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New distribution records are given herein for six Hottentotta species in Iran. They belong to Hottentotta jayakari (Pocock, 1895) (Hormozgan province), H. juliae Kovařík, Yağmur & Fet, 2019 (Fars province), H. navidpouri Kovařík, Yağmur & Moradi, 2018 (Bushehr, Fars, Hormozgan, Khuzestan provinces), H. saulcyi (Simon, 1880) (Ilam, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Lorestan provinces), H. schach (Birula, 1905) (Fars, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces) and H. zagrosensis Kovařík, 1997 (Khuzestan province). Among these records, Bushehr, Fars and Khuzestan records are the first for H. navidpouri. Prepared maps show new and old distributional localities that belong to all known species of Hottentotta in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new locality records for the species Aegaeobuthus cyprius (Gantenbein & Kropf, 2000) are given in Cyprus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buthus aures Lourenço & Sadine, 2016 was described from the type locality Batna (North-East Algeria) based on two male specimens. This note presents the description of a female recently collected from Tebessa region, situated at 220 km east form the type locality and a morphological comparison between this species and the other Buthus species distributed in the north-east of Algeria and Tunisia. Among the important results in this work is the expansion of the geographical distribution of B. aures to reach the neighbouring regions such as Khenchla and Tebessa. Some ecological remarks of B. aures are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note concerns a small scorpion and a little-known buthid species Orthochirus innesi Simon, 1910. According to the last work about scorpions of Algeria in 2018, this species is located in Algerian Septentrional Sahara at the East of Algeria. This finding provides a new locality of O. innsi outside this geographical distribution range, of which it is extended about 200 km to the central of Algeria (Ghardaïa). This new locality is a palm groves of Zelfana, confirming that O. innesi from Algeria has an affinity to shady and humid area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of buthid scorpion belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg is described based on a single female collected in the region of Al-Abraq - Al-Khabari farms in Kuwait. The new species, Leiurus kuwaiti sp. n., shows affinities with Leiurus hebraeus (Birula, 1908) species distributed mainly in Jordan and Israel. The populations from Kuwait and Jordan/Israel apparently are totally isolated by a large and dry region now occupied by the An Nafud desert. Therefore in account of the disrupted distribution and some minor morphological differences presented by the two populations, a new species is proposed to accommodate the population from Kuwait. Further investigations should bring more precise conclusions about the status of these two populations. The type locality of the new species represents the most easterly record of the genus Leiurus in the North range of the Arabian Peninsula and represents the first confirmed record of the genus for Kuwait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work is a recent exploration of North-west of Algeria and a preliminary study on the scorpion fauna of Sidi Bel Abbes region. From different biotopes (Steppe, Forest, and Matorral) and during 12 months of 2019, we sampled 90 specimens of scorpions belonging to 10 species under 3 genera distributed in 2 families. The family Buthidae is represented by Androctonus aeneas (relative abundance "RA"= 2.22%), Buthus boussaadi (RA= 14.44%), Buthus oudjanii (RA= 3.33%), Buthus paris (RA= 16.67%), Buthus pusillus (RA= 3.33%), Buthus tunetanus (RA= 38.89%), and a new Buthus species (RA= 6.67%). The family Scorpionidae is represented by Scorpio maurus (RA= 8.89%), Scorpio maurus trarasensis (RA= 2.22%), and Scorpio punicus (RA= 3.33%). Among the important results in this work is a new record of Moroccan scorpion B. oudjanii Lourenço, 2017 in Algeria and reporting the presence of two scorpion species B. 88 boussaadi and B. pusillus known from the North-east of Algeria. The Shannon's index (H' = 2.67 bits) indicates that Sidi Bel Abbes region has a high level of scorpion diversity and the value of evenness (E = 0.80) reflects the high equilibrium between the effectiveness of sampled species. There is a close affinity between some species and their biotopes such as A. aeneas has an affinity to herbaceous habitats, B. boussaadi was closely attached to medium altitude (500-800 m) and B. oudjanii probably prefers the forest with Mediterranean climate, high altitudes (1600 m) and with common forest species such as Quercus ilex and Pistacia lentiscus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new population associated to Mesobuthus (Aegaeobuthus?) nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) is reported from the Bishri Mountains which are located east of Syria. The studied specimens were collected by Paul Pallary, who lived in North Africa. The populations from Bishri Mountains and Lebanon Mountains apparently are totally isolated by a large and dry region now occupied by the desert. Consequently in account of the disrupted distribution and some minor morphological differences presented by the two populations, a new subspecies is proposed to accommodate the population from Bishri Mountains. Only further investigations will allow reaching more precise conclusions about the status of these two populations, but in account of the political situation in this region of Syria this step seems impossible, at least for the moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions are predator arachnids of ancient origin and worldwide distribution. Two scorpion species, Vaejovis smithi and Centruroides limpidus, were found to harbor two different Mollicutes phylotypes: a Scorpion Mycoplasma Clade (SMC) and Scorpion Group 1 (SG1). Here we investigated, using a targeted gene sequencing strategy, whether these Mollicutes were present in 23 scorpion morphospecies belonging to the Vaejovidae, Carboctonidae, Euscorpiidae, Diplocentridae, and Buthidae families. Our results revealed that SMC is found in a species-specific association with Vaejovidae and Buthidae, whereas SG1 is uniquely found in Vaejovidae. SMC and SG1 co-occur only in Vaejovis smithi where 43% of the individuals host both phylotypes. A phylogenetic analysis of Mollicutes 16S rRNA showed that SMC and SG1 constitute well-delineated phylotypes. Additionally, we found that SMC and scorpion phylogenies are significantly congruent, supporting the observation that a cospeciation process may have occurred. This study highlights the phylogenetic diversity of the scorpion associated Mollicutes through different species revealing a possible cospeciation pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The study of an important collection of scorpions, belonging to the genus Chaerilus , recently collected from a cave in the Palawan Island, Philippines, allows the clarification of the identity of this population, often misidentified with Chaerilus chapmani Vachon & Lourenço, 1985 known from caves in the Gunong Mulu National Park in Sarawak (Borneo). Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. is described from the Puerto Princesa Underground River Cave in Palawan Island based on 14 specimens, males, females, and juveniles. The new species is totally distinct morphologically from Chaerilus chapmani , a true troglobitic species. Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. may also be a true troglobitic element, but with a less marked degree of regression for several characters. Some comments on the ecology of the new species and on regional biogeography of Borneo and Palawan islands are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the successful introduction and invasion of the scorpion species, Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876), in São Paulo municipality, Brazil, more than 1,000 km from its southern-most record. The species has considerable impacts on human health, because of its venomous sting. The first specimen appeared in 2012, and by the end of 2015, three populations were identified, with 86 records so far. They were probably introduced via the fruit trade. Two other alien scorpion species were recorded in São Paulo, including a single specimen of Broteochactas parvulus Pocock, 1897, and two specimens of Jaguajir rochae (Borelli, 1910). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the remnants of five new scorpion specimens discovered dead in Levana Cave in Israel in December 2015. We confirm that they belong to the relict scorpion Akrav israchanani Levy, 2007 (Akravidae), famously described from the neighboring Ayyalon Cave, also from dead specimens. The details of morphology of the new specimens are given; they match completely the characters of A. israchanani redescribed by Fet, Soleglad & Zonstein (2011). This second record indicates a wider distribution of this unique cave scorpion, which, however, is extinct in both caves. There is still no evidence that live populations of this species exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The African monotypic scorpion genus Microananteroides Rossi et Lourenço, 2015 and its single species M. mariachiarae Rossi et Lourenço, 2015, from Ghana, are herein demonstrated to be junior synonyms, respectively, of Akentrobuthus Lamoral, 1976 and A. atakora Vignoli et Prendini, 2008 from neighboring Benin. We provide detailed high-resolution color photographs of the holotype of M. mariachiarae and further show its real trichobothrial pattern, which was incorrectly depicted in the original description. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diplocentrus duende n. sp. is described based on adult males collected from a locality in the Tehuacán–Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico. This species has punctate pedipalp surfaces, a condition present only in four other species of this specious genus. As suggested here, this condition has evolved independently in these species within the “ mexicanus ” group of Diplocentrus from the rest of the diplocentrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A faunistic inventory is proposed for the known Vietnamese scorpion species. The aim of this contribution is to bring an up-to-date checklist of all known species in Vietnam, prior to a more detailed study of the Vietnamese fauna to be performed by one of the authors (T.-H.T.) in the context of the preparation of a doctoral degree. Final taxonomic decisions should be taken at the end of the doctoral dissertation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions of the genus Tityus show holokinetic chromosomes, achiasmatic male meiosis and an absence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes, like all Buthidae. In this work, we analysed the meiotic behaviour and chromosome rearrangements of a population of the scorpion Tityus confluens, characterising the cytotypes of males, females and embryos with different cytogenetic techniques. This revealed that all the females were structural homozygotes, while all the males were structural heterozygotes for different chromosome rearrangements. Four different cytotypes were described in males, which differed in chromosome number (2n = 5 and 2n = 6) and meiotic multivalent configurations (chains of four, five and six chromosomes). Based on a detailed mitotic and meiotic analysis, we propose a sequence of chromosome rearrangements that could give rise to each cytotype and in which fusions have played a major role. Based on the comparison of males, females and a brood of embryos, we also propose that the presence of multivalents in males and homologous pairs in females could be associated with the presence of cryptic sex chromosomes, with the male being the heterogametic sex. We propose that the ancestral karyotype of this species could have had homomorphic XY/XX (male/female) sex chromosomes and a fusion could have occurred between the Y chromosome and an autosome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in sexual signals among species are common, and may influence mate recognition and reproductive isolation. In scorpions, behavioural mechanisms and other sexual signals involved in mate selection and reproductive isolation have been scarcely studied. In this paper, we compare different male sexual signals between two distant populations of the scorpion Bothriurus bonariensis, one located in Uruguay and the other in Central Argentina. We compare sexual behaviours from intra-populations and inter-populations matings. In addition, we extent this comparison to the secreted compounds and morphology of the exocrine glands located on the dorsal side of the tel son in this species. Males of B. bonariensis performed stimulatory behaviours to the female with different frequency of occurrence and duration in the two populations. Chemical analyses of the glandular extracts showed that Uruguayan males present compounds which are absent in males of Argentinian population. In addition, we observed that in inter-population matings, stimulatory behaviours had intermediate patterns to intra-population matings. However, males failed to achieve a successful sperm transfer with females of different population. Mechanisms of sexual isolation between these two distant populations of B. bonariensis apparently seem to have evolved due to divergence in allopatry. The differences in stimulatory levels during courtship between the two populations studied here give evidence for an early behavioural divergence promoted by sexual selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of a genotype to control the stable development of a phenotype under different environmental conditions may explain the level of developmental instability. An indicator to developmental instability is Fluctuating Asymmetry. Traits under pressures of sexual selection exhibit greater values of asymmetry that others. These traits have more physiological requirements during morphogenesis and a more complex development. The aims of this work are to analyze asymmetry patterns of genitalic and somatic traits in the scorpionBothriurus bonariensis(Bothriuridae) and to compare these values between central and peripheral populations of its distribution. We observed that types of asymmetry in genitalic traits differed in both populations. Also, traits of the hemispermatophores (two halves that constitute the spermatophore) showed the highest levels of fluctuating asymmetry, particularly in those characteristics with important role for insemination success. This work offers fundamental baseline knowledge for further works focused on asymmetry of genitalia and mating success in scorpions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Scorpions previously assigned to the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1883, of the family Hormuridae Laurie, 1896, are widely distributed in the tropical forests of the Indo-Pacific region. Revisionary systematics of these poorly known scorpions has revealed a tremendous diversity of species. As part of an ongoing investigation, the first analysis of Indo-Pacific hormurid scorpion phylogeny based on morphological data scored for all currently recognized species of Hormiops Fage, , Hormurus Thorell, 1876, and Liocheles, is presented. The taxonomy of these scorpions is reassessed and their biogeography reinterpreted in the light of the phylogeny. Phylogenetic, morphological, and distributional data support the revalidation of Hormiops and Hormurus, previously synonymized with Liocheles. The phylogeny indicates that the Australasian hormurids are more closely related to the Afrotropical and Neotropical hormurids than to the Indian hormurids, as previously proposed, refuting the 'out-of-India' origin of Asian hormurids. A recent paleogeographical hypothesis, the 'Eurogondwana model', is supported instead. According to this hypothesis, hormurid scorpions colonized Laurasia from Africa via the Apulia microplate (Europa terrane) in the Cretaceous, subsequently colonized the Australo-Papuan archipelago in the early-mid Cenozoic, and then went extinct in the Northern Hemisphere during the second half of the Cenozoic. These results suggest that, contrary to the traditional paradigm, dispersal and extinction may affect spatial and temporal biotic distributions as much as vicariance, even in animals with limited vagility, such as scorpions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The male of Tityus kuryi Lourenço, 1997 is described for the first time. Despite being very similar to the female, the male presents more robust metasomal segments. Additionally, the distribution of the sexual populations of another two species of the T. stigmurus complex is reported herein: T. serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 and T. stigmurus (Thorell, 1877). Males of T. serrulatus were, until now, restricted to the Minas Gerais State (Southwestern region of Brazil), and with new records reported here, its known distribution now encompasses the Northeastern region of Brazil. Males of T. stigmurus were previously recorded only for two municipalities in the State of Bahia, and here we present eight new records for Bahia State and one for Pernambuco State. We present a key to related species of the T. stigmurus complex based on morphology and coloration pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Survival in microrefugia represents an important paradigm in phylogeography for explaining rapid postglacial re-colonization by species in temperate regions. Microrefugia may allow populations to persist in areas where the climatic conditions on the surface have become unfavourable. Caves generally contain stable microclimates and may represent microrefugia for species capable of exploiting both cave and surface habitats (troglophiles). We examine the phylogeography of the troglophilic North American vaejovid scorpion Pseudouroctonus reddelli using 1,993 base pairs of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data generated from 12 populations. We use (i) descriptive measures of genetic diversity and population genetics statistics, (ii) reconstructions of phylogeographical structure, spatial diffusion during diversification, and population sizes through time, and (iii) species distribution modelling to test predictions of the hypothesis that caves serve as microrefugia. We compare phylogeographical patterns in P. reddelli with other troglophilic species across the Edwards Plateau karst region of Texas. Results Results revealed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity and substantial phylogeographical structure, probably generated during the Pleistocene. Spatial diffusion occurred along the southern edge of the Edwards Plateau from multiple refugia along the Balcones Escarpment. There was little evidence for population and geographical expansion. Species distribution models predicted substantial reductions in suitable epigean habitat for P. reddelli at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Conclusions High genetic diversity, strong phylogeographical structure, diffusion from multiple refugia, and unfavourable climatic conditions at the LGM collectively support the hypothesis that caves served as microrefugia for P. reddelli. Similar patterns of genetic structure in P. reddelli and other troglophilic species across the Edwards Plateau karst region of Texas suggest that the role of caves serving as microrefugia are important for the formation, maintenance, and future survival of troglophilic species in temperate karst regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical isolation can over time accumulate life-history variation which can eventually lead to speciation. We used five species of Vaejovis scorpions that have been isolated from one another since the Pleistocene glaciation to identify if biogeographical patterns have allowed for the accumulation of life-history variation among species. Gravid females were captured and brought back to the lab until giving birth. Once offspring had begun to disperse, measurements of female size, reproductive investment, offspring size, offspring number, and variation in offspring size were recorded. Differences in how each species allocated energy to these variables were analysed utilizing path analysis and structural equation modelling. Female and offspring size, litter size, and total litter mass differed among species, but relative energetic investment did not. Most significant differences among species were not present after removing the effect of female size, indicating that female size is a major source of life-history variation. Path analyses indicated that there was no size-number trade-off within any species and that each species allocates energy toward total litter mass differently. Additionally, as offspring size increased, the variation in offspring mass decreased. These results show that each species allocates the same relative amount of energy in different ways. The variation seen could be a response to environmental variability or uncertainty, a product of maternal effects, or caused by the sufficient accumulation of genetic differences due to geographical isolation. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110, 715-727. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coalition military bases in Afghanistan are increasing in area, infrastructure and population due to increased military efforts. From 2004 to 2010, a 40-hectare base in Ghazni, Afghanistan transitioned from a montane shrubland to a small, modern "village." This shift comprised an over 50-fold increase in hardcover and a 20-fold increase in the human population. I searched the base with UV light (n = 43.6 h) for scorpions, especially Mesobuthus Vachon 1950, an established, opportunistic scorpion found in Ghazni City, 5 km north. I completed my searches along two tracks (> 5 km total length) and considered all habitats for this scorpion. Anthropogenic microhabitats comprised concrete walls, concrete barriers, gabions or sandbags, each in contact with a dirt or gravel substrate (eight possible); all were thermally appealing (mean = 2.3°C warmer than ambient temperature). Despite the population of Mesobuthus caucasicus Nordmann 1840 in Ghazni City and the increase in thermally attractive microhabitats on the base, I found no scorpions. I propose that the rapid anthropogenic change due to base improvements outpaces the capacity of this scorpion to disperse to a new, albeit satisfactory, environment. Here, I report my observations of scorpion diversity and abundance in east-central Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush Mountains, with a focus on the impact of increasing anthropogenic change upon the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversification of morphological characteristics among geographically separated populations is particularly important in understanding evolutionary processes and is considered the early stage of allopatric speciation. In the present study, we investigated geographic variation in scorpion populations of Bothriurus bonariensis (Koch 1842). Our principal goal was to compare different populations of this species with regard to its distribution, analyzing somatic and genitalic characters. In Argentina, specimens of B. bonariensis from Entre Rios and Corrientes Provinces are dark brown, while specimens from La Pampa have reddish coloration. Scorpions of this species from Brazil and south of Uruguay are totally black. Also, we observed variability in body size, some morphological characteristics of adult specimens (e.g., prosoma length, hand height, hand width, and telson height), and genitalic traits (e.g., hemispermatophore lamina length, basal and distal lamina width, dorsal fold length). Results indicate the presence of evident geographic variation: populations from Argentina show similar morphological patterns that differ from populations from Uruguay. We discuss these data in the context of the current phylogeographical and evolutionary knowledge of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the systematic status of several Asian schizomid species, type specimens of several species were examined. Schizomus (Trithyreus) lunatus Gravely from India is transferred to Ovozomus Harvey, forming the new combination Ovozomus lunatus (Gravely). Schizomus similis Hirst from India, and S. remyi Lawrence from Réunion are new junior synonyms of O. lunatus, which is newly recorded from Christmas Island and Cook Islands. Schizomus (Trithyreus) peradeniyensis Gravely from Sri Lanka is redescribed and transferred to the genus Ovozomus, forming the new combination Ovozomus peradeniyensis (Gravely). Schizomus perplexus Gravely from Sri Lanka, recently moved to Notozomus Harvey, is returned to the genus Schizomus. Trithyreus suboculatus Pocock (from Sri Lanka) is designated as a nomen dubium as the holotype is an unidentifi able juvenile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neurotoxic and cytotoxic effects of venoms from Scorpio maurus palmatus taken from different populations were assessed for geographic based variability in toxicity, and to evaluate their insecticidal potency. Scorpions were collected from four regions. Three locations were mutually isolated pockets in the arid area of Southern Sinai. The fourth sample was collected from a population inhabiting the semi-arid environment of Western Mediterranean Coastal Desert. The neurotoxic (paralytic) effect of the venom from each population was assayed by its ability to induce permanent disability in adult cockroaches within 3h. Venom was applied using microinjection techniques through an intersegmental membrane. Probit analysis was used to calculate the Paralytic Effective Dose (PED50, ng/100mg). Levels of glutathione, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and nitric oxide, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and cholinesterase, were measured to assess the cytotoxicity of the venom. The results show that the injected venom from each population induced obvious spasticity, followed by flaccid paralysis. All the tested biochemical parameters, except glutathione content, revealed significant differences in toxicity in venom taken from the different scorpion populations. We conclude that (i) the venom of this scorpion has significant neurotoxic and cytotoxic effects on insect cells, (ii) its efficacy, as assessed by the PED50 unit, exhibited variation across its geographic range, and (iii) components in the venom may have the potential for being developed into effective and environmentally friendly bioinsecticides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]