Centruroides preying on large centipede in Arizona

Scorpions are omnivore predators catching a wide range of preys, even though preferring soft bodied prey species. Many scorpions are mainly using their claws to control and kill their prey, while others are using the stinger and their venom. Scorpions will catch and eat other scorpions, and will also prey on other venomous animals if they have the chance.

Michael Webber and Matthew Graham recently published an interesting short note in Western North American Naturalist reporting about a Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing, 1928 (Buthidae) preying on the venomous Sonoran Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha) in Arizona (USA).

Abstract:
Arizona bark scorpions (Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing) are commonly found throughout the Sonoran Desert in southwestern North America, and they are well known for being the most venomous scorpion in the United States. Despite their medical significance, C. sculpturatus remains ecologically understudied, and little is known regarding its natural foraging and feeding behaviors. Here, we present the first documented case of C. sculpturatus feeding on the Sonoran Desert centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha Wood) in the wild.

Reference:
Webber MM, Graham MR. An Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) found consuming a venomous prey item nearly twice its length. Western North American Naturalist. 2013 Dec;73(4):530-2. [Subscription required for full text]

Two new species of Pandinus from East and Central Africa

After many decades of neglect, the genus Pandinus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpionidae) has again gained  by scientists. Kovarik, 2009 provided a complete revision of the genus, and now Andrea Rossi has published two new species from East and Central Africa.

Pandinus nistriae Rossi, 2014 (Djibouti)

Pandinus ulderigoi Rossi, 2014 (Central African Republic)

New distributional data are provided for a couple of species in the genus. An updated identification key for the subgenera Pandinus and Pandinurus is presented.

Abstract:
A synopsis about the distribution of Pandinus (Pandinus) Thorell, 1876 and Pandinus (Pandinurus) Fet, 1997 is proposed. Two new species are described: Pandinus nistriae sp. n. from Djibouti and Pandinus ulderigoi sp. n. from Central African Republic. Pandinus nistriae sp. n. is also the first record of the genus Pandinus and the family Scorpionidae from Djibouti. The description of Pandinus ulderigoi sp. n. confirms the presence of this genus in Central African Republic, although the exact localities remain unknown. In addition, new localities are reported for Pandinus ugandaensis Kovařík, 2011 in Uganda and Pandinus gambiensis Pocock, 1899 in Mali. An identification key and an updated check-list of all the species of the subgenera Pandinus and Pandinurus are given.

Reference:
Rossi A. Notes on the distribution of Pandinus (Pandinus) Thorell, 1876 and Pandinus (Pandinurus) Fet, 1997 with the descriptions of two new species from Central African Republic. Onychium. 2014;10 (2013):10-31.

Thanks to Andrea Rossi for sending me his article!

Family Scorpionidae

A genetic study of the medical relevant genus Androctonus in North Africa

The genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) contains the most medical important scorpions of North Africa. Because of this it is very important to study the different populations of Androctonus' taxonomy, venom composition and phylogeographical patterns.

Coelho and co-workers have now published an interesting study on the genetics of several species and populations in North Africa. This paper show many important results and will be an important basis for further studies into the taxonomy and the venom of the different taxa. See abstract for further details.

Abstract:
The genus Androctonus, commonly known as fat-tailed scorpions, contains 22 species distributed from Togo and Mauritania in the west, North Africa, through the Middle East and to as far east as India. With 13 species, a substantial amount of this genus’ diversity occurs in North Africa, which is a major hotspotof scorpion sting incidents. Androctonus are among the most medically relevant animals in North Africa.Since venom composition within species is known to vary regionally, the improvement of therapeutic management depends on a correct assessment of the existing regional specific and sub-specific variation. In this study, we assessed the phylogeographical patterns in six species of Androctonus scorpions from North Africa using mitochondrial DNA markers. We sequenced COX1, 12S, 16S and ND1 genes from110 individuals. Despite lacking basal resolution in the tree, we found taxonomical and geographically coherent clades. We discovered deep intraspecific variation in the widespread Androctonus amoreuxi and Androctonus australis, which consisted of several well-supported clades. Genetic distances between some of these clades are as high as those found between species. North African A. australis have a deep split in Tunisia around the Chott el-Djerid salt-lake. A novel split between A. amoreuxi scorpions was found in Morocco. We also found deep divergences in Androctonus mauritanicus, corresponding to areas attributed to invalidated subspecies. In addition we uncovered a clade of specimens from coastal south Morocco, which could not be ascribed to any know species using morphological characters. Based on these findings we recommend a reassessment of venom potency and anti-venom efficacy between these deep intraspecific divergent clades.

Reference:
Coelho P, Sousa P, Harris DJ, van der Meijden A. Deep intraspecific divergences in the medically-relevant fat-tailed scorpions (Androctonus, Scorpiones). Acta Trop. 2014 Feb 10;134:43-51. [Subscritpion required for full text]

Thanks to Arie van der Meijden for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

The history of scorpion research in the 20th and 21st centuries

Very old photo showing Louis Fage (seated) and Max Vachon (standing behind him), examining scorpions in the National Museum of Natural History, Paris. Photo published in the newspaper Le Figaro Litteraire on July 19, 1952.

Wilson Lourenco has recently published a very informative article about the history of scorpion research and studies in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Abstract:
This work provides historical context about scorpion studies from the end of the 19th century to the present day. The content is mainly addressed to non-zoologists, working in research fields that embrace scorpion biology, notably to those working with venoms and toxins. The historical aspects described include academic professional scholars who worked on scorpion classification and general distribution patterns; and to a lesser extent, on studies of ecology and natural history. The aim is not to provide an exhaustive description of all scholars who in one way or another became involved with scorpions, but rather of those who greatly contributed during a given period to the research of these organisms. No critical analysis of the work of previous researchers is undertaken, but some comments are proposed to bring clarification on ‘who’s who’. Since a global consensus in relation to classification and/or distribution patterns has not been reached among modern experts, these different approaches are also presented without judgment. Consequently, distinct approaches remain open for discussion.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A historical approach to scorpion studies with special reference to the 20th and 21st centuries. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2014 Mar 11;20(1):8-25. [Free full text]

A new species of Chactas from Peru

A new species of Chactas Gervais, 1844 has been described from Peru.

Andrea Rossi has recently described a new species of Chactas Gervais, 1844 (Chactidae) from Peru.

Chactas adornellae Rossi, 2014

The paper have an identification key for species in the genus from Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.

Abstract:
Although the presence of the genus Chactas Gervais, 1844 in Peru was reported by MELLO-LEITÃO (1945), this record remained confused and not confirmed until LOURENÇO & DASTYCH (2001) discovered two specimens from Central Peru (respectively from the regions of Ucayali and Pasco) and described them as a new species: Chactas koepckei Lourenço & Dastych, 2001. In the present work, a second species, Chactas adornellae sp. n., based on a single male specimen, is described from Satipo Province, in the Junín region, where scorpions of the genus Chactas were never regarded. Chactas adornellae sp. n. represents the most southern species of the genus. An identification key of Chactas species from Brazil, Ecuador and Peru is proposed.

Reference:
Rossi A. On the genus Chactas Gervais, 1844 in Peru with the description of a new species (Scorpiones: Chactidae). Onychium. 2014;10 (2013):3-9.

Thanks to Andrea Rossi for sending me his article!

Family Chactidae

A review of the family Bothriuridae

A representative for the family Bothriuridae, probably a species in the genus Bothriurus. Photo: Jan Ove Rein (C)

Here follows the final report from Kovarik & Ojanguren Affilastro's new book Illustrated Catalog of Scorpions, Part II. Bothriuridae; Chaerilidae; Buthidae I., genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. The sixth blog post from the book sums up the the news concerning the family Bothiuridae

Taxonomical changes in Bothriuridae:

There are actually no new species or synonymization in this review of the family Bothriuridae. A few species are declared nomen dubium:

Brachistosternus castroi Mello-Leitão, 1940 

Brachistosternus simoneae Lourenço, 2000

Cercophonius himalayensis Lourenço, 1996

Thestylus signatus Mello-Leitão, 1931

An identification key for the family and all the genera in the family is provided.

Reference:
Ojanguren Affilastro AA. Family Bothriuridae. In: Kovarik F, Ojanguren Affilastro AA, editors. Illustrated catalogue of scorpions Part II Bothriuridae: Buthidae I, genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. Prague: Clarion Productions; 2013. p. 6-131.

A review of the genus Lychas

A Lychas asper female from Tanzania. Photo: Jan Ove Rein (C).

Another report from Kovarik & Ojanguren Affilastro's new book Illustrated Catalog of Scorpions, Part II. Bothriuridae; Chaerilidae; Buthidae I., genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. The fifth blog post from the book sums up the the news concerning the genus Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae).

Taxonomical changes in Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae):

 New species:

Lychas armasi Kovarik, 2013 (Papua New Guinea)

Lychas cernickai Kovarik, 2013 (Laos)

Synonymization:

Lychas ceylonensis Lourenco & Huber, 1999 is synonymized with L. srilankensis Lourenco, 1997

Lychas eliseanneae Lourenco, 2011 is synonymized with L. shelfordi (Borelli, 1904)

Lychas feae (Thorell, 1889) is synonymized with L. shoplandi (Oates, 1888)

Lychas kaimana Lourenco, 2011 is declared nomen dubium. Lychas aberlenci Lourenco, 2013 is not mentioned in Kovarik's review. It is possible that this species was published after the manuscript for the book was finished or that Kovarik got it too late to include it into the text.

The chapter on Lychas has a section on observations on captive specimens in the genus.

An identification key for the genus is provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Family Buthidae. In: Kovarik F, Ojanguren Affilastro AA, editors. Illustrated catalogue of scorpions Part II Bothriuridae: Buthidae I, genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. Prague: Clarion Productions; 2013. p. 145-212.

Family Buthidae

A review of the genus Isometrus

A beatiful, unidentified Isometrus species from India. Photo. Aamod Zambre (C).

After a long break, I'm back going through Kovarik & Ojanguren Affilastro's new book Illustrated Catalog of Scorpions, Part II. Bothriuridae; Chaerilidae; Buthidae I., genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus and here is the fourth taxonomical update from the book.

Taxonomical changes in Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae):

 New species:

Isometrus feti Kovarik, 2013 (Indonesia)

Isometrus jendeki Kovarik, 2013 (Malaysia)

Isometrus neradi Kovarik, 2013 (Thailand)

Synonymization:

Isometrus haninanensis Lourenco, 2005 is synonymized with I. petrzelkai Kovarík, 2003

Isometrus lao Lourenco & Leguin, 2012 is synonymized with I. petrzelkai Kovarík, 2003

The species I. atherii Amir & Kamaluddin, 2008 and I. liaqatii Amir & Kamaluddin, 2008 are not mentioned i Kovarik's review. I'm not sure why. Personally, I think these taxa should be considered nomen dubium as it is possible to raise questions on the quality of the article describing them (e. g. the picture of the new species probably showing a specimens belonging to another genera). The two species will be listed as normal in The Scorpion Files until anyone publish a formal change of status for them.

The chapter on Isometrus has a section on observations on captive specimens in the genus.

An identification key for the genus is provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Family Buthidae. In: Kovarik F, Ojanguren Affilastro AA, editors. Illustrated catalogue of scorpions Part II Bothriuridae: Buthidae I, genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. Prague: Clarion Productions; 2013. p. 145-212.

Family Buthidae