New locality records and potential distribution in the future of Sassanidotus gracilis in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt

 

 Ersen Yagmur and co-workers have recently published an article with new new locality records for Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Buthidae) in Iran. There is very little information about the potential distribution of this species in Iran and neighboring countries. The author present a potential distribution of this species in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt based on analysis of the future habitat suitability for this species.

Abstract:
This study reports new locality records from Iran and a climate-based habitat suitability assessment for Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt. We document new specimens from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, with an updated distribution map and illustrations, and we model the species’ potential distribution across south-eastern Iran and adjacent parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Habitat suitability was associated mainly with precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, and slope. In an arid setting these rainfall variables are unlikely to indicate a need for moist habitat; they more plausibly track seasonal productivity and the terrain features that provide shelter. Present-day suitable areas were concentrated in south-eastern Iran, particularly Sistan and Baluchestan, and extended into south-western Afghanistan and western Pakistan.
Projections under SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 indicated that suitable habitat persists across most core areas but is redistributed over time. Net change was small and negative under every scenario, from about −0.4% to −7.0% of the present suitable area, with the largest reduction under SSP5-8.5 for 2071–2100. These net values were accompanied by high spatial turnover: even in the near-future period about 44% of the present suitable area was reclassified as unsuitable while a comparable area became newly suitable. Disagreement among climate models was large and grew with time and emission level (mean coefficient of variation 28–75%), so the net changes are of similar or smaller magnitude than the projection uncertainty and should be read as evidence of spatial reorganization rather than precise area loss.

The species therefore seems likely to keep much of its suitable habitat, although the high-emission scenario points to more fragmentation late in the century. Because a dispersal-limited scorpion may have limited ability to rapidly reach newly suitable areas, the predicted areas are best treated as hypotheses for survey rather than forecasts of occupancy. They identify priority targets in poorly sampled parts of south-eastern Iran, western Pakistan and adjacent Afghanistan.

Reference:
Yağmur EA, Çiçek K, Barati H, Moradi M. New locality records and future habitat suitability of Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900)(Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt. Euscorpius. 2026(440):1–19. [Open Access]

Trends in species richness and abundance in Central Algerian Sahara during a 10 year period

 

Getting data on changes in biodiversity of scorpions and other arthropods in a region over time is important. These data can be related to factors like climate and human impact. Salah Eddine Sadine and co-workers have recently published a study of the trends in scorpion richness, abundance and community structure in Central Algerian Sahara during 10 years.

Interestingly, the scorpion richness increased significantly during the observation period. The authors do not believe that this is a result of increased biodiversity, but rather reflects the increased and improved taxonomical research in the last decades that has revealed several new, but already existing taxa. 

Total abundance showed strong variability between the years in the study period, but without a clear temporal trend. The authors concludes that this may indicate  indicating a decoupling between richness and overall population size. See abstract and article for more information and details.

Abstract:
Understanding long-term temporal dynamics of desert arthropod communities is essential for evaluating ecosystem responses to environmental variability. This study investigates decadal changes (2014–2024) in species richness, abundance, diversity, and assemblage composition of scorpions in the central Algerian Sahara. Annual species abundance data were analyzed using diversity indices and multivariate approaches. Temporal turnover in species composition was assessed using Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, linear regression, and SIMPER analysis to identify species contributing to assemblage change. Species richness increased substantially over the study period, rising from four species in 2014 to eleven species in 2024, but this rise likely reflects improved taxonomic knowledge and more complete inventories rather than a recent ecological colonization. In contrast, total abundance showed strong interannual variability without a clear temporal trend, indicating a decoupling between richness and overall population size. Diversity indices increased progressively, with higher Shannon and Simpson values in later years, reflecting reduced dominance and greater evenness, although both indices reached minimum values in 2019. Temporal β-diversity revealed moderate interannual turnover (mean dissimilarity = 0.22) and a non-significant decline through time, suggesting gradual assemblage reorganization. SIMPER analysis indicated that temporal change was mainly driven by shifts in dominance, particularly the decline of Androctonus amoreuxi and changes in secondary species such as Buthacus samiae and Lissothus chaambi. Overall, scorpion assemblages exhibited increasing richness and diversity with moderate turnover, driven primarily by changes in species dominance rather than widespread species replacement.

Reference:
Sadine SE, Zebsa R, Bensakhri Z, Souilem Z, Rouari L, Houhamdi M, et al. A Decade of Change: Trends in Scorpion Richness, Abundance, and Community Structure in Central Algerian Sahara. Diversity. 2026;18(7). [Open Access]

Thanks to André for informing me about their study.  

New location and DNA barcoding of Euscorpius vailatii from Trizonia Island in Greece)

 

 Konstantinos Kalaentzis and co-workers recently published a new, insular location of Euscorpius vailatii Tropea & Fet, 2015 (Euscorpiidae) from Trizonia Island in Greece. Molcular data was also collect from the species and a phylogenetic analysis is presented.

Abstract:
Euscorpius vailatii Tropea & Fet, 2015 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), originally described from Aitoloakarnania and Fokida (Greece), is herein reported from Trizonia Island in the Gulf of Corinth, representing the first insular record for the species. The examined specimens are consistent with the diagnostic morphology of E. vailatii. The first molecular data for the species are provided, based on both mainland and insular populations. Comparative analyses further highlight the distinctiveness of E. vailatii from geographically close congeners, while phylogenetic results indicate a sister-taxon relationship with E. erymanthius, supporting a Quaternary biogeographic history shaped by the evolution of the Gulf of Corinth system.

Reference:
Kalaentzis K, Frigioni F, Panagiotopoulos A, Tzoras E, Minoudi S, Triantafyllidis A. First insular record and DNA barcoding of Euscorpius vailatii Tropea & Fet, 2015 from Trizonia Island (Fokida, Greece). Euscorpius. 2026;2026(439):1–6. [Open Access]

Family Euscorpiidae 

Delayed Cannibalism in the Brazilian Scorpion Mesotityus pusillus

 

The life as young scorpions are risky and the death rate of young scorpions are quite high. Cannibalism is common in scorpions and it seems that also mother scorpion will prey on their own offspring.  

Lizbeth Sarai Rodríguez‑Medina and co-workers have recently published a study on female cannibalism in the litter-dwelling scorpion  Mesotityus pusillus (Pocock, 1893) (Buthidae) from Brazil. [The genus name for the species is based on Prendini (2026), and the current use name of this taxa in The Scorpion Files is Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893.]

The study tested if there were differences in offspring discrimination in females (own offspring vs. non-related offspring). Interestingly, there were no differences in predation occurrence and the proportion
of juveniles consumed in the two groups. 

One interesting difference was observed. When females were together with their own offspring, it took longer time for any cannibalism occurred. Even though this difference was quite small, the authors suggest that kin recognition could be one of the explanations for the observed delay.

Abstract:
The small size and limited defensive capacity are factors responsible for the high mortality  of juveniles. Thus, offspring recognition is an important trait for juvenile survival, especially in generalist predators. In this study, we investigated aspects
related to offspring discrimination in females of the scorpion Mesotityus pusillus. A total of 172 juveniles from 32 females were divided into two groups: females with their own offspring and females with unrelated juveniles. Predation events were recorded
daily for 20 days. Predation occurrence and the proportion of juveniles consumed did not differ significantly between groups. Females with their own offspring tended to take longer to initiate predation than females exposed to unrelated juveniles, although this difference was not statistically significant. Our results reveal differences in the timing of cannibalistic behavior without providing clear evidence for consistent

Reference:
Rodríguez-Medina LS, de Araujo Lira AF, Pordeus LM. Delayed Cannibalism in the Litter-Dwelling Scorpion Mesotityus pusillus (Pocock, 1893)(Scorpiones, Buthidae): Evaluating Kin Recognition as a Possible Explanation. Journal of Insect Behavior. 2026;39(2):20. [Open Access]