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 

 

Two new species of Androctonus from Oman

 
Graeme Lowe recently published a study of the Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828  (Buthidae) populations in Oman and two new species are described.

Androctonus ammophilus Lowe, 2025 (Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates)

Androctonus omanensis Lowe, 2025 (Oman)

The biogeography and speciation of Androctonus in this region is discussed.

Abstract:
The taxonomic position of Androctonus populations in Oman was investigated by analyzing morphological variation in a comprehensive sample representing 150 records gathered from 95 localities spread throughout the country. Two new allopatric species are described, separated by multivariate morphometric analysis and meristic characters: (1) A. omanensis sp. n., distributed across most of Oman, is characterized by wider, deeper metasomal segments IV–V, shorter legs, more robust pedipalps, more granules on lateral inframedian carinae of metasoma II–III, and sparser setation on basitarsal spurs; and (2) A. ammophilus sp. n., distributed in the dunes of the Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of northwest Oman, and adjacent Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, is characterized by narrower, shallower metasomal segments IV–V, longer legs, more elongate pedipalps, fewer granules on lateral inframedian carinae of metasoma II–III, and denser setation on basitarsal spurs. The emergence of the Rub’ al-Khali sand system during Pleistocene glaciations, and the transition to hyper-arid conditions in the region, are hypothesized to be abiotic factors promoting ecological speciation of A. ammophilus sp. n., and vicariant speciation of A. omanensis sp. n.

Reference:
Lowe G. The genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Oman. Euscorpius. 2025(424):1–59. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

The distribution of Orthochirus glabrifrons in United Arab Emirates and Oman and a couple of synonymizations

 

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published a study on the distribution of Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903) (Buthidae) in The Arabian Peninsula. The species is confirmed for Oman and United Arab Emirates. Map of distribution and habitat pictures are also presented.

The article also synonymizes the following taxa with Orthochirus glabrifrons: Orthochirus kaspareki (Lourenço & Huber, 2000) and Orthochirus kinzelbachi (Lourenço & Huber, 2000). Both were originally described in the genus Paraorthochirus Lourenço & Vachon, 1995, which was later synonymized with Orthochirus. 

Abstract:
Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) was described from Oman (Muscat). Here, we summarize known localities from Oman as well as records from the United Arab Emirates, which is the new country record for this species. Illustrations of morphology of both sexes are given together with a map of distribution. A lectotype of Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903) is designated. Paraorthochirus kaspareki Lourenço & Huber, 2000 and Paraorthochirus kinzelbachi Lourenço & Huber, 2000 are synonymized with Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903), syn. n.

Reference:
Kovařík F, Yağmur EA, Ullrich A, Buzás B. The first record of Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the United Arab Emirates. Euscorpius. 2023;2023(379):1-11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Compsobuthus from North Africa

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently publish a paper on species in the genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) from Arabia and North Africa. Two new species are described.

Compsobuthus turieli Kovarik, Lowe, Stockmann & Stahlavsky, 2020 (Western Sahara and Morocco)

Compsobuthus ullrichi Kovarik, Lowe, Stockmann & Stahlavsky, 2020 (Egypt)

The article has also a redescription of Compsobuthus arabicus Levy, Amitai & Shulov, 1973.

Abstract:
Two new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949, are described: C. turieli sp. n. from Western Sahara and Morocco, and C. ullrichi sp. n. from Egypt. The species C. arabicus Levy et al., 1973 is redescribed based on analysis of the holotype plus extensive material from Oman and the United Arab Emirates. These species are compared to others from their respective regions: C. kabateki Kovařík, 2003, C. levyi Kovařík, 2012, and C. polisi Lowe, 2001, for which new illustrations and biometrics are provided based on types and topotypic material. The hemispermatophores of C. arabicus, C. turieli sp. n. and C. ullrichi sp. n. are illustrated and described. We also record the karyotypes of C. acutecarinatus, C. arabicus, C. maindroni and C. ullrichi sp. n. All examined specimens possess 2n=22 and chromosomes gradually decreasing in length.

References:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stockmann M, Stahlavsky F. Notes on Compsobuthus: redescription of C. arabicus Levy et al., 1973 from Arabia, and description of two new species from North Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2020(298):1-40.

Congratulations on your "own" species, Carlos and Alex! :)

Family Buthidae

A new genus of burrowing scorpion from the Arabian Peninsula

Graeme Lowe and co-workers have recently published an article describing a new genus and and a new species i the family Buthidae from the Arabian Peninsula. A second species is transferred to the new genus.

Trypanothacus Lowe, Kovarik, Stockmann & Stahlavsky, 2019 - New genus from Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Trypanothacus barnesi Lowe, Kovarik, Stockmann & Stahlavsky, 2019 - New species from Oman.

Trypanothacus buettikeri (Hendrixson, 2006) - New combination. Previously name Buthacus buettikeri Hendrixson, 2006.

Abstract:
We define a new fossorial buthid genus Trypanothacus gen. n., similar to Buthacus Birula, 1908, differing primarily in telson shape, with a bulbous vesicle and aculeus shorter than the vesicle, and in heavier dentition on metasomal segments II–III and IV. The new genus includes two species: T. barnesi sp. n. from Oman and T. buettikeri (Hendrixson, 2006) comb. n. from Saudi Arabia, the latter transferred from Buthacus. We provide detailed illustrations of both species from preserved materials, and in vivo habitus and natural habitat are shown for T. barnesi sp. n.. Information is also provided on ecology and captive rearing of T. barnesi sp. n., and on its karyotype (2n=26). The new genus is compared to genera Buthacus and Vachoniolus Levy et al., 1973. Telson morphology of these genera is analyzed and compared with other psammophilous and pelophilous buthids. In certain subgroups of scorpions, we find that aculeus length can be related to psammophily and body size. As a highly diverse multifunctional organ, the telson is shaped by complex environmental and genetic factors. We propose that telson morphology can nevertheless be useful for taxonomy if it is carefully applied.

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F, Stockmann M, Stahlavsky F. Trypanothacus gen. n., a new genus of burrowing scorpion from the Arabian Peninsula (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2019(277):1-29. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Genus Babycurus split into a new genus and two new species from the Arabian Peninsula

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published a review of the genus Babycurus Karsch, 1886 (Buthidae) resulting into splitting this genus into two genera. The taxanomical decisions from this study are:

Barbaracurus Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky, 2018 (New genus distributed mainly in the Arabian Peninsula and The Horn of Africa). Species included after review:
B. exquisitus (Lowe, 2000) (Previously in Babycurus)
B. prudenti Lourenço, 2013 (Previously in Babycurus)
B. somalicus (Hirst, 1907) (Previously in Babycurus)
B. sofomarensis (Kovarik, Lowe, Seiter, Pliskova &Stahlavsky, 2015) (Previously in Babycurus)
B. subpunctatus (Borelli, 1925) (Previously in Babycurus)
B. ugartei (Kovarik, 2000) (Previously in Babycurus)
B. winklerorum Kovarik, Lowe &Stahlavsky, 2018 (New species from Oman)
B. yemenensis Kovarik, Lowe, Seiter, Pliskova &Stahlavsky, 2015 (New species from Yemen)
B. zambonellii (Borelli, 1902) (Previously in Babycurus)

Babycurus Karsch, 1886 (Strictly African distribution). Species included after review:
B. ansorgei Hirst, 1911
B. brignolii Lourenço & Rossi, 2017 (Declared Nomen Dubia)
B. buettneri Karsch, 1886
B. centrurimorphus Karsch, 1886
B. dunlopi Kovarik, Lowe, Seiter, Pliskova &Stahlavsky, 2015
B. gigas Kraepelin, 1896
B. jacksoni (Pocock, 1890)
B. kirki (Pocock, 1890)
B. melanicus Kovarik, 2000
B. multisubaculeatus Kovarik, 2000
B. pictus Pocock, 1896
B. solegladi Lourenço, 2005
B. taramassoi Borelli, 1919
B. wituensis Kraepelin, 1913

Babycurus ornatus Werner, 1936 is declared as a junior synonym of Lychas burdoi (Simon, 1882).

The article has an identification key for Barbaracurus.

Abstract:
The genus Babycurus Karsch, 1886 sensu lato is split into two genera, a strictly African genus Babycurus, and the new genus Barbaracurus gen. n., which mainly includes species from the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula. Two new species Barbaracurus winklerorum sp. n. from Oman and B. yemenensis sp. n. from Yemen are described, compared with other species, and fully illustrated with color photos of morphology, habitus, live specimens and collection localities. Males of Barbaracurus somalicus (Hirst, 1907) comb. n. and Barbaracurus zambonellii (Borelli, 1902) comb. n. are recorded for the first time and fully illustrated. Babycurus ornatus Werner, 1936 from Mozambique is shown to be a junior synonym of Lychas burdoi (Simon, 1882), a species from the same area. Babycurus brignolii Lourenço et Rossi, 2017 is designated to be a nomen dubium. Hemispermatophores are des-cribed and illustrated to show their differences between the species and genera. Analyses of karyotypes reveal a similar degree of interspecific variability of diploid chromosomal numbers within the genera Babycurus (2n=16–30) and Barbaracurus gen. n. (2n=22–36).

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stahlavsky F. Review of the genus Babycurus Karsch, 1886 (Arachnida, Scorpiones, Buthidae), with descriptions of Barbaracurus gen. n. and two new species from Oman and Yemen. Euscorpius. 2018(267):1-41. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A revision of the cryptic genus Microbuthus and the description of a new species

Graeme Lowe and co-workers have recently published a review of the cryptic genus Microbuthus Kraepelin, 1898 (Buthidae) from western and eastern coasts of North Africa and the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. A new species is also described.

Microbuthus satyrus Lowe, Kovarik, Stockmann & Stahlavsky, 2018 (Oman, Yemen)

Abstract:
The taxonomy of the genus Microbuthus is reviewed, and a new species from Oman and Yemen, M. satyrus sp. n., is described and fully illustrated with color photographs of live and preserved specimens, as well as of its habitat. It is compared to the closely similar species M. litoralis, which we also illustrate. Synonymy of the type species M. pusillus Kraepelin, 1898 with M. litoralis (Pavesi, 1885) is confirmed, and the species is recorded for the first time from Yemen. Hemispermatophores of M. satyrus sp. n., M. gardneri Lowe, 2010, and M. kristensenorum Lowe, 2010 are illustrated and compared, and we also describe the karyotypes of these three Microbuthus species. The number of chromosomes is the same in all analyzed species (2n=26).

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F, Stockmann M, Stahlavsky F. Review of Microbuthus with description of M. satyrus sp. n. (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Oman and Yemen. Euscorpius. 2018(263):1-22. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A revision of the genus Butheolus with a new genus and species

Graeme Lowe has recently published a revision of the genus Butheolus Simon, 1882 (Buthidae) mainly based on materials from Oman. The main conclusions are:

Xenobuthus Lowe, 2018 (new genus distributed in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen).
Xenobuthus anthracinus (Pocock, 1895) (redescribed and moved from Butheolus).
Xenobuthus arabicus ((Lourenço & Qi, 2006) (moved from Butheolus).
Xenobuthus xanthus Lowe, 2018 (new species from Oman).

Butheolus harrisoni Lowe, 2018 (new species from Oman).

The article has has an identification guide for the genera Butheolus and Xenobuthus.

Abstract:
The genus Butheolus Simon, 1882 is revised based on new material from Dhofar Province in Oman. B. gallagheri Vachon, 1980 is redescribed, and a related new species, B. harrisoni sp. n., is also described. The species B. anthracinus (Pocock, 1895) is redescribed and moved to a new genus Xenobuthus gen. n., that is differentiated from Butheolus by size, pedipalp finger dentition, setation, granulation and hemispermatophore structure, and a related new species, X. xanthus sp. n., is also described. Revised diagnoses are provided for the genus Butheolus, and for the species B. thalassinus Simon, 1882, and B. villosus Hendrixson, 2006, a key is given for the species examined in this study, and the status of other related species discussed.

Reference:
Lowe G. The genera Butheolus Simon, 1882 and Xenobuthus gen. nov. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Oman. Euscorpius. 2018(261):1-73. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new substitute name for Butheolus pallidus

Wilson Lourenco and Andrea Rossi have recently published an article with a new replacement name for Butheolus pallidus Lourenço & Duhem, 2012 (Buthidae). The reason for this is that it has been discovered that this name is preoccupied by Butheolus pallidus Pocock, 1897 (currently under the genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891).

The new name for this species from Oman and United Arab Emirates is Butheolus hallani Lourenço & Rossi, 2017. [Author information corrected 17.08.17]

Abstract:
A nomen novum is proposed for Butheolus pallidus Lourenço et Duhem, 2012, a primary junior homonym of Butheolus pallidus Pocock, 1897 (currently Orthochirus pallidus).

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Rossi A. A new substitute name for Butheolus pallidus Lourenço et Duhem, 2012 (Scorpiones, Buthidae), species described from United Arab Emirates/Oman. Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2017;3(13):42-4.

Thanks to Joel Hallan for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae

A review of the genus Leiurus with several new species

The medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) is widespread across North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. For many years only one species was known in the genus, but in the last decade a couple of new species have been described.

Graeme Lowe, Ersen Yagmur and Frantisek Kovarik have now published a major review of Leiurus. Existing species are redescribed and the following taxonomical changes have been made.

Leiurus arabicus Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarik, 2014 (New species from Saudi Arabia).

Leiurus brachycentrus (Ehrenberg, 1829) (New status, restored from synonymy).

Leiurus haenggii Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarik, 2014 (New species from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen).

Leiurus heberti Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarik, 2014 (New species from Oman).

Leiurus hebraeus (Birula, 1908) (New status, elevated from subspecies status. Previous name Leirurus quinquestriatus hebraeus (Birula, 1908).

Leiurus macroctenus Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarik, 2014 (New species from Oman).

Leiurus nasheri Kovarik, 2007 (Synonymized with L. brachycentrus).

An updated identification key for the genus is provided. Biogeography of the genus is also discussed.

Abstract:
The taxonomy of buthid scorpions belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 is reviewed. Four new species are described from the Arabian Peninsula: L. macroctenus sp. n. from coastal fog deserts in Oman; L. haenggii sp. n. from mountains of the Red Sea coast, Hadramaut and Dhofar, in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman; L. arabicus sp. n. from the central Najd Plateau and eastern plains in Saudi Arabia; and L. heberti sp. n. from Jabal Samhan in Oman. L. brachycentrus (Ehrenberg, 1829) stat. n. from the Tihamah plain of the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia and Yemen is restored from synonymy and redescribed. Leiurus nasheri Kovařík, 2007 was found to be a junior synonym of L. brachycentrus stat. n. L. quinquestriatus hebraeus (Birula, 1908) is elevated to species level as L. hebraeus (Birula, 1908) stat. n. Revised diagnoses are given for L. quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828), L. abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç et Kunt, 2009, L. jordanensis Lourenço, Modrý et Amr, 2002, and L. hebraeus (Birula, 1908). Key characters used to diagnose and separate species include morphometrics, granulation, tricho-bothriotaxy, tarsal setation, dentition of metasomal carinae and color pattern. Detailed illustrations are provided and the affinities and biogeography of the genus are discussed.

Reference:
Lowe G, Yagmur EA, Kovarik F. A Review of the Genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with Description of Four New Species from the Arabian Peninsula. Euscorpius. 2014 (191):1-129. [Free full text]

Family Buthidae

Two new species from the Arabian Peninsula

Wilson Lourenco and Bernard Duhem have recently described two new species from the Khatan Al'Atash Ridge in the border area between the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Butheolus pallidus Lourenco & Duhem, 2012 (Buthidae)
Compsobuthus lowei Lourenco & Duhem, 2012 (Buthidae)

Abstract:
Two new species of scorpion belonging to the genera Butheolus Simon, 1882 and Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 are described from the region of Khatan Al'Atash Ridge in the border area between the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Species of Compsobuthus have already been cited from UAE, but this is the first record of the genus Butheolus from this country.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Duhem B. Two new species of scorpions from the Arabian Peninsula belonging to the genera Butheolus Simon and Compsobuthus Vachon. Zoology in the Middle East. 2012;55:121-6.

Thanks to professor Wilson Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

Two new Hottentotta species from Oman

Graeme Lowe is continuing his study of the scorpion fauna of the Middle East. This time he reports of two new species of Hottentotta (Buthidae) from northern Oman:

Hottentotta pellucidus Lowe, 2010
Hottentotta saxinatans Lowe, 2010

Abstract:
Two new endemic species of Hottentotta Birula, 1908, are described from the Al Hajar Mountains of northern Oman: H. pellucidus sp. nov., from the Shir Plateau of Jabal Bani Jabir in the eastern Al Hajar, characterized by: medium size, uniform yellow color, dense cover of long and short macrosetae on pedipalps, legs and metasoma, only two macrosetae on tergite posterior margins, and slender male pedipalp chelae with very weakly scalloped fingers; and H. saxinatans sp. nov., from Jabal Akhdar in the western Al Hajar, characterized by: medium size, uniform yellow color with faint fuscosity on metasomal carinae, nearly bare body and appendages with few short macrosetae, and slender male pedipalp chelae with unscalloped fingers. Both are lapidicolous or lithophilic scorpions, inhabiting very rocky terrain. Their disjunct distribution in high altitude refugia suggests that they are relict species, descendents of a more widespread fauna adapted to temperate climates in the Pleistocene or post-glacial times.

Reference:
Lowe G. Two new species of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from northern Oman. Euscorpius. 2010(103):1-23. [Free fulltext]

Family Buthidae

A new Compsobuthus from UAE

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have looked into some of the Compsobuthus species from the Middle East and have described a new species from United Arab Emirates:

Compsobuthus birulai Lourenco, Leguin & Duhem, 2010 (Buthidae)

A better description is presented for Compsobuthus acutecarinatus (Simon, 1882) and C. maindroni (Kraepelin, 1900). The distribution of C. acutecarinatus is confined to Yemen and parts of Oman and previous reported findings from Africa are probably misidentifications. Compsobuthus maindroni is limited to Oman and parts om UAE. Previous proposed distribution on East Africa is probably based on misidentifications.

Abstract:
Two species of the genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949, C. acutecarinatus (Simon) and C. maindroni (Kraepelin), have been the subject of several publications in the last three decades. Nevertheless, same doubts remain about their precise identity and range of geographic distribution. We give here precise re-diagnoses in the light of the type material now clearly identified. The holotype at C. acutecarinatus is properly illustrated and measured. A lectotype is designated for C. maindroni, from the large syntype series. A new species of Compsobuthus is also described from United Arab Emirates.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Leguin EA, Duhem B. Notes on the type material of Compsobuthus acutecarinatus (Simon, 1882) and C. maindroni (Kraepelin, 1900), and description of a new species from United Arab Emirates. Zoology in the Middle East. 2010;50:119-26.

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Vachoniolus from Oman

Graeme Lowe has published a study of the Vachoniolus Levy et al., 1973 (Buthidae) from Oman and two new species are described:

Vachoniolus batinahensis Lowe, 2010
Vachoniolus gallagheri Lowe, 2010

Vachoniolus globimanus Levy et al., 1973 is also confirmed from Oman.

All Vachoniolus are psammophiles or ultra-psammofiles (species living on fine sand/sand dunes).

The paper has an identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
Study of new material collected in Oman by ultraviolet detection revealed three species of Vachoniolus, an unusual genus of psammophilous buthid scorpion distinguished by grossly swollen male pedipalp chelae. The presence of the type species, V. globimanus Levy, Amitai et Shulov, 1973, in Oman is confirmed, and two new species are described: V. batinahensis sp. nov. from the Al Batinah coastal plain north of the Al Hajar mountains, and V. gallagheri sp. nov. from desert alluvial fans south and west of the Al Hajar mountains. The number of Vachoniolus species is thereby raised to four, including V. iranus Navidpour et al., 2008, from northwestern Iran. Of these four, V. batinahensis appears the most plesiomorphic, with 7 external patellar trichobothria, femoral trichobothrium d5 either proximal or distal to e2, and complete retention of tibial spurs. It could be a relict descendent of an ancestral Vachoniolus population that evolved in the Tigris-Euphrates river drainage at a time when the Arabian Gulf was dry. A novel tarsal structure, the ‘spine comb’, is described in juvenile Vachoniolus, Apistobuthus and Odontobuthus. Possible mechanisms of sexual selection in the evolution of the enlarged male pedipalp chelae of Vachoniolus are discussed.

Reference:
Lowe G. The genus Vachoniolus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Oman. Euscorpius. 2010(100):1-37. [Free fultext]

Family Buthidae

A new Odontobuthus from Oman

Graeme Lowe has recently published a description of a new species in the genus Odontobuthus (Buthidae) from Oman. The paper also has an identification key for the genus. The species is distributed in Oman and United Arab Emirates.

Abstract:
The Asian buthid genus Odontobuthus is newly recorded from the Arabian Peninsula where is represented by O. brevidigitus sp. nov. from the Batínah coast and foothills of the Al Hajar mountains of northern Oman. The new species is characterized by short pedipalp fingers, long pectines with narrow basal middle lamella, 2–3 enlarged denticles on ventrosubmedian carinae of metasoma II–III, stout metasoma IV with 10 anterior transverse granules, 3 lateral anal lobes, and enlarged dentition on the ventral anal arch. A model is proposed for the speciation of Odontobuthus by westward dispersal of an ancestral population on the Indus floodplain, followed by vicariant tectonic events in the Miocene and Pliocene that led to divergence of four species in temporal sequence: O. odonturus, O. doriae, O. bidentatus and O. brevidigitus sp. nov.

Reference:
Lowe G. A new species of Odontobuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from northern Oman. Euscorpius. 2010(96):1-22. [Free fulltext]

Family Buthidae

Two new genera and five new species from Oman

Graeme Lowe has looked into some very interesting materials from Oman and described several new taxa of very small, but special buthids. The new taxa are:

Femtobuthus Lowe, 2010 (new genus)
Femtobuthus shutuae Lowe, 2010 (new species)

Microbuthus Kraepelin, 1898
Microbuthus gardneri Lowe, 2010 (new species)
Microbuthus kristensensorum Lowe, 2010 (new species)

Picobuthus Lowe, 2010 (new genus)
Picobuthus dundoni Lowe, 2010 (new species)
Picobuthus wahibaensis Lowe, 2010 (new species)

I reccomend to check out the article (free fulltext - see link below) for more details and pictures.

Abstract:
Five new species of diminutive buthid scorpions are described from Oman. Two belong to Microbuthus Kraepelin, 1898, a genus with heavily sclerotized, smooth, strongly pitted posterior metasomal segments, abbreviated telson, and pedipalps with 9 femoral and 6–7 external patellar trichobothria: M. gardneri, sp. nov., from the Al Hajar Mountains, and M. kristensenorum, sp. nov., from the Dhofar Mountains and Hadhramaut of Yemen, which was long misidentified as M. pusillus Kraepelin, 1898. Two additional new species are placed in a new genus Picobuthus, gen. nov., differentiated by granular posterior metasomal segments, elongate telson, pedipalps with 7–9 femoral and 5 external patellar trichobothria: type species P. wahibaensis, sp. nov., from the Wahiba Sands, and P. dundoni, sp. nov., from sand deserts in central Oman. A second new genus, Femtobuthus, gen. nov., is monotypic with type species F. shutuae, sp. nov., from the southern coast and plateau of Jiddat Al Harasis, differentiated by enlarged, granular, dentate metasomal segments, abbreviated telson, and pedipalps with 6 femoral and 5 external patellar trichobothria. The relationship of Microbuthus and the two new genera to other buthid scorpions is discussed, and their trichobothrial homologies are addressed. These three genera are hypothesized to represent a monophyletic ‘picobuthoid’ lineage that originated in the Arabian Peninsula.

Reference:
Lowe G. New picobuthoid scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Oman. Euscorpius. 2010(93):1-53. [Free fultext - click here if you want the high resolution version (24 mb)]

Family Buthidae

Two new Hemiscorpius species from Oman

The scorpion fauna of the Arabian Peninsula has still a lot of secrets. Graeme Low has collected scorpions in northern Oman and has now described two new species of Hemiscorpius (Hemiscorpiidae):

Hemiscorpius falcifer Lowe, 2010
Hemiscorpius flagelliraptor Lowe, 2010

Both species are ultralithophiles (adapted for life in cracks and crevices of rock surfaces).

The paper has a identification key for Hemiscorpius (females only).

Abstract:
Two new species of Hemiscorpius, H. falcifer, sp. nov. and H. flagelliraptor, sp. nov., are described from the Al Hajar Mountains of northern Oman. Although both are lithophilic or ultralithophilic scorpions beautifully adapted for living in rock crevices, they exhibit divergent morphologies and may not be closely related. H. falcifer is distinguished by: smaller size, relatively short compact metasoma, bulbous telson, relatively distal placement of lamellar double hook of hemispermatophore, pedipalp chela with wide, sub-triangular manus and exceptionally elongated fingers with single file dentition along distal half of movable finger (in adults); H. flagelliraptor is distinguished by: extremely elongated, sexually dimorphic metasoma, slender telson, proximal placement of lamellar double hook of hemispermatophore, slender pedipalp chela with double denticle rows along the distal half of movable finger. Although orthobothriotaxic, in other respects H. flagelliraptor appears most similar to the neobothriotaxic species H. enischnochela Monod et Lourenço, 2005 and H. gaillardi (Vachon, 1974) from Iran.

Reference:
Lowe G. Two new Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hemiscorpiidae) from northern Oman. Euscorpius. 2010(91):1-24. [Free fultext]

Family Hemiscorpiidae

A new Compsobuthus from Oman

Graeme Lowe has recently described a new lithophilic (rock dwelling) species in the genus Compsobuthus from Oman.

Compsobuthus nematodactylus Lowe, 2009 (Buthidae)

Abstract:
A new species of Compsobuthus is described from the Al Hajar mountains of northern Oman. It is distinguished by a strongly dorsoventrally compressed body, reduced carination on the carapace and tergites, extreme elongation of legs and pedipalps, lack of external accessory denticles on the pedipalp fingers, chelal trichobothrium est placed closer to dt than db, heavy setation on the ventral metasoma, and 28–34 pectine teeth. It is an ultralithophilic scorpion, highly adapted to life in narrow rock fissures.

References:
Lowe G. A new lithophilic Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from northern Oman. Euscorpius. 2009(90):1-13. [free fulltext]

Family Buthidae