Taxonomic comments on some species of Bothriurus from Brazil and one new species

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently published an article with considerations of some species in Bothriurus Peters, 1861 (Bothriuridae) from the state of Paranà in Brazil. Main findings:

Bothriurus trifinium Lourenço, Wilme & Ythier, 2026 [New species from the Northwest of the state of Paraná in Brazil.]

Bothriurus semiellipticus Prado, 1934 [Raised to species status from synonymy with B. bonariensis (C.L. Koch, 1842).]

Abstract:
A new species, Bothriurus trifinium sp. n. is described from an area of Riparian wet-forests in the Northwest of the state of Paraná in Brazil. The new species can be associated with other species previously described from the nearby regions of Paraná but also from Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraguay. The description of this new species attests once again about the existence of micro-endemic populations within different groups of Bothriurus. Comments are also proposed on the taxonomic status of some previously described species, with one species revalidated and some synonymies suggested.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Wilmé L, Ythier É. New considerations on the species of the genus Bothriurus Peters (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) described or cited from the state of Paraná, Brazil and description of a new species. Faunitaxys. 2026;14(56):1–10. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric for informing me about this article!

Family Bothriruidae 

A new species of Janalychas from India

 

Sudheer Kumar Jena and Pratyush Mohapatra have recently published an article describing a new species of Janalychas Kovarik, 2019 (Buthidae) from the Deccan Peninsula in India.

Janalychas fulvus Jena & Mohapatra, 2026

Abstract:
A novel buthid scorpion of the genus Janalychas Kovařík, 2019 is described from the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, based on an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular data for South Asian representatives. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to J. farkasi (Kovařík, 1997) from Nepal, but can be distinguished by the presence of a single carina on the mesosomal tergites (vs. three in J. farkasi) and the presence of denticles on sternite V. It can also be readily differentiated from its Indian congeners by a unique combination of morphological traits and its characteristic yellow, patterned coloration.

Reference:
Jena SK, Mohapatra PP. A new species of Janalychas Kovařík, 2019 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the Deccan Peninsula, India. Arthropoda Selecta. 2026;35(1):79–95. [Open Access]

Thanks to Victoria for informing me about the new species. 

Family Buthidae 

A new species of Liocheles from Western Himalays, India

 

Virender K. Bhardwaj and co-workers recently described a new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hormuridae) from Western Himalayas in India.

Liocheles gracilipalpus Bhardwaj, Katal, Lalremsanga & Mirza, 2026

Abstract:
Sampling in the Western Himalayas of India led to the discovery of a population of the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833, that differes from all Indian congeners. Molecular and morphological data confirmed the distinctiveness of the population, which is here described as a new species. The new species is morphologically similar to L. longimanus (Werner, 1939), from which it differs in the arrangement of trichobothria on external patella and structure of the hemispermatophore. A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the family Hormuridae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene is presented.

Reference:
Bhardwaj VK, Katal S, Lalremsanga HT, Mirza ZA. A new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) from the Western Himalayas. Euscorpius. 2026(441):1–13. [Open Access]

Family Hormuridae 

Two cases of non-native scorpion introduction in Bermuda

 

The island of Bermuda has no native scorpions, but as for other countries lacking our favorite animal groups, they do get introduced stowaways. Danniella Sherwood and co-workers recently reported about two cases of introduced scorpions to the island, a Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) (Buthidae) and a unidentified species in the genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 (Caraboctonidae).

Even though we love scorpions, it is important that stowaways like this are intercepted to avoid more permanent populations to keep the endemic and native fauna safe.

Abstract:
Hadruroides sp. (Scorpiones: Caraboctonidae) is newly recorded as a successfully intercepted non-native invasive species in Bermuda, based on examination of a desiccated and damaged immature female specimen. A second record of an intercepted Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is reported based on examination of an adult male.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Outerbridge M, Smith SR, Gosling J, Darrell M. Tails from the Isle of Devils: two new records of non-native invasive scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) successfully intercepted in Bermuda, including the first record of Caraboctonidae. Euscorpius. 2026(435):1–3. [Open Access]

Differences in sprinting performance between burrowing and non-burrowing scorpions

 

Scorpions are different. Some move quickly, others more slowly. Some make burrows and stay there most of the time, while others are more active on the surface and hide under suitable objects during daytime. Eran Gefen and co-workers have recently published a study where they tested the endurance of three Israeli buthids and two scorpionids. 

The study showed that buthids are fast runners, but they tire more quickly. The burrowing scorpionids are slower, but show more endurance. The authors discuss the physiology behind these differences. The faster sprinting speed in buthids are probably an adaption to escaping predators, while the endurance seen in scorpionids is probably an adaption for digging deep burrows over a longer time.

Please note that there is a correction published for this article (it is available on the article's main page). 

Abstract:
Aerobic capacity in arachnids is closely linked with considerable structural variation in their respiratory systems. However, although all scorpions are non-tracheated and possess four pairs of book lungs, they vary greatly in their locomotor activity patterns. Many nonburrowing species express short bursts of activity whereas other species dig deep burrows within hours, suggesting more aerobically fueled exercise.We hypothesized that locomotion in surface dwellers is more dependent on anaerobic ATP synthesis, and that this would be reflected in their exercise performance and functional adaptation to potential disturbance of resting-state homeostasis. We used an experimental design consisting of two surface-dwelling Buthidae species (Hottentotta judaicus and Leiurus hebraeus), a burrowing buthid (Buthus israelis) and two burrowing Scorpionidae (Scorpio fuscus and Scorpio palmatus). Maximum running speeds were higher for buthids, which were also more prone to fatigue than scorpionids. Higher respiratory exchange ratios recorded for buthids during activity and subsequent recovery indicated a higher reliance on anaerobically fueled locomotion compared with scorpionids. Our data show that quicker removal of excess CO2 resulting from anaerobic exercise and hemolymph buffering in buthids is associated with significantly higher carbonic anhydrase activity in their hemolymph, compared with that of scorpionids. Efficient CO2 emission may also contribute to the lower respiratory water losses of buthids, and thus assist in facing both biotic and abiotic challenges of surface existence, from which the scorpionid burrows provide refuge.

Reference:
Gefen E, Atiya S, David LM, Talal S. Sprinting performance is linked to surface activity in scorpions. J Exp Biol. 2026;229:jeb251978. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this article and for his comments about it. 

Scorpions are the most scary arthropod in Somaliland

 

It is well known that many animals and especially arthropods cause fear and phobias in humans (e.g. arachnophobia). Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi and co-workers have recently published a study investigating which arthropod group elicited most fear in test persons from Somaliland. The study was done by showing pictures of different arthropod groups.

Interestingly, it was scorpions that were perceived as most frightening among the respondents. This is logical, as there are some dangerous species in the Horn of Africa, but I guess this is also the case for centipedes and spiders.

Strangely, they used a picture of the North American buthid Centruroides vittatus (Say, 1821)  in the test, and not a native species like a member of the medical important genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890.

Abstract:
Spiders and other arachnids evoke fear in humans. This may be interpreted as a consequence of encounters with these venomous invertebrates during our evolutionary past. However, fear of arachnids has been poorly studied in human populations inhabiting the African savannas, where human ancestors evolved. Here, we analyzed patterns of subjective fear elicited by terrestrial invertebrates (47 species) among Somali people (207 respondents). The scorpion emerged as the most frightening of the examined species, with the giant centipede ranking second. These fears were reasonable, as both scorpions and centipedes possess venom with pronounced toxic effects and are abundant in the region. In contrast, spiders were less frequently ranked among the top  positions in reported fear. This finding further supported the view that scorpions, rather than spiders, represent the most fear-relevant arthropods in the ancestral environment of human evolution. Thus, evolutionary explanations of spider fear are further challenged.

Reference:
Elmi HSA, Frýdlová P, Janovcová M, Berti DA, Král D, Kovařík F, et al. Scorpion first: fear of arthropods in the Horn of Africa. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 2026:1–7. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Frantisek Kovarik for informing me about this article! 

A new species of the little known genus Cicileus from Algeria

 

Lotfi Derradj and co-workers recently published an article describing a new species in the little known genus Cicileus Vachon, 1948 from southern Algeria.

Cicileus derradji Yagmur, Benali & Bikada

The article has an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Cicileus derradji sp. nov., is described from Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province, southern Algeria. The description is based on an adult male holotype, an adult female paratype and a juvenile specimen, and is supported by detailed morphological analyses, including colouration, morphometrics, carination patterns and trichobothrial arrangement. This discovery extends the known distribution of the genus Cicileus approximately 500 km southwestward within Algeria. With the addition of this species, the number of recognised species in the genus increases to six. The new species is compared with all previously known species of Cicileus, and detailed colour photographs, including images taken under ultraviolet illumination, are provided.

Reference:
Derradj L, Aydın Yağmur E, Benali N, Bikada M. Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). African Zoology. 2026:1–11. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Ersen Yagmur and Noureddine Benali for informing me about their new article!

Family Buthidae