A new species of Ananteris from northeastern Brazil

 

Wilson Lourenco and Eric Ythier recently published an article describing a new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Ananteridae) from the state of Maranhão in Brazil.

Ananteris penitente Lourenco & Ythier, 2025

Abstract:
A new species of the genus Ananteris Thorell, 1891 is described from the South of the state of Maranhão in Brazil. Ananteris penitente sp. n. is described based on one male specimen collected in the region of the Serra do Penitente, nearby the Rio Panela, in a transitional zone between Gallery Forests and Cerrados. This is the third Ananteris species recorded from this Brazilian state. The number of Ananteris species described from the Northeast region of Brazil is raised to nine, while the number of Ananteris species known for the scorpion fauna of Brazil is now raised to 32.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Ythier E. A new synthesis for the genus Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Scorpiones: Ananteridae) for the northeast region of Brazil and description of a new species. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(47):19–24. [Full text supplied by authors]

Thanks to Eric for informing me about their new article!

Family Ananteridae 

The discovery of the genus Uroplectes on Madagascar and the Comoros Islands and some taxonomical decisions

 

In a recent article, Wilson Lourenco and co-workers present some taxonomic analysis on the genus Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Buthidae) after discovering the presence of this genus on Madagascar. Here are the main findings/decisions:

Uroplectes nigrimanus (Pocock, 1890) from Kenya and Tanzania is revalidated to species status after been in synonymy with  Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879).

Uroplectes nigrimanus nigrocarinatus (Kraepelin, 1913) is reserved for the populations in Madagascar. The subspecies Uroplectes fischeri nigrocarinatus Kraepelin, 1913, which was used for the population from Tanzania, is synonymized with Uroplectes nigrimanus typicus (Pocock, 1890).

Uroplectes nigrimanus maore Lourenco, Wilme & Ythier, 2025. New subspecies used for the populations in the island of Mayotte.

Uroplectes xanthogrammus Pocock, 1897 from Tanzania is synonymized with Uroplectes nigrimanus (Pocock, 1890). 

Abstract:
A taxonomic analysis is proposed for the species of the genus Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) present in Oriental Africa and associated with Uroplectes nigrimanus (Pocock, 1890), species originally known from Kenya. U. nigrimanus is revalidated at present and two subspecies namely Uroplectes nigrimanus nigrocarinatus (Kraepelin, 1913), a priori described from Madagascar and Uroplectes nigrimanus maore ssp. nov., described here from specimens collected in Mayotte, are defined here as subspecies of U. nigrimanus. Comments are also added about the possible ways of dispersion of Uroplectes species from African coast to Madagascar and Mayotte.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Wilmé L, Ythier E. A propos de la présence du genre Uroplectes Peters, 1861 à Madagascar et aux Comores: caractérisation de deux populations avec la définition de deux sous-espèces distinctes (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revue Arachnologique. 2025;Serie 2(12):42–9.

Thanks to Gerard and Eric for sending me this article and for answering my questions! 

Family Buthidae

A new species of Opisthacanthus from Madagascar

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Hormuridae) from the Baie d’Antongil, located in the North-East portion of Madagascar.

Opisthacanthus antongil Lourenco, Wilme & Ythier, 2025

The distribution and biogeography of the genus is also discussed.

Abstract:
New comments are presented on the extraordinary diversity of the genus Opisthacanthus in Madagascar, with a similar number of species as in continental Africa, and a larger number of species than in Neotropical region. An African centre of origin can always be suggested for this group of scorpions, particularly in account of some associated Cretaceous fossil elements. The Gondwana model proposed equally suggests that the Madagascar Opisthacanthus could be closer to those of the New World, which is consistent with the affinities observed in morphological characters. A further new species, Opisthacanthus antongil sp. n., is described from the Baie d’Antongil, in a dense humid forest, located in the North-East portion of Madagascar. The new species shows particular affinities with Opisthacanthus piceus Lourenço & Goodman, 2006 known from the humid forests of the National Park of Andohahela, South of Vohibaka, located in the South-East portion of the island. The new species and O. piceus share similar external morphologies and in particular a blackish general coloration, with the exception of the telson’s coloration; however, the general chetotaxy is markedly different. The total number of species in Madagascar is now raised to 15. Hypotheses are also proposed about the species which inhabit humid formations in Madagascar.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Ythier E. On the Malagasy species of Opisthacanthus peters, 1861 distributed in rainforest formations (Scorpiones: Hormuridae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(47):73–81. [Full text supplied by authors]

Family Hormuridae 

New study on taxonomy, distribution and habitat of the medical important genus Hemiscorpius in Iran

 

The genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Hemiscorpiidae) is the probably the main scorpion taxa outside the family Buthidae that can cause death and serious morbidity in humans. This genus is represented with eight species in Iran and information about taxonomy, distribution and habitat preferences is very information to prevent sting cases.

Hossein Dehghan and co-workers have recently published a study on morphology, genetics, and ecological niche modeling to clarify the taxonomy and distribution of Hemiscorpius in southern Iran. The study also resulted in a new species from the Kerman Province.  

Hemiscorpius aratta Barahoei & Prendini, 2025

Abstract:
Eight species of the medically important scorpion genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 have been reported in Iran, three of which are responsible for most of the severe clinical cases of envenomation. However, morphological similarity complicates species delimitation in this genus, hindering the identification of species implicated in envenomations. The present study integrates morphology, DNA sequences, and ecological niche modeling to clarify the taxonomy and distribution of Hemiscorpius in southern Iran, providing taxonomic insights relevant to public health and biodiversity conservation. Morphometric analyses were performed to evaluate size and shape differences; molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I gene; and species distribution models, based on occurrence records and bioclimatic variables, were developed. Morphometric analyses revealed significant interspecific differences and sexual dimorphism. A new species was identified and described as Hemiscorpius aratta sp. n. Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of the new species and revealed intraspecific variation in the type species, Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1861, suggesting possible cryptic diversity. Southern Iran, particularly the coastline of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, represents a diversity hotspot for Hemiscorpius. Topographical barriers such as the Jebal Barez, Makkoran, and Zagros Mountain ranges promoted isolation and speciation, leading to high levels of endemism in the genus. Ecological niche models revealed that the distributions of Hemiscorpius species are strongly influenced by temperature and precipitation. Coastal species are restricted to thermally stable maritime habitats, whereas semi-arid species occupy regions with higher temperature seasonality. Range-restricted species are habitat specialists, vulnerable to environmental change. This study reinforces the importance of integrating morphological, molecular, and ecological data for resolving taxonomic ambiguity.

Reference:
Dehghan H, Amiri Ghanat Saman E, Madjdzadeh SM, Amiri M, Moeinadini A, Prendini L, et al. Molecules, Morphometrics and Modeling of the Medically Important Genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hemiscorpiidae) in Iran Reveal New Species from Kerman. Insects. 2025;17(1):18. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard for informing me about this article!

Family Hemiscorpiidae 

 

A redescription of Centruroides infamatus and the description of a new species from Mexico

 

Happy New Year! 

Javier Ponce-Saavedra and co-workers recently published an article with a redescription of Centruroides infamatus (C.L. Koch, 1844) from Mexico. The study also identify a new species that previously were considered a population of this species from the municipality of Jalpa in the southern region of the state of Zacatecas, Mexico.

Centruroides rommeli Ponce-Saavedra, Linares-Guillen, Quijano-Ravell & Chassin-Noria, 2025

The article is in Spanish. 

Abstract:
Centruroides infamatus (C.L. Koch) is redescribed based on individuals obtained from a population from the León, Guanajuato region, in central Mexico. The species is redescribed because in the original description only the country is mentioned as the type locality with no further details. Also, Centruroides rommeli sp. nov. is described based on individuals obtained from a population of scorpions from Jalpa, municipality of Jalpa in the southern region of the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. This species is placed in the subgroup "infamatus" as part of the "striped" scorpions. Morphological comparisons are carried out with C. suffusus (Pocock) and C. vittatus (Say), both species that belong to the same subgroup talso recorded in Zacatecas. Additionally, is included the redescription of C. infamatus, because the population of the new species was previously identified with this specific name. Centruroides rommeli sp. nov. is sympatric with Mesomexovis spadix (Hoffmann), scorpions of the Vaejovidae family.

Reference:
Ponce J, Linares Guillén JW, Quijano-Ravell A, Chassin-Noria O. Redescription of Centruroides infamatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) and description of a new species of “striped” scorpion of the “infamatus” subgroup from north-central México. Revista de la Sociedad Entomologica Argentina. 2025;84(4):e0409. [Full text supplied by authors]

Family Buthidae 

Scorpionism in Ecuador - An updated review

 

Scorpion envenomations are a problem in many countries in South America, but a majority of studies have focused on Brazil. A recent article by Adolfo Borges and co-workers shows that also Ecuador is a hotspot for scorpion envenomations in South America.

The study provides an overview of scorpion stings in Ecuador between 2017 and 2021 and the implications in form of deaths and morbidity. The authors also identify taxa of medical importance and their distribution. Unsurprisingly, two species in the genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) are probably responsible for the most serious cases.  

Abstract:
This study assessed scorpion envenoming risk in Ecuador at provincial and district levels between 2017 and 2021, estimated national incidence and mortality rates, and identified the likely implicated taxa. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Public Health and aggregated by province and district, with incidence and mortality rates calculated per 100,000 inhabitants using annual population estimates. District-level risk was visualized with choropleth maps, and scorpion diversity and distribution were compiled from updated national inventories. A total of 1,514 scorpion stings were reported between 2017 and 2021. National incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) averaged 1.75 and 0.02. Regional incidence was highest in the Amazonian region (16.81), followed by the coastal (1.39) and Andean highlands (0.66). Hyperendemic districts (≥95th percentile of risk) included Taisha and Tiwintza (Morona Santiago), Arajuno (Pastaza), Flavio Alfaro (Manabí), and La Concordia (Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas). Mortality was highest in the Amazonian and piedmont coastal regions, with 10 deaths per region and an Amazonian rate of 0.44 per 100,000 inhabitants. These areas are inhabited by Tityus species from distinct morphological and toxinological groups, notably Tityus cf. rosenbergi in western Ecuador and Tityus cisandinus in Morona Santiago and Pastaza. Geographical variation in incidence and mortality likely reflects both the distribution of noxious taxa and population density. Despite high scorpion endemicity (79.2%), a national lethality rate of 1.32% that appears higher than reported in other countries where scorpionism is a public health concern, and the concentration of fatalities in children (75% in ages 1–9), Ecuador still depends on imported scorpion antivenoms, including that prepared against Centruroides species, which show low reactivity to Tityus toxins. These findings highlight the urgent need for preclinical neutralization studies to evaluate local antivenom efficacy and to investigate regional differences in clinical outcomes, to guide future adjustments to immunotherapy based on the biogeographic distribution of medically important Tityus species.

Reference:
Borges A, De Sousa L, Borja-Cabrera GP, Rivera A. Scorpion Envenoming in Ecuador: District-Level Risk, Updated Scorpion Diversity, and Challenges for Treatment and Public Health. Acta Trop. 2025:107942 (In Press). [Subscription required for full text.]

Thanks to Adolfo Borges for informing me about their new article! 

Are scorpion envenomations a neglected tropical disease?

 

For us who work or have experiences with scorpions, it is well known that some genera and species can cause death and serious morbidity in humans. This is a problem in some countries and regions in the world.

Eduardo Alfonso Hernández Muñoz and co-workers recently published an article summing up the status of scorpionism globally and raise a concern that scorpion envenomations are not given priority as a serious tropical disease today. According to the authors, the serious consequences from scorpion stings in many areas of the world should support that scorpion sting envenomations should be given a status as a neglected tropical disease by health authorities. This will hopefully increase the focus on prevention and treatment of scorpion envenomations.

That article present a table with list of countries and taxa that have potential medical importance.

Abstract:
⇒Each year, scorpion sting envenomation (SSE) leads to thousands of deaths and severe complications, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations with limited access to timely treatment, especially children under 10 years of age; however, it is not formally recognised by the WHO as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

⇒ In 2018, the WHO concluded that SSE did not meet the NTD criteria, citing ‘extremely rare mortality, lack of long-term disability and difficulties in defining a broad control strategy’.

⇒ This analysis presents evidence-based arguments for the urgent reconsideration of SSE as an NTD, considering new data that addresses previous objections and underscores its significant and underestimated public health impact.

⇒ Addressing SSE as an NTD is a crucial step towards achieving global health equity and preventing avoidable deaths in vulnerable communities, particularly among children.

Reference:
Hernández Muñoz EA, Borges A, Zavala-Sánchez EV, Rojas de Arias A, Oukkache N, de Souza CMV, et al. Scorpion sting envenomation: a neglected tropical disease in the shadow of global health priorities: an urgent call to action. BMJ Glob Health. 2025;10(11):e020682. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr. Adolfo Borges for sending me their article!