A new species of Scorpiops from Myanmar

 

Frantisek Kovarik has recently described a new species of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiopidae) from Myanmar. 

Scorpiops walteri Kovarik, 2026 

It is worth noticing that Kovarik rejects Prendini's (2026) changes for the family Scorpiopidae in this article based on lack of any new evidence and that Prendini ignores previous detailed revisions and DNA results.

Abstract:
A new species Scorpiops walteri sp. n. (Scorpiopidae) is described from Myanmar, fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology and habitus. S. walteri sp. n. is the only species of the genus with a combination of the following five characters: chelal trichobothrium Eb3 located in middle of manus between trichobothria Dt and Est; patella of pedipalp with 11–12 ventral and 19 external trichobothria; fingers of pedipalps strongly undulate in male; pedipalp movable finger with ca. 47 IAD; and chela length to width ratio 2.8 in male.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpiops walteri sp. n. (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) from Myanmar. Euscorpius. 2026(437):1–13. [Open Access]

Family Scorpiopidae 

A new fossil species described from Early Cretaceous amber from Myanmar and some taxonomical decisions

 

Wilson Lourenco and  Jürgen Velten have recently published an article where they describe a new fossil species from Early Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Burma).

Serratochaerilobuthus barbarae Lourenco & Velten, 2025

A few weeks ago, Xuan et al, 2025 published a study reviewing the taxa in the fossil family Chaerilobuthidae and decided to change status of this family to subfamily (Chaerilobuthinae) and placed it in the extant family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998. The two extinct genera Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, were synonymized with Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 201.

Lourenco and Velten do not accept the results of this study.

In addition, the  authors also elevate Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, to superfamily status as Pseudochactoidea Gromov, 1998. Likewise, they raise Vietbocapinae Lourenco, 2012, to family rank as Vietbocapidae Lourenco, 2012. The authors also synonymize Troglokhammouaninae with Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, and the genus Aemngvantom Prendini, Ehrenthal & Loria, 2021 with Vietbocap Lourenco & Pham, 2010. 

These major taxonomical decisions seem to be made mainly because Lourenco and Velten disagree with several previous works  (e.g. Prendini et al, 2021). The problem is that the authors do not present any real and thorough justifications or analysis themselves to justify the proposed decisions. The studies they criticize have thorough morphological and phylogenetical analysis to back up their claims. 

I do not have the competence to tell who is correct, but I feel that basically just saying "we disagree" is not enough to justify such major taxonomical decisions. Because of this I have chosen not to accept the taxonomical decisions in the Lourenco and Velten article in The Scorpion Files until justification based on morphological, phylogenetical and/or genetical analysis are provided. 

This is a decision I reluctantly take after consulting with a few others in the scorpion community and I understand if some of you do not support this.

Abstract:
A new species is described for the genus Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024. The description of this new species brings further evidence for the validity of the genus and confirms the family Chaerilobuthidae as one of the most speciose groups among those known from Early Cretaceous Burmite.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Velten J. Description of a second species for the genus Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(10):1-6. [Open Access]

Family Pseudochactidae

A new species of Isometrus (Reddyanus) from caves in Myanmar

 

Update 29.01.25:  In agreement with author Eric Ythier, the new species has been included in the genus Reddyanus in The Scorpion Files to avoid any confusion until the status of  Reddyanus has ben resolved. 

 Reddyanus alessandroi (Lourenco & Ythier, 2025)

Eric Ythier and Wilson Lourenco have recently published a new species of Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Saddan Cave in eastern Myanmar (Burma).

 Isometrus (Reddyanus) alessandroi Lourenco & Ythier, 2025

The authors do not accept the genus status for the subgenus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972, which is used in The Scorpion Files. I have listed the new species in Isometrus, but it probably belongs in Reddyanus (depending on how you view the status of the genus/subgenus).

The new species was found in a cave, but has no troglomorphic characters.

Abstract:
A new species belonging to the genus Isometrus Ehrenberg 1828, subgenus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972, is described from Myanmar: Isometrus (Reddyanus) alessandroi sp. n., which was collected in Saddan Cave, located in Kayin State, in the East of the country. In recent years the number of new species added to both subgenera Isometrus and Reddyanus have increased remarkably. Nevertheless, none of these descriptions concerned Myanmar. This particular geographic situation as well as a combination of several morphological features led us to propose here this new species.

Reference:
Ythier E, Lourenco WR. A new cave species of Isometrus Ehrenberg 1828 from Myanmar (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(4):1-6. [Open Access]

Thanks to Eric for sending me their new article!

Family Buthidae

Extinct family Chaerilobuthidae from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber with 16 species are now a part of the extant family Pseudochactidae

 

In a recent article, Qiang Xuan and co-workers have analyzed the taxa in the extinct family Chaerilobuthidae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011. This family originally consisted of 3 genera and 16 species. All taxa are based on fossil specimens found in Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.

The authors conclude that the family Chaerilobuthidae should change status to subfamily (Chaerilobuthinae) and placed in the extant family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998. The two extinct genera Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, are synonymized with Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 2011 which contains 16 species (all extinct).

Chaerilobuthinae with its taxa is now listed in The Scorpion Files for Pseudochactidae, but are not included in the count of number of taxa which only includes extant taxa.

Abstract:
The extinct scorpion family Chaerilobuthidae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011, endemic to Burmese amber, was initially established due to its unique pedipalp trichobothrial pattern related to the Type A and Type B patterns of families Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837 and Chaerilidae Pocock, 1893, respectively. The present contribution describes 11 new specimens, representing seven species of Chaerilobuthidae from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, revealing their morphology using various imaging technologies. A revised diagnosis of Chaerilobuthus Lourenço and Beigel, 2011 is provided based on new morphological characters of the carapace, ocelli, chelicera, pedipalp trichobothria, coxapophyses, and leg tarsi. The other two genera of Chaerilobuthidae, Chaeriloiurus Lourenço, 2020 and Serratochaerilobuthus Lourenço, 2024, are synonymized with Chaerilobuthus based on a reassessment of their morphological characters and morphometric analysis, creating Chaerilobuthus brigittemuellerae (Lourenço and Velten, 2020), comb. nov. and Chaerilobuthus schmidti (Lourenço and Velten, 2024), comb. nov.. The systematic position of Chaerilobuthidae is clarified based on phylogenetic analyses of an updated morphological character matrix for Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, an extant family in Asia. Phylogenetic analysis placed Chaerilobuthidae sister to the pseudochactid subfamily Vietbocapinae Lourenço, 2012, justifying its transfer to Pseudochactidae, as Chaerilobuthinae Lourenço and Beigel, 2011, stat. nov.. This discovery confirms that Pseudochactidae date back 100 Mya and contributes to understanding the origin and evolutionary history of this relictual family.

Reference:
Xuan Q, Prendini L, Engel MS, Cai C, Huang D. Extinct scorpion family Chaerilobuthidae from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber reinterpreted as subfamily of extant family Pseudochactidae (Chelicerata: Scorpiones). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2025;203(1):zlae169. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Gerard for informing me about this article!

Family Pseudochachtidae

A new cave-dwelling species of Chaerilus from Myanmar

 

Eric Ythier and Wilson Lourenco recently published a study describing a new cave-dwelling species in the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Chaerilidae) from Myanmar (Burma). Even though the new species was found in caves, it is not a true troglobite, but rather a trogloxene. 

Here are the taxonomical decision in this paper:

Chaerilus adrianoi Lourenco & Ythier, 2024 (new species)

Chaerilus birmanicus Thorell, 1899 (restored from synonymy with Chaerilus variegatus Simon, 1877)

Chaerilus anneae Lourenço, 2012 (restored from synonymy with Chaerilus julietteae Lourenço, 2011)

Chaerilus kampuchea Lourenço, 2012 (species status confirmed. Previous status "Nomen dubium"

Abstract:
A new species belonging to the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 is described from Myanmar: Chaerilus adrianoi sp. n., which was collected in a cave located in the East of the country. The new species is compared with some other Chaerilus species also described from Southeast Asia and in particular from Myanmar. The comparative study of the new species with other congenerics suggests, as in previous cases, that different species do not show very marked morphological differences, but rather correspond to micro-endemic populations. The new species is the second Chaerilus collected from Myanmar, together with Chaerilus birmanicus Thorell, 1899, restored from its synonymy with Chaerilus variegatus Simon, 1877. Chaerilus anneae Lourenço, 2012 is also restored from its synonymy with Chaerilus julietteae Lourenço, 2011 and the validity of Chaerilus kampuchea Lourenço, 2012 is confirmed.

Reference:
Lourenço WR, Ythier E. A new cave species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from Myanmar (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2024(44):51-6. [Full text provided by authors]

Thanks to Eric for sending me their article!

Family Chaerilidae

New fossil scorpion taxa

 

I have learned about two new articles on scorpion fossil taxa. The Scorpion Files only includes extant taxa, but here are the new fossil taxa reported in the two articles cited below.

New family:

Protochactidae Lourenço, Magnani & Stockar, 2022

New genus:

Protochactas Lourenço, Magnani & Stockar, 2022

New species:

Protochactas furreri Lourenço, Magnani & Stockar, 2022 (Limestone, Southern Alps)

Chaerilobuthus brandti Lourenço, 2022 (Amber, Myanmar)

Abstract:

Paper 1:
One new family, genus, and species of fossil scorpion are described from the Meride Limestone (Ladinian, Middle Triassic) of Monte San Giorgio (Southern Alps). This new discovery brings further evidence for the recovery of terrestrial forms of scorpions, following the Late-Permian mass extinction. The new fossil family proposed at present can, once again, be classified within extant familial groups; in this case the superfamily Chactoidea (sensu Lourenço). These results reinforce the proposition that modern scorpions may belong to lineages present at least for 240 Myr.

Paper 2:
A further new species of fossil scorpion belonging to the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 is described from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Chaerilobuthus brandti Lourenço sp. n., is the 12th species to be described for this genus confirming its speciose character. The new species equally shows quite distinct characters when compared to the previous known species, confirming therefore the existence of an important morphological variability within Chaerilobuthus.

References:

Paper 1:
Magnani F, Stockar R, Lourenço WR. A new family, genus and species of fossil scorpion from the Meride Limestone (Middle Triassic) of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland). Faunitaxys. 2022;10(24):1-7. [Open Access]

Paper 2:
Lourenço WR, Velten J. The remarkable variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and description of a new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Faunitaxys. 2022;10(10):1-6. [Open Access]

Thanks to Nicolas Machiavel for informing me about these two articles!

New fossil species from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

 

Amber is a gold mine when it comes to finding new fossil scorpion species and for understanding the link between these and the modern scorpion taxa. Qiang Xuan and co-workers have now described a new species in the extinct family Palaeoburmesebuthidae from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar.

Betaburmesebuthus spinipedis Xuan, Cai & Huang

Abstract:
Mesozoic fossils provide invaluable information about the origin and evolutionary history of scorpions. However, well-preserved scorpions in amber are comparatively rare, greatly limiting our understanding of early scorpion morphological diversity and disparity. Here we describe a new species of the extinct family Palaeoburmesebuthidae, Betaburmesebuthus spinipedis sp. nov., based on a complete female juvenile from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. As some critical characters are hard to interpret, we tentatively place the species in the genus Betaburmesebuthus. We also document, for the first time in a fossil scorpion, five pairs of lateral ocelli on the carapace. Our discovery provides new evidence for the relationship between Palaeoburmesebuthidae and the Recent family Buthidae.

Reference:
Xuan Q, Cai C, Huang D. A new Palaeoburmesebuthidae scorpion from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Buthoidea). Cretaceous Research. 2022:105165. [Subscription required for full text]

A new species in the genus Alloscorpiops from Myanmar (Burma)

Wilson R. Lourenço and Ondřej Košulič recently published a new article describing a new species of the genus Alloscorpiops Vachon, 1980 (Euscorpiidae) from the northern part of central Myanmar (Burma).

Alloscorpiops viktoriae Lourenço & Košulic, 2018

The article also has information about the habitat for the new species and the distribution and the biogeography of the genus Alloscorpiops.

Abstract:
Among the genera of the family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905 Alloscorpiops remains yet rather discrete. New species were added to this genus only recently, increasing its number from two to six. Therefore, species of Alloscorpiops can be considered rare and uncommonly collected. One particular new species, Alloscorpiops viktoriae sp. n., is described based on two females and one pre-adult male collected from the northern part of central Myanmar (Burma). The new species presents most features exhibited by scorpions of the genus Alloscorpiops, but it is characterised by a moderate to small size, very strongly marked granulation, and a particular trichobothrial pattern. Aspects of the ecology and distribution of the new species are discussed and compared with those of other species of genus Alloscorpiops.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Kosulic O. A new remarkable species of Alloscorpiops Vachon, 1980 from Myanmar (Burma) (Scorpiones, Scorpiopidae). Zookeys. 2018(775):47-58. [Open Access]

Family Euscorpiidae

A new genus and species from Myanmar (Burma)

Wilson Lourenco has recently published a new genus and species from a cave in Myanmar (Burma).

Plethoscorpiops Lourenço, 2017 (Scorpiopinae, Euscorpiidae*)

Plethoscorpiops profusus Lourenço, 2017 (Scorpiopinae, Euscorpiidae*)

* The author of this paper is treating Scorpiopinae as a valid family: Scorpiopidae

The new taxa has a unique trichobothrial pattern, but shows no special cave-adaptions (troglomorphic adaptions) like pigment and eye reductions.

Abstract:
Plethoscorpiops profusus gen. n., sp. n., belonging to the family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905 is described on the basis of two specimens, one adult female and one male juvenile collected in the Saddan Cave, in Kayin State, Hpa-An, Burma (Myanmar). This new scorpion taxon most certainly represents an endemic element for the fauna of Burma and seems to be strictly distributed inside the cave system. The new genus is characterized by a previously unknown and totally unique plethotaxic trichobothrial pattern within the family Scorpiopidae.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new genus and species of scorpion from Burma [Myanmar] (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae): Implications for the taxonomy of the family. C R Biol. 2017; In Press. [Open Access]

Family Euscorpiidae

Two new articles on scorpions found in Burmese amber

Even though rare, scorpions (and other arthropods) found in amber is an important tools for learning about scorpion development and evolution. Wilson Lourenco has now published two new papers with several new taxa based on scorpions found in Cretaceous amber of Myanmar.

Please note that the The Scorpion Files only lists extant taxa.

Abstract 1:
A study of three new scorpion specimens from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma) leads to descriptions of one new genus, Burmesescorpiops gen.n., with the sole, and type, species, B. groehni sp.n., as well as of further two new species, Chaerilobuthus gigantosternum sp.n. and C. serratus sp.n., and to a confirmed validity of the subfamily Archaeoscorpiopinae Lourenço, 2015. At present, 18 scorpions and 21 fossil scorpions have been described from Burmese amber. This attests to a considerable degree of scorpion diversity in the Cretaceous Burmese amber- producing forests.

Abstract 2:
A preliminary study on fossil scorpions found in amber, from the Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene is proposed. Scorpions remain rare among the arthropods found trapped in amber. Only 24 specimens are known from Cretaceous amber, representing eight families and subfamilies, ten genera and 21 species; in parallel, 10 specimens have been recorded from Baltic amber representing seven genera and ten species. A few more recent fossils from Dominican and Mexican amber have also been described. The present study of a new scorpion specimen from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burmite) resulted in the description of one new species, Betaburmesebuthus bellus sp. n. – belonging to the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015. The new description brings further elements to the clarification of the status of this subfamily, which is now raised to family level. Once again, this new Burmite element attests to the considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Reference 1:
Lourenco W. A new genus and three new species of scorpions from Cretaceous Burmese amber (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae: Palaeoeuscorpiidae). Arthropoda Selecta. 2016;25(1):67-74. [Open Access]

Reference 2:
Lourenco WR. A preliminary synopsis on amber scorpions with special reference to Burmite species: an extraordinary development of our knowledge in only 20 years. Zookeys. 2016(600):75-87. [Open Access]

Thanks to professor Victor Fet for sending me article 1!

Two new fossil species from Cretaceous Burmese amber

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a couple new fossil species of Betaburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2015 (Arachaeobuthidae) from Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Betaburmesebuthus muelleri Lourenco, 2015

Betaburmesebuthus bidentatus Lourenco, 2015

Abstract:
The study of three new scorpion specimens from Cretacous amber of Myanmar (Burma) leads to the description of two new species in the genus Betaburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2015 bringing further support for the validity of this genus. To date, five species have been described in the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenco, 2015: two in the genus Palaeoburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2002 and three in the genus Betaburmesebuthus.This further study attests to a considerable diversity in the Burmese amber -producing forests.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. New contribution to the knowledge of Cretaceous Burmese amber scorpions: descrptions of two new species of Betaburmesebuthus Lourenco, 2015 (Scorpiones: Archaeobuthidae: Palaeoburmesebuthinae). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2015;1(3):27-36.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

A new family, genus and species of scorpion from Myanmar amber

Andrea Rossi has recently investigated a new scorpion found in amber (burmite) from Myanmar. A new fossil family, genus and species are described.

Sucinlourencous adrianae Rossi, 2015 (Sucinlourencoidae)

Abstract:
A remarkable new family, genus and species of scorpion are described from the cretaceous burmese amber (burmite) from Myanmar. The new family Sucinlourencoidae fam. n. shows particular features that are unique among the extinct burmese families and the existing families of scorpions.

Reference:
Rossi A. A new family, genus and species of scorpion from the burmite of Myanmar (Scorpiones: Sucinlourencoidae). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2915;1(1):3-21.

Thanks to Dr. Rossi for sending me his paper!

Three new articles with new fossil taxa from Cretaceous amber of Myanmar

Scorpions are rare among the arthropods fossilized in amber, but several species have been described from Dominican and Baltic amber. Wilson Lourenco has now published three new papers with several new taxa based on scorpions found in Cretaceous amber of Myanmar.

Please note that the The Scorpion Files only lists extant taxa.

Abstract 1:
A fossil scorpion belonging to a new subfamily, Archaeoscorpiopinae subfam. nov., and to a new genus and species, Archaeoscorpiops cretacicus gen. n., sp. n., is described from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma). This is the seventh species and the eighth fossil of scorpions to be described from Burmese amber. In addition to the previously described families and subfamilies (Electrochaerilinae, Chaerilobuthidae and Palaeotrilineatidae), the description of the new subfamily Archaeoscorpiopinae subfam. nov., provides further evidence about the phylogenetic position of certain Burmese Cretaceous amber scorpions and attests to a considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Abstract 2:
The study of four new scorpion specimens from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma) lead to the description of three new species and to the clarification of the status of the genus Palaeoburmesebuthus Lourenço, the first scorpion described from Burmese amber. To present, ten species and twelve fossil scorpions have been described from Burmese amber. This attests to a considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Abstract 3:
The study of a new scorpion specimen from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma) lead to the description of one new genus and species belonging to the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015. The new descriptions bring also further elements to the clarification of the status of this subfamily, proposed in the previous note of this volume. The new descriptions attest once again to the considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests.

Reference 1:
Lourenco WR. A new subfamily, genus and species of fossil scorpions from cretaceous Burmese amber (Scorpiones: Palaeoeuscorpiidae). Beiträge zur Araneaologie. 2015;9:457–64.

Reference 2:
Lourenco WR. Clarification of the familiar status of the genus Palaeoburmesebuthus Lourenço, 2002 from cretaceous Burmese amber (Scorpiones: Archaeobuthidae: Palaeoburmesebuthinae). Beitraege zur Araneologie. 2015;9:465–75.

Reference 3:
Lourenco WR, Beigel A. A new genus and species of Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015 (Scorpiones: Archaeobuthidae) from cretaceous amber of Myanmar. Beitraege zur Araneologie. 2015;9:476–80.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me these papers!

Two new species of Euscorpiops from Thailand and Myanmar

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently described two new species of Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 (Euscorpiidae) from Asia.

Euscorpiops artemisae Kovarík, Kosulic, Stahlavsky, Dongkhamfu & Wongprom 2015 (Myanmar)

Euscorpiops orioni Kovarík, Kosulic, Stahlavsky, Dongkhamfu & Wongprom 2015 (Thailand)

The article has an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
Euscorpiops artemisae sp. nov. from Myanmar and Euscorpiops orioni sp. nov. from Thailand are described and compared with other species of the genus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980. A key to the species of Euscorpiops is provided. Sexual dimorphism is present, as males of some species have a narrower pedipalp chela than females, while in other species the shape of the chela is the same in both sexes. Males of both new species have the pedipalp chela very narrow, in the male holotype of E. artemisae sp. nov. the chela length to width ratio is 4.13 and in the male holotype of E. orioni sp. nov. it is 4.58. In addition to morphological analysis, we describe also the karyotype of male holotype and paratype of E. orioni sp. nov. Both analyzed specimens have achiasmatic meiosis and the same number of chromosomes (2n=103) with predominance of acrocentric chromosomes gradually decreasing in size. During the first meiotic division we observed one trivalent in both males. This type of multivalent indicates centric fusion or fissions that may cause the differentiation of the karyotypes within the genus Euscorpiops.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Kosulic O, Stahlavsky F, Pliskova J, Dongkhamfu W, Wongprom P. Two new species of Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 from Thailand and Myanmar (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae: Scorpiopinae). Annales Zoologici. 2015;65(1):109-22. [Subscritpion required for full text]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this article!

Family Euscorpiidae