Studies of the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 (Buthidae) in Europe and North Africa the last decade have revealed many micro-endemic species that previously were included in the species-complex Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789) Sensu lato. Eric Ythier and Leo Laborieux have now published a new species in the genus from the mountain crest of the Sainte-Baume Massif, in the South of France.
Buthus balmensis Ythier & Laborieux, 2022
The article has an indentification key for the three French species of Buthus.
Abstract:
A new species of Buthus is described on the basis of three specimens collected on the mountain crest of the Sainte-Baume Massif, in the South of France. Buthus balmensis sp. n. is mainly characterized by a general coloration yellowish with a dark univittate pattern on tergites, chela fingers with lobe/notch combination obsolete, a size slightly larger than other species occurring in France (B. occitanus (Amoreux, 1789) and B. pyrenaeus Ythier, 2021), the male slightly smaller than female but with metasoma longer and heavier than in female, pedipalp chela manus swollen and wider than patella in both sexes, metasomal segment I as wide as long in male and longer than wide in female, and a reduced granulation on body and metasoma. The new species shows affinities with B. pyrenaeus (most similar species) and B. occitanus but can be easily distinguished from these two species by a combination of several key characters. This new scorpion taxon represents the 3rd known species of the genus Buthus reported from France and the 18th reported from Western Europe. Maps of the geographical distribution of Buthus species in France is presented and a key for their identification is provided. The presence of B. pyrenaeus in Spain is also herewith confirmed.
Reference:
Ythier E, Laborieux L. The genus Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in France with description of a new species from the Sainte-Baume Massif. Faunitaxys. 2022;10(47):1-13. [Open Access]
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