First record of the psammophilous scorpion Vachoniolus globimanus from Qatar

 

Noureddine Benali and co-workers recently published a article presenting the first findings of the psammophilous scorpion Vachoniolus globimanus Levy, Amitai & Shulov, 1973 (Buthidae) from Qatar. This sandy desert inhabiting scorpion has previously been reported from Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and more recently in Jordan.

Abstract:
We report the first confirmed record of Vachoniolus globimanus Levy, Amitai & Shulov, 1973 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the State of Qatar. The record is based on eight specimens collected from three localities during field surveys conducted between 6 June and 24 July 2026. Specimens were collected during nocturnal surveys using ultraviolet light and identified through morphological examination. This record adds Qatar to the documented geographical distribution of V. globimanus in the Arabian Peninsula and highlights the importance of continued field surveys and taxonomic studies to improve knowledge of the scorpion fauna of Qatar.

Reference:
Benali N, Al-Khulafi H, Daloul A. First record of Vachoniolus globimanus Levy, Amitai & Shulov, 1973 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Qatar. Serket. 2026;21(3):331–8. [Author supplied full text]

Thanks to Noureddine for sending me their article!

A new species of Bioculus from Baja California Sur, Mexico

 

Juan Oscar Gomez Del-Pozo amd co-workers have recently published an article with the description of a new species of Bioculus Stahnke, 1968 (Diplocentridae) from the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Bioculus nataliae Del-Pozo, Contreras-Feliz & Navarrete-Heredia, 2026 

Abstract:
A new endemic scorpion species, Bioculus nataliae sp. nov., is described from the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This discovery represents the highest elevational record for the genus, occurring at up to 1434 m a.s.l. and complements the distribution of the genus in the Baja California Peninsula.

Reference:
Del-Pozo JOG, Contreras-Félix GA, Navarrete-Heredia JL. Description of a New Species of Bioculus Stahnke, 1968 (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) from the Sierra de la Laguna, Baja California Sur. Zootaxa. 2026;5900(4):386–400. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Oscar for sending me their article!

Family Diplocentridae 

All you need to know about the scorpions of USA

 

Richard Hofstetter and co-workers have recently published a review of the knowledge about the scorpion fauna of USA. The article lists 109 species from 22 genera in the families Anuroctonidae, Buthidae, Diplocentridae, Hadruridae, Superstitioniidae, and Vaejovidae.

The article has information about distribution, habitats, taxonomy, ecology and behavior. It also has information about medical important species and their impact on human health.  

Abstract:
Scorpions represent an ecologically important arthropod lineage, yet their diversity, biology, and management in the United States remain incompletely synthesized. With origins more than 430 million years ago, scorpions have diversified into roughly 24 families and over 2,900 species worldwide, occupying habitats from deserts to forests. In US ecosystems, scorpions function as both predators and prey, regulating arthropod communities while supporting higher trophic levels. Although research on venom biology, taxonomy, and human–scorpion interactions has expanded, national-scale treatments of scorpion systematics, distributions, ecology, conservation, and management are lacking. Here, we document 109 scorpion species in 22 genera in 6 families in the United States: Anuroctonidae, Buthidae, Diplocentridae, Hadruridae, Superstitioniidae, and Vaejovidae, and summarize family-level morphology, species richness, habitat associations, and geographic ranges, highlighting patterns of endemism, restricted distributions, and ongoing taxonomic change. We review key aspects of scorpion ecology, behavior, and venom severity, and outline identification features useful for natural resource professionals and the public. We discuss stings by scorpions and human health, as well as management and conservation considerations, including habitat alteration, human–wildlife interactions, and the need for updated distributional and ecological data. This synthesis aims to improve awareness of scorpion diversity and ecological roles in the United States and support future research and management efforts.

Reference:
Hofstetter RW, Uhey DA, Totty J, Henning A, Chapman C. Scorpions of the United States: species, distribution, ecology, and management. J Integr Pest Manag. 2026;17(1). [Open Access]

A new species of Liocheles from India

 

Saurabh Kininge and co-workere have recently published an article with the description of a new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hormuridae) from Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha in India.

Liocheles similipalensis Kininge, Thackeray, Gogineni & Khandekar, 2026 

Abstract:
A new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 is described based on male and female specimens collected from Similipal Tiger Reserve, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India. The new species can be easily distinguished from all six known congeners by combination of non-overlapping morphological characters such as carinae and granulation morphology of pedipalp and metasomal segments, median eye ratios. The discovery of Liocheles similipalensis sp. n., elevate the total number of species of the genus to seven and represent the fourth species to be described from India. The current study also highlights the need of systematic surveys along with detailed morphological and molecular studies to uncover true diversity and distribution of the genus, and clarity on published distributional records of L. nigripes (Pocock, 1897) and/or L. australasiae (Fabricus, 1775) which are likely to be part of species complexes.

Reference:
Kininge S, Thackeray T, Gogineni PC, Khandekar A. A new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) from Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha, India. Euscorpius. 2026(443):1–14. [Open Access]

Family Hormuridae 

A new species of Chaerilus from Thailand

 

Eric Ythier and co-workers recently described a new species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Chaerilidae) from Koh Pha Ngan island in Thailand.

Chaerilus phangan Ythier, Kosulic & Lourenco, 2026

Abstract:
A new scorpion species of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae) is described from the island of Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand. Chaerilus phangan sp. n. is diagnosed and compared with its closely related congeners known from the Thai mainland and surrounding regions. Consistent with recent findings within the genus, the new species exhibits subtle but diagnosable morphological differentiation, emphasizing the importance of detailed comparative morphology for resolving localized diversity in Southeast Asian Chaerilus. The discovery of this insular taxon raises the total number of confirmed Chaerilus species in Thailand to six.

Reference:
Ythier E, Košulič O, Lourenco WR. A new species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from the island of Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Arachnology. 2026;20(6):753–7. [Author supplied full text]

Thanks to Eric for informing me about this article!

Family Chaerilidae