpion venoms are α-toxins that target voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels at neurotoxin binding site 3, causing sympathetic excitation and the endogenous release of catecholamines that is responsible for transient, but life-threatening myocardial damage. Most victims of scorpion stings suffer severe local pain, but a few, especially children, develop systemic envenoming which, in the case of most Middle Eastern buthid species, such as Androctonus and Leiurus species, is dominated by the cardiovascular and respiratory consequences of hypercatecholinaemic myocarditis. Other syndromes include paralysis (Parabuthus leiosoma), coagulopathy (Nebo hierichonticus and Hemiscorpius species), and local tissue damage, haemolysis and acute kidney injury (H. lepturus). Early antivenom treatment is recommended but its value remains controversial. However, intensive care, with the ancillary use of vasoactive drugs such as prazosin and dobutamine, has proved effective.

Reference:
Amr Z, Abu Baker M, Al-Saraireh M, Warrell D. Scorpions and scorpion sting envenoming (scorpionism) in the Arab Countries of the Middle East. Toxicon. 2021;191:83-103. [Subscription required for full text]

What do we mean when we talk about scorpion distribution?

Michael Warburg has recently published an article discussing what is actually meant by distribution. Does one mean geographical distribution or local distribution? Warburg introduces the terms mini-distribution, micro-distribution and macro-distribution and relates different distributional data from five species in northern Israel to these terms.

Abstract:
Scorpions being solitary animals are interesting in their distribution patterns. Nevertheless, the subject ofscorpion distribution has received relatively less attention than other ecological aspects of that group. It is amatter that changes continuously and moreover it is hard to define. Three different scales in distribution areintroduced here: (1) Mini- distribution which describes the presence of scorpions under a single shelter or in aburrow, within a single habitat, (2) micro-distribution describing the distribution within a single habitat, and (3) macro-distribution within different habitats. Most research in scorpion distribution concentrated on the first aspect the mini-distribution. The subject is reviewed in scorpions and discussed.

Reference:
Warburg MR. Scaling distribution in scorpions. Arthropods. 2013;2(1):7-19. [Free full text]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this article!

Growth and longevity in Nebo hierochonticus

Professor M. R. Warburg has published an interesting article where he discuss the problems of researching growth and longevity in scorpions. In the paper he presents results of own long term studies of Nebo hierochonticus Simon, 1872 (Scorpionidae) in captivity. Interestingly, female N. hierochonticus can at least reach 18 years (and maybe longer because the specimens was alive when Warburg studies were ended).

Abstract:
During a long-term study of scorpions, it was possible to follow for 15 years the growth (increase in mass) in the laboratory of adult Nebo hierochonticus (Simon, 1875). The groth rate is highest during the first years (0.75 g/yr), dropping with age to 0.1 g/yr. During this long captivity period it also became possible to study their longevity. Longevity of two females was 15 and 18 years. Problems involved in the various methods used to assess growth and to estimate longevity are discussed.

Reference:
Warburg MR. Growth and longevity of Nebo hierochonticus in the laboratory: a long term study (Scorpiones, Diplocentridae). Bull Br Arach Soc. 2011;15(5):168-72.

A review of scorpion reproductive strategies

Michael Warburg has recently published an interesting review on scorpion reproductive strategies. In addition to reviewing the existing knowledge on this topic, he also makes suggestions about future research on this topic.

Abstract:
Most scorpion species are iteroparous, breeding more than once during their life. Some of these species are parthenogenetic. The other reproductive strategy (RS) semelparity, when scorpions breed only a single time during their life, is rare and has been documented only once. The mass allocated by the female to produce either a litter or a single offspring is the reproductive allocation (RA). It is difficult to calculate RA since the difference in female mass before and after parturition is difficult to obtain. In addition, the litter size is hardly ever accurate because of maternal cannibalism. An attempt was made to calculate RA in Nebo hierichonticus (E. Simon, 1872). Based on litter size, on breeding frequency and on longevity of the female, it is possible to estimate the reproductive potential (RP). These aspects of scorpion reproduction are reviewed and the difficulties involved in this study are discussed.

Reference:
Warburg MR. Scorpion reproductive strategies, allocation and potential; A partial review. European Journal of Entomology. 2011;108(2):173-81. [Free fulltext]