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Background: The venoms of some scorpions are rich in bioactive components that may be used in the development and discovery of new antibacterial drugs. The venoms have many components, such as neurotoxins, salts, proteins and peptides with therapeutic properties, and can rapidly eliminate a broad range of bacteria. This study evaluated the anti-bacterial activity of Odontobuthus bidentatus’ crude venom against typical Gram-positive and negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. Methods: The antibacterial effects of the crude venom were evaluated using Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and MTT assays and its IC50 value was determined, using GraphPad software. Results: The crude venom significantly inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Also the MTT results showed that the crude venom significantly reduced the viability of E. Coli, S. Aureus, and B. Subtilis bacteria compared with that for the controls. The IC50 values of the venom for E.coli, S.aureus, and B.subtilis were 30.19, 17.64, and 24.13 µM, respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the venom of O. bidentatus scorpion has antibacterial properties. Also, our results offer preliminary clues toward the development of new antibacterial agents and new drugs with high therapeutic potentials for use in animals and humans.

ODONTOBUTHUS BIDENTATUS LOURENÇO & PÉZIER, 2002 (FIGS 1–5, 15A–D, 20A, 21A, 22A, TABLES 1–5) Odontobuthus doriae: Habibi, 1971: 44; Farzanpay, 1987: 154–156; Farzanpay, 1990: 7; Akbari et al., 1997:112; Kovařík, 1997:47, 49, figs 11–13; Pooladgar, 1999: 176. Odontobuthus bidentatus Lourenço & Pézier, 2002: 118–122, figs 1–27; Navidpour et al., 2008a: 3, 5, 13–14, 28, figs 18, 22, 52–55; 2008b: 1, 3, 15, 21, figs 33–36; 2008c: 3, 11–12, 17, figs 21–24; 2008d: 3, 7–8, 14, figs 27–30; Pirali-Kheirabadi et al., 2009: 1, 3, 9–10, 13, fig. 10; Lowe, 2010: 1, 5, 15, 16, 17, figs 31, 32, 43, 44, 45–48, 51–55, 58, 59, 60–63; Navidpour et al., 2011: 3, 13, 22, figs 5, 8, 16, 21–24; Karataş et al., 2012: 116; Navidpour et al., 2012: 3, 14, 23, figs 2, 4, 5, 11, 25, 26; Mirshamsi et al., 2013: 153–160, 168, figs 1–3; Azghadi et al., 2014: 169–170, 172–173, 176–178, figs 1, 2g –i; Kassiri et al., 2015: 101; Ahmadi et al., 2016: 1568; Sharifinia et al., 2017: 243, 245, 246; Nejati et al., 2018: 7141, 7142; Barahoei et al., 2020: 399, 400, figs 18, 20. Type material: Holotype ♂ (MHNG), IRAQ: Khanagin-Dyala, 180 km N of Baghdad, ii.1964, G. Pringle. Diagnosis: Odontobuthus bidentatus may be separated from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters. Scorpions of medium to large size, adults 51–76 mm (♂) and 56–83 mm (♀) (Fig. 15). Colour yellow. Median ocular tubercle situated in anterior half of carapace, distance from anterior carapace margin, 0.32–0.37. Pedipalp chela movable finger long relative to manus (MFL / ML, 1.93–2.51). Median denticle rows of pedipalp chela fixed and movable fingers each comprising 13 or 14 oblique subrows of denticles. Pectinal tooth count, 33–35 (♂) and 24–29 (♀). Ventrosubmedian carinae of metasomal segments II and III each with two to three pairs of prominent tooth-like processes (Fig. 22A). Metasomal segment IV length to width (L/W), 1.67–2.09. Ventrolateral carinae of metasomal segment V with three or four prominent lobate processes; anal arch with three prominent lobes laterally; posteroventral margin of metasomal segment V with four reduced lobes. Telson small, narrow, length to width (TL/W), 1.94–2.27 and length to height (TL/H), 2.00–2.43 (Figs 20A, 21A). Table 4. Continued Distribution: Odontobuthus bidentatus has been recorded in Iraq (Lourenço & Pézier, 2002) and five provinces of Iran: Bushehr; Fars; Ilam; Khuzestan; Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad (Habibi, 1971; Farzanpay, 1987, 1990; Akbari et al., 1997; Kovařík, 1997; Pooladgar, 1999; Lourenço & Pézier, 2002; Navidpour et al., 2008a, 2008b, 2008c, 2008 d, 2012; Lowe, 2010; Karataş et al., 2012; Azghadi et al., 2014; Kassiri et al., 2015; Ahmadi et al., 2016; Sharifinia et al., 2017; Nejati et al., 2018). Material examined: IRAN: Bushehr Province: Abdan, 28°09′N 51°39′E, 108 m, 14.iv.2018, H. Barahoei, daytime excavation, loam, one ♀ (ZMFUM); Bushehr to Dayer road, Jeirani village, 27°51′N 51°46′E, xi.2007, B. Masihipour, H. Bahrani & A. Habibzadeh, Bu-22, one ♀ (AMCC [LP 11083]); Park Jangali-e Ameri, 20 km N of Deylam Port, 30°12′N 50°10′E, 44 m, 15.iv.2018, H. Barahoei, daytime excavation, silty soil, one ♂, one ♀ (ZMFUM); Tangestan, Farshanbeh, 28°53′N 51°19′E, 95 m, xi.2007, B. Masihipour, H. Bahrani & A. Habibzadeh, Bu-35.1, 1 ♀ [AMCC (LP 11084)]. Khuzestan Province: Baghmalek, 31°55′N 49°22′E, 185 m, i.2007, M. Kazemi, BA839/1, one ♀ [AMCC (LP 9702)]; Omidiyeh, 30°57′N 49°31′E, 23.iii.2007, H. Barahoei, two ♂♂, ten ♀♀ (ZMFUM); Sardasht, Tal-e Chega Oliya, 30°17′N 50°11′E, 44 m, 15.iv.2018, H. Barahoei, daytime excavation, two ♂♂, one ♀, one subad. ♀ (ZMFUM)., Published as part of Barahoei, Hossein, Prendini, Lorenzo, Navidpour, Shahrokh, Tahir, H. 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The two species of the genus Odontobuthus Vachon known at present are reassessed and considered to be valid. A new species, Odontobuthus bidentatus sp. n. is described from Iraq and from the region of Borazdjan, southern Iran. Some comments on the geographical distribution of the genus are added and a key to its species is provided.