A new genus and three new species in the family Scorpionidae from Jordan

 

Bassam Abu Afifeh and co-workers recently published a revision of the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 (Scorpionidae) in Jordan. The widespread genus had only one species for many decades, but were poorly studied. In recent years the genus has been studies by several authors and many new species have been described, conforming previous suspicions that Scorpio maurus Linné, 1758 was a species complex hiding many cryptic species. 

The revision of the Scorpio from Jordan has resulted in a new genus and three new species.

Jordanius Afifeh, Yagmur, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2024 (new genus)

Jordanius maysaraensis Afifeh, Yagmur, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2024 (new species)

Scorpio jordanensis Afifeh, Yagmur, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2024 (new species)

Scorpio wahbehi Afifeh, Yagmur, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2024 (new species)

Jordanius granulomanus (Al-Saraireh, Yagmur, Afifeh & Amr, 2023) is transferred to the new genus from Scorpio.

In addition, Scorpio propinquus (Simon, 1872) is considered nomen dubium.

The article has an identification key for the Scorpionidae taxa found in Jordan. 

Abstract:
Several new Scorpio populations are studied from various habitats in Jordan, including specimens previously identified as Scorpio kruglovi Birula, 1910 and S. fuscus (Ehrenberg, 1829). A new scorpionid genus, Jordanius gen. n. is described, mainly differentiated from the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 by the elongation and heavy patterns of granulation of chela manus, and granulated chela fingers. Scorpio granulomanus Al-Saraireh et al., 2023 is transferred to the new genus, and Jordanius maysaraensis gen. et sp. n. is described. Also, Scorpio jordanensis sp. n. and S. wahbehi sp. n. are described. Detailed redescriptions and illustrations of S. palmatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) and S. fuscus (Ehrenberg, 1829) are given. A neotype of S. palmatus from Alexandria, Egypt and a neotype of S. fuscus from Lebanon are designated. A key to the family Scorpionidae in Jordan and comments on dubious or incorrect records from Jordan are provided. Lastly, S. propinquus is suggested as nomen dubium.

Reference:
Afifeh BA, Yagmur EA, Al-Saraireh M, Amr Z. Revision of the genus Scorpio in Jordan, with a description of a new genus and three new species (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Euscorpius. 2024(391):1-66. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae