A revision of the rare genus Liobuthus with a description of four new species from Central Asia

 

The genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Buthidae) is a rare, psammophilic genus with one species from Central Asia. Victor Fet and co-workers recently published a revision of the genus, and based on DNA-analysis and morphology, four new species are described.

Liobuthus atamuradovi (Turkmenistan)

Liobuthus danovi (Kazakhstan, Northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)

Liobuthus shukurovi (Southwestern Tajikistan)

Liobuthus vachoni (Southern Kazakhstan)

An identification key for the five species in the genus is included.

Abstract:
The rare Central Asian psammophilic scorpion genus, Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), is revised. Five species are delineated according to results from three species delimitation approaches using mitochondrial DNA. Results are supported by diagnostic morphology, including an assessment of the distinctive neobothriotaxy. The type species, L. kessleri Birula, 1898, is confirmed for Iran (northeast), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (south). Four new species are described: L. atamuradovi sp. n. (Turkmenistan), L. danovi sp. n. (Kazakhstan, northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), L. shukurovi sp. n. (southwestern Tajikistan), and L. vachoni sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan), The unique additive neobothriotaxy (on both pedipalp femur and patella) first discovered by Vachon (1958) is confirmed and analyzed.

Reference:
Fet V, Kovarik F, Lowe G, Graham MR. A revision of the psammophilic genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), with a description of four new species from Central Asia. Euscorpius. 2026(427):1–67. [Open Access]

family Buthidae 

A new species of Scorpio from northern Iraq

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published an article describing a new species of Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 (Scorpionidae) from northern Iraq.

Scorpio assyriacus Yagmur, Kachel, Hussen, Al-Jubouri & Al-Khazali, 2026 

Abstract:
Scorpio assyriacus sp. n., from northern Iraq is described illustrated and compared with all known species of the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758, occurring in Turkey, the Middle East, and Iran. Aspects of the ecology and distribution of the new species are discussed and compared with those of other closely related Scorpio species from nearby localities in Turkey. The new species can be distinguished by its reduced number of pectinal teeth, the cardial-triangular configuration of the genital operculum (which is not posteriorly elongated in females), a more hirsute body, globular vesicle, flattened and discrete granules on the external surface of the chela manus, and significantly longer chela fingers compared to other species. With this discovery, the total number of documented scorpion species in Iraq has reached 23.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Kachel HS, Hussen FS, Al-Khazali AM, Ali FR, Al-Jubouri MAK, et al. A new Scorpio (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae) species from Northern Iraq. Zoodiversity. 2026;60(1):1–15. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their article!

Family Scorpionidae 

A new cave-dwelling scorpion from Brazil

 

More or less obligatory, cave-dwelling scorpions are found in several areas. Some with distinct troglomorphic traits like reduced pigmentation and the lack of eyes. Jonas Eduardo Gallão and Deyvison Bonfim Ribeiro have recently described a new obligatory, subterranean species in the genus Troglorhopalurus Lourenço, Baptista & Giupponi, 2004 (Buthidae) from three caves in Ituaçu, State of Bahia in Brazil.

Troglorhopalurus araras Gallão & Ribeiro, 2026

The new species lack typical troglomorphic traits except for having thinner cuticle than normal. This may represent a troglomorphic trait.

An identification guide for the genus is presented. Please note that this guide (and article) is missing Troglorhopalurus iuiu Carvalho, Silva, Emanuela de Souza & Feirreira, 2025. I'm not sure why, as both species are described from Brazil.

Abstract:
We describe Troglorhopalurus araras sp. n. based only on females, as a new obligatory and exclusively subterranean scorpion occurring in three caves from Ituaçu, State of Bahia, Brazil. The caves of Ituaçu belong to an isolated portion of the Una geomorphological group. Troglorhopalurus araras is the third known species of Troglorhopalurus and differs from its congeners by size, carination mainly in chela hand and metasoma, teeth of pecten, shape of telson spine, and colour. This new species enhances the diversity of cave-dwelling species in Brazilian caves, as well as the knowledge of cave scorpions. Troglorhopalurus araras must be considered threatened due to its restricted endemism at caves in the Chapada Diamantina.

Reference:
Gallão JE, Ribeiro DB. Troglorhopalurus araras (Scorpiones: Buthidae) a new subterranean scorpion from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Journal of Natural History. 2026;60(9-12):557–72. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae 

Predicting the occurence of dangerous scorpions based on analysis of environmental conditions

 

Scorpions are a medical problem in many countries and regions, but often the knowledge of which species are found were is limited. In a recent paper, Fouad Salhi and co-workers have presented a study from Morocco where they have tried to use ecological niche modelling to predict scorpion distribution based on the scorpions environmental requirements.

It seems that soil type is the strongest predictor of where many scorpions live, while temperature, including both average conditions and seasonal swings, seem to play a major role for some of the species studied in Morocco.

The model used is very promising and can be an important tools for government agencies working to prevent and reduce public health challenges related to scorpion stings. 

Abstract:
Ecological niche modelling (ENM) is a powerful analytical approach for predicting species distribution by elucidating their environmental requirements. The present study used the MaxEnt approach, integrating high-resolution environmental data and extensive in situ observations, to create habitat suitability maps for 19 scorpion species in central Morocco and assess the influence of environmental variables on their distribution. The models demonstrate excellent predictive ability, highlighted by area under the curve (AUC) values systematically greater than 0.9. Soil type emerged as the most influential environmental variable for 74% of species, while the remaining taxa were mainly affected by temperature annual range and annual mean temperature. Habitat suitability maps revealed distinct habitat preferences between species. H. gentili is a habitat generalist, showing a broad predicted distribution covering 62% of the study area, while A. bourdoni (0.14%), B. parroti (0.13%), O. innesi (0.62%) and B. atlantis (0.55%) showed a very restricted prediction of suitable habitats. This species-specific information on habitat conditions is essential not only to improve our understanding of their ecology, but also to formulate more effective public health strategies aimed at reducing the frequency of scorpion envenomings in Morocco.

Reference:
Salhi F, Elbahi A, Ouakri N, Lawton C, Abou Oualid J, Dugon MM. Ecological Niche Modelling and Distribution of Scorpion Fauna in Central Morocco: A MaxEnt Study. Environmental Research Communications. 2026;8:025008. [Open Access]

 

Differences in pedipalp form and size affect courtship behavior in Tityus species

 

Differences in male morphology within the same species have been observed in many species. In a recent paper, Lais Pordeus and Andre Lira show that differences in the male pedipalp chela in Tityus pusillus Lourenço, 2013 (Buthidae) are associated with differences in reproductive behavior. Males with "robust" pedipalp chela performed a higher number of reproductive attempts and female manipulations than than males with "gracile" chela.

Interestingly, the reproductive success of the males in the two groups was quite similar.

Abstract:
This study investigates male pedipalp chela dimorphism and its association with reproductive behaviour in the litter-dwelling scorpion, Tityus pusillus. Using geometric morphometrics, two distinct male morphotypes were identified based on pedipalp chela shape: robust and gracile. These morphotypes were associated with measurable variation in courtship behaviour aspects. Males with robust chelae performed a higher number of reproductive attempts and female manipulations than gracile-chela males, although these differences were not statistically significant. Notably, robust-chela males completed courtship significantly faster than gracile-chelae males (8.03 ± 5.14 minutes vs. 18.40 ± 13.84 minutes), measured as the time until mating successful conclusion. Both morphotypes exhibited similar reproductive success rates (37% and 31%, respectively). These results indicate that robust and gracile differ in courtship dynamics, particularly in courtship duration and patterns of female handling. Variation in female resistance during courtship may help explain why male reproductive behaviours vary. This study documents male chela dimorphism in T. pusillus and reports its correlation with variation in courtship behaviour.

Reference:
Pordeus LM, Lira AFA. Dimorphism in male pedipalps affects the reproductive behaviour in the litter-dwelling scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Invertebrate Reproduction & Development. 2026;Published online 17 Feb 2026. [Subscription required for full text]

A new species of the medical important genus Hemiscorpius from northern Iraq

 

Fenik Sherzad Hussen and co-workers have recently published an article with the description of a new species in the medical important genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Hemiscorpiidae) from Kurdistan in Iraq.

Hemiscorpius kurdistanus Hussen, Kadir, Ahmed & Prendini, 2026

Abstract:
The scorpion genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 is renowned for its medically important species, particularly Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1861, the type species of the genus and only species previously recorded in Iraq. However, the scorpion diversity of the rugged, arid landscapes of the Kurdistan Region, especially Erbil Governorate, in northern Iraq, remains largely unknown. Extensive fieldwork in Erbil Province in 2024 resulted in the discovery of a previously unknown species, described herein as Hemiscorpius kurdistanus sp. n. The Halgurd-Sakran Mountains in the Bradost Region, to which it appears to be endemic, probably played a role in its speciation, providing a barrier that contributed to geographical isolation. The new discovery supports the hypothesis that Kurdistan represents an area of endemism for arthropods due to its isolation and unique environmental conditions. The addition of a new, potentially medically important scorpion species to the Iraqi fauna emphasizes the need for continued studies on the systematics of Hemiscorpius and other scorpion taxa as well as updated public health awareness and envenomation management strategies across the Middle East.

Reference:
Hussen FS, Kadir HS, Ahmed AI, Prendini L. A New Species of the Medically Important Scorpion Genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Hemiscorpiidae Pocock, 1893) from Kurdistan, Iraq. Diversity. 2026;18(2):121. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard for sending me this article!

Family Hemiscorpiidae

First DNA barcode records for the buthid Parabuthus liosoma in Saudi Arabia.

 

Ahmed Badry and co-workers recently published a study of DNA barcoding and phylogeny of Parabuthus liosoma (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Buthidae) from Saudi Arabia. This is the first DNA barcode records for this species, and the study gives insight into identification, taxonomy and phylogeny of Parabuthus in Saudia Arabia.

Abstract:
1) Background. Parabuthus liosoma is one of the largest buthid scorpion species and is endemic to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. This study provides the first DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis of P. liosoma from Saudi Arabia, contributing to global efforts in arachnid molecular identification and biodiversity documentation. (2) Methods. The whole genome was extracted from nine adult individuals of P. liosoma, collected from Farasan Island, southwest of Saudi Arabia. A portion of the mitochondrial DNA, specifically, the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences, was amplified and sequenced and subjected to genetic and phylogenetic analyses. (3) Results. The DNA barcoding results revealed a high level of genetic variability within P. liosoma, aiding in species identification and supporting its utility as a molecular tool for scorpion taxonomy. In addition, our results reveal a monophyletic relationship among Parabuthus species, with a clear distinction between Arabian and African lineages. (4) Conclusions. This study highlights the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a reliable tool for species identification and taxonomy and enhances our knowledge of the evolutionary history and geographic distribution of Parabuthus scorpions. However, further research is required to elucidate the complex phylogenetic relationships within this genus.

Reference:
Badry A, Al-Qahtni AH, Al-Salem AM, Al Balawi MS, Mesfer F, Allahyani WS, et al. DNA Barcoding and Phylogenetic Relationship of Parabuthus liosoma (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Saudi Arabia. Biology. 2026;15(4):321. [Open Access]

Thanks to  Luis Roque (Arácnido Taxonomy https://www.aracnidotaxonomy.com) for sending me this article!

Family Buthide