New cases of anatomical malformations in scorpions

  

There have been quite a few articles documenting anatomical malformations in scorpions (teratology). In a recent article, Danniella Sherwood and co-workers document three more cases of anatomical malformations in a Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 species from Australia and Parabuthus raudus (Simon, 1888) from Botswana (both Buthidae).

Abstract:
Three cases of tergite malformation are described: two in Parabuthus raudus (Simon, 1888) from Botswana and one in Lychas sp. from Australia. One adult female P. raudus had tergite IV almost split into two parts, an anomaly that also affected tergites II–III. In another female P. raudus, a longitudinal depression presented across tergites I–IV. In Lychas sp., tergites I–II are strongly constricted transversely, exposing the adjacent pleural membrane dorsally.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Jessnitz V, Tang V. Three more cases of tergite malformation in two buthid scorpion species revealed from citizen science data (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(46):135–7. [Full text available by authors]

Thanks to Danniella for sending me their article!

Scorpion fauna of the major city Delhi in India

 

Scorpions are most known from rural areas, but quite a few species thrive in urban areas and come in close contact with humans and their activities. Most towns in parts of Italy and even major cities like Bologna, Florence and Rome have populations of Euscorpius or Tetratrichobothrius inhabiting cracks and crevices in old stone and brick buildings, city walls and fences. One of my happiest holiday experiences was counting appr. 50 Euscorpius italicus on the walls of our rented holliday villa in the Marche region in Italy.

Urban scorpions can also be a health problem as is the case of many Brazilian towns and cities were urban populations of medical important Tityus species are common. So knowledge of scorpions in urban areas is important.

Gaurav Barhadiya and co-workers recently published a survey of the scorpion fauna of India’s capital, Dehli. They discovered four species from two families. Fortunately, the species found are probably not posing a health danger.

Abstract:
Delhi, one of the world’s most populous cities, hosts a diverse array of urban habitats amidst its limited green cover. Scorpions, distinguished by their venomous stings and ancient lineage, thrive in Delhi’s semi-arid climate. Despite their ecological significance, studies on scorpion diversity in urban environments remain scarce. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first systematic assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi. Field surveys were conducted during both day and night to collect specimens, which were then identified using established taxonomic keys. Four scorpion species from two families were recorded, including Chersonesometrus fulvipes, Isometrus maculatus, Compsobuthus rugosulus, and Lychas cf. biharensis. The semi-arid climate of Delhi, within the Punjab plains biogeographic province, provides a conducive environment for scorpion species to inhabit. This study serves as a preliminary assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi and underscores the need for further dedicated surveys to comprehensively understand their distribution and ecology in the region.

Reference:
Barhadiya G, Pandey P, Sultana A, Mohapatra PP, Das SK. Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India. Rec Zool Surv India. 2025;125(1):57-62. [Open Access]

A new species of Lychas from Indonesia

 

Frantisek Kovarik has recently published a new species of Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae) from Indonesia.

Lychas jakli Kovarik, 2023 

The author also synonymize Lychas kotao Lourenço, 2020 with Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798).

Abstract:
A new species Lychas jakli sp. n. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from Indonesia, fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology and habitus. A new synonymy is proposed: Lychas kotao Lourenço, 2020 = Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798), syn. n.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Lychas jakli sp. n. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Indonesia. Euscorpius. 2023(367):1-8. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Lychas from Thailand

 

Eric Ythier and Wilson Lourenco have recently described a new species of Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae) from Thailand.

Lychas chanthaburiensis Ythier & Lourenco, 2022

Abstract:
A new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 is described on the basis of one adult male specimen collected in Khao Khitchakut, Chanthaburi Province, in the South-East of Thailand. The new species is mainly characterized by a moderate size for the genus with a total length of 46.9 mm, a general coloration yellowish with metasomal segment V, telson and chela fingers reddish yellow and some greyish spots on the prosoma, tergites and metasoma, all carinae weakly marked with intercarinal spaces smooth to weakly granular, and a slender metasoma. This new taxon represents the 33rd described species among the currently recognized species for the genus Lychas. The number of known Lychas species in Thailand is increased to five.

Reference:
Ythier E, Lourenco WR. A new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 from Thailand (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Faunitaxys. 2022;10(26):1-7. [OPen Access]

Thanks to Eric and Gerard for informing me about this article!

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Janalychas from India

Zeeshan Mirza has recently published an article describing two new species of Janalychas Kovarik, 2019 (Buthidae) from the Western Ghats, India.

Janalychas granulatus Mirza, 2020

Janalychas keralaensis Mirza, 2020

In addition, the species Lychas aareyensis Mirza & Sanap, 2010 has been re-analysed an moved to the genus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972.

Reddyanus aareyensis (Mirza & Sanap, 2010)

Abstract:
The buthid scorpion Janalychas tricarinatus Simon, 1884 is a species distributed in most parts of the Indian peninsula. I
assessed morphological and molecular data for representatives of this species from peninsular India, which hints at the presence of multiple species within the broadly distributed J. tricarinatus sensu lato. Conjugation of morphological and molecular data allow me to describe two new species of the genus Janalychas that were, until now, considered conspecific with J. tricarinatus. Re-examination of the type specimens of Lychas aareyensis Mirza & Sanap, 2010 revealed the lack of a tibial spur, a character of the genus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972 and not Lychas Koch, 1845 or Janalychas Kovařík, 2019, which leads me to transfer the species to the genus Reddyanus (Reddyanus aareyensis (Mirza & Sanap, 2010) comb. nov. as db is situated between et and est on the pedipalp manus. Discovery of two new species highlights the need for employing integrated taxonomic approaches to define and delimit species.

Reference:
Mirza ZA. Two new species of buthid scorpion of the genus Janalychas Kovařík, 2019 (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Arachnology. 2020;18(4):316–24. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Zeeshan Mirza for sending me his article!

Family Buthidae

A revision of the buthid genera Lychas, Mesobuthus, and Olivierus with several taxonomic changes

Frantisek Kovarik has published a revision of the genus-level taxonomy of Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 (sensu lato) and Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950 (sensu lato) (Buthidae). This study presents the following taxonomical changes:

New genera:

Aegaeobuthus Kovarik, 2019 (4 species transferred from Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950).

Afrolychas Kovarik, 2019 (2 species transferred from Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845).

Janalychas Kovarik, 2019 (7 species transferred from Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845).

Spelaeolychas Kovarik, 2019 (1 species transferred from Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845).

See the Buthidae family page for information about which species that belongs to the different genera.

Olivierus Farzanpay, 1987 (Raised from synonymy with Mesobuthus. 18 species transferred from Mesobuthus. See the Buthidae family page for information about which species that belongs this genus).

Olivierus hainanensis (Birula, 1904) (Raised from synonymy and transferred from Mesobuthus).

New species:

Mesobuthus afghanus (Pocock, 1889) (Previous status M. eupeus afghanus Pocock, 1889).

Mesobuthus bogdoensis (Birula, 1896), (Previous status M. eupeus bogdoensis Birula, 1896).

Mesobuthus haarlovi Vachon, 1959, (Previous status M. eupeus haarlovi Vachon, 1959).

Mesobuthus iranus (Birula, 1917), (Previous status M. eupeus iranus Birula, 1917).

Mesobuthus mongolicus (Birula, 1912), (Previous status M. eupeus mongolicus Birula, 1912).

Mesobuthus persicus (Pocock, 1899), (Previous status M. eupeus persicus Pocock, 1899).

Mesobuthus thersites (C. L. Koch, 1839), (Previous status M. eupeus thersites C. L. Koch, 1839).

See article for more details.

Abstract:
The diagnostic characters are reassessed and defined for the genera Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845, Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950, and Olivierus Farzanpay, 1987 (the latter is restored from synonymy with Mesobuthus). Four new genera are described: Aegaeobuthus gen. n. (type species Buthus gibbosus Brullé, 1832), Afrolychas gen. n. (type species Isometrus burdoi Simon, 1882), Janalychas gen. n. (type species Lychas srilankensis Lourenço, 1997), and Spelaeolychas gen. n. (type species Isometrus hosei Pocock, 1891). Type species are designated for subgenera Lychas (Distotrichus) Tikader & Bastawade, 1983 (type species Isometrus nigristernis Pocock, 1899), Lychas (Alterotrichus) Tikader & Bastawade, 1983 (type species Scorpio mucronatus Fabricius, 1793), and Lychas (Endotrichus) Tikader & Bastawade, 1983 (type species Isometrus scaber Pocock, 1893). All these three subgenera are now in synonymy with Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845. Lychas kaimana Lourenço, 2011 is synonymized with Lychas shelfordi (Borelli, 1904). Taxonomic position of Lychas timorensis Lourenço, 2018, which is a member of Lychas variatus (Thorell, 1876) complex, is discussed. The species and subspecies of Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950 are discussed, with seven subspecies elevated to species level: Mesobuthus afghanus (Pocock, 1889), stat. n., M. bogdoensis (Birula, 1896), stat. n., M. haarlovi Vachon, 1959, stat. n., M. iranus (Birula, 1917), stat. n., M. mongolicus (Birula, 1912), stat. n., M. persicus (Pocock, 1899), stat. n., and M. thersites (C. L. Koch, 1839), stat. n. Taxonomic changes are supported by 182 figures including the first published photographs of the syntypes of Olivierus hainanensis (Birula, 1904), stat. n., comb. n. and O. przewalskii (Birula, 1897), comb. n.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Taxonomic reassessment of the genera Lychas, Mesobuthus, and Olivierus, with descriptions of four new genera (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2019(288):1-27. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

The life history of the parthenogenetic scorpion Lychas tricarinatus and some new data on parthenogenesis in Tityus trivittatus

Michael Seiter and Mark Stockman have recently published an article on life history and parthenogenesis in the two buthids Lychas tricarinatus (Simon, 1884) from Odisha province, India and Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin, 1898 from Argentina.

The study clearly demonstrated that Lychas tricarinatus can reproduce without being inseminated by males after observations of captive-born females raised in isolation over three generations. Observations on the entire life cycle of most scorpion species are scarce, and the data shown for Lychas tricarinatus in this study are quite unique.

The Tityus trivittatus used in this study were confirmed to be facultative parthenogenetic, producing both male and female offspring. The capability of a single population to reproduce by sexual as well as by asexual reproduction is probably a strategy to adapt to environmental circumstances enabling genetic variation.

Abstract:
Observations on the entire life cycle of most scorpion species are scarce. Here, we present precise data of the embryonic and postembryonic development for Lychas tricarinatus with additional notes on Tityus trivittatus. By rearing captive-born Lychas tricarinatus specimen from the Odisha province (India) in isolation until maturation, we could show that virgin females gave birth to offspring proving that specimens are capable of parthenogenetic reproduction. Further, we describe an all-female population of Tityus trivittatus from the Corrientes province (Argentina), which originated from a fully bi-sexual population. In addition we describe the ontogenetic development of these two parthenogenetic, buthid scorpions under laboratory conditions. The Dyar’s constant was evaluated for the carapace, metasomal segment V, and the movable finger of the pedipalp among the instars. The calculated growth factor has a total grand average of 1.26. Lychas tricarinatus females reached maturity after 220 days postembryonic development. Moreover, L. tricarinatus females started to reproduce in the 6th or 7th instar and gave birth to an average of 21 neonates after 96 days of embryonic development. Tityus trivittatus matured in the 5th or 6th instar and gave birth after 230 days to an average of 13 neonates.

Reference:
Seiter M, Stockmann M. The life history of the parthenogenetic scorpion Lychas tricarinatus (Simon, 1884) from Odisha province, India and supplementary notes on Tityus trivittatus Kraepelin, 1898 (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger. 2017;270:155-65. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Mark Stockman for sending me this article!

An update on the scorpion fauna of Kerala, India

Information about the scorpion fauna is important and we still have a lot of undiscovered taxa or populations in many areas of the world. Aswathi & Sureshan recently published the results of a survey of the scorpion fauna of Kerala, India, also including a checklist and an identification key for the taxa in this region.

Abstract:
Two species of scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) Lychas laevifrons (Pocock), and Heterometrus flavimanus (Pocock) are reported for the first time from Kerala, and an illustrated key to the genera and checklist of scorpion species of Kerala are provided. Currently, 22 species belonging to nine genera of scorpions are known from the state.

Reference:
Aswathi K, Sureshan PM. Additions to the scorpion fauna (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Kerala, India, with an illustrated key to the genera. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 2017;9(2):9844–50. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr. Aswathi for sending me their article!

New data on the distribution of two buthid species from India

India hosts at least 117 species (according to Scorpiones.pl), but the scorpion fauna in this large and diverse country is far from thoroughly investigated. K. Aswathi and co-workers have now published an article with new distributional data for the buthids Buthoscorpio indicus Lourenço, 2012 and Lychas biharensis Tikader & Bastawade, 1983.

Abstract:
Among the genera of the family Buthidae, the genus Buthoscorpio remains rare. Only five species have so far been reported from the world. Two species, Buthoscorpio indicus Lourenço, 2012 and Lychas biharensis Tikader & Bastawade, 1983 were collected from a tiger reserve forest in Odisha State, India. Since both species were only previously known from their type locality, the present study reveals new distributional records for both species outside their type locality. The male of the first species is described.

Reference:
Aswathi K, Sureshan PM, Lourenco WR. New distributional records of two scorpion species (scorpiones: Buthidae) with the description of the male Buthoscorpio indicus Lourenço, 2012 from Odisha, India. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2016(29):37-40.

Thanks to Dr. Aswathi for sending me their article!

First molecular phylogeny of scorpions of the family Buthidae from India

As the title implies, as recent article by Vivek Suranse and co-workers presents the first molecular phylogeny of buthid scorpions from India (or more precisely central western India). This is a preliminary study as not all Indian species in Buthidae have been sampled, but the current results confirm the taxonomical placement of many taxa. In addition, the data also add new information and insight on the phylogeny of several taxa and raises questions that need to be looked into in future research. Especially the results for the infamous Hottentotta tamulus Fabricius, 1798 should be further investigated because of its medical significance.

Abstract:
Scorpions of the family Buthidae are widespread species in India. While studies are available on diversity and distribution of Indian buthid scorpions, no information is available on the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the family, within India and Asia in general. In the current study, we provide the first molecular phylogeny of buthid scorpions from central western India based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Our analysis confirms the current placement of the species, previously assigned to Mesobuthus in the genus Hottentotta. However, the analysis also suggests that the member of this genus from India form a monophyletic group distinct from the members of Hottentotta from Africa. Species of Lychas formed a monophyletic group. Although Orthochirus was nested within the larger clade of buthidae comprising genera such as Androctonus, Buthacus, Buthus and Odontobuthus, the exact phylogenetic placement will require more taxonomic sampling of the known genera of Buthidae. We also show that there is a substantial genetic variation among the populations of medically important scorpion species Hottentotta tamulus, and the genetic distance is linearly correlated with the geographical distance between the populations.

Reference:
Suranse V, Sawant NS, Paripatyadar SV, Krutha K, Paingankar MS, Padhye AD, et al. First molecular phylogeny of scorpions of the family Buthidae from India. Mitochondrial DNA Part A DNA mapping, sequencing, and analysis. 2016 Jun 1:1-6. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Carlos Turiel for informing me about this article!

Family Buthidae

A review of the genus Lychas

A Lychas asper female from Tanzania. Photo: Jan Ove Rein (C).

Another report from Kovarik & Ojanguren Affilastro's new book Illustrated Catalog of Scorpions, Part II. Bothriuridae; Chaerilidae; Buthidae I., genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. The fifth blog post from the book sums up the the news concerning the genus Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae).

Taxonomical changes in Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae):

 New species:

Lychas armasi Kovarik, 2013 (Papua New Guinea)

Lychas cernickai Kovarik, 2013 (Laos)

Synonymization:

Lychas ceylonensis Lourenco & Huber, 1999 is synonymized with L. srilankensis Lourenco, 1997

Lychas eliseanneae Lourenco, 2011 is synonymized with L. shelfordi (Borelli, 1904)

Lychas feae (Thorell, 1889) is synonymized with L. shoplandi (Oates, 1888)

Lychas kaimana Lourenco, 2011 is declared nomen dubium. Lychas aberlenci Lourenco, 2013 is not mentioned in Kovarik's review. It is possible that this species was published after the manuscript for the book was finished or that Kovarik got it too late to include it into the text.

The chapter on Lychas has a section on observations on captive specimens in the genus.

An identification key for the genus is provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Family Buthidae. In: Kovarik F, Ojanguren Affilastro AA, editors. Illustrated catalogue of scorpions Part II Bothriuridae: Buthidae I, genera Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas and Sassanidotus. Prague: Clarion Productions; 2013. p. 145-212.

Family Buthidae

Lychas news from the Philippines

Lychas armillatus is restored from synonymy.

Wilson Lourenco has recently rediscovered the type specimen of Lychas armillatus (Gervais, 1841) (Buthidae) from the Philippines. Based on the investigation of the type he concludes that this is a valid species and it is restored from its synonymy with Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798). 

In addition, Lychas infuscatus (Pocock, 1891) from Philippines is synonymized with L. armillatus.

Abstract:
The type specimen of Scorpio armillatus, described by Gervais in 1841, has been considered lost, or at least mislaid, for a very long time. After several months of research in the collections ofthe Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, the female type specimen was rediscovered in the vial labelled RS-1498. A precise diagnosis of this species leadsto two new conclusions: (i) S. armillatus (= Lychas armillatus) is not a synonym of Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798), but rather a valid species; (ii) Isometrus infuscatus Pocock,  1891 (= Lychas infuscatus), also described from the Philippines, is a junior synonym of L. armillatus.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Redécouverte du type de Scorpio armillatus Gervais, 1841 = Lychas armillatus (Gervais) (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2013 (23):117-8.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article.

Family Buthidae

A new Lychas from Laos

Wilson Lourenco recently described a new Lychas C. L. Kock, 1845 (Buthidae) from Laos.

Lychas aberlenci Lourenco, 2013

Abstract:
A new species, Lychas aberlenci sp. n., is described from the rainforest canopy of Khammouane Province in Laos. The new species is characterized by a moderate size as compared to the congeners, the total length of the male measuring 49.8 mm. The coloration is pale yellowish to reddish-yellow with a conspicuous inverted triangle, blackish spot at the anterior margin of the carapace. The pectines arewith 29-30 teeth in the male, the highest number so far observed in a Lychas species; fulcra are present, being conspicuous. With the description of L. aberlenci sp. n., the number of known Lychas species in Laos is increased to three.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Scorpions from the rainforest canopy of Laos, with the descrption of a new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Arthropoda Selecta. 2013;22(1):33-40.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his paper!

Family Buthidae

Scorpions found in the Hainan Island, China

Zhi-Young Di and several co-workers have published a paper about the scorpion fauna of the Chinese island of Hainan. An identification key for the species on the island is provided:

Abstract:
The redescriptions and illustrations of three species, Isometrus (Isometrus) maculatus (DeGeer, 1778), Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798) (Buthidae), and Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiscorpiidae) from Hainan Island, China are presented. Distribution data and updated key of Hainan scorpions are provided.

Reference:
Di Z-Y, Cao Z-J, Wu Y-L, Zhu L, Liu H, Li W-X. The scorpions of Hainan Island, China (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Euscorpius. 2013 (153):1-22. [Free full text]

Scorpion envenomations in Pygmies from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The effects of scorpion stings from sub-Saharan species have been considered mild, but little is actually known about scorpionism in western and central areas of Africa. Mudiandambu Biezakala and co-workers have now published an article presenting the results of a survey of scorpion stings among Pygmies in an area of the DRC.

Interestingly, a few deaths were recorded and also dermatological symptoms similar to those observed in Hemiscorpius lepturus in Iran. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to identify the species that may cause serious morbidity in this area (Uroplectes is mentioned and the paper has a picture that looks very much like a male Lychas [Update: Its a male Isometrus maculatus according to Rolando Teruel]). More studies on the scorpion fauna and its potential risk for humans are obviously necessary in this area.

Abstract:
In a survey among the pygmies of central Democratic Republic of Congo, the incidence of scorpion stings seemed very high with a severity greater than expected. Species responsible were not identified. Specific studies are needed to clarify the risk emerging in the equatorial African forest.

Reference:
Biezakala ME, Odio WT, Kabele NC, Tati KR, Mbanzulu MK. Scorpion envenomation in pygmies from Democratic Republic of Congo, the example of Pelenge Center, Lomela, DRC. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2012;18(4):451-4. [Free full text]

New Lychas from Indonesia

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae) from West Papua, Indonesia.

Lychas kaimana Lourenco, 2011

The scorpion fauna of West Papua is discussed.

Abstract:
Scorpions collected during the field expedition organized by Dr. Dimitry Telnov in West Papua, Indonesia are studied in the present note. Very few reports are available on the scorpions of the occidental side of the island. Three species were collected during this field expedition: Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775) and Liocheles karschii (Keyserling, 1885) family Liochelidae Fet & Bechly, 2001 and, Lychas kaimana sp. n., family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837, described here.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Scorpions from West Papua, Indonesia and description of a new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Entomol Mitt Zool Mus Hamburg. 2011;15(186):317-26.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

Two new Lychas and new status for to buthid genera

Wilson Lourenco has looked into the "Ananteris phylogenetic group" (Buthidae) in his recent paper and published the following conclusions:

New species:
Lychas eliseanneae Lourenco, 2011 (Indonesia).
Lychas inexpectatus Lourenco, 2011 (Laos).

New status:
Ananteroides Borelli, 1911 (from synonymy with Ananteris Thorell, 1891).
Microananteris Lourenco, 2003 (from synonymy with Ananteris Thorell, 1891).

New combination:
Ananteroides feae Borelli, 1911 (previously Ananteris feae (Borelli, 1911)).
Microananteris minor Lourenco, 2003 (previously Ananteris minor (Lourenco, 2003)).

See paper for details.

Abstract:
The composition of the “Ananteris group” (sense Fet et al., 2005) is tentatively proposed. The worldwide geographical pattern of distribution of the elements associated to this “phylogenentic group” is discussed. The biogeographic patterns presented by extant and fossil elements of this group confirm a model of panbiogeographic distribution which clearly corresponds with old Pangaean patterns. Two new species are described in the genus Lychas C. L. Koch. These suggest possible links between elements of the most basal “Ananteris group” and other buthids.

References:
Lourenco WR. The "Ananteris group" (Scorpiones: Buthidae); suggested composition and possible links with other buthids. Boletin de la SEA. 2011(48):105-13.

Thanks to Professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

Five new anatomy picture collections in The Scorpion Files

Leonard Georg is still using his camera on new species and has made five new, detailed anatomy pictures collections of the following species:

Androctonus amoreuxi
Lychas scutilus
Parabuthus liosoma
Parabuthus villosus (black form)

Belisarius xambeui

A big thanks to Leonard for sharing these great pictures with us!!

Scorpion news from China

Zhiyong Di and co-workers have recently published a paper on the scorpion fauna of Yunnan, China. The species occuring here are described and a redescription of the species Euscorpiops kubani Kovarik, 2004 and E. shidian Qi, Zhu & Lourenco, 2005 (Euscorpiidae) is presented.

The paper has a identification key for the scorpions from Yuannan.

Abstract:
We present an identifi cation key to the scorpion species of Yunnan (China) with notes on the distribution and ecology. Euscorpiops kubani is recorded for the first time for China. The redescriptions of Euscorpiops shidian and E. kubani are provided. The number of known scorpion species from Yunnan is raised to nine.

Reference:
Di Z, Yawen H, Wu Y, Cao Z, Liu H, Jiang D, et al. The scorpions of Yunnan (China): updated identification key, new record and redescriptions of Euscorpiops kubani and E. shidian (Arachnida, Scorpiones). ZooKeys. 2011;82:1-33. [free fulltext]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this paper!

A new Lychas from India

Zeeshan Mirza and Rajesh Sanap have recently published a new species in the genus Lychas (Buthidae) from India:

Lychas aareyensis Mirza & Sanap, 2010

Abstract:
A new species of buthid scorpion belonging to the genus Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 is described from the degraded scrub of Aarey Milk Colony (Mumbai). Lychas aareyensis sp. nov. is similar to L. nigristernis, but can be differentiated based on a combination of morphological characters. Notes on natural history are also presented.

Reference:
Mirza ZA, Sanap RV. Description of a new species of scorpion of the genus Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Maharashtra, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 2010;2(4):789-96. [Free fulltext]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae