Scorpion fauna of the major city Delhi in India

 

Scorpions are most known from rural areas, but quite a few species thrive in urban areas and come in close contact with humans and their activities. Most towns in parts of Italy and even major cities like Bologna, Florence and Rome have populations of Euscorpius or Tetratrichobothrius inhabiting cracks and crevices in old stone and brick buildings, city walls and fences. One of my happiest holiday experiences was counting appr. 50 Euscorpius italicus on the walls of our rented holliday villa in the Marche region in Italy.

Urban scorpions can also be a health problem as is the case of many Brazilian towns and cities were urban populations of medical important Tityus species are common. So knowledge of scorpions in urban areas is important.

Gaurav Barhadiya and co-workers recently published a survey of the scorpion fauna of India’s capital, Dehli. They discovered four species from two families. Fortunately, the species found are probably not posing a health danger.

Abstract:
Delhi, one of the world’s most populous cities, hosts a diverse array of urban habitats amidst its limited green cover. Scorpions, distinguished by their venomous stings and ancient lineage, thrive in Delhi’s semi-arid climate. Despite their ecological significance, studies on scorpion diversity in urban environments remain scarce. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first systematic assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi. Field surveys were conducted during both day and night to collect specimens, which were then identified using established taxonomic keys. Four scorpion species from two families were recorded, including Chersonesometrus fulvipes, Isometrus maculatus, Compsobuthus rugosulus, and Lychas cf. biharensis. The semi-arid climate of Delhi, within the Punjab plains biogeographic province, provides a conducive environment for scorpion species to inhabit. This study serves as a preliminary assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi and underscores the need for further dedicated surveys to comprehensively understand their distribution and ecology in the region.

Reference:
Barhadiya G, Pandey P, Sultana A, Mohapatra PP, Das SK. Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India. Rec Zool Surv India. 2025;125(1):57-62. [Open Access]

An overview of the scorpion fauna of the Iberian Peninsula

 

                                            Illustration: Rowanwindwhistler Wikipedia CC-BY-SA

The scorpion fauna in the Iberian Peninsula has grown from a few species to more than 20 in the last two decades. Gerard Dupre has recently published an overview of the current scorpion fauna from this region in Europe.

Abstract:
No abstract.

Reference:
Dupre G. La faune scorpionique de la Péninsule Ibérique (Arachnida : Scorpiones). Arachnides. 2025(121):8-12. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard for sharing the content of Arachnides with The Scorpion Files!

A new species of Scorpiops from India

 

Shubhankar Deshpande and co-workers have recently published a study on Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiopidae) from India with the description of a new species.

Scorpiops bahunetra Deshpande, Joshi, Ukale, Bastawade, Tang, Gowande, Monod & Sulakhe, 2025

Abstract:
The genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 exhibits significant diversity, especially in Peninsular India. From our continued arachnological surveys in the Western Ghats and Peninsular India, we describe a new species based on molecular and morphological data. Furthermore, additional sampling revealed new species with distinct molecular signatures, but future investigation is warranted to gather additional data before species are formally described.

Reference:
Deshpande S, Joshi M, Ukale S, Bastawade D, Tang V, Gowande G, et al. In the rocks: An integrative assessment of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) in peninsular India with a description of a new species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 2025;18. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard for informing me about this article!

Family Scorpiopidae

A new species of Compsobuthus from Southeastern Iran

 

Fahimeh Vahidinia and co-workers have recently published an article describing a new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) from Southeastern Iran. 

Compsobuthus yagi Barahoei, 2025

Abstract:
Despite the presence of scorpions in most parts of Iran, limited studies have been conducted in some places with a high frequency of scorpions. In this study, scorpion samples collected from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast of Iran, during 2022 and 2023 were investigated. Sampling identified eight species belonging to seven genera from the Buthidae family. These are Androctonus rostami Barahoei, 2025, A. sistanus Barahoei & Mirshamsi, 2022, Compsobuthus yagi Barahoei sp. n., Hottentotta sistanensis Kovarik et al., 2018, Mesobuthus rakhshanii Barahoei, 2022, Odontobuthus tirgari Mirshamsi et al., 2013, Orthochirus persa (Birula, 1900) and Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900). Compsobuthus yagi Barahoei sp. n. was collected and is described from north Zahedan based on morphologic and molecular (COI) studies. Four species for the fauna of Zahedan County, three species for the fauna of Mirjaveh County, and two species for the fauna of Khash and Hirmand counties are new reports. Diagnostic characters of new species and new records are provided. Phylogeny of the new species is discussed.

Reference:
Vahidinia F, Ravan S, Barahoei H. A New Species of Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) from Southeastern Iran. Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 2025;Published online 04 March 2025. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae

A new fossil species described from Early Cretaceous amber from Myanmar and some taxonomical decisions

 

Wilson Lourenco and  Jürgen Velten have recently published an article where they describe a new fossil species from Early Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Burma).

Serratochaerilobuthus barbarae Lourenco & Velten, 2025

A few weeks ago, Xuan et al, 2025 published a study reviewing the taxa in the fossil family Chaerilobuthidae and decided to change status of this family to subfamily (Chaerilobuthinae) and placed it in the extant family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998. The two extinct genera Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, were synonymized with Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 201.

Lourenco and Velten do not accept the results of this study.

In addition, the  authors also elevate Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, to superfamily status as Pseudochactoidea Gromov, 1998. Likewise, they raise Vietbocapinae Lourenco, 2012, to family rank as Vietbocapidae Lourenco, 2012. The authors also synonymize Troglokhammouaninae with Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, and the genus Aemngvantom Prendini, Ehrenthal & Loria, 2021 with Vietbocap Lourenco & Pham, 2010. 

These major taxonomical decisions seem to be made mainly because Lourenco and Velten disagree with several previous works  (e.g. Prendini et al, 2021). The problem is that the authors do not present any real and thorough justifications or analysis themselves to justify the proposed decisions. The studies they criticize have thorough morphological and phylogenetical analysis to back up their claims. 

I do not have the competence to tell who is correct, but I feel that basically just saying "we disagree" is not enough to justify such major taxonomical decisions. Because of this I have chosen not to accept the taxonomical decisions in the Lourenco and Velten article in The Scorpion Files until justification based on morphological, phylogenetical and/or genetical analysis are provided. 

This is a decision I reluctantly take after consulting with a few others in the scorpion community and I understand if some of you do not support this.

Abstract:
A new species is described for the genus Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024. The description of this new species brings further evidence for the validity of the genus and confirms the family Chaerilobuthidae as one of the most speciose groups among those known from Early Cretaceous Burmite.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Velten J. Description of a second species for the genus Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(10):1-6. [Open Access]

Family Pseudochactidae

Report of predation of a Hottentotta species by the long-eared hedgehog in Turkey

 

Ridvan Kurt and co-workers recently published an article describing predation of the scorpion Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880) (Buthidae) by the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) in Turkey. The hedgehog did bite off the tail and kill the scorpion before trying to eat it.

Abstract:
In this study, we report the predation of Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880) by the insectivorous mammal Hemiechinus auritus (Gmelin, 1770) in Şırnak Province, southeastern Türkiye. During a nighttime field trip, we observed a long-eared hedgehog biting a H. saulcyi individual on its prosoma. This observation confirms that long-eared hedgehogs feed on and prey upon scorpions.

Reference:
Kurt R, Yagmur EA, Yorulmaz T. Predation of the scorpion Hottentotta saulcyi (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae) in Şırnak Province, Türkiye. Euscorpius. 2025(407):1-4. [Open Access]

A review of the members of the genus Chaerilus in China with the description of one new species

 

Recently, Victoria Tang has published an extensive review of the species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877(Chaerilidae) from China. One new species is described.

Chaerilus herta Tang, 2025

The paper reviews the species found in China and discuss taxonomical challenges for the family and for scorpions in general. Also, the presence and level of UV fluorescence in this genus is discussed.  

Abstract:
The genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China is preliminarily revised on a morphological basis, derived from the available literature and newly examined specimens. The robustness of several commonly applied species-level diagnostic criteria are evaluated. Ten species are provisionally recognized for China, including one new morphospecies, Chaerilus herta sp. n., described from 9 females, 40 males, and 2 juvenile females collected in Mêdog County. The current study only reveals and resolves several most elementary issues in the taxonomy of Chinese Chaerilus. Further molecular investigations are warranted until topotypes of certain species become available.

Reference:
Tang V. Current challenges and preliminary morphological reassessment of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Euscorpius. 2025(406):1-89. [Open Access]

Family Chaerilidae