A new Pandinus species from Burkina Faso

 

Eric Ythier and Cedric Audibert have recently published a new species of Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae) from the Sahelian wooded steppes in Burkina Faso. 

Pandinus sahelicus Ythier & Audibert, 2023

The article presents an updated identification key for the genus Pandinus.

Abstract:
A new species of the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 is described on the basis of six males and three females collected in the Sahelian wooded steppes of Burkina Faso. The new species is mainly characterized by a small size, a reduced pectinal tooth count, a length to depth ratio of fourth metasomal segment lower than 2, a number of ventral trichobothria on pedipalp patella lower than 30, tergites and internal face of pedipalp chela almost smooth and chela manus paler than body. The new taxon described here raises the number of currently recognized species for the genus Pandinus to five and the number of known scorpion species in Burkina Faso to eight.

Reference:
Ythier E, Audibert C. A new species of Pandinus Thorell, 1876 from the Sahelian wooded steppes of Burkina Faso (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Serket. 2023;19(4):398-411. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric Ythier and Hisham El-Hennaway for informing me about this article!

Family Scorpionidae

The holotype of Pandinus imperator has been rediscovered

The Emperor Scorpion, Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Scorpionidae), is probably the most famous scorpion species due to its impressive size and its history in the pet industry. The holotype was considered lost for a long time, but has now been rediscovered and redescribed by Joachim Holstein and co-workers in a recent article.

Abstract:
The holotype of the Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator (C.L. Koch, 1841) was long believed to have been lost. In 2015, as scientists at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart were digitizing its entomological collections, they rediscovered the specimen on which Koch had based his description of the scorpion in 1841.

Reference:
Holstein J, Wendt I, Rossi A. The Emperor is back! Rediscovery and redescription of the holotype of Pandinus imperator (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Arachnologische Mitteilungen. 2017;54:44-7.

Thanks to Andrea Rossi and Ingo Wendt for both sending me this article!

Family Scorpionidae

Scorpion defensive behaviour and its relation to morphology and performance

Scorpions are infamous for their tail and venomous sting. The sting is used for defense and prey capture, and in some cases during mating. The scorpions tail comes in many shapes and sizes. And different species use their tail different (they sting in different ways).

In a recent study, Pedro Coelho and co-workers have investigated the movement trajectory and kinematics of the defensive strike in seven species of scorpions from two families. Not surprisingly, they discovered that the defensive use of the sting varied between the species. The article try to explain the observed differences by looking at differences in morphology, habitat, behavior and other factors.

PS! Take a look at the excellent video on YouTube explaining the project!

Abstract:
1. Like many other venomous organisms, scorpions use their venom in defence against predators. Scorpions apply their venomous stinger by extending the caudal part of the body, the metasoma, forward towards the attacker. There are considerable differences in metasoma morphology among scorpion species, and these may afford differences in defensive strike performance.
2. We investigated the movement trajectory and kinematics of the defensive strike in seven species of scorpions, and how these variables are related to each other, and to morphology.
3. We recorded defensive strikes using high-speed video, and reconstructed the trajectory of the telson. From these trajectories, we calculated velocity, acceleration and other kinematic variables. To compare strike trajectory shapes, we used geometric morphometrics.
4. We have shown that the defensive strike differs in trajectory shape, speed, path length and duration between scorpion species. Body size is also an important factor affecting strike characteristics. Relative metasoma length and girth may also influence strike performance, as well as strike trajectory shape. Strikes with different trajectories have different kinematic properties: those with open trajectory shapes attain higher speeds.
5. Our results show that performance differences in defensive behaviour between different scorpion species may be partly mediated by morphology, binding together phenotypic, functional and behavioural diversity.

Reference:
Coelho P, Kaliontzopoulou A, Rasko M, van der Meijden A. A ‘striking’ relationship: scorpion defensive behaviour and its relation to morphology and performance. Functional Ecology. 2017; Early View. [Subscription required for full text]

A revision of the genus Pandinoides and a critique of the recent taxonomy of Pandinus Sensu Lato

The large scorpions in the genus Pandinus (Thorell, 1876), sensu lato (Scorpionidae) have been subjected to several taxonomical changes in the recent years. The genus has been split into new generea, and several new species have been described.

Lorenzo Prendini has now published a major paper criticizing many of the decisions for this group of scorpions in the recent years. Prendini concludes by reversing several taxonomic decisions made other authors on Pandinus, sensu lato. The papers also has a revision of the genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997 and a new species is described from Kenya and Tanzania. The two other species in the genus are redescribed.

The large, black scorpions of Africa are very popular in the pet trade and because of this may be threatened in some areas. Having a correct taxonomy and knowledge of these scorpions is important to ensure that they are protected from extinction because of over-harvesting.

These are the main taxonomical conclusion in the paper:

Pandinurus roeseli (Simon, 1872) is synonymized with Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841).

Pandinoides duffmackayi Prendini, 2016 (new species from Kenya and Tanzania).

Pandinoides militaris (Pocock, 1900) (raised to species status after previous synonymization with Pandinoides cavimanus (Pocock, 1888).

The genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997 is restricted to three species: P. cavimanus (Pocock, 1888),  P. duffmackayi Prendini, 2016 and P. militaris Pocock, 1900.

The following species are synonymized:

Pandinus camerounensis Lourenco, 2014 is synonymized with Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841).

Pandinurus prendinii Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus sudanicus (Hirst, 1911).

Pandinurus janae Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus percivali (Pocock, 1902).

Pandinurus bartolozii Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890).

Pandinurus flagellicauda Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 

Pandinurus lorenzoi Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 

Pandinurus pantinii Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 

Pandinurus pygmaeus Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 
 
Abstract:
The scorpion fauna of East Africa, encompassing Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, is more diverse than those of West and Central Africa, but a systematic survey has never been conducted and the distributions of its species remain poorly understood. A recent opportunity to examine two extensive collections of East African, and predominantly Kenyan, scorpions and new material acquired by the author permitted a reassessment of the fauna of the region. The present contribution, the first of several emanating from this research, comprises two parts. The first part presents a redefinition and revision of the scorpionid genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997, with a redescription of the type species, Pandinoides cavimanus (Pocock, 1888), a revalidation and redescription of Pandinoides militaris (Pocock, 1900), and a description of Pandinoides duffmackayi, sp. nov. Pending reassessment of the genera and subgenera of Pandinus, sensu lato, based on quantitative phylogenetic analysis, Pandinoides is restricted to the three species with a marked concave depression in the retrodorsal surface of the pedipalp chela manus of the adult male, and Pandinus platycheles Werner, 1916, transferred to Pandinus subgenus Pandinoriens Rossi, 2015, creating a new combination: Pandinus (Pandinoriens) platycheles (Werner, 1916), comb. nov. The availability of large series comprising both sexes and all stages of the three Pandinoides species covered herein revealed considerable variation in counts of pedipalp trichobothria, spiniform macrosetae of the leg telotarsi, and pectinal teeth, among and even within individual conspecifics, calling into question the widespread practice of defining species and supraspecific taxa almost exclusively on trivial meristic differences between small samples of material (often singletons, female or immature). Furthermore, whereas neobothriotaxic patterns with low counts may provide appropriate diagnostic characters for genera and species, in combination with other characters, this is generally inadvisable when trichobothrial counts are high, due to the greater instability of the patterns.

The second part of this contribution assesses the validity of several putative species of Pandinus, sensu lato, recently described or revalidated, in light of data presented in the first part, and presents 10 new synonyms: Heterometrus roeseli Simon, 1872 = Pandinus (P.) imperator (C.L. Koch, 1841), syn. nov.; Pandinus (P.) camerounensis Lourenço, 2014 = Pandinus (P.) imperator (C.L. Koch, 1841), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (P.) prendinii Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (P.) sudanicus (Hirst, 1911), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandicaporiaccous) Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandiborellius) Rossi, 2015, syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandicaporiaccous) janae Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandiborellius) percivali (Pocock, 1902), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) bartolozii Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) flagellicauda Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) lorenzoi Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) pantinii Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) pygmaeus Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.

Reference:
Prendini L. Redefinition and systematic revision of the East African scorpion genus Pandinoides (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) with critique of the taxonomy of Pandinus, sensu lato. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 2016(407):1-67. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this article!

Family Scorpionidae 

More comments on Pandinus and Pandinurus and a new species

Andrea Rossi has published another article on the scorpionid scorpions of West-, Central- and East-Africa in the genera Pandinus Thorell, 1876 and Pandinurus Fet, 1997. A new subgenus in Pandinurus and a new species is described from Somalia.

Pandipavesius Rossi, 2015 (new subgenus)

Pandinurus cianferonii Rossi 2015

The article provides updated identification keys for Pandinus and Pandinurus.

Abstract:
 New comments on the taxonomy of the genera Pandinus and Pandinurus are discussed. A new subgenus, Pandipavesius subgen. n., is proposed to accommodate three species of the genus Pandinurus from East Africa. A new species, Pandinurus (Pandinurus) cianferoni sp. n., is described from Somalia. An identification key for all subgenera and species of the genera Pandinus and Pandinurus is given.

Reference:
Rossi A. Ulteriori commenti sulla tassonomia dei generi Pandinus e Pandinurus, con la definizione di un nuovo sottogenere ed una nuova specie di Pandinurus dalla Somalia. Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2015;1(4):41-55.

Thanks to Dr. Rossi for sending me his article!

Family Scorpionidae

A revision of the genus Pandinus with a description of two new species from Ethiopia

In a recently published article, Andrea Rossi has made a prelimnary revision of the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae). These are the main conclusion of the article:

New species:

Pandinus bottegoi Rossi, 2015 (Ethiopia)

Pandinus riccardoi Rossi, 2015 (Ethiopia)

New combination:

Pandinops boschisi (Caporiacco, 1937) (Previously nomen dubium in the genus Pandinus)

New subspecies:

Pandinoriens Rossi, 2015 (including the following species in Pandinus: P. bottegoi, P. mazuchi, P. phillipsii, P. riccardoi, P. smithi & P. trailini).

The article is in Italian with an English abstract. An identifcation key for the new subgenus is provided.

Abstract:

Reference:
Rossi A. Una revisione preliminare del genere Pandinus Thorell, 1876 con la descrizione di un nuovo sottogenere e due nuove specie dall'Etiopia (Scorpiones, Scorpionisae). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2015;1(3):37-52.

Thanks to Dr. Rossi for sending me his articles.

Family Buthidae

A major revision with many changes in the genus Pandinus

The genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae) was revised by Kovarik in 2009 and there have been several new species described in the last years. Andrea Rossi has now published a major revision of this genus, which includes some of the largest scorpions in Africa.

Previous subgenera in Pandinus have been elevated to genus status and seven new species have been described. Below you can find the new genera and the species attached to the new genera.

Pandinoides Fet, 1997 New status
P. cavimanus (Pocock, 1888)
P. platycheles Werner, 1916

Pandinops Birula, 1913 New status
P. bellicosus (L. Koch, 1875)
P. colei (Pocock, 1896)
P. eritreaensis Kovarik, 2003*
P. hawkeri Pocock, 1900
P. peeli Pocock, 1900
P. pococki Kovarik, 2000*

Pandinopsis Vachon, 1974 New status
P. dictator (Pocock, 1888)

Pandinurus Fet, 1997 New status
P. arabicus (Kraepelin, 1894)
P. awashensis Kovarik, 2012*
P. bartolozzii Rossi, 2015* New species from the Democratic Republic of Congo
P. exitialis (Pocock, 1888)
P. flagellicauda Rossi, 2015* New species from the Democratic Republic of Congo
P. gregoryi (Pocock, 1896)
P. janae Rossi, 2015* New species from Yemen
P. lorenzoi Rossi, 2015* New species from Tanzania
P. lowei Kovarik, 2012*
P. magrettii Borelli, 1901
P. meidensis Karsch, 1879
P. nistriae Rossi, 2014*
P. pallidus (Kraepelin, 1894)
P. pantinii Rossi, 2015* New species from Malawi
P. percivali Pocock, 1902
P. prendinii Rossi, 2015* New species from South Africa
P. pygmaeus Rossi, 2015* New species from the Democratic Republic of Congo
P. somalilandus Kovarik, 2012*
P. sudanicus Hirst, 1911*
P. vachoni Rossi, 2014*
P. viatoris (Pocock, 1890) 

Pandinus Thorell, 1876
P. boschisi Caporiacco, 1937 (nomen dubium, incertae sedis)
P. camerounensis Lourenço, 2014*
P. gambiensis Pocock, 1899
P. imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841)
P. mazuchi Kovarik, 2011*
P. phillipsii (Pocock, 1896)
P. roeseli (Simon, 1872)*
P. smithi (Pocock, 1899)
P. trailini Kovarik, 2013*
P. ugandaensis Kovarik, 2011*
P. ulderigoi Rossi, 2014*

New subgenera have been described for the new genus Pandinurus (se abstract for details).

The article is in Italian, but has an English abstract (please note that the info on P. lorenzoi Rossi, 2015, the new species from Tanzania, is missing from the English abstract.

The paper has identification keys for he genera and all species.

Abstract:
On the subgenera of Pandinus Thorell, 1876 with revision of the genus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 stat. n., including the descriptions of seven new species and three new subgenera (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). The historical five subgenera of the genus Pandinus (Pandinoides, Pandinops, Pandinopsis, Pandinurus and Pandinus) are raised to genera, according to morphological evidences, but also on the basis of to previous phylogenetic and molecular studies. The highly polymorphic genus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 stat. n. is revised and split into four subgenera (Pandinurus Fet, 1997, Pandipalpus subgen. n., Pandicaporiaccous subgen. n. and Pandiborellius subgen. n.) and counts now 21 species. Seven new species of the genus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 stat. n. are described: Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) bartolozzii n. sp., Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) flagellicauda n. sp. and Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) pygmaeus n. sp. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pandinurus
(Pandipalpus) pantinii n. sp. from Malawi, Pandinurus (Pandinurus) prendinii n. sp. from South Africa and Pandinurus (Pandicaporiaccous) janae n. sp. from Yemen. A neotype is hereby designated for the species Pandinurus (Pandiborellius subgen. n.) magrettii (Borelli, 1901) comb. n. because the original syntypes are considered lost. A distributional map is given for the species of the genus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 stat. n. according to the taxonomical emendations. Besides an identification key is given to distinguish the genera Pandinoides, Pandinops, Pandinopsis, Pandinurus and Pandinus and to distinguish the four subgenera and the 21 species of the genus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 stat. n.

Reference:
Rossi A: Sui sottogeneri di Pandinus Thorell, 1876 con revisione del genere Pandinurus Fet, 1997 stat. n. e descrizione di sette nuove specie e tre nuovi sottogeneri (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Onychium 2015; 11:10-66. [Open Access]

Thanks to Andrea Rossi for sending me the article!

Family Scorpionidae

New data on the rare species Pandinus nistriae

Andrea Rossi described a new species of Pandinus Thorell, 1876 from Djobouti, Pandinus nistriae (Scorpionidae), earlier in 2014. Rossi has now published a new article with additional information about this species.

Abstract:
New data are presented concerning Pandinus (Pandinurus) nistriae Rossi, 2014 from Djibouti. The male holotype is directly compared with an adult male of the geographical closely related species P. magrettii Borelli, 1901 from Eritrea. It is also supposed that P. nistriae could be present in eastern Ethiopia, basing on photografic records.

Reference:
Rossi A. New data on the rare species Pandinus nistriae Rossi, 2014 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Arachnides. 2014 Sept;72:3-12.

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me the journal Arachnides!

A new species of Pandinus from Cameroon

The large scorpions from West Africa in the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1841 (Scorpionidae) are well known among both experts and amateurs, and in particular the "celebrity" species Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841). Surprisingly, very little research have been done on the different Pandinus populations of western Africa.

Wilson Lourenco has recently published an article on the genus Pandinus in western Africa which resulted in one new species and one restored species from synonymy.

Pandinus camerounensis Lourenco, 2014 - New species from Cameroon.

Pandinus roeseli (Simon, 1872) - Restored from synonymy with P. imperator. Guinea.

Abstract:
Among the ‘giant species’ of scorpions which belong to the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876, three are protected by the Washington Convention. These are Pandinus imperator (Koch, 1841), Pandinus dictator (Pocock, 1888) and Pandinus gambiensis Pocock, 1899. In theory, these species can be easily recognised by scorpion experts and even non-experts. However, at least one, P. imperator, remains dubious and unclearly characterized. Herein, the argument pleading for the status of P. imperator is discussed. It is hypothesized that across the known distribution of P. imperator at least three or four distinct populations may be recognized. Pandinus roeseli (Simon, 1872) is restablished as a valid species and a new species, Pandinus camerounensis sp. n. is described from the North of Cameroon.


Reference:
Lourenco WR. Further considerations on the identity and distribution of Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841) and description of a new species from Cameroon (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg. 2014;17(192):139-51.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Family Scorpionidae

A new species in Pandinus from Chad

Pandinus vachoni is named after the very famous French scorpion researcher Max Vachon.

Andrea Rossi has discovered a new species of Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae) from Shael zone in the centrral area of Chad.

Pandinus vachoni Rossi, 2014

The biogeography of the subgenus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 is also discussed. An identification key for this subgenus is included.

Abstract:
Despite their large size, the scorpions of the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 are surprisingly not sufficiently recorded in the African countries. This is particular true for the species that inhabit the Sahel zone, which seem to be very rare. The peri-Saharan pattern of distribution of the subgenus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 is very fragmented and this reflects the presence of endemic species such as the recent discovered Pandinus nistriae Rossi, 2014 in the northern Djibouti, where this genus was never recorded. In the present study, an additional new species, Pandinus (Pandinurus) vachoni, is described from Chad to represent the most western species of the subgenus Pandinurus ever recorded.

Reference:
Rossi A. The fragmented peri-Saharan distribution of the subgenus Pandinurus Fet, 1997 with the description of a new species from Chad (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae, Pandinus). Serket. 2014;14(1):6-14.

Thanks to Dr. Hisham K. El-Hennawy (Editor of the journal Serket) for sending me this paper!

Family Scorpionidae

Two new species of Pandinus from East and Central Africa

After many decades of neglect, the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae) has again gained  by scientists. Kovarik, 2009 provided a complete revision of the genus, and now Andrea Rossi has published two new species from East and Central Africa.

Pandinus nistriae Rossi, 2014 (Djibouti)

Pandinus ulderigoi Rossi, 2014 (Central African Republic)

New distributional data are provided for a couple of species in the genus. An updated identification key for the subgenera Pandinus and Pandinurus is presented.

Abstract:
A synopsis about the distribution of Pandinus (Pandinus) Thorell, 1876 and Pandinus (Pandinurus) Fet, 1997 is proposed. Two new species are described: Pandinus nistriae sp. n. from Djibouti and Pandinus ulderigoi sp. n. from Central African Republic. Pandinus nistriae sp. n. is also the first record of the genus Pandinus and the family Scorpionidae from Djibouti. The description of Pandinus ulderigoi sp. n. confirms the presence of this genus in Central African Republic, although the exact localities remain unknown. In addition, new localities are reported for Pandinus ugandaensis Kovařík, 2011 in Uganda and Pandinus gambiensis Pocock, 1899 in Mali. An identification key and an updated check-list of all the species of the subgenera Pandinus and Pandinurus are given.

Reference:
Rossi A. Notes on the distribution of Pandinus (Pandinus) Thorell, 1876 and Pandinus (Pandinurus) Fet, 1997 with the descriptions of two new species from Central African Republic. Onychium. 2014;10 (2013):10-31.

Thanks to Andrea Rossi for sending me his article!

Family Scorpionidae

A new Pandinus from Ethiopia

Frantisek Kovarik has recently described a new species of Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae) from Ethiopia.

Pandinus trailini Kovarik, 2013

The paper has pictures of the species natural habitat and information about subsociality in the species.

Abstract:
Pandinus (Pandinus) trailini sp. n. from Ethiopia is described and compared with other species of the subgenus. The new species is characterized by 6/4: 6-7/4: 7-8/4-5: 7-8/4-5 spination formula of tarsomere II and only two spines on the inclined anteroventral surface of tarsomere II; 16–18 ventral trichobothria on the chela; and sexual dimorphism, with the male having a more pronounced tooth on the movable finger of pedipalp than the female. A key to species and a distribution map of the subgenus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 are provided. Presented are also photos of localities.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Pandinus (Pandinus) trailini sp. n. from Ethiopia (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae), with data on localities and life strategy. Euscorpius. 2013 (163):1-14. [Free full text]

Family Buthidae