A new, troglomorphic species in the enigmatic genus Troglotayosicus from Ecuador

 

One of the rarest and most enigmatic genera in South America is the troglomorphic genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 (Troglotayosicidae). Ricardo Botero-Trujillo and co-workers have recently described a new species in this fascinating genus from Ecuador.

Troglotayosicus ballvei Botero-Trujillo, Ochoa & Prendini, 2021

The new species has troglomorphies, but doesn't seem to be troglobitic in nature as the specimens were collected in the leaf-litter on walls/stones of a collapse cave. It is only T. vachoni Lourenço, 1981 of the six species the genus that has been reported from a cave habitat.

Abstract:
For several decades, Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981, remained an enigmatic, monotypic scorpion genus believed to be troglobitic. The discovery and description in recent years of several endogean species of the genus, inhabiting the leaf litter of tropical rainforests in Colombia and Ecuador, advanced knowledge about these scorpions. The known distribution of Troglotayosicus was considerably expanded along the Andes, and it was demonstrated that, despite the absence of median ocelli, the genus is composed primarily of species that inhabit leaf litter. In the present study, Troglotayosicus ballvei, sp. nov., is described from Sacha Huagra Lodge, adjacent to Archidona Municipality, in Napo Province, Ecuador, raising the number of Troglotayosicus species to six, three each in Colombia and Ecuador. An updated map of the known distribution of the genus is presented.

Reference:
Botero-Trujillo R, Ochoa JA, Prendini L. A New Troglomorphic, Leaf-litter Scorpion from Ecuador (Troglotayosicidae: Troglotayosicus). American Museum Novitates. 2021(3981):1-24. [Open Access]

Thanks to Luis Roque for sending me this article!

Family Troglotayosicidae

A new species of Trypanothacus from Jordan

 

Mohammad Al-Saraireh and co-workers have recently described a new species of Trypanothacus Lowe, Kovarik, Stockmann & Stahlavsky, 2019 (Buthidae) from Jordan.

Trypanothacus azraqensis Al-Saraireh, Afifeh, Aloufi, Amr & Lourenco, 2021

Abstract:
The genus Trypanothacus Lowe, Kovařík, Stockmann & Šťáhlavský, 2019 (Family Buthidae) is recorded for the first time in Jordan and a new species is described based on specimens collected in the region of Al Azraq.

Reference:
Al-Saraireh M, Afifeh BA, Aloufi A, Amr ZS, Lourenco WR. First record of the genus Trypanothacus Lowe, Kovařík, Stockmann & Šťáhlavský, 2019 in Jordan and description of a new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Serket. 2021;18(1):11-21. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr.Hisham K. El-Hennawy for sending me this article from the journal Serket!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Leiurus from Nigeria

 

Wilson Lourenco has recently published an article describing a new species of the medical important genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from a savannah-like habitat in Nigeria.

Leiurus nigerianus Lourenco, 2021

Abstract:
One more African new species belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg is described. The description is based on two pre-adult male specimens collected in the region of Kaura Namoda, NW of Nigeria. The new species shows affinities with other Leiurus species distributed in the Western portion of Africa; however several characteristics attest that this population is certainly distinct. The ecological features of the type locality are particular since the area is characterised by savannah-like vegetation, instead of arid-desert formations; formation previously defined exclusively for Leiurus savanicola described from Cameroon. The type locality of the new species is the most Southwestern region of Africa in which a Leiurus species was collected.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new species of Leiurus Ehrenberg (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Nigeria, with extension of the distribution range of the genus to the Southwestern portion of the African continent. Serket. 2021;18(1):1-10. [Open Access]

Thanks to Dr.Hisham K. El-Hennawy for sending me this article from the journal Serket!

Buthidae

Systematics of the ‘thorellii’ clade of Centruroides and the efficacy of mini-barcodes for museum specimens

 

Museums around world have large collections of scorpions collected in the last centuries and the specimens found in these collections are naturally important in the study of scorpion taxonomy and diversity. 

Today's studies on taxonomy and phylogeny are relying more and more on molecular and genetic tools, and old museum specimens may pose a problems for these tools as they have never been preserved in the collections with these in mind. 

Aaron Goodman and co-workers have recently published an article investigating the efficacy of mini-barcodes combined with longer sequences of the Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene in the systematics of scorpions. This method can be used on old, badly preserved museums specimens from complete barcodes cannot be obtained.

The results also support the recognition of nine species of the ‘thorellii’ clade, in accordance with a recent taxonomic revision published by the same authors.

Abstract:
Fragmented and degraded DNA is pervasive among museum specimens, hindering molecular phylogenetics and species identification. Mini-barcodes, 200–300-base-pair (bp) fragments of barcoding genes, have proven effective for species-level identification of specimens from which complete barcodes cannot be obtained in many groups, but have yet to be tested in arachnids. The present study investigated the efficacy of mini-barcodes combined with longer sequences of the Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene in the systematics of the arboreal Neotropical ‘thorellii’ clade of Centruroides Marx, 1890 bark scorpions (Buthidae, C.L. Koch 1837), the species of which have proven to be difficult to identify and delimit due to their similar morphology. The phylogeny of 53 terminals, representing all nine species of the clade and representative species belonging to related clades of Centruroides, rooted on Heteroctenus junceus (Herbst, 1800) and based on up to 1078 base pairs of COI and 112 morphological characters, is presented to test the monophyly of the clade and the limits of its component species. The results support the recognition of nine species of the ‘thorellii’ clade, in accordance with a recent taxonomic revision, and highlight the efficacy of mini-barcodes for identifying morphologically similar cryptic species using specimens of variable age and preservation.

Reference:
Goodman AM, Prendini L, Esposito LA. Systematics of the Arboreal Neotropical ‘thorellii’Clade of Centruroides Bark Scorpions (Buthidae) and the Efficacy of Mini-Barcodes for Museum Specimens. Diversity. 2021;13(9):441. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Another discovery of a scorpion with a double stinger

 

Malformations in scorpions are well-known, but in a recent research note Salah Eddine Sadine presents one of the more special malformations: The presence of a a double aculeus. This was seen in a female Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) (Buthidae) from Algeria. The female was normal except for the double stinger and this special malformation is probably not a handicap for the scorpion.

Abstract:
An adult female of the buthid scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) from a palm grove of Ghardaïa region (central Algeria) having a bifid aculeus (double aculeus) is recorded. This type of malformation of the telson has not been previously reported for this species.

Reference:
Sadine SE. A remarkable bifid aculeus in Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826) from central Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2021(38):191-2.

Thanks to Dr. Sadine for sending me his article!

All you need to know about scorpions of medical importance in Brazilian Amazonas: Epidemiology, medical important species, venom, distribution, habitat and much more

 

Scorpions are a health problem in many parts of the world and Brazil is one of the world's hotspots in this regard. Knowledge of taxonomy (species diversity and who are dangerous or not), distribution, habitat preferences, ecology, venom and reproduction (how fast can a population grow and spread) is essential for preventing sting accidents and scorpionism.

Jonas Gama Martins and co-workers have recently published a very thorough and interesting review on most aspects concerning scorpions of medical importance in Brazilian Amazonas. This article will be an important tool for scientists, health personnel, public agencies and others working with scorpionism in Brazil and in the world.

Abstract:
Scorpionism is a relevant medical condition in Brazil. It is responsible for most accidents involving venomous animals in the country, which leads to severe symptoms that can evolve to death. In recent years, an increase of almost 50% in the incidence of scorpionism has been observed in the Northern Region, where the highest severity of envenoming has been notified since the beginning of the 21^st century. This review aims to provide an in-depth assessment of public data and reports on symptoms and epidemiology of envenoming, ecological aspects of scorpions, and characterization of venoms and toxins to access the gaps that need to be filled in the knowledge of the scorpion species of medical importance from the Brazilian Amazon. A systematic search using the string words “Amazon” and “scorpion” was performed on 11 databases. No restriction on date, language or status of the publication was applied. Reports not related to the Brazilian Amazon were excluded. Therefore, 88 studies remained. It is shown that populations of scorpions of medical importance, even of the same species, may present significant toxic variations peculiar to some regions in the Brazilian Amazon, and commercial scorpion antivenoms were not able to shorten the intensity and duration of neurological manifestations in patients stung by T. silvestris, T. apiacas or T. obscurus. It is also highlighted that the toxins responsible for triggering these alterations have not been elucidated yet and this is a fruitful field for the development of more efficient antivenoms. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of scorpions of the genus Tityus in the Brazilian Amazon was revised and updated. The cumulative and detailed information provided in this review may help physicians and scientists interested in scorpionism in the Brazilian Amazon.

Reference:
Martins JG, Santos GC, Procópio REL, Arantes EC, Bordon KCF. Scorpion species of medical importance in the Brazilian Amazon: a review to identify knowledge gaps. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2021;27:e20210012. [Open Access]

Thanks to Jonas Gama Martins for sending me their article!

A review of the enigmatic family Pseudochactidae and troglobitism/troglomorphism in scorpions

 

Most scorpion researchers agree that the most remarkable scorpion discovery in the last century was the discovery of the very special scorpion Pseudochactas ovchinnikovi Gromov, 1998 in a remote, mountainous region of southeastern Uzbekistan and southwestern Tajikistan. This species "gave birth" to the family Pseudochactidae. Later one more species in the genus was discovered and the family was further increased two more genera with a few more species. Most of the latter are cavernicolous (found in caves), but not all of them have troglomorphisms like reduced eyes and pigmentation. All of the species in the family are rare and have a relictual distribution.

Lorenzo Prendini and co-workers have now conducted a thorough review of the family Pseudochactidae. Based on morphological and phylogenetical analysis they have concluded the following:

New subfamily:

 Troglokhammouaninae Prendini, Ehrenthal & Loria, 2021.

New genus:

Aemngvantom  Prendini, Ehrenthal & Loria, 2021.

New species:

Aemngvantom thamnongpaseuam Prendini, Ehrenthal & Loria, 2021.

New combination:

Aemngvantom lao (Lourenço, 2012).

Synonymizations:

Troglokhammouanus louisanneorum Lourenço, 2017 is synonymized with  Troglokhammouanus steineri Lourenço, 2007.

Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenço and Pham, 2012 is synonymized with Vietbocap canhi Lourenço & Pham, 2010.

Vietbocap aurantiacus Lourenço et al., 2018 is synonymized with Vietbocap canhi Lourenço & Pham, 2010.

Vietbocap Vietbocap quinquemilia Lourenço et al., 2018 is synonymized with Vietbocap canhi Lourenço & Pham, 2010.

The family consists now of three subfamilies, four genera and six species. The article has revised descriptions of all species, pictures and habitat information with conservation status. An identification key for the family is also provided.

The article also provide a review of the global diversity of cavernicolous, troglomorphic and troglobitic scorpions and an ecological key to the classification of this kind of scorpions is also presented. 

Abstract:
The first integrative systematic revision of the relictual Asian scorpion family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, making use of an unprecedented collection of material acquired during several expeditions to most of the type localities, is presented. The subfamilies, genera and species of Pseudochactidae are revised based on a phylogenetic analysis of 140 morphological characters and 8608 nucleotide base pairs of concatenated DNA sequence from two nuclear and three mitochondrial gene loci, and a multivariate statistical analysis of 22 ratios and 8 counts for 60 specimens. Three subfamilies, four genera and six species are recognized in the family. Troglokhammouaninae, subfam. nov., is created to restore the monophyly of the nominotypical subfamily Pseudochactinae Gromov, 1998. Aemngvantom, gen. nov., is created to accommodate Aemngvantom lao (Lourenço, 2012), comb. nov., and Aemngvantom thamnongpaseuam gen. et sp. nov. Four new synonyms are presented: Troglokhammouanus louisanneorum Lourenço, 2017 = Troglokhammouanus steineri Lourenço, 2007, syn. nov.; Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenço and Pham, 2012 = Vietbocap canhi Lourenço and Pham, 2010, syn. nov.; Vietbocap aurantiacus Lourenço et al., 2018 = V. canhi, syn. nov.; Vietbocap quinquemilia Lourenço et al., 2018 = V. canhi, syn. nov. Revised diagnoses of the subfamilies, genera and species, with comparative images, a key and distribution maps are provided, along with a summary of available data on ecology and conservation status, where applicable. Among the Southeast Asian pseudochactids, all of which appear to be obligately cavernicolous, the three species of Vietbocapinae Lourenço, 2012, are highly troglomorphic whereas the sole species of Troglokhammouaninae is barely so. Applying recently revised definitions of the Schiner-Racovitza system for the classification of subterranean organisms, only Vietbocapinae can be considered troglobitic. The global diversity of cavernicolous, troglomorphic and troglobitic scorpions is similarly revisited and a key to ecological classification of cavernicolous and troglomorphic scorpions presented. The world totals of troglomorphic vs. troglobitic scorpions are currently 58 vs. 28 species, in 29 vs. 17 genera and 15 vs. 13 families, respectively.

Reference:
Prendini L, Ehrenthal VL, Loria SF. Systematics of the relictual Asian scorpion family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, with a review of cavernicolous, troglobitic, and troglomorphic scorpions. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 2021(453):1-149. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this article!

Family Pseudochactidae