Differences in sprinting performance between burrowing and non-burrowing scorpions

 

Scorpions are different. Some move quickly, others more slowly. Some make burrows and stay there most of the time, while others are more active on the surface and hide under suitable objects during daytime. Eran Gefen and co-workers have recently published a study where they tested the endurance of three Israeli buthids and two scorpionids. 

The study showed that buthids are fast runners, but they tire more quickly. The burrowing scorpionids are slower, but show more endurance. The authors discuss the physiology behind these differences. The faster sprinting speed in buthids are probably an adaption to escaping predators, while the endurance seen in scorpionids is probably an adaption for digging deep burrows over a longer time.

Please note that there is a correction published for this article (it is available on the article's main page). 

Abstract:
Aerobic capacity in arachnids is closely linked with considerable structural variation in their respiratory systems. However, although all scorpions are non-tracheated and possess four pairs of book lungs, they vary greatly in their locomotor activity patterns. Many nonburrowing species express short bursts of activity whereas other species dig deep burrows within hours, suggesting more aerobically fueled exercise.We hypothesized that locomotion in surface dwellers is more dependent on anaerobic ATP synthesis, and that this would be reflected in their exercise performance and functional adaptation to potential disturbance of resting-state homeostasis. We used an experimental design consisting of two surface-dwelling Buthidae species (Hottentotta judaicus and Leiurus hebraeus), a burrowing buthid (Buthus israelis) and two burrowing Scorpionidae (Scorpio fuscus and Scorpio palmatus). Maximum running speeds were higher for buthids, which were also more prone to fatigue than scorpionids. Higher respiratory exchange ratios recorded for buthids during activity and subsequent recovery indicated a higher reliance on anaerobically fueled locomotion compared with scorpionids. Our data show that quicker removal of excess CO2 resulting from anaerobic exercise and hemolymph buffering in buthids is associated with significantly higher carbonic anhydrase activity in their hemolymph, compared with that of scorpionids. Efficient CO2 emission may also contribute to the lower respiratory water losses of buthids, and thus assist in facing both biotic and abiotic challenges of surface existence, from which the scorpionid burrows provide refuge.

Reference:
Gefen E, Atiya S, David LM, Talal S. Sprinting performance is linked to surface activity in scorpions. J Exp Biol. 2026;229:jeb251978. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this article and for his comments about it. 

Two articles on prey capture and prey in Leiurus arabicus in Saudi Arabia

 

Mayssara El Bouhissi and co-workers have recently published two articles reporting about prey capture and prey types in Leiurus arabicus Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarik, 2014 (Buthidae) in Saudi Arabia. The first article is a case report describing predation on the lizzard Mesalina cryptica. The second article describes an example of intraguild predation involving L. arabicus preying on Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807).

Abstract article 1:
An adult buthid scorpion Leiurus arabicus Lowe, Yağmur & Kovařík, 2014 was observed preying on the lizard Mesalina cryptica (Squamata: Lacertidae) in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve (KARR), Saudi Arabia. Predation of Mesalina by a scorpion has not been previously documented. 

Abstract article 2:
Intraguild predation represents an important ecological interaction that influences species composition and trophic relationships in arid ecosystems. During diurnal surveys in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve (KARR), Saudi Arabia, we documented a case of predation involving two buthid scorpions. Specifically, an individual of Leiurus arabicus was observed preying on Androctonus crassicauda on sandy soil with scattered rocks. When disturbed, the predator attempted to retreat into rock crevices while firmly holding its prey, demonstrating strong prey-retention behaviour. This observation highlights predator–predator interactions within Buthidae in Saudi Arabian desert environments and provides insights into trophic dynamics among sympatric scorpion species.

Reference article 1:
El Bouhissi M, Alzahrani AS, Alkhamis HH, Alowaifeer AM, Kehail MA, Alrefaei AF. A case of predation on Mesalina cryptica (Squamata: Lacertidae) by Leiurus arabicus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Saudi Arabia. Serket. 2026;21(2):213–6. [Open Access]

Reference article 2:
El Bouhissi M, Alzahrani AS, Alkhamis HH, Alowaifeer AM, Kehail MA, Alrefaei AF. First record of predation of Leiurus arabicus on Androctonus crassicauda in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Saudi Arabia. Serket. 2026;21(2):209–12. [Open access]

Thanks to Hisham El-Hennaway for sending me the articles! 

Is “Tityus” tenuimanus Banks, 1910 actually a member of the genus Leiurus?

 

There are quite a few taxa in the scorpion world with unclear or unsolved status. “Tityus” tenuimanus Banks, 1910 (Buthidae) is one of these. Originally, labelled as collected in California, USA, but later this was changed to Morocco, and the species was synonymized with Buthus atlantis Pocock, 1889.

Mohamed Mousaid and co-workers have recently published a redescription of this taxa after examining the holotype. Their conclusion is that this species probably belongs to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg,
1828. The absence of adult specimens makes it impossible to further conclude abut the status.

The authors remove “Tityus” tenuimanus from synonymy with B. atlantis, and consider it nomen dubium.

Abstract:
This study re-examines the holotype of “Tityus” tenuimanus Banks, 1910, previously synonymized with Buthus atlantis Pocock, 1889 by Lourenço & Francke (1984). Our results indicate that the specimen is a misidentified representative of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828, as it exhibits the diagnostic characters of this genus: the central lateral and posterior median carinae of the carapace fused into a lyre-shaped configuration, and tergites I–II bearing five granular carinae (a character absent in the genus Buthus Leach, 1815). Moreover, the holotype lacks one of the most distinctive characters of the genus Tityus Koch, 1836, namely the presence of a subaculear tubercle. The holotype shares several morphological features with two species described from Egypt (especially trichobothrial configuration on the fixed finger of pedipalp), Leiurus libycus (Birula, 1908) and L. aegyptiacus Lourenço & El- Hennawy, 2021, both of which are only known from immature material. The absence of adult specimens for these two species, as well as the lack of a clear assessment of their intraspecific morphological variation, leads us to consider “T.” tenuimanus as a
nomen dubium for the time being, and to remove it from synonymy with B. atlantis.

Reference:
Mousaid M, Yagmur EA, Flores Z, Rivera A, Lansari A, Bouazza A. A reassessment of “Tityus” tenuimanus Banks, 1910, as a misidentified Leiurus sp. (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2026(431):1–7. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae 

On Leiurus nigellus in Saudi Arabia

 

Abdulaziz M. Al-Amri and co-workers recently publised an article with a molecular and morphological analysis of Leiurus nigellus Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh, 2023 (Buthidae) in Saudi Arabia. Distribution and habitat are also discussed.

Abstract:
This study documents the first confirmed record of the Buthid scorpion Leiurus nigellus from Jabal Arnan in the Ha’il region, located within the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) in the northwestern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This species was originally described by Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh (2023). This locality extends the known distribution range of L. nigellus by over 200 km southeast of the type locality in Al-Ula, Al Madinah province. A total of six specimens of L. nigellus were collected during fieldwork conducted between June 2024 and April 2025, including two adult males, one adult female, and three juveniles. The objective of this study was to confirm the taxonomic identity of Leiurus nigellus from a newly discovered locality using morphological examination and mitochondrial DNA analysis and documentation of its known geographic distribution. Adult specimens (one male and one female) were examined using comparative morphometric analysis following standard scorpion taxonomic protocols, confirming diagnostic traits consistent with the original species description. Meanwhile, habitat assessments indicated adaptation to semi-arid rocky and gravel substrates. Molecular analysis was conducted on one adult male using targeted mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Sanger method). Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony analyses, placing L. nigellus within the Arabian Leiurus clade with bootstrap-supported affinity to Arabian congeners and limited intraspecific divergence. The generated 16S rRNA sequence represents the first molecular record for L. nigellus and has been deposited in GenBank. Sexual dimorphism was evident in morphometric traits, but these differences reflect normal biological variation rather than taxonomic differentiation. The discovery of L. nigellus in northern Saudi Arabia emphasizes the importance of continued faunistic and genetic surveys in underexplored regions, both to refine species distributions and to inform conservation management of specialized desert arachnofauna.

Reference:
Al-Amri AM, Abdulhakeem MA, Alqahtani AR, Al-Malki AM, Shohdi WM. First Record of Leiurus nigellus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Northern Saudi Arabia: Molecular and Morphological Insights from Ha’il Region, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve. Diversity. 2026;18(3). [Open Access]

Family Buthidae 

Melanism in two buthid species from Saudi Arabia

 

Body coloration is important for many animals and is assumed to play a part in part in camouflage, thermoregulation, protection against UV damage, and increased immunity to parasites. In species inhabiting dark surfaces in their habitat, dark body colors may have evolved to increase the camouflage. 

Margareta Lakusic and co-workers have recently published an article describing different levels of dark melanism in the two buthids Leiurus haenggii Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarik, 2014 and Compsobuthus manzonii (Borelli, 1915) from Saudi Arabia. The scorpions were found on dark volcanic substrate or within transition zones between light-colored substrates and dark lava flows.

Abstract:
Body colouration is involved in multiple aspects of species ecology and behaviour. Melanism, a common colour polymorphism, has been associated with camouflage and thermoregulation, particularly in diverse, high-altitude habitats of arid regions. This study reports the first case of melanism in the lacertid Acanthodactylus boskianus, two scorpions, Leiurus haenggii and Compsobuthus manzonii, and the first records of brown-black melanistic colouration in three rodent species, Acomys dimidiatus, Meriones crassus, and Sekeetamys calurus, in the dark lavafields (harrat) of north-western Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it expands observations of melanism in the endemic colubrid Rhynchocalamus hejazicus and provides the first documented records of brown-black melanistic Acomys russatus for the region, consistent with earlier predictions. These observations suggest that colour polymorphism may serve a cryptic function through background matching in both diurnal and nocturnal species, but other roles of melanism should be further investigated. Despite their extent, lava fields in arid regions remain poorly studied due to their remoteness and limited accessibility, yet they offer unique opportunities to investigate phenotypic evolution in arid ecosystems.

Reference:
Lakušić M, Roumelioti M, Licata F, Bilancioni M, Ferreira DF, Khalatbari L, et al. Melanism in scorpions, reptiles and rodents inhabiting the volcanic fields of north-western Saudi Arabia. Journal of Arid Environments. 2026;233:105548. [Full text supplied by authors]

A new species of Leiurus from Niger

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a new species of the medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the south of Niger. 

Leiurus sahelicus Lourenco, El-Hennaway & Ythier, 2025

The authors also restore Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenço & El-Hennawy, 2021 from synonymy with L. libycus (Birula, 1908).

A distribution map of the African members of Leiurus is also presented. 

Abstract:
One more African new species belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 is described. The description is based on six adult males and one adult female collected in the region of Mir, South of Niger. The new species shows affinities with other Leiurus species distributed in the Western portion of Africa; however, several characteristics attest that, once again, this population is certainly distinct. The ecological features of the type locality are particular since the area is characterised by savannah-like vegetation, instead of arid-desert formations; formation previously defined exclusively for Leiurus savanicola Lourenço, Qi & Cloudsley-Thompson, 2006 described from Cameroon and Leiurus nigerianus Lourenço, 2021 described from Nigeria. This new scorpion taxon represents the 28th known species of the genus Leiurus. Comments are equally proposed on the recent synonymy of Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenço & El-Hennawy, 2021 with Leiurus libycus (Birula, 1908), and this species is revalidated. A geographical distribution map of the distribution of the African species of the genus Leiurus is presented.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, El-Hennawy HK, Ythier E. A further new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the South of Niger and confirmation of the extension of the distribution range of the genus to the Southern zones of the Sahara Desert. Serket. 2025;21(1):1–11. [Article supplied by authors]

Thanks to Eric for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae 

Sex may be risky in Leiurus abdullahbayrami (clickbait title ;)

 

Mating is sometimes risky in many arachnids, also in scorpions. Often, the female may kill and devour the male in stead of mating with him. Scorpions have an advanced mating dance which sometimes includes sexual stings to reduce the risk of cannibalism, but in some cases mating attempts do not result in a happy ending for the male.

Rami Khashab published earlier this summer a case report with the first observation of sexual cannibalism in the medical important buthid Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009.

Abstract:
This study presents the first report of sexual cannibalism in the medically significant scorpion Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009, that was recorded during a herpetological field trip to the semi-desert area in northern Lebanon. It broadens the understanding of sexual cannibalism in scorpions and adds a new prey item to the dietary spectrum of the scorpion.

Reference:
Khashab R. First case of sexual cannibalism in Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Lebanon. Euscorpius. 2025(416):1–4. [Open Access]

A new species of Leiurus from Libya

 

Heat waves all over Europe these days (even here in the middle of Norway), but hopefully we will not have populations of the medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) in Europe in the near future. But they do exist in Africa, and this week Ersen Yagmur and his co-workers published a new species from the Fezzan Province in Libya.

Leiurus fezzanensis Yagmur, Aboshaala & Kovarik, 2025

Abstract
Leiurus fezzanensis sp. n. is described from the Fezzan Province, Libya. Detailed illustrations and a map showing the distributions of all Leiurus species in Africa are given. Leiurus fezzanensis differs from granulations of carapace, trichobothrial pattern on fixed finger, granulation of fifth segment of metasoma and pectinal tooth count. Since L. libycusBirula, 1908 was recently excluded from the scorpion fauna of Libya, L. fezzanensis is currently the only Leiurus species known from the country.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Aboshaala F, Kovarik F. Leiurus fezzanensis sp. n. from Fezzan Province, Libya (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Journal of Natural History. 2025;59(29-32):2035–49. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their new paper!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Leiurus from Jordan

 

The medical significant genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 consisted originally of one species divided into two subspecies (L. quinquestriatus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) and L. quinquestriatus hebraeus (Birula, 1908)). Today, this genus consists of 25 species, including a new species from southern Jordan described recently by Bassam Abu Afifeh and co-workers.

Leiurus aylaensis Abu Afifeh, Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2025

This study also contains a revision of the genus Leiurus in Jordan and has also an identification key for the known species in the country.

Abstract:
Several new populations of Leiurus were studied from various habitats in Jordan, including specimens previously identified as Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) and Leiurus hebraeus (Birula, 1908). A new species, Leiurus aylaensis sp. n. is described from Aqaba in southern Jordan, and Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009 is recorded in Jordan for the first time, extending its geographical range from Türkiye, Syria and Lebanon to the south. A detailed illustration of Leiurus hebraeus (Birula, 1908) and Leiurus jordanensis Lourenço, Modrý & Amr, 2002 are also provided. Biological and geographical notes are also provided.

Reference:
Afifeh BA, Al-Saraireh M, Amr Z. Revision of the genus Leiurus in Jordan, with a description of a new species and a new record (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Ecol Mont. 2025;86:81–118. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Species status for Leiurus libycus from western Egypt after redescription

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers have recently published an article where they have studied and redescribed the taxa formerly known as Buthus quinquestriatus libycus Birula, 1908 (Buthidae). The species is elevated to species status in the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828.

Leiurus libycus (Birula, 1908)

In the article the authors synonymize Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenço & El-Hennawy, 2021 with L. libycus as the former was described from the same area and is morphologically very similar.

Abstract:
Buthus quinquestriatus libycus was described by Birula (1908) from the Libyan Desert, based on a subadult male specimen. This taxon was later synonymized with Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) by Vachon (1949). In this study, we re-evaluate this taxon and recognize it as Leiurus libycus (Birula, 1908), stat. n., providing a redescription based on the holotype. The type locality of this species is clarified as western Egypt (between Alexandria and Fayum). We synonymize Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenço & El-Hennawy, 2021 with L. libycus, stat. n., syn. n.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Kovarik F, Fet V. A redescription of Leiurus libycus (Birula, 1908), stat. n. (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(413):1-08. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Leiurus from Mali

 

The number of African members of the medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) is still growing. A new species was recently described from the mountain system of Adrar des Iforas, Cercle of Kidal, in Mali by Wilson Lourenco and Eric Ythier.

Leiurus tamajeq Lourenco & Ythier, 2024

Abstract:
A new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 is described on the basis of one male specimen collected in the mountain system of Adrar des Iforas, Cercle of Kidal, in Mali. The new species, Leiurus tamajeq sp. n. is most certainly associated to Leiurus hoggarensis, described from the Hoggar mountain system in Algeria, both species presenting an almost parapatric geographic distribution. Nevertheless, these closed related mountain systems have been isolated during past palaeoclimatic vicissitudes leading to possible differentiation processes. The two species can be distinguished by a number of morphological characters which clearly suggest that the new species population is distinct from the one found in the Hoggar mountain system. Differences are noticeable notably for morphometric values as well as the relative position of several trichobothria. As for L. hoggarensis, the new species seems to inhabit a more mesic zone when compared to the central compartment of the Saharan desert and, apparently, do not present characteristics of a psamophilic species and may be considered as a lithophilic species.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Ythier E. A new African species of the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 from Mali (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Serket. 2024;20(2):58-67. [Open Access article will be available later]

Thanks to Eric for sending me the new article!

Family Buthidae

Venom composition in the medical important scorpion Leiurus abdullahbayrami from The Middle East

 

The 23 species in the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) have the most potent venom of all scorpions and posing a medical threat to humans in their area of distribution. Knowledge of the venom composition and potency of the different species is important for correct treatment and the use of antivenom.

Adolfo Borges and Bruno Lomonte have recently published a study of the venom composition of Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yagmur, Koc & Kunt, 2009, distributed in Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. This species have been involved in serious envenomations and this study confirms the potency of its venom. 

The study also found that the venom composition in Leiurus abdullahbayrami and other species vary and more research on this potential interspecific variation is necessary to decide whether a species-specific antivenom is necessary for sting cases involving this species.

Abstract:
The scorpion Leiurus abdullahbayrami has been associated with severe/lethal envenomings throughout the Levant region of the Middle East, encompassing Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, and only scarce information is available on its venom composition, activity, and antigenicity. We report on the composition of L. abdullahbayrami venom collected from Lebanese specimens using nESI-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF MS, SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Venom lethality, through LD50 determination in mice (intraperitoneal), was also assessed (0.75 (0.16–1.09) mg/kg), confirming L.abdullahbayrami venom vertebrate toxicity. Fifty-four peaks were detected using RP-HPLC, half of which eluted in the gradient region between 20 and 40% acetonitrile. In reducing SDS-PAGE, most predominant components were <10 kDa, with minor components at higher molecular masses of 24.4, 43.1, and 48.9 kDa. Venom mass fingerprint by MALDI-TOF detected 21 components within the 1000–12,000 m/z range. Whole venom ‘shotgun’ bottom-up nLC-MS/MS approach, combined with in-gel tryptic digestion of SDS-PAGE bands, identified at least 113 different components belonging to 15 venom families and uncharacterized proteins, with ion channel-active components (K+ channel toxins (28); Na+ channel toxins (42); Cl􀀀 channel toxins (4); Ca+ toxins (2)) being predominant. A single match for a L. adbullahbayrami NaTx was found in the UniProt database with other congeneric species, toxin h3.1 from Leiurus hebraeus, suggesting this might be an indication of venom divergence within Leiurus, eventhough this warrants further investigation involving venom proteomics and transcriptomics of relevant species. Considering such potential interspecific venom variation, future work should address whether preparation of a specific anti-L. abdullahbayrami antivenom is justified.

Reference:
Borges A, Lomonte B. Venomics of Leiurus abdullahbayrami, the most lethal scorpion in the Levant region of the Middle East. Toxicon. 2024;237:107548. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Luis A. Roque for informing me about this article!

A new, black species in the medical important genus Leiurus from Saudi Arabia

 

Most species in the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) are yellowish and quite pale, but in 2002 Lourenco and co-workers quite sensationally described an all black species, L. jordanensis Lourenço, Modry & Amr, 2002. After this, one more dark colored species has been described, Leiurus ater Lourenço, 2019.

Bassam Abu Afifeh and co-workers have now described another blackish species in the genus Leiurus from Saudi Arabia.

Leiurus nigellus Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh, 2023

This species is probably of medical importance.

Abstract:
A new remarkable buthid scorpion, Leiurus nigellus sp. nov., was discovered in Al Ula Governorate, north of Al Madinah Al Monawwarah Province, Saudi Arabia. The new species is described, fully illustrated, and compared with other species of the genus Leiurus reported from the Arabian Peninsula. Notes on its habitats are provided.

Reference:
Afifeh BA, Aloufi A, Al-Saraireh M, Badry A, Al-Qahtni AH, Amr ZS. A new remarkable species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 from Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Ecol Mont. 2023(69):91-106. [Open Access]

Thanks to Victora Tang for informing me about this article!

Family Buthidae

Another new species in the medical important genus Leiurus

 

As a I stated a few days ago, the members of the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828  (Buthidae) has the most potent scorpion venom in the world, and knowledge about taxonomy and distribution is very important. Abdulmani H. Al-Qahtni and co-workers have recently published a new species in this genus from the Majami al-Hadb Protected Area in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia based on morphological and molecular analysis.

Leiurus hadb Al-Qahtni, Al-Salem, Alqahtani & Badry, 2023

The article has an identification guide for the genus in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract:
A new species, Leiurus hadb Al-Qahtni, Al-Salem, Alqahtani & Badry, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from the Majami al-Hadb Protected Area in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia. The new species is compared with species of Leiurus distributed in Saudi Arabia, especially L. arabicus Lowe, Yağmur & Kovařík, 2014. The integrated results indicate that the population found in Majami al-Hadb represents a distinct species, which is described herein. Moreover, the molecular analysis is conducted on the mitochondrial gene 16S rRNA to compare L. hadb sp. nov. with samples of L. arabicus and L. haenggii from Saudi Arabia. The analysis revealed a genetic divergence ranging from 6.0 to 12%. The combination of molecular evidence and morphological characteristics provides adequate support for recognizing the Majami al-Hadb population as a distinct species. Additionally, an identification key for the genus Leiurus found in Saudi Arabia is also provided.

Reference:
Al-Qahtni AH, Al-Salem AM, Mesfer F, Al Balawi MS, Allahyani WS, Alqahtani AR, Badry A. A new species and a key to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Saudi Arabia. ZooKeys. 2023(1178):293–312. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric and Gerard for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae 

A new species of Leiurus from Sinai, Egypt

 

The genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) is one the scorpion taxa that has gone from having one species to include many species thanks to improved morphological and genetic taxonomical methods in addition to more specimens available from new and different habitats. The members of this genus has the most potent scorpion venom in the world, and knowledge about taxonomy and distribution is very important.

Ahmed Badry and co-workers have recently published a new species in the genus Leiurus from Sinai, Egypt.

Leiurus sinai Badry, Saleh, Lourenco & Ythier, 2023

Abstract:
The genus Leiurus was first described by Ehrenberg in 1828 as Androctonus (Leiurus) quinquestriatus. For almost two centuries, it was considered monotypic, with only two valid subspecies: Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) and Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus (Birula, 1908). However, over the last 20 years, several new species of Leiurus have been described in Africa and the Middle East. Despite this, some populations, such as those in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, remained poorly defined. Previous studies suggested that the Sinai population is distinct from both L. quinquestriatus and L. hebraeus (Birula, 1908). In this study, we conducted a more comprehensive comparison of the Sinai population and L. quinquestriatus and L. hebraeus using morphological and molecular evidence. Our results suggest that the Sinai population indeed represents a distinct species, which we describe based on this evidence.

Reference:
Badry A, Salehi M, Sarhan MMH, Youness M, Lourenco WR, Ythier E. A new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Sinai, Egypt and comments on its relationships with L. quinquestriatus and L. hebraeus using morphological and molecular evidence. Faunitaxys. 2023;11(54):1-10. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

 

Updated information about the distribution of scorpions in Sudan

 

Manal Siyam and co-workers have recently published a study with updated information about the scorpion fauna of Sudan. Of special interest is the new distributional data about medical important species like Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826), Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1829) and Parabuthus abyssinicus (Pocock, 1901) (Buthidae). 

Abstract:
Six species of scorpion (Arachnida: Scorpiones) are documented from eighteen localities in seven different states within the Republic of the Sudan. Combining this new data with historical records in the Sudan Natural History Museum and the published literature enables the first provisional distribution maps for Sudanese scorpions. New state records could be added for three medically significant species: Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) from Khartoum, North Kordofan and North Darfur, Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1829) from Kassala, River Nile, White Nile and North Darfur, and Parabuthus abyssinicus (Pocock, 1901) from Kassala. Among the less venomous species, we offer new state records for Buthacus leptochelys (Ehrenberg, 1829) in White Nile State, for Compsobuthus werneri (Birula, 1908) in North Kordofan, White Nile and Kassala States and for Orthochirus olivaceus (Karsch, 1881) in River Nile, Northern and Kassala States. Further information about the taxonomy, distribution and toxicity of Sudanese scorpions is presented.

Reference:
Siyam M, Dunlop JA, Kovařík F, Mohammad A. Additions to the distribution of Sudanese scorpions. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 2023;99(1). [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this article!

A new species of Leiurus from Iraq

 

Wilson Lourenco has recently published a description of a new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the Al-Anbâr Province in Iraq.

Leiurus maculatus Lourenco, 2022.

A new subgenus is also created to accomodate the new species that has characteristics both from Leiurus and Buthus Leach, 1815.

Iraquioleiurus Lourenco, 2022

Abstract:
A new species of buthid scorpion belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg is described based on one female collected in the Al-Anbâr Province in Iraq. Since the early 2000s, the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (family Buthidae) started to be the subject of several new studies. Some of the populations previously considered as subspecies were raised to the rank of species, but also many new species have been described. Nevertheless, although the important number of modifications brought to the composition of the genus Leiurus, no attempt was done to divide it in sub generic units. The study of an atypical new species of Leiurus from Iraq, suggests the creation of a new subgenus to accommodate it. Further investigations should bring more precise conclusions about the status of this particular population. The type locality of the new species represents the first confirmed record of the genus Leiurus for Iraq.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new subgenus and species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 from Iraq (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Serket.18(4):421-7. [Open Access]

Thanks to Hisham El-Hennawy for informing me about this article!

Family Buthidae

The medical important species Leiurus abdullahbayrami is reported from Lebanon

 

Testing my shape with this blog post before returning to work tomorrow after a week with Covid. I've been escaping "the plague" for a long time, but it finally got me. I'm slowly getting my strength back, but the taste sense is still gone. Anyway, it is OK to be finished with it before the summer holiday.

Adolfo Borges and Ersen Yagmur have published a small paper showing the presence of Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009 (Buthidae) in the East Bekaa province in Lebanon. This species has shown to be medical important in Turkey and Syria, and it is important knowledge that the species is also present in other countries in the region.

Abstract:
The first record of Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009 for Lebanon is presented, collected in the East Bekaa province. This is the second Leiurus species reported for this country. The medical importance of L. abdullahbayrami, associated with severe and fatal cases among children in Turkey and Syria, makes it highly relevant to determine its current distribution range in the Levant region.

Reference:
Borges A, Yagmur EA. First record of the medically significant scorpion Leiurus abdullahbayrami (Scorpiones: Buthidae) for Lebanon. Arachnologische Mitteilungen. 2022;63:7-10. [Not Online yet?]

Thanks to Adolfo for sending me their article!

A new species of Leiurus from Nigeria

 

Wilson Lourenco has recently published an article describing a new species of the medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from a savannah-like habitat in Nigeria.

Leiurus nigerianus Lourenco, 2021

Abstract:
One more African new species belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg is described. The description is based on two pre-adult male specimens collected in the region of Kaura Namoda, NW of Nigeria. The new species shows affinities with other Leiurus species distributed in the Western portion of Africa; however several characteristics attest that this population is certainly distinct. The ecological features of the type locality are particular since the area is characterised by savannah-like vegetation, instead of arid-desert formations; formation previously defined exclusively for Leiurus savanicola described from Cameroon. The type locality of the new species is the most Southwestern region of Africa in which a Leiurus species was collected.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Nigeria, with extension of the distribution range of the genus to the Southwestern portion of the African continent. Serket. 2021;18(1):1-10. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr.Hisham K. El-Hennawy for sending me this article from the journal Serket!

Buthidae

A new species of Leiurus from Egypt

 

Wilson Lourenco and Hisham El-Hennawy have recetly published the discovery of a second species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Egypt.

Leiurus aegyptiacus Lourenco & El-Hennaway, 2021

Pictures of the new species' super-dry habitat are also presented.

Abstract:
One more new species is described for the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg from Africa. The description is based on one juvenile female collected in the region NE of Maghra, east of the Qattara Depression, Egypt. Although some affinities may be suggested with L. quinquestriatus and L. hebraeus, species distributed in Egypt and Israel, several characteristics attest however that this population is certainly distinct. The type locality of the new species corresponds to a very poorly prospected zone in Egypt and further studies in the area should provide new material confirming the present decision.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, El-Hennawy HK. New considerations on the Leiurus Ehrenberg (Scorpiones: Buthidae) distributed in Africa and description of a particular species from Egypt. Serket. 2021;17(4):325-34. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae