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Mesobuthus rakhshanii Barahoei, 2022 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) was so far known only from the type locality in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. We give a list of numerous new records of this species from the same province. A map and detailed illustrations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New locality records for Mesobuthus mesopotamicus (Penther, 1912) are given from Iraq. The populations from southeastern Turkey, earlier identified as M. mesopotamicus by Kovařík et al. (2022) are examined and compared with the specimens from type locality of M. mesopotamicus. These populations are described as a new species, Mesobuthus faiki sp. n. Detailed illustrations of both species and a map are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barbaracurus hofereki sp. n. from Djibouti is described and compared with other species of the genus. B. hofereki sp. n. is the only species of the genus with pedipalp movable finger with 8 rows of granules and pectinal tooth count 27-28 in female. Also, its pedipalp chela with very narrow manus (chela length/width ratio 6.07 in female), narrower than in all other African species of the genus. A map of the distribution of the genus in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new monotypic buthid genera are described: Sanaag gen. n. and Sahil gen. n. from Somaliland, both belonging to the 'Buthus' group. Sanaag gen. n. (type species Gint maidensis Kovařík et al., 2018) differs from Gint Kovařík et al., 2013 in the structure of its hemispermatophore, which has a large, tall, subtriangular hook-like basal lobe, and in the shape of its telson which is rather bulbous. Sahil gen. n. (type species Sahil elmii sp. n.) differs from all morphologically similar small-sized genera of the Horn of Africa in having the ventral aspect of cheliceral fixed finger with two denticles, and the movable finger of the pedipalp with 7 subrows of denticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new record of an adult female of Parabuthus eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003 in Somaliland confirms true distribution of this species, already discussed in Kovařík et al. (2016: 19-21). Three new species are described from Somaliland, P. dorisae sp. n., P. evae sp. n., and P. quincyae sp. n.. The hemispermatophore of P. dorisae sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophore, we have provided descriptions of the karyotypes of P. dorisae sp. n. and P. quincyae sp. n. Despite the presence of multivalents (CVIII and CXIV), both species exhibit karyotypes with 2n=16 and chromosomes that gradually decrease in length, with the exception of the first chromosome, which is longer than the following chromosomes. A map of distribution of Parabuthus species in the Horn of Africa is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a memorial issue honoring Richard F. Ayrey, a US scorpiologist who passed away in 2024. The article provides a brief biography of Ayrey, highlighting his passion for nature and scorpions. It also mentions his contributions to the field, including the description of two new genera and 19 species of scorpions. Ayrey was well-respected in the scientific community and his work was published in various journals. The article includes personal anecdotes from colleagues and friends who remember Ayrey fondly. The text is a collection of personal reflections and anecdotes about a scorpion taxonomist named Rich Ayrey. The authors express their admiration for Rich's passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to studying scorpions. They recount memorable experiences they had with Rich, including discovering new scorpion species and going on field trips together. The authors also mention the scorpion taxa that Rich described and named after himself. Overall, the text pays tribute to Rich's contributions to the field of scorpion taxonomy and his impact on those who knew him. This document appears to be a collection of figures and references related to the work of Rich Ayrey, a researcher in the field of scorpion biology. The figures include maps and photographs of scorpion species and their type localities. The references list various publications by Ayrey, describing new species of scorpions and contributing to the field of scorpion biology. The document also includes personal reflections from individuals who knew Ayrey, highlighting his dedication [Extracted from the article]

The genus Olivierus Farzanpay, 1987 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, is revised based on recently collected topotypes and other populations from 12 localities. Brief differential diagnoses are provided, with colored illustrations and photos in vivo habitus, emphasizing the key characters. Chinese appellations, conservation status, and documentation of behavior and post-envenomation symptoms are also included. Only two species are now recognized for this genus in Xinjiang: O. longichelus (Sun & Zhu, 2010) and O. przewalskii (Birula, 1897), based on both morphological and molecular evidence. The two species exhibit extensive distribution in Xinjiang (China) while also occurring in adjacent countries. Three new synonyms are proposed: Mesobuthus bolensis Sun et al., 2010 = Olivierus longichelus (Sun & Zhu, 2010), syn. n.; Mesobuthus karshius Sun & Sun, 2011 = Olivierus longichelus (Sun & Zhu, 2010), syn. n.; Olivierus tarabaevi Fet et al., 2021 = Olivierus longichelus (Sun & Zhu, 2010), syn. n. Two species, Olivierus extremus (Werner, 1936) and O. hainanensis (Birula, 1904), are likely synonymous with O. martensii (Karsch, 1879). Should future examination confirm this assumption, the total number of species in genus Olivierus would be reduced to 16. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new case of pedipalp regeneration is described and illustrated in a subadult female of Scorpio kruglovi Birula, 1910. A small, regenerated part of chela is observed on the anterior aspect of a normally developed right patella. This is the second published case of pedipalp regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensilla on the dentate margins of scorpion pedipalp fingers, associated with denticle subrows or terminal denticles, were surveyed by white light, UV fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 163 species belonging to 103 genera from 19 families were examined, representing all major phylogenetic lineages in the order. In the majority of species (141/152) with dentition organized into linear subrows of median denticles, a small socketed sensillum with a short shaft was observed at the proximal terminus of each subrow, termed a 'subrow proximal sensilla' (SPS). With few exceptions, SPS were non-fluorescent ('Type N') in buthids, and fluorescent ('Type F') in non-buthids. SPS were present in buthids, chactoid families, and vaejovids; they were absent in Pseudochactas, bothriurids and scorpionoid families. Subterminal sensilla (STS) were found proximal to terminal denticles. Buthid fingers typically had two pairs of Type N STS, a proximal filiform pair and a distal spatulate pair, herein termed 'Cruz-Armas sensilla' after their discoverers; in a minority of species, the spatulate pair was missing. Non-buthid fingers typically had a single Type F STS, similar to Type F SPS. Type N sensilla studied here may be mechanoreceptive 'macrosetae', and Type F sensilla chemo-/mechanoreceptive 'microsetae', both specialized for detecting close-contact stimuli. In order to correctly interpret fluorescence images of sensilla, we reviewed the optics of UV excitation and fluorescence emission in scorpion cuticle. We propose a dielectric waveguide model of the cuticle, in which fluorescence emitted in the hyaline exocuticle is trapped by total internal reflection, and is able to propagate tangential to the surface. We suggest that this phenomenon could enhance topographic contrast of small surface features in fluorescence imaging, and increase the efficiency of UV fluorescence detection by ocular or extraocular photoreceptors. We observed highly effective block of UV light by the cuticle, and strong UV attenuation by non-fluorescent endocuticle. Scorpion cuticle may serve a dual role, as a protective sunscreen and as a UV wavelength converter and fluorescence collector for photoreceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst undertaking curation in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London, the senior author came across a jar of scorpions marked 'scorpions with curled feet'. Further investigation showed this jar was full of scorpions with teratological anatomy. We hereby document and illustrate all of the specimens and discuss their respective anomalies. Furthermore, a comprehensive checklist of the literature on anomalies in scorpions, including giving the life stage and sex where known, is compiled for the benefit of future workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) was described from Oman (Muscat). Here, we summarize known localities from Oman as well as records from the United Arab Emirates, which is the new country record for this species. Illustrations of morphology of both sexes are given together with a map of distribution. A lectotype of Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903) is designated. Paraorthochirus kaspareki Lourenço & Huber, 2000 and Paraorthochirus kinzelbachi Lourenço & Huber, 2000 are synonymized with Orthochirus glabrifrons (Kraepelin, 1903), syn. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an obituary of Rolando Teruel Ochoa (1974–2023), a great Cuban arachnologist. A full list of his works is appended, as well as a list of scorpions and other arachnids described by Rolando. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult male Scorpiops tongtongi Tang, 2022 is described based on recently collected specimens, which revealed a strong sexual dimorphism in the pedipalp finger lobe of this species (present in males, absent in females), lending more support to the separation from its geographic neighbors, S. jendeki Kovařík, 1994, S. shidian (Qi et al., 2005), S. zhangshuyuani Ythier, 2019, and S. beccaloniae (Kovařík, 2005). The morphological studies of Chinese Scorpiops are further discussed. A refined mensurational method of Scorpiops pedipalp chela is proposed. Morphological comparisons of both quantitative and qualitative characters for all Scorpiops from Yunnan are provided, along with a dichotomous key to those species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of cave scorpion, Euscorpius sulfur sp. n. (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) from Albania and northwestern Greece is described, fully complemented with color photographs of both live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare teratological anomaly of pecten is described and illustrated: a case of fusion in pectinal teeth in the scorpion Scorpio kruglovi Birula, 1910). It was observed that 7th and 8th teeth are fused in the right pecten. The resulting fused tooth is larger than other teeth. A smaller fulcrum located inside of the large, fused tooth whereas other fulcra are located between normally developed teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the very interesting euscorpiid scorpion genus Megacormus Karsch, 1881, are herein described from eastern Mexico. Both had been previously misidentified in the published literature, one as Megacormus segmentatus Pocock, 1900, the other as Megacormus granosus (Gervais, 1844), but the direct comparison of adults of both sexes to adult topotypes from all members of the genus currently accepted as valid taxa, revealed solid morphological characters that warrant their recognition as distinct taxa. Both new species seem also to be endemics with a small distribution area, but apparently not restricted to a single locality. This addition raises the known composition of the genus to eight species, all of them exclusively from mountain sites of eastern Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present molecular data on Isometrus maculatus (DeGeer, 1778) for the first time from India, Japan, and Taiwan based on the COI gene and justify the cosmopolitan nature of this species. We also address the first population of I. maculatus found in Teliamura, Tripura, India and give its detailed description and comparison with the rest of the Isometrus species from India. Furthermore, we discuss the justification for considering Sri Lanka as the true home of I. maculatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of the genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 are currently confirmed from Thailand and revised, with their respective distribution range in this country updated. Heterometrus laevigatus (Thorell, 1876) is considered a nomen dubium, while its two previous junior synonyms, H. cimrmani Kovařík, 2004, stat. rev. and H. minotaurus Plíšková et al., 2016, stat. rev. are revalidated and redescribed based on the examination of topotypes. Females of H. minotaurus Plíšková et. al., 2016, stat. rev. were also collected and examined, and their characters are herein described with a special attention to sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, some populations previously regarded as H. laoticus Couzijn, 1981 found in Thailand turned out to belong to H. silenus (Simon, 1884). Additionally, ambiguous records of H. spinifer (Ehrenberg, 1828) in Thailand are now confirmed. Finally, we speculate that the difference in pedipalp length between males of H. cimrmani and H. minotaurus is evolved due to the armspan competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new example of scorpion leg regeneration is reported in an adult male Mesobuthus mesopotamicus (Penther, 1912). A claw (pretarsus) was observed to regenerate at the distal end of the tibia of the left leg II. The regeneration case is described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new monotypic genus, Langxie gen. n., is described from Xizang (Tibet), China. The new genus shares an important morphological character with Afrolychas Kovařík, 2019: absence of external accessory denticles (EADs) along the sixth row of median denticles (MDs) on the pedipalp movable finger. Langxie gen. n. is different from Afrolychas in the following aspects: loss of EAD near the proximally enlarged MD within each row (i. e., loss of all EAD on the movable finger; this also distinguishes the new genus from other related genera in the "(Ananteris + Isometrus)" clade (Štundlová et al., 2022)), subaculear tubercle armed with or without a secondary tubercle dorsally, immaculate color pattern, more slender appendages and metasoma, and less sexually dimorphic pectines. Langxie gen. n. further differs from another geographically close genus, Himalayotityobuthus Lourenço, 1997, by the presence of highly developed pectinal fulcra (vs. absent in Himalayotityobuthus), six rows of MDs on the pedipalp movable finger (vs. 7-8 in Himalayotityobuthus) and five pairs of lateral ocelli (vs. 3 in Himalayotityobuthus). The new species, Langxie feti sp. n., is small and slender, exhibiting no obvious sexual dimorphism in pedipalp and metasoma, but the sexes are visibly different in the relative size of median ocelli and coarseness of carapacial granulation. Lattice microstructures are prominently developed on its cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Scorpio granulomanus sp. n. is described and illustrated from Dibbeen Forest, Jerash Governorate, Jordan. The new species is compared with the previously recorded species of the genus Scorpio in the Middle East; it can be distinguished from all other congeners by its very large, pointed granules on the dorsoexternal surface of the chela manus, and an untypically elongated chela manus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A peculiar intraspecific agonistic behavior involving a non-aggressive physical combat is reported between the adult males of Srilankametrus yaleensis (Kovařík et al., 2019) (Scorpionidae: Heterometrinae). The adult males were observed to resort to a ritualized and relatively gentle way for strength demonstration. The combat is characterized by lateral spreading of pedipalps, chelicerae-to-chelicerae collision, and entanglement of metasomal segments. This behavior is hereby considered a form of an intrasexual combat defined as the "arm-span competition". It is hypothesized to be beneficial for solving territorial and/ or sexual competitions while avoiding unnecessary mortality which could pose adverse impact to the natural populations. Other Heterometrinae species that possess sexually dimorphic, elongate pedipalps in males were also found to display similar behavior. This may account for at least one potential reason for the evolution of such sexual dimorphism. Finally, this study supplements several other agonistic behaviors (intraguild or antipredatory) observed in scorpions, with special attention to the family Scorpionidae. Three basic types of behavior are defined for this family: aggressive response, shielding response, and armspan competition. These types of behavior may have implications for the evolution of this family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Lychas jakli sp. n. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from Indonesia, fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology and habitus. A new synonymy is proposed: Lychas kotao Lourenço, 2020 = Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798), syn. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Barbaracurus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia. Barbaracurus yemenensis Kovařík et al., 2018 was found in the extreme southwest of the country, near its border with Yemen. The diagnosis of the species is emended based on the finding of adult males and a large adult female. The proximal margins of the pedipalp fingers of male B. yemenensis are strongly undulate, leaving a gap with the fingers closed. This character differentiates it from all other species of Barbaracurus in the Arabian Peninsula. A second species, B. kabateki sp. n. from Saudi Arabia is described as new. In addition to external morphological characters, we also describe the karyotypes of B. yemenensis (2n = 26), and the hemispermatophores of both species. A key to the species of Barbaracurus, and a map of the distribution of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many environmental factors may influence the activity pattern of scorpions in arid ecosystems. We investigated the seasonal variations of Paruroctonus marksi scorpion activity in the Mojave Desert (California, USA). Black light surveys were carried out within two 100 x 100 m plots from August 2017 to September 2018. The majority (85%) of scorpions were found in open areas compared with being in vegetation. The presence of P. marksi was positively correlated with both water vapor pressure and soil temperature, while moon illumination had no significant effect on P. marksi foraging behavior. Scorpions might be using humidity as an indicator of prey abundance and since they are not visual hunters, and moonlight does not affect their surface activity possibly due to lack of visual hunters in the study site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new species Orthochirus katerinae sp. n. from Saudi Arabia, previously cited as Orthochirus innesi Simon 1910, ssp. ?, the name many years used as an ‘umbrella’ for various Orthochirus from North Africa and Arabia. The new species is described based on males characterized mainly by: total length 26–30 mm; pectinal teeth number 16–20; movable finger of pedipalps with 7–8 rows of denticles, 8–9 ID and 7 OD; tarsomere I of legs I–III with 3–5 long setae; ratio length/width of metasoma V 1.13–1.16; pedipalp femur length/width ratio 3.30–3.32. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yunnan population of Scorpiops kubani (Kovařík, 2004) is reassessed based on recently collected specimens from this region. A misidentification of that species is revealed, which leads to a description of a new species, Scorpiops lowei sp. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Scorpiops Peters, 1861, Scorpiops tongtongi sp. n., is described from Yingjiang, Yunnan Province, China, based on a single adult female. The morphology of the new species is fairly distinguishable from other congeners in Yunnan even with unaided eye; it is characterized by the following combination of characters in female: a pair of moderately robust pedipalp chelae without proximal lobes, small median ocular tubercle, short superciliary carinae, less granulated tergites, proportionally elongate metasoma and relatively short and bulbous vesicle. The coloration of the new species also differs from other congeners in Yunnan by being brownish in tergites and telson vesicle. The number of known species of Scorpiops from China is raised to 29 (22 endemic) and that of Yunnan is raised to 10 (9 endemic). The previously described congeners from Yunnan are also revisited, by complementing some missing data of several species, and providing new comparative data for the following species based on recently collected topotypes: S. puerensis (Di et al., 2010), S. shidian (Qi et al., 2005), S. vachoni (Qi et al., 2005), S. validus (Di et al., 2010), and S. zhangshuyuani (Ythier, 2019), as well as the Yunnan population of S. kubani (Kovařík, 2004). Finally, Scorpiops validus (Di et al., 2010) stat. rev. is restored from its synonymy with S. vachoni (Qi et al., 2005). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanatosis, or tonic immobility, is a behavior where animals adopt a motionless posture after a physical contact or very close proximity of a predator. This behavior has been described in a wide range of taxa, from invertebrates to vertebrates. For scorpions, tonic immobility has been reported in two buthids, Tityus pusillus and Tityus cerroazul, one hormurid, Liocheles australasiae, and one scorpiopsid, Scorpiops jendeki. Here we report other cases of this thanatosis for two buthid scorpions from lower Central America: Tityus ocelote and Ananteris platnicki. Thanatosis in these species were observed in wild, but was better documented in the laboratory. After human handling, several individuals for both species rolled over and laid on their back, adopting a distinctive rigid position, where they did not respond to external mechanical stimuli. As tonic immobility might be associated with other defense strategies, such as cryptic colorations, it is hypothesized that this behavior is used as a strategy in both species only if there is physical contact that simulated by a predator. On the other hand, the observations of thanatosis we reported here and the ones reported in other Tityus scorpions suggest that this behavior may have a phylogenetic basis in American buthids and that it could be more widespread than initially thought. However, more observations of tonic immobility in buthids would allow the evaluation of this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first record of Scorpiops bhutanensis Tikader & Bastawade, 1983 from China (Xizang). An emended diagnosis, detailed redescription, and illustrations of the species are provided. Its female is reported here for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All scorpion species known from Djibouti are listed, with color photographs and maps of their distribution. Buthus awashensis Kovařík, 2011 known from Ethiopia and Somaliland is reported for the first time from Djibouti. The diagnosis of Orthochirus afar Kovařík & Lowe, 2016 is revised; O. borrii Rossi, 2017 is determined to be a junior synonym of O. afar Kovařík & Lowe, 2016 syn. n.; O. aristidis (Simon, 1882) syn. res. is returned to synonymy with O. olivaceus Karsch, 1881; and O. arenicola Lourenço & Ythier, 2021, is relegated to the status of nomen dubium. Hemiscorpius lipsae sp. n. is described and fully complemented with color photos of the female holotype and its habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovařík, 2019, was created for a subset of species originally included under Grosphus Simon, 1880, but was subsequently synonymized with Grosphus. We reanalyze Teruelius and Grosphus by scoring 45 discrete characters, and 32 discrete + 17 continuous characters, for all 36 included species, plus 11 related buthids as outgroup taxa. Morphometric analyses are systematically applied to quantify variation in continuous characters, including: carapace length, carapace anterior concavity, carapace preocular length, hemispermatophore posterior lobe length, tibial spur length/tibia distal depth ratio, metasoma I length/width ratio, pectine tooth length/width ratio, pedipalp femur petite 'trichobothrium' d2 position, pedipalp fixed finger relative position of trichobothria db vs. est, and pedipalp manus relative position of Eb trichobothria. Elliptic Fourier analyses and principal components analyses are applied to quantify variation in sternite IV spiracle aperture profiles, female basal pectinal tooth shapes and telson lateral profiles. Laser light scattering is applied to quantify differences in optical reflectance of sternite VII arising from cuticular lattice microstructures. Spectral image analysis is applied to quantify differences in granulation of metasoma I ventrosubmedian carinae. The use of UV fluorescence as a quantitative taxonomic character is critically reviewed. Six binary characters are proposed for differential diagnosis of Teruelius vs. Grosphus. Phylogenetic analyses rooting trees with 8 individual outgroup taxa, or with multiple outgroup taxa under morphological and molecular backbone constraints, all yield overwhelming support for the monophyly of Teruelius, and the genus is reinstated. The position of outgroup taxon Microcharmus in a separate family is not supported by any diagnostic characters or phylogenetic analysis, and Microcharmidae is synonymized with Buthidae. Two new species, Grosphus angulatus sp. n. and Teruelius haeckeli sp. n. are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated checklist of scorpions of China (52 species belonging to 13 genera and six families) is provided, with Chinese name equivalents and an illustrated map of all localities. Colored photos of the Chinese population of Mesobuthus thersites (C. L. Koch, 1839) and one Olivierus sp. in vivo habitus are provided for the first time. The recent taxonomic changes are summarized. The monotypic genus Tibetiomachus (Hormuridae) with its single species T. himalayensis is considered a nomen dubium. The validity of the previously synonymized Scorpiops atomatus Qi et al., 2005 and S. validus (Di et al., 2010) (Scorpiopidae) is questioned, although they are not formally restored from synonymy. Olivierus hainanensis (Birula, 1904) (Buthidae) is possibly a junior synonym of O. martensii (Karsch, 1879); a reanalysis of the syntypes is warranted. The name "Scorpiops jingshanensis Li, 2016" is a nomen nudum. Additional comments are made upon two unavailable names that appear in an unpublished MS thesis (Zhang, 2009; in Chinese): "Mesobuthus beijiangensis" and "M. nanjiangensis". A revision is needed of several species with weakly supported diagnostic characters, such as Olivierus bolensis (Sun et al., 2010) and Scorpiops puerensis (Di et al., 2010). The applicability of the diagnostic characters proposed for Olivierus bolensis (Sun et al., 2010) and O. longichelus (Sun & Zhu, 2010) is found to be unstable, based on the examination of some new specimens from Xinjiang. Their relationship with another two recently described species (O. mikhailovi Fet et al., 2021 and O. tarabaevi Fet et al., 2021), as well as the misidentified "Mesobuthus caucasicus intermedius" in China, remains unclear until a molecular study is accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Chiromachetes Pocock, 1899 (Hormuridae Laurie, 1896) is described based on a single male and two female specimens collected from Agasthyamalai Mountains in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, southern Western Ghats, India. The new species can be easily distinguished from all five known congeners by combination of non-overlapping morphological characters such as chela length-width ratio, femur length-width ratio, chela length-movable finger length ratio, the number of pectinal teeth, and subtle color differences of both the sexes respectively. Chiromachetes agasthyamalaiensis sp. n., represent the sixth described species, the fifth from the Western Ghats, and the first to be reported from the state of Tamil Nadu of this peninsular Indian endemic genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here describe a new species of Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 from the southeastern plains of Tamil Nadu, India, which is known only from its type locality, Chengalpattu. The new species was recovered as sister to Isometrus nakshatra based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from COI and 16S mitochondrial genes. Sequence divergence between the new species and all the Indian congeners was 12.6-15.7 % for COI and 12.2-14.4 % for 16S. The new species can also be differentiated from all the Indian congeners based on the following set of characters: surface of carapace with mixed (coarse and fine) and dense granulation; telson vesicle length to depth ratio in males 3.5-3.7; chela length to width ratio in males 5.0-5.4; metasomal length to carapace length ratio in males 8.2-8.9; coarse granulation on mesosomal tergites V and VI along the margins; lateral supramedian and ventral lateral carinae on metasomal segments II-IV moderately to weakly granular; ventral median carina of telson vesicle weakly granular; spiniform granules of promedian carina of the pedipalp patella strongly developed. This is the ninth species of Isometrus described from India and the first species from southeastern peninsular India. This discovery highlights the need for more surveys from the eastern peninsular region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Orthochirus kovariki sp. n. is described and illustrated based on both sexes from Takhar Province of Afghanistan. O. kovariki sp. n. appears to be close to O. feti Kovařík, 2004, reported from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; both species have the movable finger of pedipalp without outer denticles. Detailed illustrations of O. kovariki sp. n. are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new monotypic genus belonging to the basal scorpion family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998, Qianxie solegladi gen et. sp. n., is described from Yunnan Province of China. The family is recorded from China for the first time, vastly extending its known geographic range. The new genus shares morphological characters with both Pseudochactas Gromov, 1998 and Troglokhammouanus Lourenço, 2007. It differs from Pseudochactas and is similar to Troglokhammouanus in the shapes of anterior and posterolateral carapace margins, form of the circumocular sutures, distance between median ocelli, development of dorsoventral projection of patella, length of tarsal spinules, recurvature of the lateral margins and concavity of the surface of the sternum. It is similar to Pseudochactas in the degree of carapace granulation, pedipalp manus carination, secondary accessory and retroventral carinae of the chela manus, numbers of lamellae and teeth on the pectines, development of the median lateral carinae of metasomal segments III-IV and ventromedian carina of metasomal segment V. The new genus is hypothesized to be more closely related to Troglokhammouanus than to Pseudochactas and is placed in the subfamily Troglokhammouaninae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific (Latin) names of scorpion species are widely used across the world by both experts and amateurs. However, in China, there is a great need for designating standardized Chinese names for various scorpions since it is difficult for those not familiar with Latin alphabet to memorize the scientific names. Currently used Chinese names often cause confusion and misunderstanding due to a lack of standardized, unified naming. The present work critically revises the existing formal Chinese scorpion names, vernacular names (used by local population and amateurs), and the names used in Chinese scientific publications, along with the confusion they have caused. A general review of the etymology and types of scientific names in scorpions is also provided. A standardized rule for translating scientific names into Chinese names (exclusively for the Order Scorpiones) is established for the first time. A list of all the scientific names of the valid extant scorpion species is given, translated into Chinese along with the Latin names. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Orthochiroides Kovařík, 1998 is reanalyzed. Revised diagnoses and new illustrations for the genus and all four of its species are presented. A new species, O. somalilandus sp. n. from Somaliland is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus with several other similar genera of small buthids are inferred from a parsimony analysis of 43 discrete morphological characters. The recent synonymy of Orthochiroides with Orthochirus is refuted and the genus is revalidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian genus Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950, s. str. (Buthidae) (also known as an informal 'M. eupeus complex'), which includes the most common scorpion species found from Turkey to China, is revised based on new collections, mainly from Central Asia, Turkey, and Iran, using both morphological and mitochondrial DNA data. Available type specimens of all species were studied; neotypes and lectotypes were designated when necessary. The type species Mesobuthus eupeus (C. L. Koch, 1839), s. str., is restricted to the Caucasus Mts. Currently, the genus includes 29 valid species. Fifteen previously described taxa are recognized as species: Mesobuthus afghanus (Pocock, 1889) (Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan) (= ?Buthus agnetis Werner, 1936, syn. n.), M. barszczevskii (Birula, 1904), stat. n. (Uzbekistan), M. bogdoensis (Birula, 1896) (=Buthus eupeus volgensis Birula, 1925, syn. n.) (Kazakhstan, Russia), M. eupeus (C. L. Koch, 1839) (Armenia, Azerbajjan, Georgia, Iran, Russia [North Caucasus], Turkey), M. haarlovi Vachon, 1958 (Afghanistan, Pakistan), M. iranus (Birula, 1917) (Iran), M. kirmanensis (Birula, 1900), stat. n. (Iran) (= Buthus pachysoma Birula, 1900, syn. n.), M. macmahoni (Pocock, 1900) (Pakistan), M. mesopotamicus (Penther, 1912), stat. n. (Iraq, Syria, Turkey), M. persicus (Pocock, 1899) (Azerbaijan, Iran), M. philippovitschi (Birula, 1905), stat. n. (Iran), M. phillipsii (Pocock, 1889) (Iran), M. thersites (C.L. Koch, 1839) (=Buthus eupeus mongolicus Birula, 1911, syn. n.) (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia), M. vesiculatus (Pocock, 1900) (Iran), and M. zarudnyi Novruzov et al., 2022 (Azerbaijan). Fourteen new species are described: Mesobuthus birulai sp. n. (Iran), M. crucittii sp. n. (Iran), M. farleyi sp. n. (Iran), M. fomichevi sp. n. (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), M. galinae sp. n. (Turkmenistan), M. kaftani sp. n. (Iran), M. marusiki sp. n. (Uzbekistan), M. mirshamsii sp. n. (Iran), M. navidpouri sp. n. (Iran), M. rahsenae sp. n. (Turkey), M. turcicus sp. n. (Turkey), M. vignolii sp. n. (Iran), M. yagmuri sp. n. (Turkey), and M. zonsteini sp. n. (Uzbekistan). No subspecies are currently recognized. A key to all studied species is given. A DNA phylogeny based on COI marker is presented including 25 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Mesobuthus zarudnyi sp. n. is described from Azerbaijan, fully illustrated with color photos. We compare the new species with two other species, M. eupeus (C. L. Koch, 1839) and M. persicus (Pocock, 1899), both found also in Azerbaijan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Buthidae) belonging to the werneri group is described from two localities in Jalgaon District, Maharashtra, India. The new species can be easily distinguished from all four members of the werneri group known from India and Pakistan by combination of nonoverlapping morphological characters. Compsobuthus satpuraensis sp. n. is the first species of this genus to be reported from the state of Maharashtra and fourth to be reported from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an event of intraguild predation by Orthochirus sp. feeding on a juvenile individual of Hottentotta tamulus (Fabricius,1798) from Maharashtra, India. This is the first report of intraguild predation among Indian scorpions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two examples of scorpion limb regeneration following unsuccessful molts are documented based on material held in captivity. An Opisthacanthus asper (Peters, 1861) (Hormuridae) shows a relatively rare example of pedipalp regeneration in which the lost tibia and tarsus was replaced by a smaller, curved element of uncertain homology to either the fixed or free finger. A comparable abnormal palp described in the literature hints that pedipalps can only regenerate a structure of this form, regardless of the site of amputation. An Olivierus caucasicus (Nordmann, 1840) (Buthidae) is described in which claws (pretarsus) of leg III regenerated directly at the distal end of the tibia, while in leg IV the claws regenerated at the end of a truncated section of the metatarsus. This supports previous observations that scorpions can only regenerate the pretarsus of the leg, again irrespective of where on the limb the original breakage occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rare Horn of Africa buthid genus Lanzatus Kovařík, 2001 was newly collected in Somaliland in two localities. We describe a new species Lanzatus huluul sp. n. fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology, habitus, hemispermatophore and collection areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new scorpion species, Vaejovis miscionei sp. n. (Vaejovidae) is described from the Mule Mountains above Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona. The pedipalp fixed finger has 5 ID denticles and the movable finger has 6, like in most other southern Arizona Vaejovis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebrate predation by scorpions has been scarcely documented in the literature. Contrary to large scorpions of the genera Centruroides, Hadrurus, Opistophthalmus, and Pandinurus from North America and Africa, which are capable of subduing even small rodents and bats, West Indian scorpions of the genera Centruroides, Heteroctenus, and Tityus seem to limit their prey to amphibians and reptiles. Herein we present new cases of a frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis; Hylidae) and three lizards (Anolis allisoni, A. ophiolepis, and A. sagrei; Dactyloidae) preyed upon by Heteroctenus junceus (Herbst, 1800), at the time we summarize all cases of vertebrate predation by scorpions in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Androctonus turkiyensis sp. n. is described and illustrated from the Şanlıurfa Province of Turkey. The new species is compared with A. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), which was previously misidentified from Turkey. A. crassicauda specimens used for comparison were collected from Kashan County (Iran), the type locality of this species; a neotype from Kashan is designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the Greater Antillean endemic scorpion genus Cazierius Francke, 1978, are herein described from the island of Hispaniola. They were found inside isolate limestone caves in the Dominican Republic and are fully troglomorphic, thus, apparently being strict troglobites that represent the first ever documented for this genus. The present additions raise the number of Hispaniolan species of both Cazierius and the family Diplocentridae Karsch, 1880, to five and ten, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]