An update on the Saharan scorpion fauna in Morocco

Oulaid Touloun and co-workers have recently published an article on the species composition and geographical distribution of the Saharan scorpion fauna of Morocco.

Abstract:
Objective: To describe the species composition of scorpions and to study its geographical distribution in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab regions in July 2014.
Methods: To locate scorpions, the ground was examined through searching the places under the stones, rocks and in burrows. The nocturnal missions were also conducted using portable ultraviolet lamps. The scorpions were subsequently identified in the laboratory.
Results: The results of the investigations in these regions showed the presence of five scorpion species, two of which Androctonus gonneti and Buthus bonito were endemic in Morocco.
Conclusions: This work is allowed to complete the inventory of the studied scorpion fauna and provides some considerations on the distribution patterns in the study area.

Reference:
Touloun O, Hidan MAE, Boumezzough A. Species composition and geographical distribution of Saharan scorpion fauna, Morocco. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 2016;6(11):878-81. [Open Access]

New buthid genera and species from Western Sahara and Afghanistan

Lourenco and Duhem has described two new genera and species of Saharo-Sindian buthids:

Pantobuthus Lourenco and Duhem, 2009 (Afghanistan)
Pantobuthus complicatus Lourenco and Duhem, 2009 (Afghanistan)

Saharobuthus Lourenco and Duhem, 2009 (Occidental Sahara (Western Sahara))
Saharobuthus elegans Lourenco and Duhem, 2009 (Occidental Sahara (Western Sahara))

The paper also discuss the distribution of related genera like Odontobuthus, Mesobuthus, Hottentotta, Compsobuthus, Buthus, Leiurus and Vachoniolus.

Abstract:
Two new genera and species of Saharo-Sindian buthid scorpions are described on the basis of single specimens collected respectively in the deserts of Occidental Sahara and the North of Afghanistan. These new scorpion taxa represent further endemic relicts in the Saharo-Sindian faunas. Comments are also included on the evolution of the desert regions of North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the possible consequences of these events on the distribution of the extant scorpion fauna.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Duhem B. Saharo-Sindian buthid scorpions; description of two new genera and species from Occidental Sahara and Afghanistan. ZooKeys. 2009;14:37-54. [Free fulltext]

Family Buthidae