A new species in the rare genus Lanzatus from Ethiopia

 

Frantisek Kovarik and Graeme Lowe published recently a description of a new species in the rare genus Lanzatus Kovarik, 2001 (Buthidae) from Ethiopia. 

Lanzatus fuscipalpis Kovarik & Lowe, 2025

Abstract:
The rare Horn of Africa buthid genus Lanzatus Kovařík, 2001, known only from Somalia and Somaliland, is recorded for the first time from Ethiopia. We describe a new species Lanzatus fuscipalpis sp. n. fully illustrated with color photographs showing its morphology, habitus, hemispermatophore, and collection sites.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XLIII. Lanzatus fuscipalpis sp. n. from Ethiopia (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(421):1–13. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Parabuthus from Ethiopia

 

Frantisek Kovarik and Hassan Elmi published this week a new species in my favorite genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 (Buthidae) from Ethiopia.

Parabuthus qaraaf Kovarik & Elmi, 2025

A map showing the distribution of the 19 known Parabuthus species from The Horn of Africa is also presented.

Abstract:
A new species Parabuthus qaraaf sp. n. from Ethiopia is described. Combination of six characters: metasoma V black; pectine teeth number 33–42 in both sexes; pedipalp chela length/ width ratio 3.3 in male and 4.2 in female; pedipalp patella length/ wide ratio 2.36–2.38 in both sexes; fingers of pedipalp of male with inner side of base smooth, no trace of tubercle; metasoma V length/ wide ratio is 1.50 in male distinguish P. qaraaf sp. n. from all other species in the region. Included is also a map of distribution of Parabuthus species in Horn of Africa, with newly confirmed localities for Parabuthus granimanus Pocock, 1895 and P. robustus Kovařík et al., 2019.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XLII. Parabuthus qaraaf sp. n. from Ethiopia (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(419):1–11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Barbaracurus from Ethiopia

 

The scorpion diversity of the Horn of Africa is still growing. This week, Frantisek Kovarik and Hassan Elmi published a new species of Barbaracurus Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky, 2018 (Buthidae) from Ethiopia.

Barbaracurus lowei Kovarik & Elmi, 2025

The article has an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
Barbaracurus lowei sp. n. from Ethiopia is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of both sexes of the new species, as well as of their habitat. Included is a key for Barbaracurus and a map of the distribution of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XL. Barbaracurus lowei sp. n. from Ethiopia (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(417):1–11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Three new species in the buthid genus Gint from Ethiopia and Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently published a new article in their ongoing study of the scorpion fauna of The Horn of Africa. This time, three new species in the genus Gint Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2013 (Buthidae) are described from Somaliland and Ethiopia.

Gint abshiri Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024 (Ethiopia)

Gint derbiae Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024  (Ethiopia)

Gint sahil Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024 (Somaliland)

The article has an updated identification key for the genus. 

Abstract:
Three new species, Gint sahil sp. n. from Somaliland and Gint abshiri sp. n. and G. derbiae sp. n. from Ethiopia are described and compared with other species of the genus. Additional information is provided on the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Gint, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of the new species, as well as of their habitats. Furthermore, alongside the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we have provided description of the karyotype of G. abshiri sp. n. This species exhibits karyotype with 2n=27. Included is distribution map and a key for the genus Gint.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XXXIII. Three new species of Gint from Ethiopia and Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2024(392):1-25. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new study of the genetics of the buthid genus Gint, endemic to the Horn of Africa

 

The genus Gint Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2013 (Buthidae) is endemic to the Horn of Africa with 12 species. Pavel Just and co-workers have recently published a study trying determinate the mechanisms of karyotype differentiation in this genus.

Their results showed that the Gint species exhibited substantial karyotype diversity and a high incidence of chromosome heterozygosity. This stuff is way over my head and I have to refer to the abstract and the article for further details on the study and its implications.

Abstract:
To determine the mechanisms of karyotype differentiation in scorpions of the genus Gint, we employed an integrative approach, combining cytogenetic data and sequence-based phylogeny. We cytogenetically examined six species with emphasis on multivalent meiotic configurations, 18S rDNA and (TTAGG)n distribution and compared chromosomal data with genetic divergence based on analysis of 16S rRNA and COI gene markers. Our results show that Gint species exhibit substantial karyotype diversity (2n = 18–45) and a high incidence of chromosome heterozygosity. Meiotic chromosome chains formed by up to six elements were found in 85% of analysed individuals, causing intraspecific chromosome variation in three species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the 18S rDNA distribution pattern differed in Gint species, including at the intrapopulation level, but the chromosomal localization of (TTAGG)n motif was stable across species. Conspicuous interspecific differences in chromosome counts broadly corresponded with genetic divergence among Gint species. Our findings indicate that Gint karyotypes have undergone dynamic reorganization through independent fusions, fissions and reciprocal translocations. Owing to present chromosomal polymorphism, such structural changes shaping the genome architecture appear to be still ongoing in the populations of some Gint species.

Reference:
Just P, Šťáhlavský F, Kovařík F, Štundlová J. Tracking the trends of karyotype differentiation in the phylogenetic context of Gint, a scorpion genus endemic to the Horn of Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2022. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Frantisek Kovarik for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Iomachus from Mozambique

 

Wilson Lourenco has recently published a new species of Iomachus Pocock, 1893 (Hormuridae) from Mozambique. 

Iomachus ineichi Lourenco, 2020

Iomachus borana (Di Caporiacco, 1939) from Ethiopia is restored from synonymy with I. politus Pocock, 1896.

In addition, a new subgenus, Africanoiomachus Lourenco, 2020 is created for to accommodate the African members of the genus. 

Abstract:
The study of some new scorpion specimens belonging to the genus Iomachus Pocock, 1893, which will be deposited in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, leads to splitting it into two subgenera: Iomachus, comprising the Indian species, and Africanoiomachus subgen. n., created to accommodate the African species. A new species, presenting a distinct trichobothrial pattern, is also described from Mozambique and brings further elements to support the proposition of the new subgenus.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Nouvelles considérations taxonomiques sur le genre Iomachus Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae), et en particulier sur les espèces africaines. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2020(37):205–11. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Michiel Cozijn for helping me to get this article!

Family Hormuridae

Two new species of Hottentotta from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and Graeme Lowe have recently published a new article in their Scorpions of the Horn of Africa series. This time, two new species of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Buthidae) are described from Somaliland.

Hottentotta haudensis Kovarik & Lowe, 2021

Hottentotta nigrimontanus Kovarik & Lowe, 2021

Abstract:
The distribution of Hottentotta polystictus (Pocock, 1896) is summarized according to recently confirmed records. Two new species, Hottentotta haudensis sp. n. and H. nigrimontanus sp. n. from the Somaliland, are described, compared with H. polystictus, and fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology, habitus and collection areas. H. haudensis sp. n. is the smallest known species of the genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908, while H. nigrimontanus sp. n. is larger than H. polystictus.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXVI. Records of Hottentotta polystictus (Pocock, 1896), with descriptions of H. haudensis sp. n. and H. nigrimontanus sp. n. (Buthidae) from Somaliland. Euscorpius. 2021(330):1-28. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Five new Parabuthus species from Somaliland and Ethiopia

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published part 21 in their ongoing article series on the scorpion fauna in the Horn of Africa. In their latest article, they look further into Parabuthus heterurus Pocock, 1897 (Buthidae) and conclude that this is actually a species complex consisting of four species (three new species). In addition, two more new species are described from Somaliland.

Parabuthus erigavoensis Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus kabateki Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus mazuchi Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus robustus Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Ethiopia and Somaliland).

Parabuthus somalilandus Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus terzanii Rossi, 2017 is synonymized with Parabuthus hamar Kovařík et al., 2016. The former was never listed in The Scorpion Files.

New data on the distribution of Parabuthus of the Horn of Africa are given and an identification key for the genus in the same area is available.

Abstract:
The complex of Parabuthus heterurus Pocock, 1897 is split into four species: P. heterurus Pocock, 1897 s. str. whose type locality and real distribution are discussed and corrected, and three herein described species, P. kabateki sp. n., P. robustus sp. n. and P. somalilandus sp. n. In the species complex of Parabuthus liosoma (Ehrenberg, 1828), P. erigavoensis sp. n. from Somaliland is described. Also described are P. mazuchi sp. n., sympatric with P. cimrmani Kovařík, 2004 and P. eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003 from Somaliland. New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somaliland, acquired during expeditions in 2017–2019. Information is provided about Parabuthus species from Somaliland, their taxonomy, distribution, and ecology, fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. The hemispermatophores of P. kabateki sp. n., P. mazuchi sp. n., P. robustus sp. n. and P. somalilandus sp. n. are illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also described the karyotypes of P. kabateki sp. n., P. robustus sp. n., and P. somalilandus sp. n. All three species have karyotypes with 2n=16 and chromosomes gradually decreasing in length. Included is a key to Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 in the Horn of Africa. Parabuthus terzanii Rossi, 2017 is synonymized with Parabuthus hamar Kovařík et al., 2016 syn. n. as a junior synonym because the description dated July 2016 was in reality published/accessible in March 2017.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXI. Parabuthus (Buthidae) (Part II), with description of five new species from Somaliland and Ethiopia. Euscorpius. 2019(290):1-63. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A review of the East African genus Neobuthus with a description of seven new species

A new paper in the series "Scorpions of the Horn of Africa" has been published. This time, Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers present a revision of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Buthidae). Seven new species from Ethiopia, Kenya and Somaliland are described.

Neobuthus amoudensis Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Ethiopia and Somaliland)

Neobuthus erigavoensis Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Somaliland)

Neobuthus factorio Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Somaliland)

Neobuthus gubanensis Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Somaliland)

Neobuthus maidensis Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Somaliland)

Neobuthus montanus Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Somaliland)

Neobuthus kloppersi Kovarik, Lowe, Awale, Elmi & Hurre, 2018 (Kenya)

An identification key for the genus is also presented.

Abstract:
New information about the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 is presented, based on material recently collected mainly from Somaliland, but also Djibouti and Kenya. Emended diagnoses are proposed for N. berberensis Hirst, 1911 and N. ferrugineus (Kraepelin, 1898) sensu stricto. New species described are: N. amoudensis sp. n. from Ethiopia and Somaliland; N. erigavoensis sp. n., N. factorio sp. n., N. gubanensis sp. n., N. maidensis sp. n., and N. montanus sp. n. from Somaliland; and N. kloppersi sp. n. from Kenya. This doubles the number of species in Neobuthus, unearthing a rich diversification of this genus of diminutive buthids in the Horn of Africa. Included is a key and distribution map. In N. gubanensis sp. n., we report a second known case of anomalous pectine development with tarsal-like structures that implicate homeotic mutation, providing further evidence of pectine-leg homology in scorpions.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Awale AI, Elmi HSA, Hurre AA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XVII. Revision of Neobuthus, with Description of Seven New Species from Ethiopia, Kenya and Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2018(271):1-81. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Compsobuthus from Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik recently published an article presenting a new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) from Somaliland.

Compsobuthus maidensis Kovarik, 2018

Abstract:
Compsobuthus maidensis sp. n. from Somaliland is described and fully complemented with color photos of specimens, as well as its habitat. Data on the occurrence of the genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 in the Horn of Africa is summarized.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XVI. Compsobuthus maidensis sp. n. (Buthidae) from Somaliland. Euscorpius. 2018(260):1-11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Three new species of Gint from Somaliland and a revision of the genus

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have published a new article in their ongoing research on the scorpion fauna of the Horn of Africa. This time they have done a revision of the genus Gint Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2013 (Buthidae) and theree new species are described from Somaliland.

Gint amoudensis Kovarik, Lowe, Just, Awale, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2018

Gint gubanensis Kovarik, Lowe, Just, Awale, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2018

Gint maidensis Kovarik, Lowe, Just, Awale, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2018

Additional information is provided on the taxonomy and distribution of the other species in the genus. The following three species are declared nomen dubium because of insufficient descriptions and justifications:

Gint insolitus (Borelli, 1925)
Gint marialuisae Rossi, 2015
Gint monicae Rossi, 2015

The three species are still listed in The Scorpion Files, but are labeled nomen dubium until future research clarify their status.

An identification key for the members of the genus is provided.

Abstract:

We describe herein three new species of Buthidae: Gint amoudensis sp. n., G. gubanensis sp. n., and G. maidensis sp. n. from Somaliland. Additional information is provided on the taxonomy and distribution of other species of the genus Gint, fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as of their habitat. The hemispermatophores of most Gint species are illustrated and described for the first time. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also describe the karyotype of four Gint species. The number of chromosomes is different for every one of the analysed species (G. dabakalo 2n=23, G. gaitako 2n=30, G. amoudensis sp. n. 2n=35–36, and G. maidensis sp. n. 2n=34).

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Just P, Awale AI, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XV. Review of the genus Gint Kovařík et al., 2013, with description of three new species from Somaliland (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2018(259):1-41. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A review of four species of Pandinops from the Horn of Africa

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently published a review of four Pandinops Birula, 1913 (Scorpionidae) from the Horn of Africa. These are the main conclusions:

Pandinops platycheles (Werner, 1916) is move from the genus Pandinurus Fet, 1997.

Pandinops pugilator (Pocock, 1900) is a valid species that is diagnosed in this paper.

Pandinops hawkeri (Pocock, 1900) and Pandinops peeli (Pocock, 1900) are synonymized with Pandinops pugilator (Pocock, 1900).

The article has several color pictures of both live and preserved specimens.

Abstract:
Pandinops platycheles (Werner, 1916) is diagnosed and fully complemented with color photos of types, and Pandinops pugilator (Pocock, 1900) is diagnosed and fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as its habitat. The hemispermatophore of P. pugilator is illustrated and described for the first time. Pandinus hawkeri Pocock, 1900 and Pandinus peeli Pocock, 1900 are synonymized with Pandinops pugilator (Pocock, 1900).

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XIII. Review of Pandinops hawkeri, P. peeli, P.platycheles, and P. pugilator (Scorpionidae). Euscorpius. 2017(254):1-20. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae

A new species of Pandinurus from Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik and his group have recently described a new species of Pandinurus Fet, 1997 (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland.

Pandinurus hangarale Kovarik, Lowe, Mazuch, Awale, Stundlowa & Stahlavsky, 2017

The distribution of Pandinurus smithi (Pocock, 1899) is also discussed and it is concluded that this species probably is endemic to Ethiopia.

Abstract:
Pandinurus hangarale sp. n. from Somaliland is described and fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as its habitat. Hemispermatophore of P. hangarale sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also describe the karyotype of P. hangarale sp. n. (2n=120). Known localities of Pandinurus smithi (Pocock, 1897) are compiled; the type locality is not in Somaliland but in Ethiopia (Turfa) and in reality it is probably an endemic of Ethiopia.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Mazuch T, Awale AI, Stundlova J, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XII. Pandinurus hangarale sp. n. (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland and a Review of Type Locality and True Distribution of Pandinurus smithi (Pocock, 1897). Euscorpius. 2017(253):1-18. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae

Three new species of Androctonus from Africa and Asia

Three new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) have been described by Andrea Rossi from Morocco, Ethiopia and Pakistan. The new species were described in 2015 and have been included in The Scorpion Files for some time, but haven't been mentioned in the blog until now because I didn't have access to the article.

Androctonus donairei Rossi, 2015 (Morocco)

Androctonus simonettai Rossi, 2015 (Ethiopia)

Androctonus tropeai Rossi, 2015 (Pakistan)

The article has an updated identification key for the genus Androctonus.

Abstract:
Three new species of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 are described from Africa and Asia, discussing about their possible medical importance. They are Androctonus donairei sp. n. from Morocco, Androctonus simonettai sp. n. from Ethiopia and Androctonus tropeai sp. n. from Pakistan. An identification key and a check-list are given for all species.

Reference:
Rossi A. Tre nuove specie di importanza medica del genere Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Aracnida - Rivista Arachnologica Italiana. 2015;5(Supplemento):2-20.

Thanks to Andrea Rossi for sending me his article!

Family Buthidae

Scorpions of the Horn of Africa part IX with two new species

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published part IX of their series of papers on the scorpion fauna of the Horn of Africa. In this paper a new species from Somaliland and a new species from Ethiopia are presented (both in the family Buthidae). In addition, the enigmatic scorpion Somalicharmus whitmanae Kovarik, 1998 (Buthidae) is redescribed based on new materials, and its taxonomy is discussed.

Lanzatus somalilandus Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky, 2016 (Somaliland)

Orthochirus afar Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky, 2016 (Ethiopia)

The paper has pictures of live specimens and habitats.

Abstract:
The rare Horn of Africa buthid genera Lanzatus Kovařík, 2001, Orthochirus Karsch, 1891, and Somalicharmus Kovařík, 1998 were newly collected. Lanzatus is reported for the first time from Somaliland, and Orthochirus for the first time from Ethiopia. We describe two new species, Lanzatus somalilandus sp. n. from Somaliland, and Orthochirus afar sp. n. from Ethiopia, both discovered during scorpiological expeditions in 2011–2016. Information is provided for all Horn of Africa species belonging to these three genera: their taxonomy, distribution, and ecology, fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitat. The morphology of the enigmatic scorpion Somalicharmus whitmanae Kovařík, 1998 is illustrated in detail. The first author recently collected 52 specimens including the first known females, which reveal natural colors, and show sexual dimorphism in the shape of the pedipalp chela and metasoma which are broader in males, and in the shape of the basal middle lamella of the pectines, which in females is extremely dilated and rounded. We describe the hemispermatophore, which is furnished with an atypically elongated basal lobe, and the chelicera, which differs from that of all other known extant buthids. Other characters indicate possible affinity with the south African buthid Karasbergia methueni Hewitt, 1913. We also describe karyotypes of S. whitmanae. We identified 2n=20 in seven males from two localities and 2n=21 in one male. In both analyzed localities we found males with reciprocal translocations that form conspicuous multivalents. The male with 2n=21 includes fission of one chromosome that increases the diploid number and implicates an odd number of chromosomes.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part IX. Lanzatus, Orthochirus, and Somalicharmus (Buthidae), with Description of Lanzatus somalilandus sp. n. and Orthochirus afar sp. n. Euscorpius. 2016(232):1-38. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A revision of the genus Pandinoides and a critique of the recent taxonomy of Pandinus Sensu Lato

The large scorpions in the genus Pandinus (Thorell, 1876), sensu lato (Scorpionidae) have been subjected to several taxonomical changes in the recent years. The genus has been split into new generea, and several new species have been described.

Lorenzo Prendini has now published a major paper criticizing many of the decisions for this group of scorpions in the recent years. Prendini concludes by reversing several taxonomic decisions made other authors on Pandinus, sensu lato. The papers also has a revision of the genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997 and a new species is described from Kenya and Tanzania. The two other species in the genus are redescribed.

The large, black scorpions of Africa are very popular in the pet trade and because of this may be threatened in some areas. Having a correct taxonomy and knowledge of these scorpions is important to ensure that they are protected from extinction because of over-harvesting.

These are the main taxonomical conclusion in the paper:

Pandinurus roeseli (Simon, 1872) is synonymized with Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841).

Pandinoides duffmackayi Prendini, 2016 (new species from Kenya and Tanzania).

Pandinoides militaris (Pocock, 1900) (raised to species status after previous synonymization with Pandinoides cavimanus (Pocock, 1888).

The genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997 is restricted to three species: P. cavimanus (Pocock, 1888),  P. duffmackayi Prendini, 2016 and P. militaris Pocock, 1900.

The following species are synonymized:

Pandinus camerounensis Lourenco, 2014 is synonymized with Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841).

Pandinurus prendinii Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus sudanicus (Hirst, 1911).

Pandinurus janae Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus percivali (Pocock, 1902).

Pandinurus bartolozii Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890).

Pandinurus flagellicauda Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 

Pandinurus lorenzoi Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 

Pandinurus pantinii Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 

Pandinurus pygmaeus Rossi, 2015 is synonymized with Pandinurus viatoris (Pocock, 1890). 
 
Abstract:
The scorpion fauna of East Africa, encompassing Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, is more diverse than those of West and Central Africa, but a systematic survey has never been conducted and the distributions of its species remain poorly understood. A recent opportunity to examine two extensive collections of East African, and predominantly Kenyan, scorpions and new material acquired by the author permitted a reassessment of the fauna of the region. The present contribution, the first of several emanating from this research, comprises two parts. The first part presents a redefinition and revision of the scorpionid genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997, with a redescription of the type species, Pandinoides cavimanus (Pocock, 1888), a revalidation and redescription of Pandinoides militaris (Pocock, 1900), and a description of Pandinoides duffmackayi, sp. nov. Pending reassessment of the genera and subgenera of Pandinus, sensu lato, based on quantitative phylogenetic analysis, Pandinoides is restricted to the three species with a marked concave depression in the retrodorsal surface of the pedipalp chela manus of the adult male, and Pandinus platycheles Werner, 1916, transferred to Pandinus subgenus Pandinoriens Rossi, 2015, creating a new combination: Pandinus (Pandinoriens) platycheles (Werner, 1916), comb. nov. The availability of large series comprising both sexes and all stages of the three Pandinoides species covered herein revealed considerable variation in counts of pedipalp trichobothria, spiniform macrosetae of the leg telotarsi, and pectinal teeth, among and even within individual conspecifics, calling into question the widespread practice of defining species and supraspecific taxa almost exclusively on trivial meristic differences between small samples of material (often singletons, female or immature). Furthermore, whereas neobothriotaxic patterns with low counts may provide appropriate diagnostic characters for genera and species, in combination with other characters, this is generally inadvisable when trichobothrial counts are high, due to the greater instability of the patterns.

The second part of this contribution assesses the validity of several putative species of Pandinus, sensu lato, recently described or revalidated, in light of data presented in the first part, and presents 10 new synonyms: Heterometrus roeseli Simon, 1872 = Pandinus (P.) imperator (C.L. Koch, 1841), syn. nov.; Pandinus (P.) camerounensis Lourenço, 2014 = Pandinus (P.) imperator (C.L. Koch, 1841), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (P.) prendinii Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (P.) sudanicus (Hirst, 1911), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandicaporiaccous) Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandiborellius) Rossi, 2015, syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandicaporiaccous) janae Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandiborellius) percivali (Pocock, 1902), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) bartolozii Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) flagellicauda Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) lorenzoi Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) pantinii Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.; Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) pygmaeus Rossi, 2015 = Pandinurus (Pandipalpus) viatoris (Pocock, 1890), syn. nov.

Reference:
Prendini L. Redefinition and systematic revision of the East African scorpion genus Pandinoides (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) with critique of the taxonomy of Pandinus, sensu lato. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 2016(407):1-67. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this article!

Family Scorpionidae 

Two new Pandinops species from the Horn of Africa

Frantisek Kovarik has published a series of articles on the scorpion fauna of the Horn of Africa. In a recent paper the genus Pandinops Birlula, 1913 (Buthidae) was investigated. Two new species are described.

Pandinops friedrichi Kovarik, 2016 (Somalia)

Pandinops turieli Kovarik, 2016 (Ethiopia and Kenya).

Good color pictures of both preserved and live specimens and an identification key is included.

Abstract:
Complete Pandinops trichobothrial pattern and spiniform formula of tarsomeres of legs are published for the first time. P. friedrichi sp. n. from Somalia and P. turieli sp. n. from Ethiopia and Kenya are described. Information is provided about all Pandinops species, their taxonomy, and distribution, and P. turieli sp. n. discovered during scorpiological expeditions in 2011–2016 is fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as its habitat.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part VIII. Pandinops Birula, 1913 (Scorpionidae), With Description of Two New Species. Euscorpius. 2016(229):1-20. [Open Access]

Congratulations, Carlos! :)

A major review of the Parabuthus of the Horn of Africa

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently published a major review of the scorpions in the genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 (Buthidae) distributed in the countries constituting the Horn of Africa.

The major findings of this study are:

Two new species from Ethiopia.

Parabuthus hamar Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2016
Parabuthus kajibu Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2016

Parabuthus abyssinicus Pocock, 1901 is raised from subspecies status (previously Parabuthus liosoma abyssinicus Pocock, 1901).

The genus Riftobuthus Lourenco, Duhem & Cloudsley-Thompson, 2010 from Kenya is synonymized with Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 and the only species in the genus, Parabuthus inexpectatus Lourenco, Duhem & Cloudsley-Thompson, 2010 is synonymized with Parabuthus pallidus Pocock, 1895.

The Parabuthus liosoma complex is split into three sibling species with separate areas of distribution:  Parabuthus liosoma Ehrenberg, 1828 is now restricted to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Parabuthus abyssinicus is restricted to Eritrea, Djibouti, central and north-eastern parts of Ethiopia, and Parabuthus maximus Werner, 1913 is distributed to Kenya and Tanzania. The latter decision has greater implications as this means that most Parabuthus liosoma in the pet trade now is actually P. maximus.

This article has great color pictures of both live specimens and morphological details, and also comes with an identification key for the genus in the region.

Abstract:
All Parabuthus species from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somaliland were newly collected and are revised for the first time. The complex of Parabuthus liosoma is split into three sibling species with separate areas of distribution: P. abyssinicus Pocock, 1901 (Eritrea, Djibouti, central and north-eastern parts of Ethiopia), P. liosoma (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Yemen and Saudi Arabia), and P. maximus Werner, 1913 (Tanzania and Kenya). P. hamar sp. n. and P. kajibu sp. n., discovered during scorpiological expeditions in 2011–2016, are described. Information is provided about all Parabuthus species from the Horn of Africa, their taxonomy, distribution, and ecology, fully com-plemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitat. The hemispermatophores of P. abyssinicus and P. kajibu sp. n. are illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also describe the karyotypes of P. abyssinicus (2n=16), P. kajibu sp. n. (2n=18), and P. pallidus (2n=20). The monotypic genus Riftobuthus Lourenço, Duhem et Cloudsley-Thompson, 2010 is synonymized with Parabuthus, based in part on pectinal tooth count analysis. Phylogenetic scaling and ontogenetic invariance of pectinal tooth count are shown for buthid scorpions. 

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Pliskova J, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part VII. Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 (Buthidae), with Description of P. hamar sp. n. and P. kajibu sp. n. from Ethiopia. Euscorpius. 2016(228):1-58. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Compsobuthus from Eritrea

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers are continuing their publication series on the scorpion fauna of the Horn of Africa. In a recent article they review the genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) in this region, and a new species is described from Eritrea.

Compsobuthus eritreaensis Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2016

 The article also has habitat information for the members of Compsobuthus in this region.

Abstract:
All four Compsobuthus species of the Horn of Africa were newly collected, C. werneri firstly collected in Eritrea and C. eritreaensis sp. n. discovered during scorpiological expeditions in 2011–2016. Information is provided about their taxonomy, distribution, and ecology, fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitat. The hemispermatophore of C. eritreaensis sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to morphological analysis, we also describe the karyotype of C. eritreaensis sp. n. (2n=22).

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Pliskova J, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part VI. Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae), with a description of C. eritreaensis sp. n. Euscorpius. 2016(226):1-21. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Neobuthus from Eritrea and Ethiopia

Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik has recently published a new article on the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Buthidae) from the Horn of Africa. Two new species are described:

Neobuthus eritreaensis Lowe & Kovarik, 2016 (Eritrea)

Neobuthus kutcheri Lowe & Kovarik, 2016 (Southern Ethiopia)

In addition, emended diagnosis for Neobuthus awashensis Kovařík & Lowe, 2012 and N. cloudsleythompsoni Lourenço, 2001 are presented. The article also present an identification key for six of the seven species in the genus.

Color pictures are presented for both scorpions and their natural habitats.

Abstract:
New information about the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is presented, based on materials recently collected from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Emended diagnoses are provided for the genus Neobuthus, and for the species N. awashensis Kovařík et Lowe, 2012 and N. cloudsleythompsoni Lourenço, 2001. New records are given for N. awashensis in Ethiopia. We redescribe N. cloudsleythompsoni, and we describe two additional new species: N. eritreaensis sp. n. (the first record of the genus from Eritrea) and N. kutcheri sp. n. (southern Ethiopia, Somali State). We include a key to six members of the genus and discuss possible speciation mechanisms.

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part V. Two New Species of Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Buthidae), from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Euscorpius. 2016(224):1-46. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae