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!

The history of three important Tityus species in Brazil

Professor Wilson Lourenco has recently published an interesting article where he present the history of three important Brazilian Tityus species (Buthidae): Tityus bahiensis (Perty, 1833), Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 and Tityus costatus (Karsch, 1879).

Abstract:
In the present study, comments are proposed on historical aspects of the most conspicuous scorpion species of the genus Tityus found in Brazil. Both Tityus bahiensis (Perty) and Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello are better known for their infamous reputation of noxious species. However, the original discovery and description of both species are associated with interesting historical episodes. A short comment is also provided on Tityus costatus (Karsch), the species possibly involved in the first record of a scorpion incident in Brazil.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. What do we know about some of the most conspicuous scorpion species of the genus Tityus? A historical approach. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2015;21:20. [Open Access]

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Medical important scorpions in Western Brazilian Amazon

It is well known that scorpions are a major public health problem in many regions of Brazil, but inside Brazil this problem have partly been neglected. But with with an increasing number of sting registrations every year in the country and 78,091 cases reported in 2013, it is important with quality research identifying dangerous species and risk factors.

Amanda M. Queiroz and co-workers have now published a case-controlled study analysis the severity of scorpion stings in Western Brazilian Amazon. Dangerous species are Tityus obscurus (Gervais, 1843), T. metuendus Pocock, 1897 and T. silvestris Pocock, 1897 (family Buthidae). Six deaths were registered and the main conclusion of the study is that scorpion stings showed a extensive distribution in the Western Brazilian Amazon and represent a potential occupational health problem for rural populations in this region.

Abstract:

Reference:
Queiroz AM, Sampaio VS, Mendonca I, Fe NF, Sachett J, Ferreira LC, et al. Severity of Scorpion Stings in the Western Brazilian Amazon: A Case-Control Study. PLoS One. 2015;10(6):e0128819. [Open Access]

Scorpions of the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their animals and their impact on our knowledge on animal evolution. But there are also scorpions present on most of the islands in the Galapagos archipelago. Baert & Mahnert have recently published a paper on the scorpion (and other non-spider) fauna of the islands.

Two species are present: Centruroides exsul (Meise, 1934) (Buthidae) and Hadruroides galapagoensis Maury 1975 (Carabotonidae).

Abstract:
The geographic and ecological distribution of the arachnid species belonging to the Amblypygi (Charinus insularis Banks, 1902), the Opiliones (Galanomma microphthalma Juberthie, 1970), the Schizomida (Schizomus portoricensis (Chamberlin, 1922)), the Scorpiones (Centruroides exsul (Meise, 1934) and Hadruroides galapagoensis Maury, 1975), the Solifugae (Neocleobis solitarius (Banks, 1902)) and 25 species of Pseudoscorpiones from the Galàpagos are described. Only the schizomid Schizomus portoricensis and the pseudoscorpions Paratemnoides nidificator (Balzan, 1888), Lechytia chthoniiformis (Balzan, 1887), Aphelolpium cayanum Muchmore, 1979, and Aphelolpium longidigitatum (Ellingsen, 1910) occur also on the American mainland. The pseudoscorpion Withius piger (Simon,1878) is a cosmopolite species.

Reference:
Baert L, Mahnert V. The distribution of the non‐araneae and non‐acari arachnids of Galápagos. Belgian Journal of Entomology. 2015;28:1-76. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rolando Teruel for sending me this article!

New species in the enigmatic genus Palaeocheloctonus from northern Madagascar

As many of you already know, Madagascar is a hotspot for scorpion diversity and endemism. Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have now described a new species in the enigmatic genus Palaeocheloctonus Lourenco, 1996 (Hormuridae) in northern Madagascar, far from the locations known for the other species in the genus.

Palaeocheloctonus septentrionalis Lourenço & Wilme, 2015

The new species is an indication for a micro-endemic and vicariant population within Madagascar. 

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Palaeocheloctonus septentrionalis sp.n., is described from the North of Madagascar. The new species clearly suggests a new case of micro-endemic and vicariant population within the island. The number of Palaeocheloctonus species in Madagascar is now increased to two and the known geographical distribution of the genus is extended within that great island, but remains strongly disrupted.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Micro-endemic populations of Palaeocheloctonus Lourenço, 1996 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) in Madagascar: A new case of vicariance among Malagasy scorpions. Arthropoda Selecta. 2015;24(2):189-95. [Open Access]

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Hormuridae

A new species of Diplocentrus from Honduras

Kevin Sagastume-Espinoza and co-workers have recently published a new species of Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpionidae) from Cayos Cochinos in north Honduras, and from a nearby island locality of Utila.

Diplocentrus insularis Sagastume-Espinoza, Longhorn & Santibanez-Lopez, 2015

 An identification key for the genus in Honduras is included.

Abstract:
Three species of genus Diplocentrus are found in north-northwestern Honduras. These species represent the southern east limits of Diplocentrus’ distribution. In recent years, a broad survey of arachnids in Honduras has yielded a collection of several specimens of an undescribed species from two islands in northern Honduras. This new species represents the second species of the genus inhabiting an island. The present contribution describes this new species, and compares it against its most similar relatives. A dichotomous key for the identification of the species of Diplocentrus in Honduras is also included.

Reference:
Sagastume-Espinoza KO, Longhorn SJ, Santibanez-Lopez CE. A new scorpion species of genus Diplocentrus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) endemic to Islas de la Bahia, Honduras. C R Biol. 2015 May 27. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Scorpionidae

Redescription of the male Protoiurus kadleci

When Protoiurus kadleci (Kovarik, Fet, Soleglad & Yagmur, 2010) (Iuridae) was originally described, the authors thought that they were describing a sexual mature adult. Yagmur and co-workers have now examined more males, and concluded that the original male described was subadult. In the new article, sexually mature males and their hemispermatophores are described.

An updated identification key for the genus is also presented.

Abstract:
Additional material of a rare scorpion species Protoiurus kadleci (Kovařík et al., 2010) from Turkey (Antalya Province) was examined, in particular, sexually mature males. New information is presented on the morphometric differences between adult and subadult males of this species, and on the differences between P. kadleci and other species of Protoiurus. An updated diagnosis of P. kadleci is presented, as well as updated key to six species of Protoiurus, and a map showing all known localities.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Kovarik F, Fet V, Soleglad ME, Yesilyurt F. Etudes on iurids, IX. Further Analysis of a Rare Species Protoiurus kadleci (Scorpiones: Iuridae) from Turkey, Based on Adult Males. Euscorpius. 2015 (201):1-18. [Open Access]

Family Iuridae