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Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part Iv. Kohgilouyeh & Boyer Ahmad Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, František Kovařík, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

According to previous surveys, only Mesobuthus eupeus phillipsii (Pocock, 1889), Orthochirus zagrosensis Kovařík, 2004, and Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1861 have been recorded from Kohgilouyeh & Boyer Ahmad Province. Collections made by a team under Shahrokh Navidpour (Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Ahvaz, Khoozestan, Iran) reveal eight other species belonging to two families recorded from the province for the first time: Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807); Compsobuthus matthiesseni (Birula, 1905); Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880); Hottentotta zagrosensis Kovařík, 1997; Odontobuthus bidentatus Lourenço et Pézier, 2002; Orthochirus iranus Kovařík, 2004; Razianus zarudnyi (Birula, 1903); and Scorpio maurus …

The Geographic Pattern Of Distribution Of The Genus Rhopalurus Thorell, 1876 In The Guayana-Amazon Region (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço

Euscorpius

A new discussion is proposed on the geographic patterns of distribution presented by the species of the genus Rhopalurus Thorell, inhabiting the savannah formations of the northern South America. Two lineages of Rhopalurus species are defined for this region, each one containing forms with very weak morphological differences, a consequence of only a minor process of differentiation. The observed pattern of distribution and differentiation is suggested to be directly associated with more or less recent palaeoclimatic vicissitudes, which took place in tropical South America during Pleistocene. Two new subspecies are also described, representing new records of Rhopalurus for Brazil and …

Etudes On Iurids, Iii. Revision Of The Genus Iurus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Iuridae), With A Description Of Two New Species From Turkey, František Kovařík, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Ersen Aydın Yağmur

Euscorpius

This revision is based on a comprehensive analysis of largely new, very extensive material encompassing 341 specimens (58 from Greece and 283 from Turkey). The type species Iurus dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) is restricted to Greece. Iurus asiaticus Birula, 1903 is confirmed as a distinct species, limited to eastern Anatolia. Most widespread in southern Turkey is another species, Iurus kraepelini von Ubisch, 1922, which is here restored from synonymy. We also describe two new species from Turkey: Iurus kadleci, sp. nov. from Antalya and Mersin Provinces (sympatric with I. kraepelini), and Iurus kinzelbachi, sp. nov. from İzmir and …

A New Species Of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From The Caribbean Region Of Colombia, Rolando Teruel, César A. Roncallo

Euscorpius

A new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 is herein described from a single locality in the Caribbean lowlands of Colombia, in northern Bolívar Department. This new taxon shares several unusual features with Ananteris tolimana Teruel et García, 2007, from the Andean region of Tolima Department. With this addition, the number of Colombian species of Ananteris is raised to seven.

Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Iii. Subfamilies Smeringurinae And Syntropinae (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

Stockwell (1989), in an unpublished revision, suggested splitting the family Vaejovidae in two subfamilies, introducing also four tribes and four new genera. These results have not been reevaluated for 20 years. Here, we establish a new subfamily Smeringurinae, subfam. nov., with two tribes, four genera, and 40 species and subspecies. The subfamily Smeringurinae includes two tribes: Smeringurini, trib. nov. and Paravaejovini, trib. nov. The tribe Smeringurini includes three genera: Paruroctonus Werner, 1934; Smeringurus Haradon, 1983; and Vejovoidus Stahnke, 1974. The tribe Paravaejovini includes the genus Paravaejovis Williams, 1980. We restore from synonymy the subfamily Syntropinae Kraepelin, 1905, and …

A New Species Of Odontobuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Northern Oman, Graeme Lowe

Euscorpius

The Asian buthid genus Odontobuthus is newly recorded from the Arabian Peninsula where is represented by O. brevidigitus sp. nov. from the Batínah coast and foothills of the Al Hajar mountains of northern Oman. The new species is characterized by short pedipalp fingers, long pectines with narrow basal middle lamella, 2–3 enlarged denticles on ventrosubmedian carinae of metasoma II–III, stout metasoma IV with 10 anterior transverse granules, 3 lateral anal lobes, and enlarged dentition on the ventral anal arch. A model is proposed for the speciation of Odontobuthus by westward dispersal of an ancestral population on the Indus floodplain, …

The True Identity Of Rhopalurus Pintoi Mello-Leitão, 1932, With Notes On The Status And Distribution Of Rhopalurus Crassicauda Caporiacco, 1947 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Alexander K. Tietz

Euscorpius

The true identity of the enigmatic scorpion Rhopalurus pintoi Mello-Leitão, 1932 is herein finally clarified, on the basis of new specimens collected near the type locality: it is demonstrated to be a senior synonym of Rhopalurus piceus Lourenço & Pinto-da-Rocha, 1997, as it was already suspected. The species is redescribed, and some topics on taxonomy, geographical distribution and ecology are commented for this species and Rhopalurus crassicauda Caporiacco, 1947.

Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part Iii. Ilam Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, Victor Fet, František Kovařík, Michael E. Soleglad

Euscorpius

Seven species of scorpions belonging to three families have been previously recorded from the Ilam Province of Iran: Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), Compsobuthus matthiesseni (Birula, 1905), Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), Mesobuthus eupeus phillipsii (Pocock, 1889), Razianus zarudnyi (Birula, 1903), Scorpio maurus townsendi (Pocock, 1900), and Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1861. Collections made by a team organized by Shahrokh Navidpour (Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Ahvaz, Khoozestan, Iran) reveal seven other species recorded from the province for the first time: Apistobuthus susanae Lourenço, 1998, Buthacus macrocentrus (Ehrenberg, 1828), Compsobuthus jakesi Kovařík, 2003, Odontobuthus bidentatus …

The True Identity Of The Enigmatic Scorpion Centruroides Subgranosus (Kraepelin, 1898), With Some Taxonomic Comments On Centruroides Vittatus (Say, 1821) And Centruroides Suffusus Pocock, 1902 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The true identity of Centruroides subgranosus (Kraepelin, 1898) is established based on the examination of the type series. A lectotype and paralectotype are designated. A taxonomic discussion on C. vittatus (Say, 1821) and C. suffusus Pocock, 1902 is provided.

Rare Or Poorly Known Scorpions From Colombia. Iii. On The Taxonomy And Distribution Of Rhopalurus Laticauda Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), With Description Of A New Species Of The Genus, Rolando Teruel, César A. Roncallo

Euscorpius

A new species of the genus Rhopalurus Thorell, 1876 is herein described from northeastern Colombia; the new species is closely related to (and has been previously confused with) Rhopalurus laticauda Thorell, 1876. Also, some comments on the taxonomy and distribution of the latter taxon are included.

Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part Ii. Bushehr Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet, František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The Bushehr Province of Iran contains the type localities of three scorpion taxa, Mesobuthus eupeus phillipsii (Pocock, 1889), Orthochirus iranus Kovařík, 2004, and Scorpio maurus townsendi (Pocock, 1900). Apart from them, Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), Compsobuthus matthiesseni (Birula, 1905), Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), Odontobuthus bidentatus Lourenço & Pézier, 2002, Razianus zarudnyi (Birula, 1903), and Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1862 have also been known to occur in the province. Collections made by a team under Shahrokh Navidpour (Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Ahvaz, Khoozestan, Iran) reveal four additional species recorded from the province for the …

A New Scorpion Genus Representing A Primitive Taxon Of Tribe Stahnkeini, With A Description Of A New Species From Sonora, Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham, Michael E. Soleglad

Euscorpius

A new scorpion genus, Gertschius gen. nov., and species, Gertschius crassicorpus sp. nov., (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) from Sonora, Mexico is described. Gertschius exhibits a reduced modification of the basal pectinal teeth in the female holotype and serration of the chelal finger denticles is limited to the median denticles (MD), thus we consider it a relict member of tribe Stahnkeini. Serradigitus agilis Sissom et Stockwell, 1991, is transferred to this new genus; Gertschius agilis, comb. nov.

A New Species Of Scorpion Of The Genus Buthoscorpio Werner, 1936 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Andhra Pradesh, India, S.M. Maqsood Javed, K. Thulsi Rao, Zeeshan A. Mirza, Rajesh V. Sanap, Farida Tampal

Euscorpius

A new species of scorpion, Buthoscorpio rayalensis sp. nov., is described from Andhra Pradesh, India. The new species of scorpion can be differentiated from its congeners in having the following set of morphological characters: anterior edge of carapace exhibiting very broad subtle indentation with a conspicuous epistome present medially, median eyes situated anteriorly in the ratio 1:3.1, interocular area smooth, patella anteriorly smooth and rounded, mesosomal tergites smooth, pectines 17–17, and arrangement of lateral eyes. Stenochirus jinnahii Amir, Kama-luddin et Jabbar, 2005 and S. rahmatii Amir, Kamaluddin et Jabbar, 2005 are considered Buthidae incertae sedis as their generic allocation …

Identity Of Planidium Larvae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Previously Recorded On Antillean Scorpions, Luis F. De Armas

Euscorpius

The insect planidium larvae found on some Antillean scorpions of the family Buthidae, and previously recorded as belonging to Perilampidae wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), are herein identified as members of Eucharitidae, possibly genus Kapala. Their occurrence on scorpions is interpreted as accidental or perhaps phoretic.

Resumen

Las larvas tipo planidio halladas sobre escorpiones antillanos de la familia Buthidae y previamente registradas como pertenecientes a avispas Perilampidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), son aquí reconocidas como miembros de la familia Eucharitidae. Su presencia en escorpiones pudiera ser accidental o tratarse de foresis.

Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Vi. Lorestan Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, Hassan H. Nayebzadeh, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet, František Kovařík, Mohammad Hassan Kayedi

Euscorpius

Ten species of scorpions belonging to three families are reported from the Lorestan Province of Iran. Of these, five species are recorded from the province for the first time: Hottentotta zagrosensis Kovařík, 1997; Mesobuthus eupeus phillipsii (Pocock, 1889); Orthochirus iranus Kovařík, 2004; Razianus zarudnyi (Birula, 1903); and Scorpio maurus townsendi (Pocock, 1900). One new species is described, Hottentotta lorestanus sp. n.; it can be easily distinguished from the other four species of the genus known from Iran by its coloration; it is the only Iranian species which has the entire pedipalps yellow and the metasomal segments I to IV …

Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part I. Khoozestan Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, František Kovařík, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

Collections made by a team of Shahrokh Navidpour (Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Ahvaz, Khoozestan, Iran) include 17 of the 19 species known to inhabit Khoozestan Province, and form the basis of this paper. Among them are two new species (Hottentotta khoozestanus sp. n. and Vachoniolus iranus sp. n.), Compsobuthus jakesi Kovařík, 2003 previously known only from Iraq, and five species representing first records for the province: Buthacus macrocentrus (Ehrenberg, 1828); Odontobuthus bidentatus Lourenço & Pézier, 2002; Orthochirus farzanpayi (Vachon et Farzanpay, 1987); Orthochirus stockwelli (Lourenço et Vachon, 1995) comb. n. …

Rare Or Poorly Known Scorpions From Colombia. Ii. Redescription Of Tityus Columbianus (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. Garcia H

Euscorpius

A fully illustrated redescription is herein presented of Tityus columbianus (Thorell, 1876). It includes a description of the adult male, an update of its geographical distribution, and detailed information about age-related individual variation, with comments on the taxonomy of the “Tityus clathratus” group.

Rare Or Poorly Known Scorpions From Colombia. I. Redescription Of Tityus Macrochirus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. Garcia H

Euscorpius

A fully illustrated redescription is herein presented of Tityus macrochirus Pocock, 1897, based upon a series of specimens of both sexes recently collected in a new location near the type locality. We include an update of its geographical distribution and detailed information about age-related individual variation.

A New Species Of Tarsoporosus Francke, 1978 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) From Northeastern Colombia, Rolando Teruel, César A. Roncallo

Euscorpius

A new species of Tarsoporosus Francke, 1978 is described herein from two localities in La Guajira Peninsula, northeastern Colombia. This new taxon inhabits arid environments, and is morphologically close to Tarsoporosus flavus González-Sponga, 1984, from northwestern Venezuela. With this addition, the total number of described species in Tarsoporosus is raised to five, with at least two occurring in Colombia.

The Sting Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae): Morphological And Ultrastructural Characterization, Nazife Yigit, Mehlika Benli

Euscorpius

The objective of our study is to characterize the morphological and ultrastructural features of the sting of scorpion species Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Buthidae) by using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The venom is delivered by venom ducts, passing through the sting and exiting from the venom pores. Each venom gland has its own venom duct and pore. The venom pores are situated on both sides of the tip of sting. venom ducts are identified in the transverse discussion in this study.

A New Species Of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 From Cordillera Central In Colombia, With Some Notes On The Taxonomy Of The Genus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. García H

Euscorpius

A new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 is herein described from a single locality placed in the Cordillera Central of Colombia, which represents the first record of this genus for Tolima department. This new taxon exhibits several singular features, and apparently represents a relict population inside an urbanized area. Also, some aspects on the taxonomy of the genus are briefly discussed, and its diagnosis is emended. With this addition, the total of Ananteris species described from Colombia is raised to six.

Complements To The Morphology Of Troglokhammouanus Steineri Lourenço, 2007 (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae) Based On Scanning Electron Microscopy, Wilson R. Lourenço

Euscorpius

A detailed morphological description, based on scanning electron microscopy, is proposed for the recently described pseudochactid scorpion, Troglokhammouanus steineri Lourenço, 2007. As already indicated in the original description, the male (juvenile) paratype has been prepared for SEM studies, but the results are only presented in this publication.

A Revision Of The Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908, With Descriptions Of Four New Species (Scorpiones, Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The genus Hottentotta is revised and a key to the species is provided. Subgenera Balfourianus Vachon, 1979 and Deccanobuthus Lourenço, 2000 are synonymized with the subgenus Hottentotta Birula, 1908. Four new species of Hottentotta are described: H. finneganae sp. n. from Pakistan, H. jabalpurensis sp. n. from India (Madhya Pradesh), H. jalalabadensis sp. n. from Afghanistan, and H. stockwelli sp. n. from India (Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra). The following species and subspecies are synonymized: Buthotus alticola kabulensis (Vachon, 1958) with H. buchariensis (Birula, 1897) comb. n.; Hottentotta caboverdensis Lourenço & Ythier, 2006 with H. hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787); H. acostai …

Mesobuthus Nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) In Turkey: Distribution And Morphological Variation, Ayşegül Karataş

Euscorpius

Distribution of Mesobuthus nigrocinctus is studied and new geographical records are given. As a result of field studies, M. nigrocinctus is recorded from 17 confirmed localities from five provinces in Turkey. Comparative statistical analysis of morphology of M. nigrocinctus and M. gibbosus indicated highly significant differences between these two species. Student’s t-test analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) showed that: (a) while all morphometric ratios demonstrated significant differences between M. nigrocinctus and M. gibbosus females, only selected ratios show significant difference in the males (Ca_L/W, Ch_L/W, Met-II_L/H, and Met- V_L/H); (b) among M. nigrocinctus, Adıyaman population was partly separated; …

The Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) On Koufonisi Island (Central Aegean Archipelago, Greece), Dimitris Kaltsas, Moysis Mylonas

Euscorpius

The population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus was studied over 261 night-hours of sampling during 29 consecutive nights on Koufonisi Island (central Aegean Archipelago, Greece) using the capture-recapture method. The studied population proved to be the densest of all studied scorpion populations in chaparral or intertidal habitats of Mediterranean type ecosystems and even comparable to some populations of desert scorpion species. The negative influence of moon phase on the general activity of the species and synchronization in parturition were the main factors that caused the fluctuations in population density and therefore in the percentage of active scorpions.

Description Of Tityus Mraceki Sp. N. From Colombia And Synonymization Of T. Meridanus González-Sponga With T. Nematochirus Mello-Leitão (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Tityus (Archaeotityus) mraceki sp. n. from Colombia is described. It differs from other species of the subgenus Archaeotityus by unique sexual dimorphism expressed in the male having a longer metasoma and a narrower chela of the pedipalp. The synonymization of T. meridanus González-Sponga, 1981 with T. nematochirus Mello-Leitão, 1941 is based on morphological and color variation present in a single litter consisting of 33 individuals.

Two New Species Of The Genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 From Afghanistan And Pakistan (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, Zubair Ahmed

Euscorpius

Two new species of Compsobuthus from the werneri group are described. C. afghanus sp. n. is characterized chiefly by the combination of numerous rows of granules on the movable finger of pedipalp (14 rows) and a high number of pectinal teeth (29–31). C. pakistanus sp. n. is most similar to C. plutenkoi Kovařík, 2003 from Iran, from which it differs in having internal granules in all rows on the movable finger of pedipalp and 18–19 pectinal teeth. A key is provided for all species of the genus found in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and adjacent countries.

New Localities Of Iurus Dufoureius Dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) In The Peloponnese, Greece (Scorpiones: Iuridae), Diego Facheris

Euscorpius

New localities of Iurus dufoureius dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) are listed, found during a recent survey in the districts of Achaia, Messinia, and Arcadia in the Peloponnese, Greece. Notes on the habitat and a map are provided.

Sky Island Vaejovis: Two New Species And A Redescription Of V. Vorhiesi Stahnke (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

Two new scorpion species, Vaejovis cashi sp. nov. and V. feti sp. nov. are described and placed in the “mexicanus” group of the genus Vaejovis. These small scorpions were collected at high-elevations from the sky island archipelago of southern Arizona and New Mexico. Both new species are similar to V. vorhiesi Stahnke, a small mesic scorpion of the Huachuca and Santa Catalina Mountains. The original description of V. vorhiesi consists of a single uninformative paragraph and a holotype was never designated. This paper provides a redescription and lectotype designation for V. vorhiesi and describes the two new related species. …

The Genus Akrav Levy, 2007 (Scorpiones: Akravidae) Revisited, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Sergei L. Zonstein

Euscorpius

Akrav israchanani, a relict chactoid scorpion from the famous Ayyalon Cave in Israel, is analyzed for the first time since its original description by Gershom Levy (2007). All scorpions found in this cave (20 specimens) were dead, represented by exoskeletons; they are mostly fragmented during collection, many incomplete, but extremely well preserved, and have no evidence of fossilization. Time and cause of death are unknown. Diagnostic characters described by Levy are largely confirmed, and some are further clarified. An exhaustive set of microscopic images is published, encompassing data from all best preserved specimens. Previously unpublished morphological details are illustrated …