Two new species of Uroplectes from Somaliland and Mozambique

 

Frantisek Kovarik published yesterday a new article in which two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique are described.

Uroplectes elmii Kovarik, 2025

Uroplectes mossambicensis Kovarik, 2025

A distribution map of all discussed species in the article is also included.

Abstract:
Two new species, Uroplectes elmii sp. n. from Somaliland and U. mossambicensis sp. n. from Mozambique are described, fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology. Both species are similar to Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879) from which they differ mainly in finger dentition (Uroplectes elmii sp. n.) and strongly reduced tibial spurs on legs III–IV (U. mossambicensis sp. n.). Uroplectes elmii sp. n. is also compared with U. pardii Kovařík, 2003, from which it differs mainly by extremely reduced to absent metasomal punctation. A distribution map of all discussed species is included.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique. Euscorpius. 2025(426):1–18. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Alpiscorpius from Turkey

 

Ersen Yagmur and Halil Yayh have recently published an article describing a new species of  Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999 (Euscorpiidae) from Sultan Mountains in Turkey.

Alpiscorpius huyukensis Yagmur, 2025

In addition, the article transfers Euscorpius sultanensis Tropea & Yağmur, 2015 to Alpiscorpius. New status: Alpiscorpius sultanensis (Tropea & Yağmur, 2015).

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Alpiscorpius huyukensis sp. n., is described from the western foothills of the Sultan Mountains, Konya Province, in the Aegean Region of western Turkey, based on morphological characters. The species is assigned to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999, due to the presence of three trichobothria in the em series on the external surface of the pedipalp patella. A. huyukensis sp. n. can be readily distinguished from its all congeners by its yellowish-orange or greyishorange body and yellow metasomal coloration, the fifth metasomal segment bearing distinct ventrolateral carinae, the presence of six trichobothria in the Pv series, and 4–5 trichobothria in the et series. A. huyukensis sp. n. clearly differs from the geographically close species Euscorpius sultanensis Tropea & Yağmur, 2015, by its reddish brown coloration and higher trichobothrial number in the et series (et = 5 versus 4). The latter species is transferred herein to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999, because it has three trichobothria in the em series and a lower number of trichobothria in the Pv series (Pv = 6). With the description of this species and the new combination for A. sultanensis (Tropea & Yağmur, 2015), comb. n., the number of recognized species of the family Euscorpiidae in Turkey increases to 25, with the genus Alpiscorpius represented by ten species.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Yayh HI. Alpiscorpius huyukensis sp. n., an unexpected new species from Sultan Mountains, Konya Province, Turkey (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Euscorpius. 2025(425):1–15. [Open Access]

Family Euscorpiidae

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

Big, bad spider eating innocent scorpion in Lebanon

 

Scorpions kill and eats spiders and it is not surprising that the roles are reversed sometimes. But there haven't been many reports of tarantulas preying on scorpions. Rami Khashab recently published an observation of a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) preying on a small  Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Buthidae) in Lebanon.

The spider didn't seem to have been stung by the scorpion, who probably was killed instantly by the larger spider's chelicerae.

Abstract:
I report the first documented case of the buthid scorpion Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) serving as prey for the tarantula Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) in Lebanon. The observation was made during a nocturnal survey in the Mount Lebanon region. The case contributes to the limited records of tarantula predation on scorpions and underscores the role of prey-predator size asymmetry in facilitating high-risk predation among arachnids.

Reference:
Khashab R. Predation of Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Lebanon. Euscorpius. 2025(423):1–3. [Open Access]

A review of Androctonus in Iran with four new species

 

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published a review of the members of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828  (Buthidae) in Iran. Previously, most populations were assigned to the species A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), but this turned out to be a species complex with several hidden taxa. The current article have a redescription of the true A. crassicauda. 

Four new species are described from Iran:

Androctonus azerianus Yagmur & Kovarik, 2025.

Androctonus barahoeii Kovarik & Yagmur, 2025.

Androctonus caspius Kovarik, Yagmur, Fet & Lowe, 2025.

Androctonus transcaucasicus Kovarik, Yagmur, Fet & Lowe, 2025 (this species occurs in Armenia and Azerbaijan in addition to Iran).

Androctonus orientalis (Birula, 1900) is raised to species status from subspecies status (Prionurus crassicauda orientalis Birula, 1900).

Androctonus rostami Barahoei et al., 2025 is synonymized with Androctonus orientalis (Birula, 1900).

The article has an identification key for the confirmed species in Iran. A distribution map is also included. 

Abstract:
Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) is redescribed, based on the male neotype hereby designated, and a female topotype. Prionurus crassicauda orientalis Birula, 1900 is removed from synonymy, and elevated to species status as A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., based on the lectotype, hereby designated, a paralectotype and newly collected specimens. A. rostami Barahoei et al., 2025 is synonymized with A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., syn. n. In addition, four new species are described: A. azerianus sp. n. (Iran), A. barahoeii sp. n. (Iran), A. caspius sp. n. (Iran), A. transcaucasicus sp. n. (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran). All species are described and illustrated, and a map showing the confirmed distribution of the Androctonus species in Iran is provided.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Kovarik F, Fet V, Lowe G, Moradi M, Kalami F. Review of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 in Iran, with redescription of A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) and A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., and descriptions of four new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(422):1–69. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A biochemical and proteomic study of Amazonian scorpion venoms

 

Studying the venom composition of scorpions is important. It is important to know the venom composition in medical important species to understand their pathological effect and better be able to develop antivenom or treatment. In addition, scorpion venom is a treasure chest filled with different peptides and toxins that can be used to develop medicines. 

Karla Bordon and co-workers recently published a study presenting a comprehensive biochemical characterization of venom from three Amazonian species, Tityus metuendus Pocock, 1897, T. silvestris Pocock, 1897 (both Buthidae) and Brotheas amazonicus  Lourenço, 1988 (Chactidae).

According to the article, "the results suggest a correlation between ecological divergence and venom composition, with implications for both toxicity and antivenom development".

Abstract:
Scorpionism is a growing public health concern in Brazil, with the Amazon region presenting the highest mortality rates but remaining understudied, especially regarding local scorpion venoms composition. This study presents the first comprehensive biochemical characterization of venoms from three Amazonian species—Tityus metuendus (TmetuV), Tityus silvestris (TsilvV), and Brotheas amazonicus (BamazV)—using an integrated approach combining Multi-Enzymatic Limited Digestion (MELD)-based bottom-up proteomics, highresolution LC-MS/MS, chromatography, zymography, and enzymatic assays. Tityus serrulatus venom was included as a reference. Significant biochemical differences were observed: TsilvV was rich in 20–30 kDa proteins and showed strong metalloprotease activity; BamazV exhibited high molecular weight proteins and potent phospholipase A2 (PLA2)
activity but lacked proteolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities; TmetuV showed the highest hyaluronidase activity and abundance of α-KTx neurotoxins. Zymography revealed a conserved ~45 kDa hyaluronidase in all species. Three novel components were partially characterized: BamazPLA2 (Group III PLA2), Tmetu1 (37-residue α-KTx), and TsilvMP_A (a metalloprotease homologous to antarease). This is the first application of MELD-based proteomics to Amazonian scorpion venoms, revealing molecular diversity and functional divergence within Tityus and Brotheas, emphasizing the need for region-specific antivenoms. These findings provide a foundation for future pharmacological studies and the discovery of bioactive peptides with therapeutic potential.

Reference:
Bordon KC, Santos GC, Martins JG, Wiezel GA, Amorim FG, Crasset T, et al. Pioneering Comparative Proteomic and Enzymatic Profiling of Amazonian Scorpion Venoms Enables the Isolation of Their First α-Ktx, Metalloprotease, and Phospholipase A2. Toxins. 2025;17(8):411. [Open Access]

Thanks to Jonas Martins for sending me their article!

An updated checklist of the Chaerilus species from Vietnam and a description of the female of Chaerilus honba

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers recently published some updated data om the Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Chaerilidae) in Vietnam. The female of Chaerilus honba Lourenço, 2019 is also described. 

Abstract:
Chaerilus honba Lourenço, 2019 is recorded for the first time from Nui Chua National Park, Vietnam. The single specimen found within the dry forest represents at the same time the first female known, which is described in detail. Furthermore, an updated checklist of the Chaerilus species from Vietnam is provided and biogeographical relations between southern Vietnamese coastal forests are discussed.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Nguyen TQ, Luu TH, Bressel J, Ziegler T. New insights on the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from Vietnam and description of the female of Chaerilus honba Lourenço, 2019 based on a new record from Nui Chua National Park (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(46):76–80. [No full text found]

Thanks to Professor Thomas Ziegler for sending me their article!

Family Chaerilidae