On Leiurus nigellus in Saudi Arabia

 

Abdulaziz M. Al-Amri and co-workers recently publised an article with a molecular and morphological analysis of Leiurus nigellus Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh, 2023 (Buthidae) in Saudi Arabia. Distribution and habitat are also discussed.

Abstract:
This study documents the first confirmed record of the Buthid scorpion Leiurus nigellus from Jabal Arnan in the Ha’il region, located within the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) in the northwestern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This species was originally described by Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh (2023). This locality extends the known distribution range of L. nigellus by over 200 km southeast of the type locality in Al-Ula, Al Madinah province. A total of six specimens of L. nigellus were collected during fieldwork conducted between June 2024 and April 2025, including two adult males, one adult female, and three juveniles. The objective of this study was to confirm the taxonomic identity of Leiurus nigellus from a newly discovered locality using morphological examination and mitochondrial DNA analysis and documentation of its known geographic distribution. Adult specimens (one male and one female) were examined using comparative morphometric analysis following standard scorpion taxonomic protocols, confirming diagnostic traits consistent with the original species description. Meanwhile, habitat assessments indicated adaptation to semi-arid rocky and gravel substrates. Molecular analysis was conducted on one adult male using targeted mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Sanger method). Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony analyses, placing L. nigellus within the Arabian Leiurus clade with bootstrap-supported affinity to Arabian congeners and limited intraspecific divergence. The generated 16S rRNA sequence represents the first molecular record for L. nigellus and has been deposited in GenBank. Sexual dimorphism was evident in morphometric traits, but these differences reflect normal biological variation rather than taxonomic differentiation. The discovery of L. nigellus in northern Saudi Arabia emphasizes the importance of continued faunistic and genetic surveys in underexplored regions, both to refine species distributions and to inform conservation management of specialized desert arachnofauna.

Reference:
Al-Amri AM, Abdulhakeem MA, Alqahtani AR, Al-Malki AM, Shohdi WM. First Record of Leiurus nigellus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Northern Saudi Arabia: Molecular and Morphological Insights from Ha’il Region, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve. Diversity. 2026;18(3). [Open Access]

Family Buthidae 

The Scorpion Files News Blog has reached more than 3 000 000 visits!

 

In a 2 million visits celebration post in July last year I rhetorically asked: When will we reach three million visits? I got the answer faster than I expected! :)

The Scorpion Files News Blog has reach yet another milestone with more than three million visits since its start in 2008 (3002584)! The first post was published 08.02.08, and since there have been 1568  posts. I'm amazed that the interest for scorpions is so large and that the blog still is a source for information for the scorpion community.

A big thanks to all of you for supporting and using The Scorpion Files and The Scorpion Files News Blog! This wouldn't have been possible without your support and help.

I take the chance of paraphrasing myself from last year: When will we reach four million visits? :)

Jan Ove Rein
Editor

Thanks to ChatGPT for the illustration! 

 

Epidemiology of scorpion envenomations and antivenom use in Brazilian Amazon

 

Scorpion envenomation is a public health problem in many regions of Brazil. Brazil inhabits several dangerous species in the genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) and several of these are also known to thrive close to human activities or in urban areas. 

Jonas Martins and co-workers have recently published an epidemiological study on scorpion envenomations in Brazilian Amazon between 2010 to 2020. An important part of the study was also to look at the use of antivenoms in the treatment of serious sting cases.

Abstract:
Introduction: Scorpion envenomation in the Amazon causes variable clinical manifestations. Data on these incidents, as well as on the demand, distribution, and use of antivenoms for treatment, are still limited in the literature. This study describes the epidemiology of scorpion envenomation and antivenom coverage in the Legal Amazon area from 2010 to 2020.
Methods: Data on scorpion sting victims, such as sex, age, circumstances of the incident (including location and time), and severity of the case, were obtained from an open health data system called the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The data on antivenom use to treat scorpion stings in each Amazonian state was estimated from consolidated data from the Strategic Inputs Information System.
Results: From 2010 to 2020, 62,388 people were envenomed by scorpions in the Legal Amazon area, resulting in 118 deaths (a fatality rate of 0.19%). The regular distribution of antivenom by the Brazilian Ministry of Health resulted in the allocation of 109,276 vials to the region. However, only 62.2% (of the regional antivenom stockpile 67,994 vials) was used. The state of Pará recorded the highest number of deaths from scorpion stings (33% of total deaths) and the highest use of antivenom per year (∼2705 vials over the 10-y period). Tocantins presented the highest incidence rate, with 119 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Conclusion: Although the availability of antivenom in the Legal Amazon between 2010 and 2020 exceeded actual demand, this was not enough to prevent the deaths of 118 victims of scorpion stings. These fatalities primarily affected demographic groups without referral units in their regions and point to critical failures in the spatial distribution of emergency medical services. Rural communities at risk of animal envenomation in the Amazon need timely treatment, a crucial condition for saving lives.

Reference:
Martins JG, Ribeiro de Almeida BR, de Oliveira Pardal PP, de Lima Procópio RE. Scorpion Stings and Antivenom Coverage in the Brazilian Amazon. Wilderness Environ Med. 2026:1–10. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Jonas for sending me this article! 

Discovery of lost holotype of Buthus barbouri Werner, 1932 results in new synonymization

 

Mohamed Mousaid and co-workers recently published the discovery of the previously lost holotype of the scorpion Buthus barbouri Werner, 1932 (Buthidae), later known as Androctonus barbouri (Werner, 1932). Analysis of the holotype have revealed a misidentification by several previous authors, and the true identity of the holotype is actually Hottentotta gentili (Pallary, 1924). 

Because of this, Androctonus barbouri (Werner, 1932) is synonymized with Hottentotta gentili (Pallary, 1924).

Abstract:
No abstract.

Reference:
Mousaid M, Flores Z, Rivera A, Lansari A, Bouazza A. Rediscovery of the enigmatic holotype of Buthus barbouri Werner, 1932 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), with a new synonymy. Zootaxa. 2026;5768(4):597–600. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae 

A phylogenetic analysis of the South American genus Urophonius with the description of a new species

 

Andrés Ojanguren-Affilastro and co-workers recently published a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 (Bothriuridae) distributed in the southern parts of South America. A new high-altitude species from Chile is described. 

Urophonius andinus Ojanguren-Affilastro & Pizarro-Araya, 2026

 Urophonius is special in that most of the species are active during winter. The evolution of this and the physiological adaptions necessary for winter activities are discussed. 

Abstract:
This study presents the first total evidence dated phylogenetic analysis of the scorpion genus Urophonius, integrating 115 morphological characters and five molecular markers (28S, 18S, H3, 16S, COI). Our comprehensive phylogenetic framework provides novel insights into the genus’ diversification timeline and evolutionary processes. Additionally, we described Urophonius andinus n. sp. from the central Chilean Andes, a high-altitude species found at 2400 m.s.a.l., representing the highest elevational record for the genus. This new species is placed within the granulatus species group, characterized by a spring–summer activity period.

Reference:
Ojanguren‐Affilastro AA, Santibáñez‐López CE, Alfaro FM, Ramírez MJ, Iuri HA, Mattoni CI, et al. First total evidence dated phylogeny of the scorpion genus Urophonius (Bothriuridae), with new insights into the transition to winter activity, and the description of the first highland Andean species of the genus. Systematic Entomology. 2026;51(1):e70032. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Victoria for sharing this article!

Family Bothriuridae 

A review of the taxa described by Carl Ludwig Koch in the series Die Arachniden (1836 - 1847)

 

Descriptions and publications of new taxa in the early days of scorpion taxonomy have often been challenging when it comes to publication dates and similar. The latter is important today in taxonomy to trace the history of the taxa and to establish priority.

The series "Die Arachniden" by Carl Wilhelm Hahn and Carl Ludwig Koch (1831–1847) exemplifies this problem. During the years of this publication, seven genera and 97 scorpion species were described by Kock. Today, 34 of these taxa are still valid. 

Javier Blasco-Aróstegui and co-workers recently published a list of C. L. Koch’s scorpion names with corrected publication dates and a guide to the proper citations for each part of Die Arachniden. Details can be found in the paper, but the following valid taxa has gotten a new year for their description (and are updated in The Scorpion Files):

Buthus halius (C. L. Koch, 1838). Previously 1839.

Buthus paris (C. L. Koch, 1838). Previously 1839.

Brotheas C. L. Koch, 1838. Previously 1837.

Franckeus nitidulus (C. L. Koch, 1842). Previously 1836.

Abstract:
Accurate publication dates are essential in taxonomy because they determine the availability and priority of scientific names. However, older works, often issued in multiple parts over several years, frequently recorded only the date of the final compiled volume, obscuring the true publication dates of individual parts. The series Die Arachniden by Carl Wilhelm Hahn and Carl Ludwig Koch (1831–1847) exemplifies this problem, with hundreds of arachnid species described across 16 volumes, including scorpions, spiders, and other orders. Many names have been synonymized, invalidated, or transferred, whereas ambiguous descriptions and type localities added further confusion. Carl Ludwig Koch described seven genera and 97 scorpion species, 34 of which remain valid more than 150 years later. The present contribution provides a list of C. L. Koch’s scorpion names with corrected publication dates and a guide to the proper citations for each part of Die Arachniden. Six nomina dubia are proposed: Androctonus thoas C. L. Koch, 1839, Brotheas maurus C. L. Koch, 1838, Tityus fatalis C. L. Koch, 1844, Tityus perfidus C. L. Koch, 1844, Tityus serenus C. L. Koch, 1844, and Vaejovis flavescens C. L. Koch, 1842. Similar efforts are recommended for other arachnid orders in the series to stabilize nomenclature.

Reference:
Blasco-Aróstegui J, Blick T, Prendini L. Scorpions described by Carl Ludwig Koch in Die Arachniden (1836–1847): correct publication dates, volume citations, and updated taxonomy. Arachnology. 2026;20(4):527–32. [Full text available only for BAS members].

Thanks to the late Gerard Dupre, who sent me this article a few days before his passing!  

 

In Memoriam Gerard Dupre (1947 - 2026)

 

Photo: Le Parisien 28.07.16.

Last week I got the sad news about the passing of French scorpion researcher Gerard Dupre at the age of 78. I had regularly contact with Gerard and he was a supporter of The Scorpion Files and often sent me new articles long before I discovered them myself. I'm very grateful for all his help all these years and he will be missed. 

Eric Ythier has sent me some facts about Gerard's life and carrier.

Gerard first encounter with a scorpion was in 1974 during his crossing of the Sahara. He then developed a passion for scorpions due to his regular trips in Africa. His meeting with Profs. Max Vachon and Max Goyffon solidified this passion. He became a corresponding member of Paris Museum (MNHN) and he founded in 1989 the first French arachnology association (“Groupe d’Etudes des Arachnides”, GEA) with up to 300 members. Together with this association he created the Journal “Arachnides”, published quarterly, stopped in 2002 in its paper version (53 no.) then started again in 2008 in electronic version (downloadable on The Scorpion Files). Last no. 125 was published in Jan 2026.

Gerard was always very much involved in the bibliography of scorpions since his participation together with Prof. Jacqueline Heurtault to the “list of arachnological publications” at MNHN’s International Center of Arachnological Documentation (“Centre International de Documentation Arachnologique, CIDA)”. Author of the very useful “Worldwide blibliography of scorpions from antiquity to nowadays”, started in 1998 and updated every year. He was author of numerous articles about scorpion biology and of numerous useful faunistic synopses by country, region, continent etc. Also, an author of regular taxonomical list updates. He also authored two books on scorpion rearing, one in French (“Les scorpions, Biologie, Elevage”, 1998) and one in English (“Scorpions, guide to captive breeding”, 2010). He also held regular public and school presentations to raise awareness about scorpions.

In 2016 Gerard got a scorpion species named after him: Buthus duprei Rossi & Tropea, 2016.

Finally, it is important to mention that he was always kind to help scorpion colleagues in providing missing papers and his help and contributions will be missed by many in the scorpion community. 

RIP 

Eric Ythier & Jan Ove Rein