A phylogenetic analysis of the ancient Asian scorpion family Pseudochactidae

 

As previously mentioned, the ancient, relictual Asian scorpion family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998 is probably one of the most interesting scorpion families in the world. It consist of both of extinct and extant taxa, and the latter is often labeled as "living fossils" due to their unique morphology. 

In a recent article, Lorenzo Prendini and co-workers present a new phylogenetic analysis of the genus with new information about the phylogeny and taxonomy of this fascinating family and its evolution. 

Abstract:
The ancient, relictual Asian scorpion family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, has a disjunct distribution. Five genera and seven species of living pseudochactids are assigned to one epigean subfamily, Pseudochactinae Gromov, 1998, from Central Asia and southern China, and two hypogean subfamilies, Troglokhammouaninae Prendini et al., 2021, and Vietbocapinae Lourenço, 2012, from caves of the Khammouan-Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng Karst in the northern Annamite (Trường Sơn) Mountains of Laos and Vietnam. The extinct subfamily Chaerilobuthinae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011, comprises one genus and 15 species, hypothesized to be endogean, from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The discovery and uncertainty regarding the phylogenetic placement of Qianxie solegladi Tang, 2022, from South China, together with the discovery that the Cretaceous amber Chaerilobuthinae, from the Burma Terrane, is the sister group of the extant pseudochactid subfamily Vietbocapinae provided an opportunity to revisit the phylogeny and biogeography of Pseudochactidae, and their adaptation to subterranean habitats in Southeast Asia. In the present contribution, pseudochactid phylogeny is reanalyzed using three mitochondrial markers (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I), three nuclear markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Internal Transcribed Spacer) and 143 morphological characters, for all extant pseudochactid taxa and seven exemplar species of the extinct Chaerilobuthinae. Divergence time and ancestral range estimation are conducted and the evolution of troglomorphic characters investigated to reassess how this lineage of “living fossils” dispersed and diversified. Recent changes to the systematics of Pseudochactidae are confirmed. The four subfamilies, genera, and species were monophyletic with high support and the following scheme of relationships: (Pseudochactinae (Troglokhammouaninae (Chaerilobuthinae + Vietbocapinae))). Phylogenetic analyses, reinforced by a multivariate morphometric analysis and pairwise genetic distances, confirm the validity of the monotypic, epigean Chinese genus, Qianxie Tang, 2022, which formed a monophyletic group with the epigean Central Asian genus, Pseudochactas Gromov, 1998, rather than the hypogean Southeast Asian genus, Troglokhammouanus Lourenço, 2007. Qianxie solegladi is transferred to Pseudochactinae. A revised time tree of Pseudochactidae suggests that the Burmese Chaerilobuthinae diverged from the Indochinese subfamilies, Troglokhammouaninae and Vietbocapinae, in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 117 Ma), consistent with Early Devonian rifting of the Burma Terrane.

Reference:
Prendini L, Xuan Q, Du SE, Wang C-BE, Ehrenthal VL, Loria SF. Phylogeny and divergence time estimation of relictual Asian scorpion family suggests Early Cretaceous connections between Burma Terrane and Eurasia, and corrects placement of Chinese taxon. American Museum Novitates. 2026(4051):1–55. [Open Access]

Family Pseudochactidae 

A new fossil species described from Early Cretaceous amber from Myanmar and some taxonomical decisions

 

Wilson Lourenco and  Jürgen Velten have recently published an article where they describe a new fossil species from Early Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Burma).

Serratochaerilobuthus barbarae Lourenco & Velten, 2025

A few weeks ago, Xuan et al, 2025 published a study reviewing the taxa in the fossil family Chaerilobuthidae and decided to change status of this family to subfamily (Chaerilobuthinae) and placed it in the extant family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998. The two extinct genera Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, were synonymized with Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 201.

Lourenco and Velten do not accept the results of this study.

In addition, the  authors also elevate Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, to superfamily status as Pseudochactoidea Gromov, 1998. Likewise, they raise Vietbocapinae Lourenco, 2012, to family rank as Vietbocapidae Lourenco, 2012. The authors also synonymize Troglokhammouaninae with Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, and the genus Aemngvantom Prendini, Ehrenthal & Loria, 2021 with Vietbocap Lourenco & Pham, 2010. 

These major taxonomical decisions seem to be made mainly because Lourenco and Velten disagree with several previous works  (e.g. Prendini et al, 2021). The problem is that the authors do not present any real and thorough justifications or analysis themselves to justify the proposed decisions. The studies they criticize have thorough morphological and phylogenetical analysis to back up their claims. 

I do not have the competence to tell who is correct, but I feel that basically just saying "we disagree" is not enough to justify such major taxonomical decisions. Because of this I have chosen not to accept the taxonomical decisions in the Lourenco and Velten article in The Scorpion Files until justification based on morphological, phylogenetical and/or genetical analysis are provided. 

This is a decision I reluctantly take after consulting with a few others in the scorpion community and I understand if some of you do not support this.

Abstract:
A new species is described for the genus Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024. The description of this new species brings further evidence for the validity of the genus and confirms the family Chaerilobuthidae as one of the most speciose groups among those known from Early Cretaceous Burmite.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Velten J. Description of a second species for the genus Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(10):1-6. [Open Access]

Family Pseudochactidae

Extinct family Chaerilobuthidae from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber with 16 species are now a part of the extant family Pseudochactidae

 

In a recent article, Qiang Xuan and co-workers have analyzed the taxa in the extinct family Chaerilobuthidae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011. This family originally consisted of 3 genera and 16 species. All taxa are based on fossil specimens found in Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.

The authors conclude that the family Chaerilobuthidae should change status to subfamily (Chaerilobuthinae) and placed in the extant family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998. The two extinct genera Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, are synonymized with Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 2011 which contains 16 species (all extinct).

Chaerilobuthinae with its taxa is now listed in The Scorpion Files for Pseudochactidae, but are not included in the count of number of taxa which only includes extant taxa.

Abstract:
The extinct scorpion family Chaerilobuthidae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011, endemic to Burmese amber, was initially established due to its unique pedipalp trichobothrial pattern related to the Type A and Type B patterns of families Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837 and Chaerilidae Pocock, 1893, respectively. The present contribution describes 11 new specimens, representing seven species of Chaerilobuthidae from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, revealing their morphology using various imaging technologies. A revised diagnosis of Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 2011 is provided based on new morphological characters of the carapace, ocelli, chelicera, pedipalp trichobothria, coxapophyses, and leg tarsi. The other two genera of Chaerilobuthidae, Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, are synonymized with Chaerilobuthus based on a reassessment of their morphological characters and morphometric analysis, creating Chaerilobuthus brigittemuellerae (Lourenço and Velten, 2020), comb. nov. and Chaerilobuthus schmidti (Lourenço and Velten, 2024), comb. nov.. The systematic position of Chaerilobuthidae is clarified based on phylogenetic analyses of an updated morphological character matrix for Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, an extant family in Asia. Phylogenetic analysis placed Chaerilobuthidae sister to the pseudochactid subfamily Vietbocapinae Lourenço, 2012, justifying its transfer to Pseudochactidae, as Chaerilobuthinae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011, stat. nov.. This discovery confirms that Pseudochactidae date back 100 Mya and contributes to understanding the origin and evolutionary history of this relictual family.

Reference:
Xuan Q, Prendini L, Engel MS, Cai C, Huang D. Extinct scorpion family Chaerilobuthidae from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber reinterpreted as subfamily of extant family Pseudochactidae (Chelicerata: Scorpiones). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2025;203(1):zlae169. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Gerard for informing me about this article!

Family Pseudochachtidae

A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics

 

The Scorpion Files doesn't include fossil scorpion taxa. I know this has been wanted by some, but so far I haven't had capacity to do this. Very recently, Jason Dunlop and Russell Garwood have published an impressive and thorough review of the higher systematics of fossil scorpions.

This paper has a detailed account of the history and development of fossil scorpion taxonomy. It also sums up today's status and comments on future research needs for this important area. A list of all currently known taxa is presented in an appendix. An analysis merging fossil and extant higher systematics is one of the tasks that will improve our understanding of scorpion evolution and systematics.

Abstract:
Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) are a diverse and widespread arachnid order with a rich and deep fossil record. Here we review the, sometimes complex, historical development of fossil scorpion higher classification. We present a chronological account of family and genus names, together with an overview of higher taxa as potential clade names. In 1884 Thorell & Lindström divided scorpions based on whether the legs were short and pointed (Apoxypoda) or ended in paired claws (Dionychopoda). Pocock in 1911 used the morphology of the ventral mesosomal sclerites, which could either be bilobed (Lobosterni) or of a modern configuration (Orthosterni). Petrunkevitch in 1949 attached importance to a putative first
opisthosomal tergite being present (Protoscorpionina) or absent (Euscorpionina). Kjellesvig-Waering in 1986 recognised four major groups (Holosternina, Meristosternina, Lobosternina and Bilobosternina) based on the shape of the ventral
mesosomal sclerites. The Stockwell/Jeram schemes from the 1980s and 1990s proposed a cladistic progression from early branching lineages, for which the names Protoscorpiones and Palaeoscorpiones were used, towards Scorpiones sensu stricto defined by the presence of book lungs and coxapophyses. Scorpiones was further divided into Mesoscorpionina and Neoscorpionina. Neoscorpions were characterised by a reduced number of lateral eye lenses and comprise the paleosterns, with
marginal lung spiracles, and orthosterns with spiracles in the middle of the sternite. We briefly discuss the merits of these alternatives and present a summary of the current higher classification of scorpions. Forty-three extinct family groups are
currently recognised, and of the 24 living families seven have fossil representatives. Including incertae sedis taxa, there are 76 extinct genera and five extant genera with fossil representatives. Both modern parvorders, Buthida and Iurida, were potentially
present in the Triassic. Buthidae, Chaerilidae, Chactidae and perhaps Hormuridae have been reported from the Cretaceous. Euscorpiidae are known from the Palaeogene and Scorpionidae has potential (but unconfirmed) records from the
Neogene. Given the complexity of this history and the present taxonomy of the group, we hope this contribution provides a first step towards simplifying fossil scorpion systematics.

Reference:
Dunlop JA, Garwood RJ. A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics. PeerJ. 2024;12:e18557. [Open Access]

Early Devonian scorpions also had pectines

 

Pectines are one of the body structures that are unique for scorpions. This comb-like structure is found on the underside of the opisthosoma of scorpions and is a sensory organ for detecting both chemical and mechanical stimuli. 

In a recent short note, Jason Dunlop and co-workers report about a cuticle fragment from a pectinal tooth from a Early Devonian scorpion. This fossil indicates that some scorpions had developed anatomically modern pectinal teeth at least 395 million years ago and that they probably had a similar function as the pectines in today's scorpions.

Abstract:
A cuticle fragment found in an Early Devonian (Emsian) macerate from the Strathpeffer–Struie outlier in the Northern Highlands of Scotland represents the isolated pectinal tooth of a scorpion. This remarkable find includes a distinctive field of small projections in rounded sockets consistent with the peg sensilla of extant scorpions. This is the oldest evidence for the presence of these characteristic sensory organs, which in modern scorpions play an important role in chemo- and mechanoreception. The fossil indicates that some scorpions had developed anatomically modern pectinal teeth at least 395 million years ago, suggesting that the pectines of these early scorpions played a similar role, physiologically and behaviorally, to those of living species.

Reference:
Dunlop JA, Wellman CH, Prendini L, Shear WA. A pectinal tooth with peg sensilla from an Early Devonian scorpion. The Journal of Arachnology. 2023;51(3):255-7, 3. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this article!

A review on fossil scorpions found in amber

 

Amber is fossilized tree resin that are are popular as jewelry because of its fantastic colors and beautiful looks. But amber is also valuable because it sometimes have trapped animals and plants inside. Fossilized scorpions in amber is very rare, but quite a few specimens have been found and described.

Wilson Lourenco has recently published a review on fossilized scorpions found in amber from different parts of the world and how the study of these can contribute to our knowledge of today's scorpions. 

Abstract:
This synoptic review aims to bring some general information on fossil scorpions, namely those trapped in amber – fossilized resin – ranging from Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene. The question to be addressed is how the study of these fossils can be connected with possible present scorpionism problems. A precise knowledge of these ancient lineages provides information about the evolution of extant lineages, including the buthoids, which contain most known noxious species. Among the Arthropods found trapped in amber, scorpions are considered rare. A limited number of elements have been described from the Late Tertiary Dominican and Mexican amber, while the most ancient Tertiary amber from the Baltic region produced more consistent results in the last 30 years, primarily focusing on a single limited lineage. Contrarily, the Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, also called Burmite, has yielded and continues to yield a significant number of results represented by several distinct lineages, which attest to the considerable degree of diversity that existed in the Burmese amber producing forests. As in my previous similar contributions to this journal, the content of this note is primarily addressed to non-specialists whose research embraces scorpions in various fields such as venom toxins and public health. An overview knowledge of at least some fossil lineages can eventually help to clarify why some extant elements associated with the buthoids represent dangerous species while others are not noxious.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Scorpions trapped in amber: a remarkable window on their evolution over time from the Mesozoic period to present days. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2023;29:e20230040. [Open Access]

New fossil scorpion taxa

 

I have learned about two new articles on scorpion fossil taxa. The Scorpion Files only includes extant taxa, but here are the new fossil taxa reported in the two articles cited below.

New family:

Protochactidae Lourenço, Magnani & Stockar, 2022

New genus:

Protochactas Lourenço, Magnani & Stockar, 2022

New species:

Protochactas furreri Lourenço, Magnani & Stockar, 2022 (Limestone, Southern Alps)

Chaerilobuthus brandti Lourenço, 2022 (Amber, Myanmar)

Abstract:

Paper 1:
One new family, genus, and species of fossil scorpion are described from the Meride Limestone (Ladinian, Middle Triassic) of Monte San Giorgio (Southern Alps). This new discovery brings further evidence for the recovery of terrestrial forms of scorpions, following the Late-Permian mass extinction. The new fossil family proposed at present can, once again, be classified within extant familial groups; in this case the superfamily Chactoidea (sensu Lourenço). These results reinforce the proposition that modern scorpions may belong to lineages present at least for 240 Myr.

Paper 2:
A further new species of fossil scorpion belonging to the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 is described from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Chaerilobuthus brandti Lourenço sp. n., is the 12th species to be described for this genus confirming its speciose character. The new species equally shows quite distinct characters when compared to the previous known species, confirming therefore the existence of an important morphological variability within Chaerilobuthus.

References:

Paper 1:
Magnani F, Stockar R, Lourenço WR. A new family, genus and species of fossil scorpion from the Meride Limestone (Middle Triassic) of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland). Faunitaxys. 2022;10(24):1-7. [Open Access]

Paper 2:
Lourenço WR, Velten J. The remarkable variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and description of a new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Faunitaxys. 2022;10(10):1-6. [Open Access]

Thanks to Nicolas Machiavel for informing me about these two articles!

New fossil species from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

 

Amber is a gold mine when it comes to finding new fossil scorpion species and for understanding the link between these and the modern scorpion taxa. Qiang Xuan and co-workers have now described a new species in the extinct family Palaeoburmesebuthidae from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar.

Betaburmesebuthus spinipedis Xuan, Cai & Huang

Abstract:
Mesozoic fossils provide invaluable information about the origin and evolutionary history of scorpions. However, well-preserved scorpions in amber are comparatively rare, greatly limiting our understanding of early scorpion morphological diversity and disparity. Here we describe a new species of the extinct family Palaeoburmesebuthidae, Betaburmesebuthus spinipedis sp. nov., based on a complete female juvenile from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. As some critical characters are hard to interpret, we tentatively place the species in the genus Betaburmesebuthus. We also document, for the first time in a fossil scorpion, five pairs of lateral ocelli on the carapace. Our discovery provides new evidence for the relationship between Palaeoburmesebuthidae and the Recent family Buthidae.

Reference:
Xuan Q, Cai C, Huang D. A new Palaeoburmesebuthidae scorpion from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Buthoidea). Cretaceous Research. 2022:105165. [Subscription required for full text]

Fossil of oldest scorpion known to science discovered

Scorpions have been around for a long time and researchers think they were among the first animals to become terrestrial. There is a debate going on whether these old scorpion ancestors were living in water or developed on land. Some think the latter, and that the water living species found developed later.

Andrew J. Wendruff and co-workers have discovered a 430 million years old preserved fossil scorpion from the Waukesha Biota (early Silurian, ca. 437.5–436.5 Ma) of Wisconsin, USA. This is the oldest scorpion fossil ever found. In their interesting article the authors discuss whether Parioscorpio venator, which is the name of grand, grand, grand .........father of today's scorpions, lived on land or in water. Their conclusion is that it probably could live in both environments, similar to today's horseshoe crabs.

Abstract:
Scorpions are among the first animals to have become fully terrestrialised. Their early fossil record is limited, and fundamental questions, including how and when they adapted to life on land, have been difficult to answer. Here we describe a new exceptionally preserved fossil scorpion from the Waukesha Biota (early Silurian, ca. 437.5–436.5 Ma) of Wisconsin, USA. This is the earliest scorpion yet reported, and it shows a combination of primitive marine chelicerate and derived arachnid characteristics. Elements of the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems are preserved, and they are essentially indistinguishable from those of present-day scorpions but share similarities with marine relatives. At this early point in arachnid evolution, physiological changes concomitant with the marine-to-terrestrial transition must have occurred but, remarkably, structural change in the circulatory or respiratory systems appear negligible. Whereas there is no unambiguous evidence that this early scorpion was terrestrial, this evidence suggests that ancestral scorpions were likely capable of forays onto land, a behavior similar to that of extant horseshoe crabs.

Reference:
Wendruff AJ, Babcock LE, Wirkner CS, Kluessendorf J, Mikulic DG. A Silurian ancestral scorpion with fossilised internal anatomy illustrating a pathway to arachnid terrestrialisation. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):14.  [Open Access]

Two new speciec of Tityus from Haiti and The Dominican Republic

Rolando Teruel and Gabriel de los Santos have recently published a new article presenting two new species of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) from Hispaniola, Greater Antilles.

Tityus haetianus Teruel & Santos, 2018 (Haiti)

Tityus schrammi Teruel & Santos, 2018 (The Dominican Republic)

Abstract:
Two new species of Buthidae scorpions of the genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 are herein described from the Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola. One of them belongs to the "crassimanus" species-group and is known from an adult pair collected at Massif de la Hotte, in southwestern Haiti. The other belongs to the "quisqueyanus" species-group and is known from a single adult female from a high peak in the Central Range (= Cordillera Central), in northwestern Dominican Republic. Moreover, two fossil taxa from this island are retained as junior synonyms of Tityus geratus Santiago-Blay, 1988†.

Reference:
Teruel R, de los Santos G. Two New Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Hispaniola, Greater Antilles. Euscorpius. 2018;257:1-16. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new genus and species of fossil scorpion from Italy

Gabriele Kühl and Wilson Lourenco recently described a new genus and species of fossil scorpion from the Early–Middle Eocene of Pesciara in Italy. The new taxa belongs to the family Euscorpiidae, and this is the first fossil/extinct taxa belonging to this extant family.

Eoeuscorpius Kühl & Lourenco, 2017

Eoeuscorpius ceratoi Kühl & Lourenco, 2017

Abstract:
Fossil scorpions are among the oldest terrestrial arthropods known from the fossil record. They have a worldwide distribution and a rich fossil record, especially for the Paleozoic. Fossil scorpions from Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits are usually rare (except in amber-deposits). Here, we describe the only fossil scorpion from the Early to Middle Eocene Pesciara Lagersta¨tte in Italy. Eoeuscorpius ceratoi gen. et sp. nov. is probably a genus and species within the family Euscorpiidae. This may be the first fossil record of the Euscorpiidae, which are so far only known from four extant genera. Eoeuscorpius ceratoi gen. et sp. nov. was found in the ‘‘Lower Part’’ of the Pesciara Limestone, which is actually dated Late Ypresian stage (between 49.5 and 49.7 Ma). Besides a possible pseudoscorpion, the here-described fossil scorpion is the second arachnid species known from the Bolca Locality.

Reference:
Kühl G, Lourenço WR. A new genus and species of fossil scorpion (?Euscorpiidae) from the Early–Middle Eocene of Pesciara (Bolca, Italy). PalZ. 2017;91(3):283-90. [Subscription required for full text]

A new, extinct species of Centruroides found in amber from Mexico

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Buthidae) found in amber from Chiapas, Mexico.

Centruroides knodeli Lourenco, 2017

The new species is extinct. Please note that this species is not listed in The Scorpion Files as the species list only list extant species.

The article also includes criticisms of a recent article published by Rolando Teruel where two extinct species of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) also found in amber were synonymized with Tityus geratus Santiago-Blay & Poinar, 1988. The following two species are restored as valid species.

Tityus azari Lourenço, 2013

Tityus (Brazilotityus) hartkorni Lourenço, 2009

Abstract:
Centruroides knodeli sp. n., a new species of fossil scorpion, is described from a specimen in amber from Chiapas, Mexico. The new species is clearly related to the extant fauna of the Neotropical region and is placed in the genus Centruroides Marx, 1890, presently distributed in North, Central and South America and in the Caribbean region. Also, the fossil species Tityus hartkorni Lourenço, 2009 and Tityus azari Lourenço, 2013, described from Dominican amber and inappropriately regarded by Rolando Teruel as junior synonyms of Tityus geratus Santiago-Blay & Poinar, 1988, are herein restored as valid taxa.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new species of Centruroides Marx, 1890 from Chiapas amber, Mexico (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2017(30):100-6.

An update on the genus Tityus in Hispaniola, Greater Antilles

Rolando Teruel has been able to investigate types and additional materials of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 from Hispaniola, Greater Antilles. The investigation showed that many of the species are highly variable morphologically, that adults belonging to different size-classes can be easily mistaken as distinct species. Because of this, several species have wrongly been given species status.The paper's conclusions are:

Tityus anasilviae Armas & Abud, 2004 is synonymized with Tityus ottenwalderi Armas, 1999.

Tityus bahoruco Teruel & Armas, 2006 is synonymized with Tityus crassimanus (Thorell, 1876).

Tityus ebanoverde Armas, 1999 is synonymized with Tityus elii Armas & Marcano, 1992.

Tityus septentrionalis Armas & Abud, 2004 is synonymized with Tityus portoplatensis Armas & Marcano, 1992.

In addition, the following fossil taxa are synonymized:

Tityus azari Lourenço, 2013 and Tityus (Brazilotityus) hartkorni Lourenço, 2009 are both synonymized with Tityus geratus Santiago-Blay & Poinar, 1988.

Abstract:
In the present paper, the taxonomic status of several Hispaniolan members of the genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1966 is revised after examination of almost all primary types and abundant supplementary material. This resulted in six new synonymies, which involve both extant and fossil species. The extant taxa herein synonymized are Tityus anasilviae Armas et Abud, 2004 under Tityus ottenwalderi Armas, 1999, Tityus bahoruco Teruel et Armas, 2006 under Tityus crassimanus (Thorell, 1876), Tityus ebanoverde Armas, 1999 under Tityus elii Armas et Marcano, 1992, and Tityus septentrionalis Armas et Abud, 2004 under Tityus portoplatensis Armas et Marcano, 1992. The fossil taxa herein synonymized are Tityus azari Lourenço, 2013† and Tityus (Brazilotityus) hartkorni Lourenço, 2009†, both under Tityus geratus Santiago-Blay et Poinar, 1988†. Updated distribution maps are given for all extant senior synonyms.

Reference:
Teruel R. Some Taxonomic Corrections to the Genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Hispaniola, Greater Antilles. Euscorpius. 2917(242):1-9. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rolando for sending me his article!

Family Buthidae

Two new articles on scorpions found in Burmese amber

Even though rare, scorpions (and other arthropods) found in amber is an important tools for learning about scorpion development and evolution. Wilson Lourenco has now published two new papers with several new taxa based on scorpions found in Cretaceous amber of Myanmar.

Please note that the The Scorpion Files only lists extant taxa.

Abstract 1:
A study of three new scorpion specimens from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma) leads to descriptions of one new genus, Burmesescorpiops gen.n., with the sole, and type, species, B. groehni sp.n., as well as of further two new species, Chaerilobuthus gigantosternum sp.n. and C. serratus sp.n., and to a confirmed validity of the subfamily Archaeoscorpiopinae Lourenço, 2015. At present, 18 scorpions and 21 fossil scorpions have been described from Burmese amber. This attests to a considerable degree of scorpion diversity in the Cretaceous Burmese amber- producing forests.

Abstract 2:
A preliminary study on fossil scorpions found in amber, from the Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene is proposed. Scorpions remain rare among the arthropods found trapped in amber. Only 24 specimens are known from Cretaceous amber, representing eight families and subfamilies, ten genera and 21 species; in parallel, 10 specimens have been recorded from Baltic amber representing seven genera and ten species. A few more recent fossils from Dominican and Mexican amber have also been described. The present study of a new scorpion specimen from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burmite) resulted in the description of one new species, Betaburmesebuthus bellus sp. n. – belonging to the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015. The new description brings further elements to the clarification of the status of this subfamily, which is now raised to family level. Once again, this new Burmite element attests to the considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Reference 1:
Lourenco W. A new genus and three new species of scorpions from Cretaceous Burmese amber (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae: Palaeoeuscorpiidae). Arthropoda Selecta. 2016;25(1):67-74. [Open Access]

Reference 2:
Lourenco WR. A preliminary synopsis on amber scorpions with special reference to Burmite species: an extraordinary development of our knowledge in only 20 years. Zookeys. 2016(600):75-87. [Open Access]

Thanks to professor Victor Fet for sending me article 1!

New fossil scorpion discovered from the Petrified Forest of Chemnitz, Germany

As you probably know, scorpions are an old animal group dating back to the mid Silurian period (ca. 430 Ma). Around 131 fossil scorpion species are known so far. Jason Dunlop and co-workers have now discovered a new species based on two well-preserved specimens (together with several fragments) discovered within the early Permian (ca. 291 Ma) Leukersdorf Formation, the upper part of which contains the Petrified Forest of Chemnitz (Saxony, Germany).

Opsieobuthus tungeri Dunlop, Legg, Selden, Fet, Schneider & Røssler, 2016

This article is specially interesting because the authors have tried an appearance in life reconstruction of the new species and also discuss elements of its habitat and biology in the Perm period.

Abstract:
Background: Paleozoic scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) have been widely documented from the Carboniferous Period; which hosts a remarkable assemblage of more than sixty species including both putative stem- and crowngroup fossils. By contrast the succeeding Permian Period is almost completely devoid of records, which are currently restricted to a trace fossil from the early Permian of New Mexico, USA and some limb fragments from the late Permian of the Vologda Region, Russia.
Results: ?Opsieobuthus tungeri sp. nov. from the Petrified Forest of Chemnitz, Germany represents the first complete body fossils of scorpions from the Permian. Explosive volcanism preserved these remarkable specimens in situ as part of the palaeosol horizon and bedrock of the Petrified Forest, immediately beneath the Zeisigwald tuff horizon. This dates to the early Permian (Sakmarian) or ca. 291 Ma. Intriguingly, the specimens were obtained from a palaeosol horizon with a compacted network of different-sized woody roots and thus have been preserved in situ in their likely life position, even within their original burrows. Differences in the structure of the comb-like pectines in the two fossils offer evidence for sexual dimorphism, and permit further inferences about the ecology and perhaps even the reproductive biology of these animals.
Conclusions: As putative members of a Coal Measures genus, these fossils suggest that at least some Carboniferous scorpion lineages extended their range further into the Permian. This contributes towards a picture of scorpion evolution in which both basal and derived (orthostern) forms coexisted for quite some time; probably from the end of the Carboniferous through to at least the mid Triassic.

Reference:
Dunlop JA, Legg DA, Selden PA, Fet V, Schneider JW, Rossler R. Permian scorpions from the Petrified Forest of Chemnitz, Germany. BMC Evol Biol. 2016;16(1):72. [Open Access]

Thanks to professor Victor Fet for sending me this article!

Two new fossil species from Cretaceous Burmese amber

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a couple new fossil species of Betaburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2015 (Arachaeobuthidae) from Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Betaburmesebuthus muelleri Lourenco, 2015

Betaburmesebuthus bidentatus Lourenco, 2015

Abstract:
The study of three new scorpion specimens from Cretacous amber of Myanmar (Burma) leads to the description of two new species in the genus Betaburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2015 bringing further support for the validity of this genus. To date, five species have been described in the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenco, 2015: two in the genus Palaeoburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2002 and three in the genus Betaburmesebuthus.This further study attests to a considerable diversity in the Burmese amber -producing forests.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. New contribution to the knowledge of Cretaceous Burmese amber scorpions: descrptions of two new species of Betaburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2015 (Scorpiones: Archaeobuthidae: Palaeoburmesebuthinae). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2015;1(3):27-36.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

New fossil scorpion from Mexican amber

Francisco Riquelme and co-workers have recently described a new fossil scorpion from amber found in the Chipas Highlands in southern Mexico.

Tityus apozonelli Riquelme, Villegas & González, 2015 (Buthidae)

Please note that the species is extinct, even though it is placed in an extant genus.

Abstract:
A new species of scorpion is described based on a rare entire adult male preserved in a cloudy amber from Miocene rocks in the Chiapas Highlands, south of Mexico. The amberbearing beds in Chiapas constitute a Conservation Lagerstätte with outstanding organic preservation inside plant resin. The new species is diagnosed as having putative characters that largely correspond with the genus Tityus Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Accordingly, it is now referred to as Tityus apozonalli sp. nov. Its previously unclear phylogenetic relationship among fossil taxa of the family Buthidae from both Dominican and Mexican amber is also examined herein. Preliminarily results indicate a basal condition of T. apozonalli regarding to Tityus geratus Santiago-Blay and Poinar, 1988, Tityus (Brazilotityus) hartkorni Lourenço, 2009, and Tityus azari Lourenço, 2013 from Dominican amber, as was Tityus (Brazilotityus) knodeli Lourenço, 2014 from Mexican amber. Its close relationships with extant Neotropic Tityus-like subclades such as ‘Tityus clathratus’ and the subgenus Tityus (Archaeotityus) are also discussed. This new taxon adds to the knowledge of New World scorpions from the Miocene that are rarely found trapped in amber.

Reference:
Riquelme F, Villegas-Guzman G, Gonzalez-Santillan E, Cordova-Tabares V, Francke OF, Piedra-Jimenez D, et al. New Fossil Scorpion from the Chiapas Amber Lagerstatte. PLoS One. 2015;10(8):e0133396. [Open Access]

Thanks to Oscar Francke for sending me this article!

A new family, genus and species of scorpion from Myanmar amber

Andrea Rossi has recently investigated a new scorpion found in amber (burmite) from Myanmar. A new fossil family, genus and species are described.

Sucinlourencous adrianae Rossi, 2015 (Sucinlourencoidae)

Abstract:
A remarkable new family, genus and species of scorpion are described from the cretaceous burmese amber (burmite) from Myanmar. The new family Sucinlourencoidae fam. n. shows particular features that are unique among the extinct burmese families and the existing families of scorpions.

Reference:
Rossi A. A new family, genus and species of scorpion from the burmite of Myanmar (Scorpiones: Sucinlourencoidae). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2915;1(1):3-21.

Thanks to Dr. Rossi for sending me his paper!

Three new articles with new fossil taxa from Cretaceous amber of Myanmar

Scorpions are rare among the arthropods fossilized in amber, but several species have been described from Dominican and Baltic amber. Wilson Lourenco has now published three new papers with several new taxa based on scorpions found in Cretaceous amber of Myanmar.

Please note that the The Scorpion Files only lists extant taxa.

Abstract 1:
A fossil scorpion belonging to a new subfamily, Archaeoscorpiopinae subfam. nov., and to a new genus and species, Archaeoscorpiops cretacicus gen. n., sp. n., is described from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma). This is the seventh species and the eighth fossil of scorpions to be described from Burmese amber. In addition to the previously described families and subfamilies (Electrochaerilinae, Chaerilobuthidae and Palaeotrilineatidae), the description of the new subfamily Archaeoscorpiopinae subfam. nov., provides further evidence about the phylogenetic position of certain Burmese Cretaceous amber scorpions and attests to a considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Abstract 2:
The study of four new scorpion specimens from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma) lead to the description of three new species and to the clarification of the status of the genus Palaeoburmesebuthus Lourenço, the first scorpion described from Burmese amber. To present, ten species and twelve fossil scorpions have been described from Burmese amber. This attests to a considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Abstract 3:
The study of a new scorpion specimen from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma) lead to the description of one new genus and species belonging to the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015. The new descriptions bring also further elements to the clarification of the status of this subfamily, proposed in the previous note of this volume. The new descriptions attest once again to the considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Reference 1:
Lourenco WR. A new subfamily, genus and species of fossil scorpions from cretaceous Burmese amber (Scorpiones: Palaeoeuscorpiidae). Beiträge zur Araneaologie. 2015;9:457–64.

Reference 2:
Lourenco WR. Clarification of the familiar status of the genus Palaeoburmesebuthus Lourenço, 2002 from cretaceous Burmese amber (Scorpiones: Archaeobuthidae: Palaeoburmesebuthinae). Beitraege zur Araneologie. 2015;9:465–75.

Reference 3:
Lourenco WR, Beigel A. A new genus and species of Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015 (Scorpiones: Archaeobuthidae) from cretaceous amber of Myanmar. Beitraege zur Araneologie. 2015;9:476–80.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me these papers!

A new species of fossil scorpion in Mexican amber

Scorpions are rarely found in amber and specimens like this one is uncommon.

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of fossil scorpion found in amber from Chiapas, Mexico.

Tityus knodeli Lourenco, 2014 (Buthidae)

The new species is quite similar to extant members of Tityus, but this genus is not present in Mexico today. As this is a fossil species, it is not listed in the species list of The Scorpion Files.

Abstract:
Tityus (Brazilotityus) knodeli sp. n., a new species of fossil scorpion, is described from a specimen in amber from Chiapas, Mexico. The new species is clearly related to the extant fauna of the Neotropical region and is tentatively placed in the genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836, presently largely distributed in the Neotropical region but not in Mexico.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new species of scorpion from Chiapas amber, Mexico (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2014 (24):59-63.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his paper!