A study of the distribution of the genus Neogrosphus in Madagascar with one new species

 

Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have recently published a study of the distribution of the genus Neogrosphus Lourenço, 1995(Buthidae) in Madagascar. A new species is described from mesic forest formations in Andohahela National Park in southeastern Madagascar.

Neogrosphus andohahela Lourenço & Wilme 2026

Abstract:
Madagascar remains one of the major hotspots of diversity and endemism in the world. Its scorpion fauna provides a striking example, with more than one hundred known species, all endemic, within a territory of only 587,000 km2. These species are associated with entirely endemic genera and, to a large extent, endemic familial lineages. While some groups are diverse and locally abundant, others are inconspicuous and occur at very low densities, as is the case for the genus Neogrosphus Lourenço, 1995. In this contribution, the distribution patterns of Neogrosphus are reassessed in light of new material and a revised eco biogeographical framework. Until recently, this genus comprised three species: Neogrosphus griveaudi (Vachon, 1969), restricted to the dry forest formations in the southern and western portions of Madagascar; Neogrosphus blanci Lourenço, 1996, known from the central region; and Neogrosphus andrafiabe Lourenço, Wilmé & Waeber, 2015, endemic to northern dry formations. A fourth species is described here from mesic forest formations in Andohahela National Park. The current distribution of the genus is shown to be highly fragmented across a broad environmental gradient ranging from subarid to more humid conditions. This pattern is interpreted as the result of historical fragmentation processes linked to limited dispersal capacity and long-term landscape evolution. On this basis, the general framework previously proposed to explain species diversity and vicariance in Malagasy scorpions is revisited and refined.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. New Insights on the Geographical Distribution of the Malagasy Genus Neogrosphus Lourenço, 1995 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with the Description of a New Species from a More Humid Environment. Arthropoda. 2026;4:11. [Open access]

Family Buthidae 

The discovery of the genus Uroplectes on Madagascar and the Comoros Islands and some taxonomical decisions

 

In a recent article, Wilson Lourenco and co-workers present some taxonomic analysis on the genus Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Buthidae) after discovering the presence of this genus on Madagascar. Here are the main findings/decisions:

Uroplectes nigrimanus (Pocock, 1890) from Kenya and Tanzania is revalidated to species status after been in synonymy with  Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879).

Uroplectes nigrimanus nigrocarinatus (Kraepelin, 1913) is reserved for the populations in Madagascar. The subspecies Uroplectes fischeri nigrocarinatus Kraepelin, 1913, which was used for the population from Tanzania, is synonymized with Uroplectes nigrimanus typicus (Pocock, 1890).

Uroplectes nigrimanus maore Lourenco, Wilme & Ythier, 2025. New subspecies used for the populations in the island of Mayotte.

Uroplectes xanthogrammus Pocock, 1897 from Tanzania is synonymized with Uroplectes nigrimanus (Pocock, 1890). 

Abstract:
A taxonomic analysis is proposed for the species of the genus Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) present in Oriental Africa and associated with Uroplectes nigrimanus (Pocock, 1890), species originally known from Kenya. U. nigrimanus is revalidated at present and two subspecies namely Uroplectes nigrimanus nigrocarinatus (Kraepelin, 1913), a priori described from Madagascar and Uroplectes nigrimanus maore ssp. nov., described here from specimens collected in Mayotte, are defined here as subspecies of U. nigrimanus. Comments are also added about the possible ways of dispersion of Uroplectes species from African coast to Madagascar and Mayotte.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Wilmé L, Ythier E. A propos de la présence du genre Uroplectes Peters, 1861 à Madagascar et aux Comores: caractérisation de deux populations avec la définition de deux sous-espèces distinctes (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revue Arachnologique. 2025;Serie 2(12):42–9.

Thanks to Gerard and Eric for sending me this article and for answering my questions! 

Family Buthidae

A new species of Opisthacanthus from Madagascar

 

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Hormuridae) from the Baie d’Antongil, located in the North-East portion of Madagascar.

Opisthacanthus antongil Lourenco, Wilme & Ythier, 2025

The distribution and biogeography of the genus is also discussed.

Abstract:
New comments are presented on the extraordinary diversity of the genus Opisthacanthus in Madagascar, with a similar number of species as in continental Africa, and a larger number of species than in Neotropical region. An African centre of origin can always be suggested for this group of scorpions, particularly in account of some associated Cretaceous fossil elements. The Gondwana model proposed equally suggests that the Madagascar Opisthacanthus could be closer to those of the New World, which is consistent with the affinities observed in morphological characters. A further new species, Opisthacanthus antongil sp. n., is described from the Baie d’Antongil, in a dense humid forest, located in the North-East portion of Madagascar. The new species shows particular affinities with Opisthacanthus piceus Lourenço & Goodman, 2006 known from the humid forests of the National Park of Andohahela, South of Vohibaka, located in the South-East portion of the island. The new species and O. piceus share similar external morphologies and in particular a blackish general coloration, with the exception of the telson’s coloration; however, the general chetotaxy is markedly different. The total number of species in Madagascar is now raised to 15. Hypotheses are also proposed about the species which inhabit humid formations in Madagascar.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Ythier E. On the Malagasy species of Opisthacanthus peters, 1861 distributed in rainforest formations (Scorpiones: Hormuridae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2025(47):73–81. [Full text supplied by authors]

Family Hormuridae 

A new species of Microcharmus from Madagascar

 

Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilmé have recently described a new species of Microcharmus Lourenço, 1995 (Buthidae) from Central-West Madagascar.

 Microcharmus aridus Lourenco & Wilme, 2025

The authors have placed this genus in the family Microcharmidae Lourenco, 1996. The family status of this taxa is under discussion. Lowe & Kovarik, 2022 placed it back in synomy with Buthidae, which is the current status in The Scorpion Files.

The new species was found in a humicolous habitat (animals living in or on soil). This is quite rare in scorpions and the article discuss adaptions to this kind of habitat.

Abstract:
A new species of humicolous buthoid scorpion belonging to the genus Microcharmus is described on the basis of a single specimen collected in a dry bush formation in the region of Cap Saint André, Central-West Madagascar. The habitat of the new species represents one of the driest environments documented for the genus. New considerations are proposed on the ecology and biogeography of this endemic Malagasy group of scorpions, which appears to be restricted to dry and wet forest formations in the northern and northwestern portions of the island. Some comments are also added about their possible evolution of these scorpions from endogenous to epigean environments.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. A new species of Microcharmus Lourenço, 1995 (Scorpiones: Microcharmidae) from extremely dry areas of Central-West Madagascar. Serket. 2025;20(4):373–82. [Open Access]

Thanks to Hisham E-Hennaway for making this article available to me!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Opisthacanthus from southern Madagascar

 

Eric Ythier has recently described a new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Hormuridae) from a dry savannah biotop in southern Madagascar.

Opisthacanthus lourencoi Ythier, 2022

Abstract:
A new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861, subgenus Monodopisthacanthus Lourenço, 2001, is described on the basis of six specimens collected in the dry savannah formations of Beraketa, Androy region, in the south of Madagascar. The new species is mainly characterized by a moderate size with a total length of 45-47 mm, a general coloration brownish with some dark variegated zones on the body and metasoma, two vestigial carinae on sternite VII, a genital operculum with an almost oval shape in female, without any incision as its base, leg tarsi with two lateral rows of spines and trichobothrium em2 distal to em1 on patella. The new taxon described here raises the number of known species for the genus Opisthacanthus (Monodopisthacanthus) in Madagascar to 14, and the total number of currently recognized species for the genus to 36.

Reference:
Ythier E. A new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 from the dry savannah formations of southern Madagascar (Scorpiones: Hormuridae). Faunitaxys. 2022;10(45):1-7. [Open Access]

Family Hormuridae

Several taxonomic changes after a reanalysis of Microcharmidae, Grosphus and Teruelius

 

 
Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik recently published an article where they did a morphometric analysis of the family Microcharmidae Lourenco, 1996 and the genera Grosphus Simon, 1880 and Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019. The following taxonomic decisions were made:

The family Microcharmidae Lourenco, 1996 with its two genera is synomymized with the family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837.

The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019 (22 species) is restored from synonymy with Grosphus Simon, 1880 (14 species).

Two new species are described:

Grosphus angulatus Lowe & Kovarik, 2022 (Madagascar)

Teruelius haeckeli Lowe & Kovarik, 2022 (Madagascar)

Abstract:
The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovařík, 2019, was created for a subset of species originally included under Grosphus Simon, 1880, but was subsequently synonymized with Grosphus. We reanalyze Teruelius and Grosphus by scoring 45 discrete characters, and 32 discrete + 17 continuous characters, for all 36 included species, plus 11 related buthids as outgroup taxa. Morphometric analyses are systematically applied to quantify variation in continuous characters, including: carapace length, carapace anterior concavity, carapace preocular length, hemispermatophore posterior lobe length, tibial spur length/ tibia distal depth ratio, metasoma I length/ width ratio, pectine tooth length/ width ratio, pedipalp femur petite ‘trichobothrium’ d2 position, pedipalp fixed finger relative position of trichobothria db vs. est, and pedipalp manus relative position of Eb trichobothria. Elliptic Fourier analyses and principal components analyses are applied to quantify variation in sternite IV spiracle aperture profiles, female basal pectinal tooth shapes and telson lateral profiles. Laser light scattering is applied to quantify differences in optical reflectance of sternite VII arising from cuticular lattice microstructures. Spectral image analysis is applied to quantify differences in granulation of metasoma I ventrosubmedian carinae. The use of UV fluorescence as a quantitative taxonomic character is critically reviewed. Six binary characters are proposed for differential diagnosis of Teruelius vs. Grosphus. Phylogenetic analyses rooting trees with 8 individual outgroup taxa, or with multiple outgroup taxa under morphological and molecular backbone constraints, all yield overwhelming support for the monophyly of Teruelius, and the genus is reinstated. The position of outgroup taxon Microcharmus in a separate family is not supported by any diagnostic characters or phylogenetic analysis, and Microcharmidae is synonymized with Buthidae. Two new species, Grosphus angulatus sp. n. and Teruelius haeckeli sp. n. are described.

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F. Reanalysis of Teruelius and Grosphus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with descriptions of two new species. Euscorpius. 2022(356):1-105. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species in the micro-scorpion genus Pseudouroplectes from Madagascar

 

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of Pseudouroplectes Lourenço, 1995  (Buthidae), a genus of micro-scorpions endemic to Madagascar. 

Pseudouroplectes jacki Lourenco, 2021

The article as an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
Among Malagasy scorpion genera, Pseudouroplectes Lourenço, 1995 (Buthidae) remains one of the less speciose. All species are extremely rare and known only by a few or even for a single individual. A new species is described from the tropical dry forest of Tsimembo in the Melaky Region, confirming the distribution of the genus to a further northern locality. As for several previous cases, the single holotype specimen was obtained by extraction with the use of Berlese method. The description of one more new species, confirms the distributional pattern of Pseudouroplectes as a typical element of dry forest formations which range from the south to the middle of the island.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A further new species for the Malagasy genus Pseudouroplectes Lourenço, 1995 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Faunitaxys. 2021;9(41):1-7. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Taxonomical changes in the genus Grosphus

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently published a study on the genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) were they critise the taxonomical decisions made in a 2019 study by Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik. Lourenco et al's conclusion is that they reject most decsisions made in the latter study and in addition they describe one new species.

These are the major taxonomical changes:

The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019 is placed in synonymy with Grosphus Simon, 1880 and all species in Teruelius is also transferred back to Grosphus.

Grosphus makay Lourenço & Wilmé, 2015 is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus feti Lourenço, 1996.

Grosphus rossii Lourenço, 2013 is restored from synonymy of  with mahafaliensis Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004.

Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004, is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilmé, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017, is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus mandena Lourenço, 2005, is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus mavo Lourenco & Rossi, 2020 (New species from Madagascar)

The status according to Lowe & Kovarik, 2019 is summed up here.

There is a great disagreement between the "Lourenco-group" and the "Kovarik-group" when it comes to the taxonomy of several taxa. I do not know who has the correct answer for the genus Grosphus and other taxa as I'm no expert taxonomist. The Scorpion Files tries as far as possible to stay neutral and will publish the latest update for the different scorpion taxa. It is challenging though and a lot of work some times when researchers are correcting each other several times. [This paragraph was edited by the Editor 23.07.20]

Abstract:
The southwestern portion of Madagascar appears to have one of the highest levels of scorpion diversity on the island. In this contribution, the remarkable diversity of the genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 in this region is discussed. A particular attention is aimed to the area of the Cap Sainte Marie where microendemic geographic patterns are observed. These are tentatively explained in the light of some new biogeographic interpretations. A new species is also described from the Cap Sainte Marie and is characterized by a medium body size and a very pale yellow coloration. While this contribution was in preparation,  we learned about the publication of a “most controversial revision” of the genus Grosphus by authors who totally ignored a number of taxonomic particularities of this group and worse, who lack any experience on the ecological and biogeographic patterns observed for the Malagasy fauna. This calls for corrections in which their speculative decisions are refuted.

References:
Lourenco WR, Rossi A, Wilme L, Raherilalao MJ, Soarimalala V, Waeber PO. The remarkable diversity of the genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Southern Madagascar and in particular in the region of Cap Sainte Marie. Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2020;VI(XXVII):2-35.


Family Buthidae

Resurrection of the Malagasy family Microcharmidae and a description of three new Microcharmus species

The small soil living species in the genus Microcharmus Lourenço, 1995 and Neoprotobuthus Lourenço, 2000 have been placed in the family Buthidae since 2008, when Volschenk et al. rejected Lourenco's family status for these two genera. Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have now published an article re-validating the family status of the family Microcharmidae and transferring relevant taxa back from Buthidae.

Three new species of Microcharmus are also described from Madagascar.

Microcharmus andrei Lourenço, Waeber & Wilme, 2019

Microcharmus antongil Lourenço, Waeber & Wilme, 2019

Microcharmus djangoa  Lourenço, Waeber & Wilme, 2019

The biogeography of the genus Microcharmus is also discussed.

Abstract:
A more up to date biogeographic analysis of the patterns of distribution presented by the scorpions of the family Microcharmidae Lourenço 1 996 are presented. This family is revalidated here based on numerous morphological characters. This Malagasy group of scorpions is represented by two genera, Microcharmus Lourenço 1 995 and Neoprotobuthus Lourenço 2000 both endemic to the Island. The family Microcharmidae seems to be restricted to dry and wet forests formations in the northern and northwestern portions of the island. Here we describe three species new to science: Microcharmus andrei sp. n., Microcharmus antongil sp. n. and Microcharmus djangoa sp. n. The distribution of these new species seems to be restricted to the northern range of Madagascar, in habitats ranging from dry to wet forests, confirming therefore the patterns previously observed.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Waeber PO, Wilme L. Additions to the geographical distribution of the Malagasy family Microcharmidae Lourenço 1 996 (Scorpiones: Buthoidea) and description of three new species of Microcharmus Lourenço, 1995. Madagascar Conservation & Development. 2019;14(1):IN PRESS. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for informing me about this article!

Family Microcharmidae

A revision of the genus Grosphus and the creation of a new genus Teruelius

Madagascar has always been a hotspot for biodiversity and has many endemic taxa, also among scorpions. The genus with the largest number of endemic species is Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae). Many new species have been described in this genus in the last year, but no modern revision has been done.

Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik have now published a revision of the genus Grosphus on Madagascar. The most notable conclusion of this work is that they split the genus into two and establish the new genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019. Here is the content of the two genera after the split:

Grosphus Simon, 1880 (10)
G. ambre Lourenço, Wilmé & Waeber, 2018
G. darainensis Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004
G. goudoti Lourenço & Goodman, 2006
G. hirtus Kraepelin, 1900
G. madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843)
G. mayottensis Lourenço & Goodman, 2009
G. polskyi Lourenço, Qi & Goodman, 2007
G. rakotoariveloi Lourenço, Wilme, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017
G. tavaratra Lourenço, Soarimalala & Goodman, 2009
G. voahangyae Lourenço & Wilme 2015

Teruelius Lowe & Kovarík, 2019 (18)
T. ankarafantsika (Lourenço, 2003)
T. ankarana (Lourenço & Goodman, 2003)
T. annulatus (Fage, 1929)
T. bemaraha (Lourenço, Wilmé & Waeber, 2018)
T. bicolor (Lourenço, 2012)
T. bistriatus (Kraepelin, 1900)
T. eliseanneae (Lourenço & Wilme, 2016)
T. feti (Lourenço, 1996)
T. flavopiceus (Kraepelin, 1900)
T. ganzhorni (Lourenço, Wilme & Waeber, 2016)
T. grandidieri (Kraepelin, 1900)
T. intertidalis (Lourenço, 1999)
T. limbatus (Pocock, 1889)
T. magalieae (Lourenço, 2014)
T. mahafaliensis (Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004)
T. olgae (Lourenço, 2004)
T. sabineae (Lourenço & Wilme, 2016)
T. waeberi (Lourenço & Wilme, 2016)

The following species have been synonymized:

Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 is synonymized with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilmé, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017 is synonymized with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus mandena Lourenço, 2005 is synonymized with  Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus makay Lourenço & Wilmé, 2015 is synonymized with Teruelius feti (Lourenço, 1996).

Grosphus rossii Lourenço, 2013 is synonymized with Teruelius mahafaliensis (Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004).

See article for further details and descriptions.

Abstract:
We review the taxonomy of the Madagascar endemic buthid genus Grosphus Simon, 1880. We split the genus and describe Teruelius gen. n. on the basis of nine morphological characters, six of them new for Grosphus: positions of trichobothria d2 on pedipalp femur and Eb3 on chela manus, number of pectine teeth, shape of female basal pectinal tooth, form of hemispermatophore capsule posterior lobe, spiracle shape, metasoma I ventromedian carination, telotarsal setation and UV fluorescence. We discuss functional and taxonomic aspects of these characters, and propose that Teruelius gen. n. is monophyletic, while Grosphus (sensu stricto) is paraphyletic. Some characters of Teruelius gen. n. suggest adaptations to xeric environments, some of Grosphus to humid environments. Neogrosphus Lourenço, 1995 shares characters with both Grosphus and Teruelius gen. n.Scenarios for origins of these genera by vicariance or dispersal are discussed. New synonymies proposed are: Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 = Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843), syn. n.; Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilmé, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017 = Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843), syn. n.; Grosphus mandena Lourenço, 2005 = Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843), syn. n.; Grosphus hirtus garciai Lourenço, 2001 = Grosphus hirtus Kraepelin, 1900, syn. n.; Grosphus makay Lourenço & Wilmé, 2015 = Teruelius feti (Lourenço, 1996) comb. n., syn.n.; Grosphus rossii Lourenço, 2013 = Teruelius mahafaliensis (Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004) comb. n., syn. n.

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F. Review of Grosphus Simon, 1880, with description of Teruelius gen. n., a new buthid genus from Madagascar (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2019(281):1-128. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

On the distribution of the genus Opisthacanthus and a new species

Wilson Lourenco has recently published an updated review of the geographic distribution and the biogeography of the genus Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Hormuridae). This interesting genus is found both in parts of Africa, Madagascar and in South America.

A new species from Madagascar is also described.

Opisthacanthus titanus Lourenco, 2018

In this article I discovered an valid Opisthacanthus species that was not listed in The Scorpion Files.

Opisthacanthus heurtaultae Lourenco, 1980

This species was previously synonymized, but restored in 1995 by Lourenco. This was not mentioned in the sources that I used to build The Scorpion Files. The species is now listed as valid.

Abstract:
New comments are proposed on the geographic distribution of genus Opisthacanthus, and the Gondwanian model is further supported. The diversity of the genus is extraordinary in Madagascar, with the same number of species as in continental Africa, but sub-Saharan Africa is home to six out of the nine groups currently recognized of Opisthacanthus. Given the affinities of the Opisthacanthus groups and their current distribution, a center of origin in Africa could be favored for these ancient scorpions. The proposed Gondwana model suggests that the Madagascar Opisthacanthus are closer to those of the New World, which is consistent with the affinities observed in morphological characters. A new species, Opisthacanthus titanus sp. n., is described from the Torotorofotsy Forest, located in Eastern Madagascar. The new species shows affinities with both Opisthacanthus madagascariensis Kraepelin, 1894 known from dry regions in the western portion of the island and Opisthacanthus lavasoa Lourenc¸o, Wilme´ & Waeber, 2016 only known from the extreme southeast of the island. The new species and O. madagascariensis have similar external morphologies but the morphometric values are markedly distinct. Moreover, O. madagascariensis is exclusively found in spiny forest thickets and open woodlands, whereas the new species was found in the humid forest of Torotorofotsy. The total number of species in Madagascar is now raised to twelve. Biogeographical scenarios are also proposed to infer the origin of the Opisthacanthus and better understand its distribution in the New World, in Africa and Madagascar.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Waeber PO. The genus Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae), a remarkable Gondwanian group of scorpions. C R Biol. 2018, In Press. [Subscription required for full text]

Lourenco WR. Nouvelles considérations sur la classification et la biogéographie des Opisthacanthus néotropicaux (Scorpiones, Ischnuridae). Biogeographica. 1995;71(2):75-82.

Family Hormuridae

Two new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently published an article describing two new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) from Madagascar.

Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilme, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017

Grosphus rakotoariveloi Lourenço, Wilme, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017

Grosphus simoni Lourenco, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 is redescribed. The biogeography of the mentioned species is also discussed.

Abstract:
A reanalysis of the type material of Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004, associated with new material of this species from the northeast of Madagascar, has led to the conclusion that the male paratype of G. simoni belongs to a new, undescribed species. A large series of specimens collected in the Ambatovy-Analamay-Torotorofotsy humid forests, at around 1000 m, revealed the presence of another new species, also associated to G. simoni. Thanks to the supplementary material, with males and females, a new diagnosis is proposed for G. simoni and two new species are here described. Some general comments on the biogeography of the two new species and G. simoni are also provided.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Soarimalala V, Waeber PO. Species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 associated to Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 with description of two new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2017(30):61-9.

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 from northern Madagascar.

Grosphus ganzhorni Lourenco, Wilme & Waeber, 2016

Abstract:
A new species, associated with Grosphus annulatus Fage, 1929, is described from the Akarana Massif in the north of Madagascar. Some comments on biogeographical aspects linking the new species with its possible vicariant are also included.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Waeber PO. One more vicariant new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Madagascar. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2016(29):45-50. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Opisthacanthus from South-East Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have investigated new hormurid materials from Madagascar and a new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Hormuridae) has been described from the Lavasoa forest in south-eastern Madagascar..

Opisthacanthus lavasoa Lourenco, Wilme & Waeber, 2016

The geographic distribution, biogeography and ecology of the Malagasy species of Opisthacanthus  is also discussed.

Abstract:
A new species, Opisthacanthus lavasoa sp. n., is described from the Lavasoa Forest, in south-eastern Madagascar. The new species shows affinities with both Opisthacanthus madagascarensis Kraepelin, 1894, known from the western portion of the island, and Opisthacanthus ambanja Lourenco, 2014, known only from the extreme north of the island. The new species and O. madagascarensis have similar external morphologies, whereas with O. ambanja the new species shares a similar morphology of the hemispermathophores. Moreover, O. madagascarensis is exclusively found in spiny forest thickets and svannah-like formations, whereas the new species was found in a humid forest. The total number of species in Madagascar is now raised to eleven.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Waeber PO. One more new species of Opisthcanthus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) from the Lavasoa Forest, South-Eastern Madagascar. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2016(29):9-17. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Hormuridae

Three new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Madagascar is a hotspot for scorpion diversity and endemism. Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have recently described three new species of Grosphus Simon 1880 (Buthidae) from the island.

Grosphus eliseanneae Lourenco & Wilme, 2016

Grosphus sabineae Lourenco & Wilme, 2016

Grosphus waeberi Lourenco & Wilme, 2016

In addition, Grosphus bistriatus Kraepelin 1900 is redescribed in the article.

Abstract:
A revised redescription is proposed for Grosphus bistriatus Kraepelin 1900. Three new species, associated with both G. bistriatus and G. ankarafantsika Lourenço 2003 are described. Some comments on biogeographic aspects linking the new species with both G. bistriatus and G. ankarafantsika are also provided.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Three new species of Grosphus Simon 1880, (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Madagascar; possible vicariant cases within the Grosphus bistriatus group of species. Madagascar Conservation & Development. 2016;11(2):1-14. [Open Access]

Thanks to Carlos Turiel for informing me about this new article!

Family Buthidae

Distribution and biogeography of the genus Tityobuthus and a new species from Madgascar

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently published an article discussing the distribution and biogeography of the buthid subfamily Ananterinae, with a special focus on the genus Tityobuthus Pocock, 1890.

A new species is described from the ‘Parc National de Lokobe’ on the Island of Nosy-Be, Madagascar.

Tityobuthus lokobe Lourenco, Waeber & Wilme, 2016

Abstract:
New comments are proposed for the Ananterinae (sensu Pocock) or the ‘Ananteris Group’. The worldwide pattern of distribution of the elements associated with the Ananterinae, as well as aspects of their ecology, is discussed. The biogeographic patterns presented by extant and fossil elements of this group confirm not only the characteristics of a lineage representing a typical Gondwanian distribution, but correspond also to older Pangean patterns. One new species is described in the genus Tityobuthus Pocock. This new species is also a possible endemic element to the Island of Nosy-Be or at least to the Sambirano region. Generally, the Madagascar pattern of Tityobuthus is following the Neogrosphus rule, showing typical high species richness with low dispersal when the ancestral population had a large niche breadth.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Waeber PO, Wilme L. The geographical pattern of distribution of the genus Tityobuthus Pocock, 1890, a typical Ananterinae element endemic to Madagascar (Scorpiones: Buthidae). C R Biol. 2016. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Late last year, Lourenco & Wilme published a new species in the endemic genus Grosphus Simon, 1880  (Buthidae) from the Ambatovy-Analamay humid forest in Madagascar.

Grosphus voahangyae Lourenço & Wilme 2015

Abstract:
Uplands areas of the central eastern Madagascar are not considered amongst the regions of the island that show high levels of scorpion diversity. Previous surveys conducted in the Ambatovy-Analamay-Torotorofotsy humid forests at around 1000 m, revealed the presence of different species of Grosphus. The detailed study of several individuals of one of these populations indicates the presence of a new species associated with Grosphus hirtus Kraepelin, 1900. This new species, G. voahangyae sp. n., is described in the paper. Some comments on biogeographic aspects linking the new species with both G. madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843) and G. hirtus are also provided.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Species of Grosphus Simon, 1880, associated to the group madagascariensis / hirtus (Scorpiones: Buthidae); description of a peculiar new species from the humid eastern forests of Madagascar. Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg. 2015;17(194):207-23.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have investigated scorpion materials collected in the Makay Mountain range in Madagascar. One new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) has been described.

Grosphus makay Lourenco & Wilme, 2015

The taxonomic history of Grosphus limbatus (Pocock, 1889) is also discussed.

Abstract:
New considerations regarding Grosphus limbatus (Pocock, 1889), described from an undefined locality in Madagascar, are proposed. One new species, Grosphus makay sp. n., closely allied to G. limbatus, is described from the Makay sandstone mountain range, Atsimo-Andrefana Region (ex Province of Toliara) in south-western Madagascar. The description of the new species brings further evidence of the existence of micro-endemic and vicariant populations within the Malagasy scorpion fauna.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Scorpions collected in the Makay mountain range, Madagascar (Scorpiones: Hormuridae, Buthidae) and with description of a new species. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2015 (26):55-61. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae

New species in the enigmatic genus Palaeocheloctonus from northern Madagascar

As many of you already know, Madagascar is a hotspot for scorpion diversity and endemism. Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have now described a new species in the enigmatic genus Palaeocheloctonus Lourenco, 1996 (Hormuridae) in northern Madagascar, far from the locations known for the other species in the genus.

Palaeocheloctonus septentrionalis Lourenço & Wilme, 2015

The new species is an indication for a micro-endemic and vicariant population within Madagascar. 

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Palaeocheloctonus septentrionalis sp.n., is described from the North of Madagascar. The new species clearly suggests a new case of micro-endemic and vicariant population within the island. The number of Palaeocheloctonus species in Madagascar is now increased to two and the known geographical distribution of the genus is extended within that great island, but remains strongly disrupted.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Micro-endemic populations of Palaeocheloctonus Lourenço, 1996 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) in Madagascar: A new case of vicariance among Malagasy scorpions. Arthropoda Selecta. 2015;24(2):189-95. [Open Access]

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Hormuridae

Two new species of Opisthacanthus from Madagascar

Just days after reporting about a new species of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Hormuridae) from Madagascar, I can report about two new species from this hotspot of biodiversity. Again, it is professor Wilson Lourenco who is the author of the recent article describing the new species.

Opisthacanthus ambanja Lourenço, 2014

Opisthacanthus antsiranana Lourenço, 2014

Abstract:
Two new scorpion species, Opisthacanthus antsiranana sp.n. and O. ambanja sp.n., are described from the North of Madagascar. The new species clearly suggest cases of micro-endemic and vicariant populations within the island. The total number of species of the genus in Madagascar is now elevated to 10 and its known geographical distribution within the island is expanded.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Micro-endemic and vicariant populations of Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) in Madagascar, with descriptions of two new species. Arthropoda Selecta. 2014;23(4):383-9. [Free full text]

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his paper!

Family Hormuridae