A study of the venom proteome of the buthid Hottentotta judaicus

 

Adolfo Borges and co-workers recently published a study of the venom proteome of Hottentotta judaicus (Simon, 1872) (Buthidae). The study identified 55 components across 15 protein families, with ion channel toxins and enzymes predominating. 

This stuff is not within my scorpion competence, but I understand that the results are expanding the  repertoire of potential bioactive components prompts in the venom and that H. judaicus venom may pose a larger risk to human than previously assumed, especially for children or those with underlying cardiovascular conditions.

Abstract:
The scorpion Hottentotta judaicus inhabits the Levant region of the Middle East, including Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. While previous research focused on its insecticidal properties and sodium-channel-targeting toxins, its venom remains largely unexplored using modern proteomic approaches. We analyzed the venom composition of H. judaicus from Lebanese specimens using nESI-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF MS, SDS-PAGE, and RP-HPLC. Venom lethality in mice was assessed (LD₅₀ = 11.87 [6.59–17.16] mg/kg, i.p.), confirming moderate toxicity to vertebrates. RP-HPLC on C18 resolved 37 peaks, with 25 eluting between 20–40% acetonitrile. Reducing SDS-PAGE revealed predominant components < 10 kDa and minor bands at 31, 46, and 77 kDa. MaLDI-TOF MS detected 20 components from 1,000–12,000 m/z. A bottom-up shotgun nLC-MS/MS approach, following in-gel tryptic digestion of venom, identified 55 components across 15 protein families. Ion channel-active toxins [K⁺ (7), Na⁺ (16), Cl⁻ (1), ryanodine receptor (1)] and enzyme components (17) were predominant. This study provides proteomic evidence of H. judaicus venom components previously only identified at the transcriptomic level and reveals a richer venom profile than anticipated. Novel identified components include alternative β-subunits of lipolysis-activating proteins, as well as homologs of Olivierus martensii antimicrobial peptide inhibitor HAP- 1, Leiurus hebraeus Lqhβ1, Parabuthus transvaalicus Birtoxin, and peptide Hj2a from Hottentotta jayakari exhibiting dual α/β-toxin activity on Nav1.1 channels. This expanding repertoire of potential bioactive components prompts a reevaluation of the pathophysiological consequences of H. judaicus envenomation in humans and further exploration of their potential biomedical applications.

Reference:
Borges A, Lomonte B, de Arias AR, Fernandez J. Proteomic characterization and lethality of the venom of the Black Judean scorpion, Hottentotta judaicus (Buthidae): expanded toxin diversity and revisited toxicological significance. Arch Toxicol. 2025. Published online 10. September 2025. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Adolfo for informing me about their article!

A new species in the little known genus Lissothus described from Algeria

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published a new species of the little know genus Lissothus Vachon, 1948 (Buthidae) from southern Algeria. This is the fourth species in the genus.

Lissothus guezzamensis Yagmur, Benali & Derradj, 2025

Abstract:
Lissothus guezzamensis sp. nov. is described here based on four adult female specimens from the In Guezzam Province, Algeria. Detailed illustrations and measurements are provided. L. guezzamensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all the other known species by its coloration pattern, the dentition of the chela fingers, the carination and granulation of the fifth metasomal segment, and the shape of sternite VII.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Benali N, Derradj L. Lissothus guezzamensis sp. nov. from In Guezzam Province, Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Commagene Journal of Biology. 2025;9(2):151–7 [Full text supplied by authors]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Uroplectes from Somaliland and Mozambique

 

Frantisek Kovarik published yesterday a new article in which two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique are described.

Uroplectes elmii Kovarik, 2025

Uroplectes mossambicensis Kovarik, 2025

A distribution map of all discussed species in the article is also included.

Abstract:
Two new species, Uroplectes elmii sp. n. from Somaliland and U. mossambicensis sp. n. from Mozambique are described, fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology. Both species are similar to Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879) from which they differ mainly in finger dentition (Uroplectes elmii sp. n.) and strongly reduced tibial spurs on legs III–IV (U. mossambicensis sp. n.). Uroplectes elmii sp. n. is also compared with U. pardii Kovařík, 2003, from which it differs mainly by extremely reduced to absent metasomal punctation. A distribution map of all discussed species is included.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique. Euscorpius. 2025(426):1–18. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Alpiscorpius from Turkey

 

Ersen Yagmur and Halil Yayh have recently published an article describing a new species of  Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999 (Euscorpiidae) from Sultan Mountains in Turkey.

Alpiscorpius huyukensis Yagmur, 2025

In addition, the article transfers Euscorpius sultanensis Tropea & Yağmur, 2015 to Alpiscorpius. New status: Alpiscorpius sultanensis (Tropea & Yağmur, 2015).

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Alpiscorpius huyukensis sp. n., is described from the western foothills of the Sultan Mountains, Konya Province, in the Aegean Region of western Turkey, based on morphological characters. The species is assigned to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999, due to the presence of three trichobothria in the em series on the external surface of the pedipalp patella. A. huyukensis sp. n. can be readily distinguished from its all congeners by its yellowish-orange or greyishorange body and yellow metasomal coloration, the fifth metasomal segment bearing distinct ventrolateral carinae, the presence of six trichobothria in the Pv series, and 4–5 trichobothria in the et series. A. huyukensis sp. n. clearly differs from the geographically close species Euscorpius sultanensis Tropea & Yağmur, 2015, by its reddish brown coloration and higher trichobothrial number in the et series (et = 5 versus 4). The latter species is transferred herein to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999, because it has three trichobothria in the em series and a lower number of trichobothria in the Pv series (Pv = 6). With the description of this species and the new combination for A. sultanensis (Tropea & Yağmur, 2015), comb. n., the number of recognized species of the family Euscorpiidae in Turkey increases to 25, with the genus Alpiscorpius represented by ten species.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Yayh HI. Alpiscorpius huyukensis sp. n., an unexpected new species from Sultan Mountains, Konya Province, Turkey (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Euscorpius. 2025(425):1–15. [Open Access]

Family Euscorpiidae

Two new species of Androctonus from Oman

 
Graeme Lowe recently published a study of the Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828  (Buthidae) populations in Oman and two new species are described.

Androctonus ammophilus Lowe, 2025 (Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates)

Androctonus omanensis Lowe, 2025 (Oman)

The biogeography and speciation of Androctonus in this region is discussed.

Abstract:
The taxonomic position of Androctonus populations in Oman was investigated by analyzing morphological variation in a comprehensive sample representing 150 records gathered from 95 localities spread throughout the country. Two new allopatric species are described, separated by multivariate morphometric analysis and meristic characters: (1) A. omanensis sp. n., distributed across most of Oman, is characterized by wider, deeper metasomal segments IV–V, shorter legs, more robust pedipalps, more granules on lateral inframedian carinae of metasoma II–III, and sparser setation on basitarsal spurs; and (2) A. ammophilus sp. n., distributed in the dunes of the Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of northwest Oman, and adjacent Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, is characterized by narrower, shallower metasomal segments IV–V, longer legs, more elongate pedipalps, fewer granules on lateral inframedian carinae of metasoma II–III, and denser setation on basitarsal spurs. The emergence of the Rub’ al-Khali sand system during Pleistocene glaciations, and the transition to hyper-arid conditions in the region, are hypothesized to be abiotic factors promoting ecological speciation of A. ammophilus sp. n., and vicariant speciation of A. omanensis sp. n.

Reference:
Lowe G. The genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Oman. Euscorpius. 2025(424):1–59. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Big, bad spider eating innocent scorpion in Lebanon

 

Scorpions kill and eats spiders and it is not surprising that the roles are reversed sometimes. But there haven't been many reports of tarantulas preying on scorpions. Rami Khashab recently published an observation of a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) preying on a small  Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Buthidae) in Lebanon.

The spider didn't seem to have been stung by the scorpion, who probably was killed instantly by the larger spider's chelicerae.

Abstract:
I report the first documented case of the buthid scorpion Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) serving as prey for the tarantula Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) in Lebanon. The observation was made during a nocturnal survey in the Mount Lebanon region. The case contributes to the limited records of tarantula predation on scorpions and underscores the role of prey-predator size asymmetry in facilitating high-risk predation among arachnids.

Reference:
Khashab R. Predation of Aegaeobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by a Middle East Black Tarantula, Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Lebanon. Euscorpius. 2025(423):1–3. [Open Access]

A review of Androctonus in Iran with four new species

 

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published a review of the members of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828  (Buthidae) in Iran. Previously, most populations were assigned to the species A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), but this turned out to be a species complex with several hidden taxa. The current article have a redescription of the true A. crassicauda. 

Four new species are described from Iran:

Androctonus azerianus Yagmur & Kovarik, 2025.

Androctonus barahoeii Kovarik & Yagmur, 2025.

Androctonus caspius Kovarik, Yagmur, Fet & Lowe, 2025.

Androctonus transcaucasicus Kovarik, Yagmur, Fet & Lowe, 2025 (this species occurs in Armenia and Azerbaijan in addition to Iran).

Androctonus orientalis (Birula, 1900) is raised to species status from subspecies status (Prionurus crassicauda orientalis Birula, 1900).

Androctonus rostami Barahoei et al., 2025 is synonymized with Androctonus orientalis (Birula, 1900).

The article has an identification key for the confirmed species in Iran. A distribution map is also included. 

Abstract:
Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) is redescribed, based on the male neotype hereby designated, and a female topotype. Prionurus crassicauda orientalis Birula, 1900 is removed from synonymy, and elevated to species status as A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., based on the lectotype, hereby designated, a paralectotype and newly collected specimens. A. rostami Barahoei et al., 2025 is synonymized with A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., syn. n. In addition, four new species are described: A. azerianus sp. n. (Iran), A. barahoeii sp. n. (Iran), A. caspius sp. n. (Iran), A. transcaucasicus sp. n. (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran). All species are described and illustrated, and a map showing the confirmed distribution of the Androctonus species in Iran is provided.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Kovarik F, Fet V, Lowe G, Moradi M, Kalami F. Review of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 in Iran, with redescription of A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) and A. orientalis (Birula, 1900) stat. n., and descriptions of four new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(422):1–69. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae