Two new species of Uroplectes from Somaliland and Mozambique

 

Frantisek Kovarik published yesterday a new article in which two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique are described.

Uroplectes elmii Kovarik, 2025

Uroplectes mossambicensis Kovarik, 2025

A distribution map of all discussed species in the article is also included.

Abstract:
Two new species, Uroplectes elmii sp. n. from Somaliland and U. mossambicensis sp. n. from Mozambique are described, fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology. Both species are similar to Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879) from which they differ mainly in finger dentition (Uroplectes elmii sp. n.) and strongly reduced tibial spurs on legs III–IV (U. mossambicensis sp. n.). Uroplectes elmii sp. n. is also compared with U. pardii Kovařík, 2003, from which it differs mainly by extremely reduced to absent metasomal punctation. A distribution map of all discussed species is included.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique. Euscorpius. 2025(426):1–18. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Pandinops from Somaliland

 

Hot from the press, another new species from The Horn of Africa. This time, Frantisek Kovarik has described a new species of Pandinops Birula, 1913 (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland.

Pandinops sahil Kovarik, 2025

The author also synonymizes Pandinops bambii Rossi, 2017 with Pandinops turieli Kovařík, 2016. Please note that this species was never listed in The Scorpion Files, probably because I never got the article.

An identification key for the genus is provided.

Abstract:
Pandinops sahil sp. n. from Somaliland is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of holotype male of the new species, as well as of its habitat. Pandinops bambii Rossi, 2017 is synonymized with Pandinops turieli Kovařík, 2016, syn. n. A key for the species of Pandinops and a map of the distribution of the genus are provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XLI. Pandinops sahil sp. n. from Somaliland (Scorpionidae). Euscorpius. 2025(418):1–11. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae

A new species of Buthus from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have published a new species from The Horn of Africa. This time a new species of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Buthidae) has been discovered in Somaliland. The name of the new species is given because this is now the smallest species in the genus.

Buthus pygmaeus Kovarik, Lowe, Stahlavsky & Elmi, 2025

The article has an identification key for the Buthus species in The Horn of African.

Abstract:
New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somaliland. B. pygmaeus sp. n. is described, fully complemented with color photographs of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. In addition to the analysis of external morphology and hemispermatophore, we provide a description of the karyotype of B. pygmaeus sp. n. (2n=22). A key and distribution map of Buthus in the Horn of Africa (six species) are included.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stahlavsky F, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXIX. Buthus pygmaeus sp. n. from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(415):1–14. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Hemiscorpius from the Horn of Africa

 

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published a overview of the Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Hemiscorpiidae) species known from the Horn of Africa. A new species is described from Somaliland.

Hemiscorpius huluul Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2025

The article has an identification key for the five species known from the Horn of Africa.

Abstract:
Occurrence of the rare in the Horn of Africa genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hemiscorpiidae) is summarized, including a distribution map. A male of Hemiscorpius lipsae Kovařík & Lowe, 2022 from Djibouti is described for the first time. A new species Hemiscorpius huluul sp. n. from Somaliland is described, fully complemented with color photographs.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XXXVII. The genus Hemiscorpius (Hemiscorpiidae). Euscorpius. 2025(411):1-24. [Open Access]

Family Hemiscorpiidae

Four new species of Neobuthus described from Somaliland

 

In their ongoing study of the scorpion fauna of the Horn of Africa, Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published a new article describing four new species of Neobuthus Hirst, 1911(Buthidae) from Somaliland.

 Neobuthus dhobo Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

 Neobuthus opatovae Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

 Neobuthus osoli Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

 Neobuthus verae Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

The article includes an updated identification key for the genus.

Abstract:
New information about taxonomy and distribution of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 is presented, based on material recently collected in Somaliland. Four new species are described, N. dhobo sp. n., N. opatovae sp. n., N. osoli sp. n., and N. verae sp. n (Somaliland). An updated distribution map of the genus Neobuthus is provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XXXIV. Four new species of Neobuthus from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2024(401):1-31. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Three new species in the buthid genus Gint from Ethiopia and Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently published a new article in their ongoing study of the scorpion fauna of The Horn of Africa. This time, three new species in the genus Gint Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2013 (Buthidae) are described from Somaliland and Ethiopia.

Gint abshiri Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024 (Ethiopia)

Gint derbiae Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024  (Ethiopia)

Gint sahil Kovarik, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024 (Somaliland)

The article has an updated identification key for the genus. 

Abstract:
Three new species, Gint sahil sp. n. from Somaliland and Gint abshiri sp. n. and G. derbiae sp. n. from Ethiopia are described and compared with other species of the genus. Additional information is provided on the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Gint, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of the new species, as well as of their habitats. Furthermore, alongside the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we have provided description of the karyotype of G. abshiri sp. n. This species exhibits karyotype with 2n=27. Included is distribution map and a key for the genus Gint.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XXXIII. Three new species of Gint from Ethiopia and Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2024(392):1-25. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Two new buthid genera from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik has recently described two new genera in the Buthidae family from Somaliland.

Sahil Kovarik, 2024 (new genus)

Sahil elmi Kovarik, 2024 (new species)

Sanaag Kovarik, 2024 (new genus)

Sanaag maidensis (Kovarik, Lowe, Just, Awale, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2018) (new combination - previously in the genus Gint Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2013)

Abstract:
Two new monotypic buthid genera are described: Sanaag gen. n. and Sahil gen. n. from Somaliland, both belonging to the ‘Buthus’ group. Sanaag gen. n. (type species Gint maidensis Kovařík et al., 2018) differs from Gint Kovařík et al., 2013 in the structure of its hemispermatophore, which has a large, tall, subtriangular hook-like basal lobe, and in the shape of its telson which is rather bulbous. Sahil gen. n. (type species Sahil elmii sp. n.) differs from all morphologically similar small-sized genera of the Horn of Africa in having the ventral aspect of cheliceral fixed finger with two denticles, and the movable finger of the pedipalp with 7 subrows of denticles.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones) Part XXXI. Two new genera from Somaliland: Sanaag gen. n. and Sahil gen. n. (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2024(386):1-11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Three new species of Parabuthus from Somaliland

 

In part 30 of their ongoing series "Scorpions of the Horn of Africa", Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers describe three new species of Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 (Buthidae) from Somaliland. 

Parabuthus dorisae Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

Parabuthus evae Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

Parabuthus quincyae Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2024

The true distribution of Parabuthus eritreaensis Kovarik, 2003 is discussed and a distribution map for all species in the Horn of Africa is included. 

Abstract:
A new record of an adult female of Parabuthus eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003 in Somaliland confirms true distribution of this species, already discussed in Kovařík et al. (2016: 19–21). Three new species are described from Somaliland, P. dorisae sp. n., P. evae sp. n., and P. quincyae sp. n.. The hemispermatophore of P. dorisae sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophore, we have provided descriptions of the karyotypes of P. dorisae sp. n. and P. quincyae sp. n. Despite the presence of multivalents (CVIII and CXIV), both species exhibit karyotypes with 2n=16 and chromosomes that gradually decrease in length, with the exception of the first chromosome, which is longer than the following chromosomes. A map of distribution of Parabuthus species in the Horn of Africa is included.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXX. Parabuthus (Buthidae) (Part III), with description of three new species from Somaliland and occurrence of Parabuthus eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003. Euscorpius. 2024(385):1-27. [Open access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Neobuthus from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have described a a new species of Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Buthidae) from Somaliland as part of their ongoing study of the scorpions of the Horn of Africa. 

Neobuthus fryntai Kovarik, Elmi & Frydlova, 2023

Abstract:
A new species Neobuthus fryntai sp. nov. confirmed by DNA phylogeny (paper in preparation) is described according to morphological characters. It is morphologically most similar to N. factorio Kovařík, Lowe, Elmi et Hure, 2018. Neobuthus fryntai sp. nov. has pedipalp segments relatively slender than N. factorio, males with femur L/W 2.74–2.86 (2.42–2.70 in N. factorio), patella L/W 2.50–2.62 (2.18–2.28 in N. factorio), chela L/W 4.68–4.98 (4.25–4.48 in N. factorio). Included is actualized distribution map of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 with focus to Somaliland.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Elmi HSA, Frydlova P. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXIX. A new species of Neobuthus from Somaliland (Buthidae). Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemicae. 2023;86:59-69.

Thanks to Frantisek Kovarik and Tomas Mazuch for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae

A new study of the genetics of the buthid genus Gint, endemic to the Horn of Africa

 

The genus Gint Kovarik, Lowe, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2013 (Buthidae) is endemic to the Horn of Africa with 12 species. Pavel Just and co-workers have recently published a study trying determinate the mechanisms of karyotype differentiation in this genus.

Their results showed that the Gint species exhibited substantial karyotype diversity and a high incidence of chromosome heterozygosity. This stuff is way over my head and I have to refer to the abstract and the article for further details on the study and its implications.

Abstract:
To determine the mechanisms of karyotype differentiation in scorpions of the genus Gint, we employed an integrative approach, combining cytogenetic data and sequence-based phylogeny. We cytogenetically examined six species with emphasis on multivalent meiotic configurations, 18S rDNA and (TTAGG)n distribution and compared chromosomal data with genetic divergence based on analysis of 16S rRNA and COI gene markers. Our results show that Gint species exhibit substantial karyotype diversity (2n = 18–45) and a high incidence of chromosome heterozygosity. Meiotic chromosome chains formed by up to six elements were found in 85% of analysed individuals, causing intraspecific chromosome variation in three species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the 18S rDNA distribution pattern differed in Gint species, including at the intrapopulation level, but the chromosomal localization of (TTAGG)n motif was stable across species. Conspicuous interspecific differences in chromosome counts broadly corresponded with genetic divergence among Gint species. Our findings indicate that Gint karyotypes have undergone dynamic reorganization through independent fusions, fissions and reciprocal translocations. Owing to present chromosomal polymorphism, such structural changes shaping the genome architecture appear to be still ongoing in the populations of some Gint species.

Reference:
Just P, Šťáhlavský F, Kovařík F, Štundlová J. Tracking the trends of karyotype differentiation in the phylogenetic context of Gint, a scorpion genus endemic to the Horn of Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2022. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Frantisek Kovarik for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

Orthochiroides is back again as a valid genus and a new species in the genus from Somaliland is described

 

The genus Orthochiroides  Kovarik, 1998 (Buthidae) was synonymized with Orthochirus Karsch, 1891 by Lourenco & Ythier in 2021. This decision is now changed in a recent article by Kovarik & Lowe after analyzing more than 40 morphological characters. Orthochiroides is back as a valid genus with the original four species previously assigned to the genus.

 A new species Orthochiroides is desrcibed from Somaliland increasing the number of species to five.

Orthochiroides somalilandus Kovarik & Lowe, 2022

An identification key for the genus is included.

Abstract:
The genus Orthochiroides Kovařík, 1998 is reanalyzed. Revised diagnoses and new illustrations for the genus and all four of its species are presented. A new species, O. somalilandus sp. n. from Somaliland is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus with several other similar genera of small buthids are inferred from a parsimony analysis of 43 discrete morphological characters. The recent synonymy of Orthochiroides with Orthochirus is refuted and the genus is revalidated.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Review of Orthochiroides Kovařík, 1998 with description of a new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2022(349):1-42. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Lanzatus from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and Graeme Lowe have recently discovered a new species of Lanzatus Kovarik, 2001 (Buthidae).

Lanzatus huluul Kovarik & Lowe, 2021

Abstract:
The rare Horn of Africa buthid genus Lanzatus Kovařík, 2001 was newly collected in Somaliland in two localities. We describe a new species Lanzatus huluul sp. n. fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology, habitus, hemispermatophore and collection areas.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXVII. Lanzatus huluul sp. n. from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2021(344):1-12. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Hottentotta from Somaliland

 

Frantisek Kovarik and Graeme Lowe have recently published a new article in their Scorpions of the Horn of Africa series. This time, two new species of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Buthidae) are described from Somaliland.

Hottentotta haudensis Kovarik & Lowe, 2021

Hottentotta nigrimontanus Kovarik & Lowe, 2021

Abstract:
The distribution of Hottentotta polystictus (Pocock, 1896) is summarized according to recently confirmed records. Two new species, Hottentotta haudensis sp. n. and H. nigrimontanus sp. n. from the Somaliland, are described, compared with H. polystictus, and fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology, habitus and collection areas. H. haudensis sp. n. is the smallest known species of the genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908, while H. nigrimontanus sp. n. is larger than H. polystictus.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXVI. Records of Hottentotta polystictus (Pocock, 1896), with descriptions of H. haudensis sp. n. and H. nigrimontanus sp. n. (Buthidae) from Somaliland. Euscorpius. 2021(330):1-28. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Pandinurus from Somaliland and a couple of restored species from synonymization

 Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published an article with the description of a new species of Pandinurus Fet, 1997 (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland.

Pandinurus awalei Kovarik, Lowe & Elmi, 2020

The authors also discuss a couple of the synonymizations done by Prendini & Loria (2020) in their recent revision of parts of the family Scorpionidae. Their conclusion is that Pandinurus intermedius (Borelli, 1919) is restored from synonymy with Pandinurus citernii (Borelli, 1919) and Pandipalpus lowei (Kovařík, 2012) is restored from synonymy with Pandipalpus viatoris (Pocock, 1890).

Abstract:
A new species Pandinurus awalei sp. n. is described from Somaliland. The male of Pandiborellius somalilandus (Kovařík, 2012) is also described for the first time and sexual dimorphism of the species is defined. The habitus, morphology and habitats of both species are illustrated in detail with color and UV fluorescence images, including both live and preserved specimens. The species Pandinurus intermedius (Borelli, 1919) and Pandipalpus lowei (Kovařík, 2012) of Pandininae that were synonymized by Prendini & Loria (2020) are reinstated as valid species.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXV. Description of Pandinurus awalei sp. n. and the male of Pandiborellius somalilandus (Kovařík, 2012), with remarks on recent synonymies (Scorpionidae: Pandininae). Euscorpius. 2020(322):1-21. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae

 

A new species of Leiurus from Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik and Graeme Lowe recently presented the discovery of a new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from Somaliland.

Leiurus gubanensis Kovarik & Lowe, 2020

Until 2002, Leiurus only comprised of one, very venomous species Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828). As with many other scorpion species with a wide distribution, this taxa also turned out to be a species complex with many hidden species. With the present species, the genus now consists of 13 species.

The genus Leiurus has always been infamous for having the most potent venom of all scorpion species. But it is unclear wether this also apply for all the new species. Until we know more, the best is to regard all the species in the genus as potential dangerous scorpions.

Abstract:
New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland, acquired during expeditions in 2011–2019. Leiurus gubanensis sp. n. is described from the Guban area, an extremely warm and dry place. The description is fully complemented with color photographs of live and preserved specimens, as well as of their habitats. This increases the known diversity of the genus to 14 species.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXIV. Leiurus (Buthidae), with description of Leiurus gubanensis sp. n. Euscorpius. 2020(309):1-19. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Three new species of Buthus from Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have recently published a new article in their series of article on the scorpions of the Horn of Africa. This time materials from Somaliland revealed three new species from this country.

Buthus pococki Kovarik, Stahlavsky & Elmi, 2020 (New species)

Buthus somalilandus Kovarik, Stahlavsky & Elmi, 2020 (New species)

Buthus zeylensis  Pocock, 1900 (Restored from synonymy with Buthus berberensis Lourenço, 2008)

The article has an identification key and a distribution map for the genus Buthus in the Horn of Africa.

Abstract:
New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somaliland, acquired during expeditions in 2011–2019. Buthus berberensis Pocock, 1900, for which the exact locality was not known, was collected again. B. zeylensis Pocock, 1900 is restored from synonymy and elevated to species rank, based on a study of 75 recently collected specimens. Two new species, B. pococki sp. n. and B. somalilandus sp. n., are described, fully complemented with color photographs of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. In addition to the analyses of external morphology we also described karyotypes of selected species. B. awashensis, B. pococki sp. n. and B. zeylensis have karyotypes with 2n=22. The karyotype of B. berberensis possesses 21 chromosomes, probably as a consequence of heterozygous fusion that is evident as a trivalent during postpachytene in this species. A key and distribution map of Buthus in the Horn of Africa (five species) are included.

References:
Kovarik F, Stahlavsky F, Elmi HSA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXIII. Buthus (Buthidae), with description of two new species. Euscorpius. 2020(307):1-32. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Neobuthus from Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik has recently described two new species of Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Buthidae) from Somaliland.

Neobuthus haeckeli Kovarik, 2019

Neobuthus solegladi Kovarik, 2019

Abstract:
New information about taxonomy and distribution of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 is presented, based on material recently collected in Somaliland. N. awashensis Kovařík & Lowe, 2012 is reported from Somaliland for the first time. Two new species are described, N. haeckeli sp. n. and N. solegladi sp. n. An updated distribution map of the genus Neobuthus is provided.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XXII. Two new species of Neobuthus from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2019(294):1-16. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Five new Parabuthus species from Somaliland and Ethiopia

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers recently published part 21 in their ongoing article series on the scorpion fauna in the Horn of Africa. In their latest article, they look further into Parabuthus heterurus Pocock, 1897 (Buthidae) and conclude that this is actually a species complex consisting of four species (three new species). In addition, two more new species are described from Somaliland.

Parabuthus erigavoensis Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus kabateki Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus mazuchi Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus robustus Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Ethiopia and Somaliland).

Parabuthus somalilandus Kovarik, Lowe, Elmi & Stahlavsky, 2019 (new species from Somaliland).

Parabuthus terzanii Rossi, 2017 is synonymized with Parabuthus hamar Kovařík et al., 2016. The former was never listed in The Scorpion Files.

New data on the distribution of Parabuthus of the Horn of Africa are given and an identification key for the genus in the same area is available.

Abstract:
The complex of Parabuthus heterurus Pocock, 1897 is split into four species: P. heterurus Pocock, 1897 s. str. whose type locality and real distribution are discussed and corrected, and three herein described species, P. kabateki sp. n., P. robustus sp. n. and P. somalilandus sp. n. In the species complex of Parabuthus liosoma (Ehrenberg, 1828), P. erigavoensis sp. n. from Somaliland is described. Also described are P. mazuchi sp. n., sympatric with P. cimrmani Kovařík, 2004 and P. eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003 from Somaliland. New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somaliland, acquired during expeditions in 2017–2019. Information is provided about Parabuthus species from Somaliland, their taxonomy, distribution, and ecology, fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. The hemispermatophores of P. kabateki sp. n., P. mazuchi sp. n., P. robustus sp. n. and P. somalilandus sp. n. are illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also described the karyotypes of P. kabateki sp. n., P. robustus sp. n., and P. somalilandus sp. n. All three species have karyotypes with 2n=16 and chromosomes gradually decreasing in length. Included is a key to Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 in the Horn of Africa. Parabuthus terzanii Rossi, 2017 is synonymized with Parabuthus hamar Kovařík et al., 2016 syn. n. as a junior synonym because the description dated July 2016 was in reality published/accessible in March 2017.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Elmi HSA, Stahlavsky F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXI. Parabuthus (Buthidae) (Part II), with description of five new species from Somaliland and Ethiopia. Euscorpius. 2019(290):1-63. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Barbaracurus from Somaliland

Frantisek Kovarik and co-workers have published a new species of Barbaracurus Kovarik, Lowe & Stahlavsky, 2018 (Buthidae) from Somaliland.

Barabaracurus feti Kovarik, Lowe &Stahlavsky & Hurre, 2019

 In addition, the species Babycurus borellii Rossi, 2019 is synonymized with B. yemenensis Kovarik, Lowe, Seiter, Pliskova & Stahlavsky, 2015.  

The article has an identification key for the genus.

Editors note:

B. borellii was not previously listed in The Scorpion Files because it was published in the journal "Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana", which I'm not able to get articles from by myself. I'm aware of several recent publications with taxonomical changes from this journal, but I only add updates to The Scorpion Files after having read the articles. I cannot update The scorpion Files based on information in article titles.

Abstract:
Barbaracurus feti sp. n. from Somaliland is described and compared with other species of the genus. Additional information is provided on the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Barbaracurus, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of both sexes of the new species, as well as of their habitat. In addition to morphology and hemispermatophores, we also describe the karyotypes of B. feti sp. n. (2n=23). Included is a key for Barbaracurus. Babycurus borellii Rossi, 2019 is synonymized with Barbaracurus yemenensis Kovařík et al., 2018 syn. n. as a junior synonym because the description dated in February 2018 was in reality published/accessible in March 2019.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Stahlavsky F, Hurre AA. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part XX. Barbaracurus feti sp. n. from Somaliland (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2019(280):1-11. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Pandinurus from Somaliland

Thanks to Frantisek Kovarik and his team we have in the last years seen a much needed update of the scorpion fauna of East Africa. In a new contribution recently published, Kovarik and co-workers present a new species of Pandinurus Fet, 1997 (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland.

Pandinurus fulvipes Kovarik, Lowe & Mazuch, 2019

The male of Pandiborellius meidensis (Karsch, 1879) from the same area is described from the first time.

Abstract:
The male of Pandiborellius meidensis (Karsch, 1879) is introduced for the first time and illustrated in detail with color photos, and sexual dimorphism and occurrence of the species are discussed. Pandinurus fulvipes sp. n. from Somaliland is described and fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as of its habitat.

Reference:
Kovarik F, Lowe G, Mazuch T. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XIX. Pandiborellius meidensis (Karsch, 1879) and Pandinurus fulvipes sp. n. (Scorpionidae) from Somaliland. Euscorpius. 2019(275):1-18. [Open Access]

Family Scorpionidae