An updated review of teratological abnormalities and other unusual anatomical or morphological findings in scorpions

 

One year ago, Danniella Sherwood and Luis F. de Armas published a review of teratological abnormalities in scorpions. Teratology is the study of physiological development abnormalities of in organisms during their life span (Wikipedia, 2023). Teratological abnormalities in scorpions are known to occur in most families, involving many different body parts. 

Now, Danniella Sherwood and several co-workers have published an updated review of teratological abnormalities in scorpions. They have also included cases of albinism, abnormal pigmentation, gynandromorphism, and injury healing. Many of the cases presented in the article are illustrated with color photos.

Abstract:
Eighteen new cases of teratology and other abnormalities within scorpions are presented, representing new cases of metasomal duplication, mesosomal anomaly, telson anomaly, albinism, and abnormal pigmentation. Furthermore, recently published literature on other scorpion anomalies are tabulated to update the recent 2023 checklist of scorpion teratology which charted all known literature up to the aforementioned work.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Tang V, Tchilinguirian J, Lamare L, Stockmann M, Gerace V. New Cases of Teratology, Albinism, Abnormal Pigmentation, Gynandromorphism, and Injury Healing in Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Arthropoda. 2024;2:226-49. [Open Access]

Thanks to Danniella for sending me this article!

Albinism in the buthid Olivierus martensii and review of albinism in scorpions in general

 

Albinism is known in many animals, but it is rare in scorpions. Victoria Tang and Zhenbang Liu has now published a very thorough article on this fascinating topic using albinism in Olivierus martensii (Karsch, 1879) (Buthidae) from China as an example.

The authors thoroughly describe and discuss all aspects of albinism in this species (origin of this phenotype, manifestation, and behavioral and ecological consequences of having this phenotype). Scorpion coloration in general is also discussed in relation to albinism.

Abstract:
This is a formal case report for the albinism in Olivierus martensii (Karsch, 1879). Albino phenotype is compared with its normal counterpart in terms of their morphology and behavior by cursory experiments. The examined 7 albino individuals (5 of which were adults) were smaller and more slender than their normal counterparts. However, these quantitative differences were not statistically significant and should be treated with caution due to the low sample size. Their abilities to detect both white light and UV light or UV-excited fluorescence were not significantly undermined, although their tendency to ensure a clear vision through self-cleaning behavior appeared to be reduced. Their heightened visibility on dark, leafmould substrate and greater crypticity on yellowish gravels may play a significant role in their natural survival. Additional evidence is required to substantiate this hypothesis as the function of scorpion coloration has been hardly studied. Several theoretical assumptions were proposed following a literature review on scorpion coloration and fluorescence, and this paper also serves as a brief synopsis of those aspects. Other three rare phenotypes in this species are also reported, defined here as piebaldism, hypomelanism and leucism. Given their existence, it is suggested that the loss of melanin in the epidermis beneath the ocelli is diagnostic for albinism in scorpions.

Reference:
Tang V, Liu Z. Albinism in Olivierus martensii (Karsch, 1879) (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2024(396):1-33. [Open Access]

A new psammophile species in the genus Buthus from Northern Spain

 

The duo Rolando Teruel and Carlos Turiel are continuing their study of the Buthus Leach, 1815 (Buthidae) population of Western Europe. In a recent article they have described a new psammophile species the pine forests on siliceous sands of the Duero River in Valladolid, in the core of the Submeseta Norte (northern Spain).

Buthus castellano Teruel & Turiel, 2022

Buthus lusitanus Lourenço, 2021 is synonymized with Buthus halius (C. L. Koch, 1838) after examination of new materials from type localitity. 

Finally, a specimen of B. halius in the study was albino. This is the first report of albinism in this genus and possible the first in the family Buthidae.

Abstract:
The present paper represents the fifth contribution of our taxonomic revision of the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 in the Iberian Peninsula. Herein, we describe a new species from the pine forests on siliceous sands of the Duero River in Valladolid, in the core of the Submeseta Norte (northern Spain). This species is remarkable because of its morphology adapted to burrow in sand, and thus it resembles only Buthus delafuentei Teruel & Turiel, 2020, endemic from the same habitat type, but along the Cádiz Gulf and the lower basin of the Guadalquivir River (southwestern Spain). Moreover, we clarify the true taxonomic status of Buthus lusitanus Lourenço, 2021, by proving that it is actually a junior synonym of Buthus halius (C. L. Koch, 1838) and that its original description is wrong, since it is based only on immature specimens. The West European diversity of Buthus stays at 17 species, all of hem local endemics.

Reference:
Teruel R, Turiel C. The genus Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iberian Peninsula. Part 5: A new psammophile species from Northern Spain, a synonymy and first albinism record in the genus. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2022(41):15-36.

Thanks to Rolando for sending me this article!

Family Buthidae