A new medical significant Tityus species from Argentina

 

The genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) contains some of the most medical significant species in South America and in the world. One the the most infamous species is Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin 1898, a species known to cause death and serious morbidity in parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

Andrés Alejandro Ojanguren Affilastro and co-workers have recently done a taxonomic and phylogenic study of Tityus trivittatus. Their study shows that the poplations of T. trivittatus in Argentia is acutally a separate species.

Tityus carrilloi Ojanguren Affilastro, 2021 (Argentina)

We know that the new species is medically significant because this has been documented for these populations previously (as Tityus trivittatus). The discovery of this new species is important, as the venom content of T. trivittatus and T. carrilloi vary and this may have consequences for the treatment of sting patients. 

This is an important study as knowledge about the taxonomy of venomous species is important both for treatment and prevention and control.

Abstract:
Tityus trivittatus is considered the most medically important scorpion species of southern South America. In this contribution we redefine its taxonomy, redescribe the species and separate the southern populations as a new species, Tityus carrilloi n. sp. As a consequence of this description, the most medically important species of the region turns out to be the new species herein described. We also clearly establish the phylogenetic position of both species through a dated molecular phylogenetic analysis based on four genes. Finally, we discuss the differences of the venom between the two species, and the epidemiologic implications of our results on the scorpionism problem in the region.

Reference:
Ojanguren A, Kochalka J, Orellana D, Garcete Barrett BR, Borges A, Ceccarelli F. Redefinition of the identity and phylogenetic position of Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin 1898, and description of Tityus carrilloi n. sp. (Scorpiones; Buthidae), the most medically important scorpion of southern South America. Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, Nueva Serie. 2021;23:27-55. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae