A new study of the Isometrus in India with a description of five new species

 

Shubhankar Deshpande and co-workers have recently published a major study of the Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) in India. Five new species are described from the southern parts of the country.

NB! The Year for these was corrected 18.12.23 to 2024 as the article is labeled 2024. Thanks to Gerard Dupre for noticing!

 Isometrus adviteeya Deshpande, Gowande, Dandekar, Joshi, Bastawade & Sulakhe, 2024

Isometrus anamalaiensis Deshpande, Gowande, Dandekar, Joshi, Bastawade & Sulakhe, 2024

Isometrus lithophilis Deshpande, Gowande, Dandekar, Joshi, Bastawade & Sulakhe, 2024

Isometrus palani Deshpande, Gowande, Dandekar, Joshi, Bastawade & Sulakhe, 2024

Isometrus thenmala Deshpande, Gowande, Dandekar, Joshi, Bastawade & Sulakhe, 2024

In addition, the following taxonomical changes have been made:

Odontobuthus atherii (Amir & Kamaluddin, 2008) (New combination). Previsously in the genus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972.

Odontobuthus liaqatii (Amir & Kamaluddin, 2008) (New combination). Previsously in the genus Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828.

Isometrus formosus Pocock, 1893 is declared as nomen dubium.

The article has an indedification key for the genus in India and also descriptions and habitat information and pictures.

Abstract:
The Western and Eastern Ghats of the Peninsular India are known for their high biological diversity, which is shaped due to various geological barriers and environmental parameters. Scorpion diversity in Peninsular India remains poorly known thereby warranting a need to undertake rigorous arachnological surveys. In our continued effort to discover scorpion lineages hitherto unknown to science, we describe five new species of the genus Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 which were obtained from southern India, and discuss morphological, molecular and ecological discordance within this genus. The validity of Reddyanus atherii Amir and Kamaluddin, 2008, Isometrus liaqatii Amir and Kamaluddin, 2008 and Isometrus formosus Pocock, 1894 is also commented upon, with implications to propose taxonomic changes within the genus.

Reference:
Deshpande S, Gowande G, Dandekar N, Joshi M, Bastawade D, Sulakhe S. A baffling case of morphological, molecular and ecological discordance in Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with the description of five new species from southern India. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 2024;308:71-98. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae