Scorpionism in Ecuador - An updated review

 

Scorpion envenomations are a problem in many countries in South America, but a majority of studies have focused on Brazil. A recent article by Adolfo Borges and co-workers shows that also Ecuador is a hotspot for scorpion envenomations in South America.

The study provides an overview of scorpion stings in Ecuador between 2017 and 2021 and the implications in form of deaths and morbidity. The authors also identify taxa of medical importance and their distribution. Unsurprisingly, two species in the genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) are probably responsible for the most serious cases.  

Abstract:
This study assessed scorpion envenoming risk in Ecuador at provincial and district levels between 2017 and 2021, estimated national incidence and mortality rates, and identified the likely implicated taxa. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Public Health and aggregated by province and district, with incidence and mortality rates calculated per 100,000 inhabitants using annual population estimates. District-level risk was visualized with choropleth maps, and scorpion diversity and distribution were compiled from updated national inventories. A total of 1,514 scorpion stings were reported between 2017 and 2021. National incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) averaged 1.75 and 0.02. Regional incidence was highest in the Amazonian region (16.81), followed by the coastal (1.39) and Andean highlands (0.66). Hyperendemic districts (≥95th percentile of risk) included Taisha and Tiwintza (Morona Santiago), Arajuno (Pastaza), Flavio Alfaro (Manabí), and La Concordia (Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas). Mortality was highest in the Amazonian and piedmont coastal regions, with 10 deaths per region and an Amazonian rate of 0.44 per 100,000 inhabitants. These areas are inhabited by Tityus species from distinct morphological and toxinological groups, notably Tityus cf. rosenbergi in western Ecuador and Tityus cisandinus in Morona Santiago and Pastaza. Geographical variation in incidence and mortality likely reflects both the distribution of noxious taxa and population density. Despite high scorpion endemicity (79.2%), a national lethality rate of 1.32% that appears higher than reported in other countries where scorpionism is a public health concern, and the concentration of fatalities in children (75% in ages 1–9), Ecuador still depends on imported scorpion antivenoms, including that prepared against Centruroides species, which show low reactivity to Tityus toxins. These findings highlight the urgent need for preclinical neutralization studies to evaluate local antivenom efficacy and to investigate regional differences in clinical outcomes, to guide future adjustments to immunotherapy based on the biogeographic distribution of medically important Tityus species.

Reference:
Borges A, De Sousa L, Borja-Cabrera GP, Rivera A. Scorpion Envenoming in Ecuador: District-Level Risk, Updated Scorpion Diversity, and Challenges for Treatment and Public Health. Acta Trop. 2025:107942 (In Press). [Subscription required for full text.]

Thanks to Adolfo Borges for informing me about their new article! 

A new species of Tityus from Ecuador

 

Wilson Lourenco and Elise-Anne Leguin have recently described a new species of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) from Ecuador.

Tityus cuyabeno Lourenco & Leguin.

The article also comments on the distribution of a few other Tityus species in Eucador and the scorpion diversity in this country. 

Abstract: 
A new species of Tityus, subgenus Atreus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from the Province of Sucumbíos in the Ecuadorian Amazonia. Although a noticeable number of studies have been produced on the Ecuadorian scorpion fauna in recent years, many regions of this country remain unexplored. Comments about the remarkable diversity present in Ecuador are addressed and discussed.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Leguin E-A. New comments on the scorpion diversity of Ecuador and descrption of a new species of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(46):27–32. [No full text available]

Thanks to Michiel Cozijn for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae 

Arm-span competition between males in the buthid scorpion Tityus rosenbergi

 

Courtship and mating behaviors between male and female scorpions are well documented. Intrasexual interactions (between female-female or male-male scorpions) are not mentioned often in the literature. Recently, a new ritualized behavior between the same sex was described and labeled "arm-span competition”.

In a recent article, Jules Thornton Wyman and co-workers present observations of "arm-span competition" between males of Tityus rosenbergi Pocock, 1898 (Buthidae). The behavior is interpreted as a ritualized male-male contests. 

The authors suggest that the elongated pedipalps seen in males of many species might be the result of selective pressure related to ritualized arm-span competition.

Abstract:
Although courtship and mating behaviors have been described for nearly all scorpion lineages, intrasexual interactions in scorpions remain understudied. Recently, a novel ritualized behavioral unit, termed “arm-span competition,” in which individuals face off and extend their pedipalps laterally, was described from analyses of male-male contests in several scorpionid species. Here, we present the first documented observation of arm-span competition in a buthid scorpion, Tityus cf. rosenbergi Pocock, 1898. Interestingly, both T. cf. rosenbergi and most scorpionid species known to engage in arm-span competition exhibit a similar sexual dimorphism: males have markedly longer and more slender pedipalps than females. We suggest that the elongated pedipalps in males of these species might be the result of selective pressure related to ritualized armspan competition. We also highlight the potential for citizen science to contribute rare observations to scientific literature.

Reference:
Wyman JT, Wright-Ueda J, Agnew Q, Castellano I, Simone Y. First report of arm-span competition in buthid scorpions: male-male contest in Tityus cf. rosenbergi Pocock, 1898. The Journal of Arachnology. 2025;52(3):210-3. [Open Access]

Thanks to Yuri for sending me this article!

A new troglomorphic, leaf-dwelling species in the enigmatic genus Troglotayosicus from Colombia

 

The enigmatic and rare genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 (Troglotayosicidae) is know from a a few locations in Colombia and Ecuador where they inhabit the leaf-litter on the ground. All species show troglomorphic characters. Little is known about the phylogeny and the biogeography of this fascinating genus.

Jairo Moreno-Gonzalez and co-workers have recently published an interesting article on the phylogeny of Troglotayosicus, and a new species from Colombia is described.

Troglotayosicus akaido Moreno-Gonzalez, Luna-Sarmiento & Prendini, 2024

The article has an identification key for the seven known species and a map of their known distribution.

Interestingly, one of the authors was stung by this species while collecting. The sting cause intense, local pain for 30 minutes, but no other serious symptoms. This is probably the first sting report for this family.

Abstract:
The troglomorphic scorpion genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981, occurs in hypogean and epigean habitats in the Andean and Amazonian rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. The phylogenetic relationships among the species of Troglotayosicus are currently unknown. In the present contribution, a new species, Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., is described from specimens collected in the leaf litter of a primary rainforest in the Colombian Amazon, near the border with Peru, raising the number of species in the genus to seven. The new species represents the easternmost record of the genus and further extends its distribution into the Amazon. Its phylogenetic position was tested in an analysis of all species of the genus and two outgroup taxa, scored for 131 morphological characters (16 new and 115 legacy; 104 binary and 27 multistate) analyzed with maximum likelihood under the MK model. Troglotayosicus was recovered as monophyletic and composed of two main clades. The morphological survey revealed that the ventral macrosetae of the leg telotarsi of the type species, Troglotayosicus vachoni Lourenço, 1981, are simple, subspiniform macrosetae, irregularly distributed, but not arranged into clusters nor forming elongated clusters of setae/spinules, as previously suggested. A distribution map and key to the identification of the species of Troglotayosicus are provided. Further research, incorporating molecular data, is needed to understand the evolution and biogeographical history of this enigmatic scorpion genus.

Reference:
Moreno-González JA, Luna-Sarmiento DA, Prendini L. Phylogeny of the Troglomorphic Scorpion Genus Troglotayosicus (Scorpiones: Troglotayosicidae) with Description of a New Species from Colombia. American Museum Novitates. 2024;2024(4011):1-39. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this article!

Family Troglotayosicidae

Common toxin components among different Tityus species in the Amazon region may lead to a common therapeutic strategy

 

Scorpionism is a major problem in many parts of the world, and for the Amazon Region in South America several Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 species (Buthidae) are known to cause severe morbidity or even deaths. The problem is that there is no effective antivenom currently available in this region.

Identifying the different toxin components of the venom of different Tityus species may lead to the development of new therapeutics.Yan Kalapothakis and co-workers have recently published a study analysing the venom of the medical important species Tityus cisandinus Lourenço & Ythier, 2017 and comparing it to the venom of another medical imprtant species T. obscurus (Gervais, 1843).

Interestingly, they found a high similarity between T. cisandinus and T. obscurus venoms. This is important knowledge that can be used to create a "common therapeutic strategy (i.e production of a region-specific antivenom) to tackle the increasing burden of scorpionism in Amazonia" [Adolfo Borges, personal communication].

Abstract:
Tityus cisandinus, a neglected medically important scorpion in Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazonia, belongs to a complex of species related to the eastern Amazon endemic Tityus obscurus, spanning a distribution of ca. 4000 km. Despite high morbidity and mortality rates, no effective scorpion antivenom is currently available in the Amazon region. Knowledge of the structural/functional relationships between T. cisandinus venom components and those from related Amazonian species is crucial for designing region-specific therapeutic antivenoms. In this work, we carried out the first venom gland transcriptomic study of an Amazonian scorpion outside Brazil, T. cisandinus. We also fingerprinted its total venom through MALDI-TOF MS, which supported our transcriptomic findings. We identified and calculated the expression level of 94 components: 60 toxins, 25 metalloproteases, five disulfide isomerases, three amidating enzymes, one hyaluronidase, and also uncovered transcripts encoding novel lipolytic beta subunits produced by New World buthid scorpions. This study demonstrates the high similarity between T. cisandinus and T. obscurus venoms, reinforcing the existence of a neglected complex of genetically and toxinologically related Amazonian scorpions of medical importance. Finally, we demonstrated the low recognition of currently available therapeutic sera against T. cisandinus and T. obscurus venoms, and concluded that these should be improved to protect against envenomation by Amazonian Tityus spp.

Reference:
Kalapothakis Y, Miranda K, Molina DAM, Conceição I, Larangote D, Op den Camp HJM, et al. An overview of Tityus cisandinus scorpion venom: Transcriptome and mass fingerprinting reveal conserved toxin homologs across the Amazon region and novel lipolytic components. Int J Biol Macromol. 2022. [Subscritpion required for full text]

Thanks to Adolfo Borges for informing me about this article!

A revision of the Tityus forcipula species group and a new species from Colombia

 

Jairo Moreno-Gonzalez and co-workers have recently published an article with a revision of the Tityus forcipula species group, reducing the number of species beloning to this group. In addition, a new species of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) is described from Colombia.

Tityus moralensis Moreno-Gonzalez, Pinto da Rocha & Cabra-Garcia, 2022

Abstract:
The Tityus forcipula species group has had an intricate taxonomic history, changing its diagnostic characters and composition on several occasions. One of the alleged reasons for this taxonomic uncertainty is the use of superficial characters (i.e. raw similarity instead of putative synapomorphies) for species group delimitation. Here, we conducted a thorough phenotypic survey across the Tityus forcipula species group, as currently delimited, including characters that had been suggested elsewhere as putative synapomorphies for delimiting lineages within Tityus. In doing so we also redescribe Tityus forcipula and describe a new species belonging to the Tityus forcipula species group: Tityus moralensis sp. nov. based on specimens from the Andean region of Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. The Tityus forcipula species group is here delimited to Andean species from Colombia and Ecuador that share strongly sclerotized and brown colored pectines, basal middle lamellae of female pectines dilated and suboval or ovoid shaped, basal plate of female pectines without glandular region and telotarsi with two ventrosubmedian rows (type II) of stout macrosetae (i.e., Tityus crassicauda, Tityus cuellari, Tityus forcipula, Tityus fuhrmanni and Tityus moralensis sp. nov). The new Tityus species is placed into a phylogenetic context with other buthid species using DNA sequences (COI and 28S). Finally, we provide a map with updated distributional records of the Tityus forcipula species group.

Reference:
Moreno-Gonzalez JA, Pinto da Rocha R, Cabra-Garcia J. On the Tityus forcipula species group: redescription of Tityus forcipula (Scorpiones, Buthidae), description of a new Andean species, and notes on the taxonomy of the group. Zootaxa. 2022;5155(2):151-86. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Jairo and Ricardo for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

A major and important review on scorpionism, toxicology, medical important species and their distribution in Amazonia

 

Amazonia hosts a large numbers of scorpions, many of which are of medical importance in humans. All of these belong to the species rich genus Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae). There have been a lot of research on scorpionism in South America and Tityus in particular, but few reviews looking on the larger picture.

Adolfo Borges and co-workers have now published a major review going through the literature on scorpionism in Amazonia, but also mapping all Tityus species in the region and their medical importance. Updated knowledge on taxonomy and phylogeny of the Tityus populations is essential in the context of public health and preventing accidents involving dangerous scorpions. The article also sum up the knowledge on venom toxicology and physiopathology of the species in the region.

This is an important article that sums up much of the currently known information on scorpionism in Amazonia, species involved and their distribution.

Abstract:
Venom from Amazonian scorpions of the genus Tityus contains components capable of eliciting a distinct clinical, mostly neurological, syndrome. This contrasts with the mainly autonomic manifestations produced after envenomation by congeneric southern and northern South American species. Herein, we summarize Pan-Amazonian scorpionism by synthesizing available toxinological, clinical, and molecular data gathered from all affected areas in Amazonia, including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, and French Guiana. We searched multiple databases, as well as our own records, for reports of scorpion envenomations in Amazonia by confirmed Tityus spp., and compared the clinical manifestations. To help uncover clinical and venom relationships among problematic species, we explored phylogenetic relationships with a rate-calibrated analysis of mitochondrial COI data from available species. The possible existence of diversity gradients for venom toxic and immunogenic components despite the predicted strong phylogenetic association among species is underscored by discussed clinical and toxinological findings. A multicentric effort, involving all nations affected by this neglected disease, is urgently needed to offer alternatives for treating and understanding this pathology, including the preparation of neutralizing antibodies with a broad range of efficacy.

Reference:
Borges A, Graham MR, Cândido DM, Pardal PPO. Amazonian scorpions and scorpionism: integrating toxinological, clinical, and phylogenetic data to combat a human health crisis in the world’s most diverse rainfores. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2021;27:Published online: 29 November 2021. [Open Access]

Thanks to Adolfo Borges and Victor Fet for sending me this article!

A new, troglomorphic species in the enigmatic genus Troglotayosicus from Ecuador

 

One of the rarest and most enigmatic genera in South America is the troglomorphic genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 (Troglotayosicidae). Ricardo Botero-Trujillo and co-workers have recently described a new species in this fascinating genus from Ecuador.

Troglotayosicus ballvei Botero-Trujillo, Ochoa & Prendini, 2021

The new species has troglomorphies, but doesn't seem to be troglobitic in nature as the specimens were collected in the leaf-litter on walls/stones of a collapse cave. It is only T. vachoni Lourenço, 1981 of the six species the genus that has been reported from a cave habitat.

Abstract:
For several decades, Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981, remained an enigmatic, monotypic scorpion genus believed to be troglobitic. The discovery and description in recent years of several endogean species of the genus, inhabiting the leaf litter of tropical rainforests in Colombia and Ecuador, advanced knowledge about these scorpions. The known distribution of Troglotayosicus was considerably expanded along the Andes, and it was demonstrated that, despite the absence of median ocelli, the genus is composed primarily of species that inhabit leaf litter. In the present study, Troglotayosicus ballvei, sp. nov., is described from Sacha Huagra Lodge, adjacent to Archidona Municipality, in Napo Province, Ecuador, raising the number of Troglotayosicus species to six, three each in Colombia and Ecuador. An updated map of the known distribution of the genus is presented.

Reference:
Botero-Trujillo R, Ochoa JA, Prendini L. A New Troglomorphic, Leaf-litter Scorpion from Ecuador (Troglotayosicidae: Troglotayosicus). American Museum Novitates. 2021(3981):1-24. [Open Access]

Thanks to Luis Roque for sending me this article!

Family Troglotayosicidae

Two new species of Hadruroides from Peru and Ecuador

 

Eric Ythier recently publish an article describing two new species in the genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 (Caraboctonidae) from Peru and Ecuador.

Hadruroides inti Ythier, 2021

Hadruroides pachamama Ythier, 2021

Abstract:
Two new species belonging to the genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 (family Caraboctonidae Kraepelin, 1905) are described on the basis of specimens collected in Arequipa region in southern Peru, and Loja province in southern Ecuador. H. inti sp. n. represents the 17th known species of the genus Hadruroides reported from Peru, and the 22nd species of the subgenus Lourencoides Rossi, 2014. H. pachamama sp. n. represents the 7th known species of the genus Hadruroides reported from Ecuador, and the second species of the subgenus Hadruroides Rossi, 2014. The total number of Hadruroides species is now raised to 24.

Reference:
Ythier E. Two new species of Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 from Peru and Ecuador (Scorpiones, Caraboctonidae). Faunitaxys. 2021;9(11):1-8. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric for sending me his article!

Family Caraboctonidae

A new species in the enigmatic genus Troglotayosicus from Ecuador

 

The species in the enigmatic genus Troglotayosicus Lourenco, 1981 (Troglotayosicidae) are are either cavernicolous (cave dwelling species) or living in areas just outside caves (endogean), but they all have troglomorphies like loss or reduction of eyes, depigmentation or appendage attenuation. Alberto Sánchez-Vialas and co-workers have recently described a new species in this interesting genus.

Troglotayosicus muranunkae Sanchez-Vialas, Blasco-Arostegui,Garcia-Gila & Lourenco, 2020

Abstract:
A new epigean species belonging to the genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 is described from southern Ecuador based on morphological traits. This enigmatic group of scorpions was known from a single locality in Ecuador and four localities in Colombia. Troglotayosicus muranunkae sp. n. is morphologically similar to the hypogean (troglobite species) T. vachoni Lourenço, 1981, but it differs from it by the trichobothrial pattern, shape of the carapace, and tegument sculpture. The new species was found actively wandering on the surface at night, which provides relevant ecological information and expands the distribution range of the genus 130 km southwards.

Reference:
Sánchez-Vialas A, Blasco-Aróstegui J, García-Gila J, Lourenco WR. A new species of Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 (Scorpiones: Troglotayosicidae) from southern Ecuador. Arachnology. 2020;18(6):612-8. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Troglotayosicidae

A new species of Tityus from Ecuador

A new species of Tityus C. L. Koch, 1876 (Buthidae) has recently been described from Ecuador by Wilson Lourenco and Eric Ythier.

Tityus cisandinus Lourenço & Ythier, 2017

I have only read the abstract of this article as authors publishing in Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana are not allowed to send pdfs/copies of their article to other scientists (contrary to the practice of most other scientific journals) and my library's interlending department are not able to get copies either.

Abstract:
The status of the enigmatic buthid scorpion Tityus asthenes Pocock, 1893 is once more discussed. Described from Poruru in Peru, the species remains known by the female holotype only. A reanalysis of the several characteristics of the holotype demonstrates that the species is valid, but not a member of the subgenus Atreus (group Tityus americanus as suggested by Pocock) but rather belongs to the subgenus Tityus and to the group of Tityus bolivianus, consequently distinct from all other populations of Tityus (Atreus) distributed from Ecuador to Costa Rica. Previous suggestions that T. asthenes could represent a senior synonym of several other Tityus (Atreus) species were due to inadequate interpretations of their biogeographic pattern of distribution. Although the validity of Tityus asthenes is unquestionable, its precise range of distribution remains enigmatic since its type locality Poruru is not known from Peru and no further details are available about the collection of this species. A new species of Tityus (Atreus) is described from the cis-Andean rainforests of Ecuador and some taxonomic considerations are proposed for some related species within the subgenus Atreus.


Reference:
Lourenco WR, Ythier E. Another new species from the rainforests of Ecuador (Tityus cisandinus Lourenço & Ythier, 2017). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2017;3(15):18-34.

Thanks to Eric Ythier for informing me about their article and for allowing me to use a picture from the article.

Family Buthidae 

Three new species of Teuthraustes from Ecuador

Eric Ythier and Wilson Lourenco have recently published an article discussing the geographical distribution of the genus Teuthraustes Simon, 1878 (Chactidae) in Ecuador. Three new species are described.

Teuthraustes giupponii Ythier & Lourenço, 2017

Teuthraustes khodayarii Ythier & Lourenço, 2017

Teuthraustes kuryi Ythier & Lourenço, 2017


Abstract:
Three new species of scorpions belonging to the genus Teuthraustes Simon, 1878 (Scorpiones: Chactidae) are described from the Amazonian and Pacific regions of Ecuador. The new descriptions raise to four the number of Teuthraustes species in Ecuadorian Amazonia and raise to two the number of species described from the Pacific region. The total number of species of Teuthraustes is now 27, including 15 in Ecuador. The geographical distribution of the genus in Ecuador is enlarged and its pattern of distribution in the country is also commented upon.

Reference:
Ythier E, Lourenco WR. The geographical patterns of distribution of the genus Teuthraustes Simon, 1878 in Ecuador and description of three new species (Scorpiones, Chactidae). ZooKeys. 2017(721):45-63. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric Ythier for sending me the link to the article!

Family Chactidae

Scorpion envenomations in southeastern Ecuador

Juan Roman and co-workers have studied scorpion envenomations in rural locations in the Amazonian province of Morona Santiago, southeastern Ecuador. The severity of scorpion stings in this region is reported and the conclusion is that scorpions are a public health problem, especially for young children.

A phylogenetic analysis of the scorpions involved in serious cases were conducted and revealed that these were caused by a species in the Tityus obscurus group (Buthidae). This group contains species responsible for severe envenomations in other areas of the Amazonian Basin. The Ecuadorian species involved is unknown, and will be described as a new species in a future publication.

Abstract:
Scorpion envenoming by species in the genus Tityus is hereby reported from rural locations in the Amazonian province of Morona Santiago, southeastern Ecuador. Twenty envenoming cases (18 patients under 15 years of age) including one death (a 4-year-old male) were recorded at the Macas General Hospital, Morona Santiago, between January 2015 and December 2016 from the counties of Taisha (n =17), Huamboyo (n= 1), Palora (n =1), and Logroño (n =1). An additional fatality from 2014 (a 3-year-old female from Nayantza, Taisha county) is also reported. Leukocytosis and low serum potassium levels were detected in most patients. We observed a significant negative correlation between leukocytosis and hypokalemia. Scorpions involved in three accidents from Macuma, Taisha County, were identified as genetically related to Tityus obscurus from the Brazilian Amazonian region based on comparison of mitochondrial DNA sequences encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I. These cases, along with previously reported envenoming from northern Manabí, reinforce the notion that scorpionism is a health hazard for children in Ecuador and emphasizes the need to supply effective antivenoms against local species, which are not currently available. The genetic affinity of the Ecuadorian specimens with T. obscurus may underlay toxinological, clinical, and venom antigenic relationships among Amazonian scorpions that deserves further exploration for designing therapeutic strategies to treat scorpionism in the region.

Reference:
Roman JP, Garcia F, Medina D, Vasquez M, Garcia J, Graham MR, et al. Scorpion envenoming in Morona Santiago, Amazonian Ecuador: Molecular phylogenetics confirms involvement of the Tityus obscurus group. Acta Trop. 2017;178:1-9. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Adolfo Borges and Matthew Graham for both sending me their article!

An update on scorpionism in Ecuador

Previously it has been assumed that Ecuadorian scorpions have had low public health importance, but a study published by Adolfo Borges and co-workers late last year present several severe and fatal sting cases from Ecuador. The species involved in the serious cases was Tityus asthenes Pocock, 1893 (Buthidae).

Abstract:
The presence in rural areas of western Ecuador of scorpions in the genus Tityus capable of producing pediatric mortality is hereby evidenced. The medical significance of scorpions in Ecuador has been underestimated partly because of the clinically unimportant stings delivered by Centruroides margaritatus and Teuthraustes atramentarius, which have venom with low toxicity to vertebrates. Five intradomiciliary cases of scorpion envenoming in victims aged between 1.9 and 16 years old, including one fatality, are reported from rural settings in forest areas of Chone (n ¼ 2) and Flavio Alfaro (n ¼ 3) counties, northern Manabí province, western Ecuador. Three cases were graded as Class II (moderate) and two in Class III (severe) envenoming. Manifestations showed characteristic autonomic nervous system hyper-stimulation and the fatality (a 1.9-year-old boy from Flavio Alfaro) was due to cardiorespiratory failure. Marked leukocytosis in four of the cases (21,800e31,800 cells/mm3), with notable neutrophilia (58e82%), suggests induction of a venom-mediated systemic inflammatory response-like syndrome. Specimens responsible for cases in Flavio Alfaro County, including the fatality, were classified as Tityus asthenes Pocock, accountable for severe scorpionism in Colombia. These findings demand implementation of control and therapeutic measures in affected areas in Ecuador, including evaluation of available scorpion antivenoms.

Reference:
Borges A, Morales M, Loor W, Delgado M. Scorpionism in Ecuador: First report of severe and fatal envenoming cases from northern Manabí by Tityus asthenes Pocock. Toxicon. 2015;105:56-61. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks a lot to Dr. Borges for sending me his article!

An updated checklist of the scorpion fauna of Ecuador and a review on their medical importance

Gabriel Brito and Adolfo Borges have recently published an interesting article on the scorpion fauna of Ecuador. Ecuador is a hotspot for scorpion biodiversity and the authors present an updated checklist of the scorpion fauna of this country. Details of distribution and habitat are also presented.

The article also discuss the medical importance of the scorpion fauna of Ecuador.

Abstract:
Ecuador harbors one of the most diverse Neotropical scorpion faunas, hereby updated to 47 species contained within eight genera and five families, which inhabits the “Costa” (n = 17), “Sierra” (n = 34), “Oriente” (n = 16) and “Insular” (n = 2) biogeographical regions, corresponding to the western coastal, Andean, Amazonian, and the Galápagos archipelago regions, respectively. The genus Tityus Koch, in the family Buthidae, responsible for severe/fatal accidents elsewhere in northern South America and the Amazonia, is represented in Ecuador by 16 species, including T. asthenes, which has caused fatalities in Colombia and Panama, and now in the Ecuadorian provinces of Morona Santiago and Sucumbíos. Underestimation of the medical significance of scorpion envenoming in Ecuador arises from the fact that Centruroides margaritatus (Gervais) (family Buthidae) and Teuthraustes atramentarius Simon (family Chactidae), whose venoms show low toxicity towards vertebrates, frequently envenom humans in the highly populated Guayas and Pichincha provinces. This work also updates the local scorpion faunal endemicity (74.5 %) and its geographical distribution, and reviews available medical/biochemical information on each species in the light of the increasing problem of scorpionism in the country. A proposal is hereby put forward to classify the Ecuadorian scorpions based on their potential medical importance.

Reference:
Brito G, Borges A. A checklist of the scorpions of Ecuador (Arachnida: Scorpiones), with notes on the distribution and medical significance of some species. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2015;21:23. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr. Borges for sending me this article!

Scorpions of the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their animals and their impact on our knowledge on animal evolution. But there are also scorpions present on most of the islands in the Galapagos archipelago. Baert & Mahnert have recently published a paper on the scorpion (and other non-spider) fauna of the islands.

Two species are present: Centruroides exsul (Meise, 1934) (Buthidae) and Hadruroides galapagoensis Maury 1975 (Carabotonidae).

Abstract:
The geographic and ecological distribution of the arachnid species belonging to the Amblypygi (Charinus insularis Banks, 1902), the Opiliones (Galanomma microphthalma Juberthie, 1970), the Schizomida (Schizomus portoricensis (Chamberlin, 1922)), the Scorpiones (Centruroides exsul (Meise, 1934) and Hadruroides galapagoensis Maury, 1975), the Solifugae (Neocleobis solitarius (Banks, 1902)) and 25 species of Pseudoscorpiones from the Galàpagos are described. Only the schizomid Schizomus portoricensis and the pseudoscorpions Paratemnoides nidificator (Balzan, 1888), Lechytia chthoniiformis (Balzan, 1887), Aphelolpium cayanum Muchmore, 1979, and Aphelolpium longidigitatum (Ellingsen, 1910) occur also on the American mainland. The pseudoscorpion Withius piger (Simon,1878) is a cosmopolite species.

Reference:
Baert L, Mahnert V. The distribution of the non‐araneae and non‐acari arachnids of Galápagos. Belgian Journal of Entomology. 2015;28:1-76. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rolando Teruel for sending me this article!

Three new species and a revision of the Ecuadorian species of Hadruroides

Andrea Rossi has recently published a revision of the mainland species of Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 (Caraboctonidae) in Ecuador. Three new species have been described:

Hadruroides doriai Rossi, 2014
Hadruroides elenae Rossi, 2014
Hadruroides moreti Rossi, 2014

An identification key for mainland species in the genus in Ecuador is presented.

Abstract:
The species of the genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 in Ecuador mainland are revised. Three new species related to H. maculatus (Thorell, 1876) are described: H. dorai, H. elenae and H. moreti. The genus Hadruroides is split into two subgenera: the nominal subgenus includes now only one species, H. charcasus (Karsch, 1879), whereas Lourencoides n. subgen. includes all other known species. A new record of H. charcasus in Ecuador is reported. The total number of Hadruroides species in Ecuador mainland is now raised to six and an identification key is given.

Reference:
Rossi A. A revision of the genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 in Ecuador mainland with the description of three new species, the definition of a new subgenus and a new record. Estratto Dagli Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale "G Doria". 2014;106:193-210.

Thanks to Andrea Rossi for sending me this article!

Family Caraboctonidae

A new species of Chactas from Ecuador

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of Chactas Gervais, 1844 (Chactidae) from the Province of Morona Santiago in Ecuadorian Amazonia.

Chactas yaupi Lourenco, 2014

Abstract:
A new species, Chactas yaupi sp. n., is described from the Province of Morona Santiago in Ecuadorian Amazonia. This is the third confirmed record of the genus Chactas Gervais from Ecuador. The geographical pattern of distribution of the genus Chactas is discussed. Comments are also addressed about the remarkable diversity and high level of endemic elements of the Ecuadorian fauna.


Reference:
Lourenco WR. The third confirmed record of the scorpion genus Chactas Gervais, 1844 (Scorpiones: Chactidae) from Ecuador, with description of a new species from the Amazonian Province of Morona Santiago. Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg. 2014;17(193):171-8.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Family Chactidae

Redescription and corrected distribution of Chactas rubrolineatus

Lourenco & Leguin have recently confirmed the species status of Chactas rubrolineatus Simon, 1880 (Chactidae) after rediscovering the type specimen. A redescription is presented and the species' confirmed distribution is corrected to Brazil.

Abstract:
The type specimen of Chactas rubrolineatus, described by Simon in 1880, was considered lost, or at least mislaid, for long time. After several months of research in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, the female type specimen was located in the vial labelled RS-0778. A precise diagnosis of this species and also of several personal notes of E. Simon leads to two new conclusions: (i) Chactas rubrolineatus is a valid species and not a synonym of Chactas vanbenedenii Gervais, 1843, neither of Chactas brevicaudatus (Karsch, 1879); (ii) Chactas rubrolineatus was described by Simon from Rio Içá, which is not located in Ecuador but rather in Brazil. The presence of this species in Ecuador has yet to be proved.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Leguin E-A. Le véritable statut de l’espèce Chactas rubrolineatus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Chactidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2014 (24):87-9.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Family Chactidae

A new species of Chactas from Ecuador

Wilson Lourenco has discovered a new species of Chactas from Ecuador.

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of Chactas Gervais, 1844 (Chactidae) from Ecuador.

Chactas moreti Lourenco, 2014

Abstract:
A new species, Chactas moreti sp. n., is described from Ecuadorian Amazonia. It can be distinguished from  Chactas mahnerti Lourenço, 1995, the other known species of this genus from Ecuador by its smaller body  size, distinct morphometric values, overall darker blackish-brown coloration, totally smooth vesicle, and  a concave anterior margin of carapace. This is the second confirmed record of the genus Chactas Gervais  from Ecuador. The geographical pattern of distribution of the genus is also discussed.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. The second confirmed record of the scorpion genus Chactas Gervais, 1844 (Scorpiones, Chactidae) from Ecuador with description of a new species from the Amazonian Province of Sucumbíos. ZooKeys. 2014;372:17-26. [Free full text]

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Family Chactidae