Frantisek Kovarik has recently publish an overview of the family Buthidae in Angola. In addition to some updates in distribution, several taxonomical decisions are made.
Uroplectes angolensis Kovarik, 2026 [New species]
Uroplectes xavieri Kovarik, 2026 [New species]
Uroplectes monardi Vachon, 1950 [Confirmed species status and raised from subspecies status. This decision cancels the synonymization made by Prendini, 2026]
Uroplectes planimanus kuanyamarus Monard, 1937 [Synonymized with main species]
Uroplectes otjimbinguensis massacarum Monard, 1937 [Synonymized with main species]
Babycurus crassicaudatus Roewer, 1952 [Restored from synonymy with B. ansorgei Roewer, 1952]
The author has a general comment on all the taxonomical changes and synonymies done by Prendini, 2026.
"Some of the synonymies suggested by Prendini (2026) could be valid (...) However, every individual claim made by Prendini (2026) must be verified by a serious revision rather than accepting his sweeping taxonomic changes. Some of these changes originate from this author‘s "philosophical“" position of "abolishing" categories of subgenus and subspecies in scorpions."
As this is the first published general response to Prendni's major revision, I have include a direct quote of Kovarik's opinion. See also The Scorpion Files latest response to the situation.
Abstract:
All scorpion species of the family Buthidae known from Angola are listed, with color photographs and maps of their distribution. Diagnosis of Babycurus ansorgei Hirst, 1911 is revised; its male is described for the first time. Babycurus crassicaudatus Roewer, 1952, is revalidated (it was erroneously synonymized with B. ansorgei, since the females of both species are morphologically almost identical). Uroplectes angolensis sp. n. and U. xavieri sp. n. are described from Angola. Validity of Uroplectes ngangelarum Monard, 1930 is confirmed as different from U. planimanus (Karsch, 1879); its lectotype is designated. Lectotype is also designated for Uroplectes planimanus kuanyamarus Monard, 1937. Females of Uroplectes ebogo Kovařík et al., 2024 are recorded for the first time; its basal pectines are imaged (Fig. 603). Uroplectes machadoi Lourenço, 2000 is for the first time listed from Congo (Brazzaville).
Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of Angola (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part I. Family Buthidae, with descriptions of two new species. Euscorpius. 2026(434):1–86.
Thanks to Frantisek for informing me about his article and for comments regarding the new Prendini revision!
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