A new species of Androctonus from Turkey

 

Ersen Yagmur has recently published a new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the Iğdır Province in Turkey.

Androctonus kunti Yagmur, 2023

The new species should be considered medically important as its close relative A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807).

Abstract:
A new species Androctonus kunti sp. n. is described and illustrated from Iğdır Province of Turkey. This population was first recorded by Birula (1896) as A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807). A. kunti sp. n. is compared with A. crassicauda as well as A. turkiyensis Yağmur, 2021, which was recently described from Turkey.

Reference:
Yagmur EA. Androctonus kunti sp. n. from Iğdır Province, Turkey (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2023(371):1-23. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me his new article!

Family Buthidae

An updated list of the scorpion fauna of Algeria

 

Gerard Dupre and co-workers have recently published an article with an updated list of the scorpion taxa recorded from Algeria.

The article is published in French.

Abstract:
A faunistic inventory is proposed for the known Algerian scorpion species. The aim of this contribution is to bring an up-to-date checklist of all known species in Algeria. As results, 54 species of scorpions are recorded in this huge expanse, distributed in 3 families. The family Buthidae is the most represented by 46 species, family Scorpionidae represented by one genus and 6 species/subspecies. While family Euscorpiidae includes two species introduced from its European origin. The endemic species represent more than 59%.

Reference:
Dupre G, El Bouhissi  M, Sadine SE. La faune des scorpions d'Algerie. Arachnides. 2023(108):1-16. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard for publishing the open access journal Arachnides on The Scorpion Files!

The phylogenetic relationship among two species of genus Nebo from Saudi Arabia and Middle East

 

The genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Diplocentridae) consists of nine species distributed across Arabia and the Middle East. Due to few specimens available and complicated morphological characters, the taxonomical status of this genus is unresolved. 

Abdulaziz Alqahtani and co-workers have recently published a phylogenetic analysis of the species Nebo hierichonticus (Simon, 1872) and Nebo yemenensis Francke, 1980 from Saudi Arabia and from Palestine. Their analysis show that there are variations both within and between the two species and this may be an indication of undiscovered, cryptic species. More studies are necessary to confirm this.

Abstract:
Background The genus Nebo has been identified as a medically important scorpion species distributed across Arabia and the Middle East. However, its taxonomic status remains unclear.
Aim The molecular phylogeny of two Nebo species from Saudi Arabia and comparative sequences from Palestine is presented based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
Methodology Scorpion specimens were collected from two different localities, mainly the Southern part of Saudi Arabia. Then, DNA was extracted, amplified using invertebrate universal primers, and sequenced to identify the COI gene. The obtained sequences were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees based on maximum parsimony, neighborjoining, and Bayesian inference were constructed.
Results The inferred phylogeny indicates the monophyletic status of the family Diplocentridae and its subfamily Nebinae and Diplocentrinae. Also, the phylogenetic analyses support the existence of interspecific and intraspecific variations among/ within Nebo hierichonticus and Nebo yemenensis which may indicate distinct species.
Conclusion Further morphological studies with additional specimens from the Arabian Peninsula may reveal possible undiscovered and cryptic species.

Reference:
Alqahtani AR, Alotaibi NJ, Aly H, Badry A. The phylogenetic relationship among two species of genus Nebo (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) from Saudi Arabia and Middle East. BMC Zool. 2023;8(1):4. [Open Access]

Family Diplocentridae

The presence of potential dangerous scorpions in historical sites

 

Old historical buildings and ruins are popular habitats for many scorpions and sometimes also for potentially dangerous species. Tourists and other visitors are often not aware of this and may end up being stung.

 Jonas Martins and Rudi Procopio have recently published a short note informing about the presence of the potent species Tityus dinizi Lourenço, 1997 (Buthidae) in the historic site of Paricatuba in the state of Amazonas in Brazil.

Abstract:
No abstract.

Reference:
Martins J, Procopio R. Scorpions (Tityus dinizi) in a Historical Site of the State of Amazonas, Brazil: Scorpions Among Historic Ruin. Wilderness Environ Med. 2022. 33 (4): 492-93. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Jonas Martins for sending me their article!

Redescription of Orthochirus stockwelli from Iran

 

 Ersen Yagmur and co-workers have recently published a redescription of Orthochirus stockwelli (Lourenco & Vachon, 1995) (Buthidae) from Iran. The article also present the first description of a female.

Abstract:
Orthochirus stockwelli (Lourenço & Vachon, 1995) was originally described based on male holotype specimen from Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan) under the genus Paraorthochirus. The morphology of this species is redescribed here based on the specimens collected from Bandar-Abbas on the basis of both sexes. The original description includes a female, but very little information was given on its morphology and does not include illustration belonging to the female. Therefore, the female is described for the first  time in this study.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Akbari A, Moradi M, Jafari N. On the Morphology of Orthochirus stockwelli (Lourenço & Vachon, 1995) with First Description of a Female (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Commagene Journal of Biology. 2023;7:44-9. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

The diversity patterns of Egyptian scorpions in relation to climatic and spatial predictors

 

Understanding the biological diversity of scorpions in different habitats is important. Andre Lira and co-workers have recently published an article trying to evaluate the diversity patterns of Egyptian scorpions in relation to climatic and spatial predictors. See abstract below to learn more about the study and its results.

Abstract:
Drylands correspond to ca. 40% of the world’s land surface. Because of their ecological importance, these areas are regularly considered for agricultural purposes. Scorpion assemblages often exhibit higher levels of species diversity in dry habitats and are beneficial indicators in ecological studies in such environments. In this study, we investigated the effects of climatic and spatial predictors on beta diversity patterns among scorpion assemblages distributed in the drylands of Egypt. Scorpion occurrences were compiled from the scientific literature. For each location, we created a set of climatic variables related to precipitation, temperature, and solar irradiation, as well as spatial predictors. A total of 134 scorpion occurrences were obtained, comprising 21 species grouped into three families. Climatic and spatial variables together influenced the patterns of scorpion diversity in Egyptian landscapes. Species replacement accounted for 69% of the total beta diversity. In addition, species replacement was positively affected by climatic and spatial variables. Our results suggest a reciprocal link between the region’s ecological history and the patterns of beta diversity observed in scorpion assemblages from Egyptian drylands.

Reference:
Lira AF, Foerster SÍ, Badry A. Living in a desert: examining scorpion beta diversity in Egyptian drylands from a macroecological perspective. African Zoology. 2023:1-11. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Andre for sending me their article!