A new species of Compsobuthus from Southeastern Iran

 

Fahimeh Vahidinia and co-workers have recently published an article describing a new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) from Southeastern Iran. 

Compsobuthus yagi Barahoei, 2025

Abstract:
Despite the presence of scorpions in most parts of Iran, limited studies have been conducted in some places with a high frequency of scorpions. In this study, scorpion samples collected from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast of Iran, during 2022 and 2023 were investigated. Sampling identified eight species belonging to seven genera from the Buthidae family. These are Androctonus rostami Barahoei, 2025, A. sistanus Barahoei & Mirshamsi, 2022, Compsobuthus yagi Barahoei sp. n., Hottentotta sistanensis Kovarik et al., 2018, Mesobuthus rakhshanii Barahoei, 2022, Odontobuthus tirgari Mirshamsi et al., 2013, Orthochirus persa (Birula, 1900) and Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900). Compsobuthus yagi Barahoei sp. n. was collected and is described from north Zahedan based on morphologic and molecular (COI) studies. Four species for the fauna of Zahedan County, three species for the fauna of Mirjaveh County, and two species for the fauna of Khash and Hirmand counties are new reports. Diagnostic characters of new species and new records are provided. Phylogeny of the new species is discussed.

Reference:
Vahidinia F, Ravan S, Barahoei H. A New Species of Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) from Southeastern Iran. Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 2025;Published online 04 March 2025. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae

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

Report of predation of a Hottentotta species by the long-eared hedgehog in Turkey

 

Ridvan Kurt and co-workers recently published an article describing predation of the scorpion Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880) (Buthidae) by the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) in Turkey. The hedgehog did bite off the tail and kill the scorpion before trying to eat it.

Abstract:
In this study, we report the predation of Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880) by the insectivorous mammal Hemiechinus auritus (Gmelin, 1770) in Şırnak Province, southeastern Türkiye. During a nighttime field trip, we observed a long-eared hedgehog biting a H. saulcyi individual on its prosoma. This observation confirms that long-eared hedgehogs feed on and prey upon scorpions.

Reference:
Kurt R, Yagmur EA, Yorulmaz T. Predation of the scorpion Hottentotta saulcyi (Scorpiones: Buthidae) by the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae) in Şırnak Province, Türkiye. Euscorpius. 2025(407):1-4. [Open Access]

A review of the members of the genus Chaerilus in China with the description of one new species

 

Recently, Victoria Tang has published an extensive review of the species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877(Chaerilidae) from China. One new species is described.

Chaerilus herta Tang, 2025

The paper reviews the species found in China and discuss taxonomical challenges for the family and for scorpions in general. Also, the presence and level of UV fluorescence in this genus is discussed.  

Abstract:
The genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China is preliminarily revised on a morphological basis, derived from the available literature and newly examined specimens. The robustness of several commonly applied species-level diagnostic criteria are evaluated. Ten species are provisionally recognized for China, including one new morphospecies, Chaerilus herta sp. n., described from 9 females, 40 males, and 2 juvenile females collected in Mêdog County. The current study only reveals and resolves several most elementary issues in the taxonomy of Chinese Chaerilus. Further molecular investigations are warranted until topotypes of certain species become available.

Reference:
Tang V. Current challenges and preliminary morphological reassessment of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Euscorpius. 2025(406):1-89. [Open Access]

Family Chaerilidae

How to accurately estimating body size in scorpions

Body size is important for many aspects of ecological studies because it has an impact of many life-history elements of the individual (e.g. fecundity, longevity, dispersal capacity, sexual selection, prey capture etc.). Stenio  Foerster has recently published an article presenting methods for accurately predicting body size in scorpions, while considering their evolutionary history. I refer to the abstract and the article for more information.

Abstract:
Body size has always been the focus of several ecological studies due to its undeniable influence on other life-history traits. The conventional representation of body size in arthropods typically relies on linear measures, such as total body length, or the length of specific body parts that can be used to represent body size. While these measures offer simplicity over more complicated alternatives (e.g., dry mass), technical problems persist for arthropods with complex body structures, as is the case for scorpions. In these animals, accurate measurements often require extensive handling, including the stretching of body parts. In light of the difficulties associated with directly measuring total length and carapace length in scorpions (two prevalent proxies for body size in the group), this study evaluates the ability of seven simple linear measurements in predicting length measures of boy size in scorpions under a phylogenetic framework. Predictive equations derived from phylogenetic mixed linear models fitted under Bayesian framework were implemented in custom R functions that can be applied for size prediction in a wide range of scorpions. Overall, accurate predictions of total length and carapace length could be achieved using any of the studied traits as single predictors. However, the most accurate predictions for total length were obtained using the length of metasomal segment V, while the best predictions for carapace length were achieved using telson length. The addition of a secondary predictor had low impact on the quality of the size predictions, indicating that increasing model complexity by incorporating additional predictors is not necessary to achieve accurate size estimates. Technical advantages and limitations associated with each linear measurement are discussed. In conclusion, this study broadens the repertoire of methods available for accurately estimating body size in scorpions, particularly in instances where body size information can only be obtained indirectly through allometric relationships.

Reference:
Foerster SIA. Body size prediction in scorpions: a phylogenetic comparative examination of linear measurements of individual body parts. PeerJ. 2025;13:e18621. [Open Access]

Thanks to Stenio for informing me about his article!

A new species of Parabuthus from Somalia

 

Frantisek Kovarik just published the description of a new species of Parabuthus Pocock, 1890  (Buthidae) from Somalia (Puntaland).

Parabuthus starhai Kovarik, 2025

Abstract:
A new species Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) is described. Combination of two characters, pectine teeth number 56–59 in both sexes and pedipalp chela length/ width ratio 3.65 in male and 5.47 in female differ P. starhai sp. n. from all other species in the region. Included is also a map of distribution of Parabuthus species in Horn of Africa.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXV. Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) (Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2025(405):1-10. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Androctonus from the Tassili n'Ajjer in Algeria

 

Eric Ythier and co-workers recently published an article describing a new species of the medical important genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Buthidae) from the Tassili n'Ajjer in Algeria.

Androctonus ajjer Ythier, Sadine, Alioua & Lourenco, 2025

Abstract:
A new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 is described on the basis of one male specimen collected in Eferi, at the foothills of the Tassili n'Ajjer massif, Wilaya of Djanet, Algeria. This new scorpion taxon represents the 42nd known species of the genus Androctonus and the 7th reported from Algeria. A geographical distribution map of the Androctonus species occurring in the region of the Saharan Mountain ranges of Algeria and Niger is presented.

Reference:
Ythier E, Sadine SE, Alioua Y, Lourenco WR. A new species of Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 from the Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Faunitaxys. 2025;13(8):1-8. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae