Collection Of Scorpions Research Articles

Epidemiological Characterizations, New Localities, and a Checklist of the Known Scorpions in the Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq.

Annually, thousands of scorpion stings and rare mortalities are recorded in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In the present study, we prepared a checklist for the geographical distribution of scorpion fauna composition, new localities data, and scorpion sting profile for the years 2019-2020 in the region. Random field surveys for scorpion collection were carried out in 22 localities in the Kurdistan Region from June 2020 to October 2021. Clinical data related to scorpion stings in 2019 and 2020 were obtained from the medical records of public health offices in the region. In this survey, 166 specimens were collected. They were composed of seven scorpion species belonging to three families including: Buthidae, Hemiscorpiidae, and Scorpionidae. The collected species were Androctonus crassicauda, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Hottentotta saulcyi, Mesobuthus mesopotamicus, Orthochirus fomichevi, Hemiscorpius lepturus, and Scorpio kruglovi. Moreover, three scorpion species comprising Buthacus tadmorensis, Hottentotta mesopotamicus, and Calchas anlasi were recorded in the previous study conducted in the Kurdistan region. In 2019-2020, 3726 scorpion stings were reported, with a peak in the summer season. Most of the patients were 15-49 years old. In the current study, medically significant scorpion species have been identified. The outcome of the present work will increase the awareness of the Kurdish community regarding the distribution of dangerous scorpion species and consequently reduce their stings.

The First Data on the BioEcology of Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) in Bavi County, Southwestern Iran (2016–2017)

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the scorpion species, abundance, distribution, monthly activity, comparisons between different scorpion collecting methods, and sex ratio in Bavi County, during 2016–2017. Materials and Methods: Collection of scorpions was made during the night examinations using the ultraviolet (UV) light and ordinary flashlight. Meanwhile, during the day, scorpions were gathered through rock rolling and pouring water in-ground holes. Scorpions were hunted using a long forceps and then transferred to the laboratory in separate glass containers containing alcohol 75%. All the specimens were identified based on valid taxonomic keys. Results: A total of nine species in nine genera from three families were identified. Androctunus crassicauda, Hemiscorpius lepturus, and Mesobuthus phillipsii were the most abundant in the investigated areas. The most scorpion activity was recorded in the summer. The most of the specimens were collected through UV light. The sex ratio was 1: 1.2 in favor of females. Conclusion: There are three medically major scorpion species including H. lepturus, A. crassicauda, and M. philipsi in Bavi County. Among them, H. lepturus is the most venomous scorpion in the investigated region. Therefore, inhabitants must be careful of its sting, in particular in children.

Amateur venom-extraction business may hasten extinction of scorpions

The pharmacological utility of various biochemical compounds in scorpion venom offers promise in several research fields but its potential economic value has placed pressure on scorpion populations already threatened by habitat destruction and overharvesting for the international trade in exotic pets. Since at least 2016, several countries in Africa and Asia reported an increase in the number of people investing in farms for maintaining scorpions and extracting (‘milking') their venom for commercial use. In addition to serious doubts about the quality of the venom extracted at these farms, repeated collecting of wild specimens may denude an area of scorpions. Given estimates of a million species threatened with extinction over the next decade, unsustainable overexploitation remains a major driver of biodiversity loss. The amateur venom-extraction business has the potential to adversely affect scorpion biodiversity in several biologically rich but poorly documented countries, which calls for urgent action from governments, universities and scientific societies to enhance the conservation of local scorpions. The following activities should thus be initiated or expanded: faunistic surveys and developing national lists of endemic species, red-listing threatened and endangered species using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, educating local communities, and ceasing to issue permits for the collection of scorpions for commercial exploitation of any kind.

New Data on Two Subspecies of Mesobuthus eupeus, the Most Medically Important Scorpion Species in Northwestern Iran.

Scorpions are among the most medically important arthropods in Iran, particularly northwestern areas. To date, five scorpion species, i.e. Mesobuthus eupeus, Mesobuthus caucasicus, Androctonus crassicauda, Hottentotta saulcyi, and scorpio maurus, have been identified. The family Buthidae is responsible for most cases of scorpionism in Iran. The Mesobuthus eupeus species belong to this family and is commonly distributed from Turkey to China, including Iran. Among these species, Mesobuthus eupeus is regarded as the most medically important species and responsible for most cases of envenomation in this area. Morphological differences between some species collected in the study area have been reported. The present study, thus, aimed to identify the subspecies of Mesobuthus eupeus in northwestern Iran. Scorpions were captured in the summer months from 37 localities in three northwestern provinces in Iran: West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil. Scorpion collection was carried out using rock rolling and ultraviolet methods. A total of 376 specimens of Mesobutus eupeus (177males and 199 females) were collected and identified as Mesobuthus eupeus (98.4%) and Mesobuthus eupeus philippovitschi (1.6%). Owing to the findings of our study, M.e.philippovitschi has been added to the scorpion fauna of northwestern parts of Iran for the first time. Unlike M.e. eupeus which is widely distributed from plains to mountainous regions, M.e.philippovitschi has limited distribution and is found mostly along the borders with neighboring countries. This subspecies is the most medically important and most prevalent one in the region. The findings of the present study also provide the basis for future consideration of regional antivenom production for this medically important species.

Record of Ananteris mauryi (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Preyed Upon by Ectatomma planidens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Scorpions feed on diverse prey types but are also preyed upon by larger predators. Hunting and defensive strategies can also influence predation success of animals. Ananteris mauryi Lourenco, 1982 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), a relatively small-sized scorpion and an active forager in leaf litter, is frequently preyed on by another scorpion species, Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Here, we report the predation of A. mauryi by the predatory ant Ectatomma planidens Borgmeier, 1939 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a tropical rainforest. During a nocturnal active collection of scorpions, an ant (10 mm) was observed biting the prosoma of a scorpion (16 mm) and carrying it posteriorly while moving backwards. This record confirms that a smaller predator is able to prey upon a larger scorpion. We discuss herein the efficiency of Ectatomma species to prey on dangerous predators. In addition, this is the first report of E. planidens in the Pernambuco state, Brazil.

The cave population of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from Palawan, Philippines, and description of a new species (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae)

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.

Scorpion composition and scorpionism in a high-risk area, the southwest of Iran.

BackgroundScorpions are usually defined as predatory arachnids having venomous and painful stings. Scorpionism is considered as one of the health and medical problems in undeveloped tropical and subtropical countries in the world that endangers thousands of people annually.ObjectiveThis study was done for identification of scorpion fauna and scorpionism location in a high-risk area in southwest of Iran.MethodsThis study was carried out in Andimeshk district located in Khuzestan province which has the highest frequency of scorpionism in Iran. In total, 4 urban and 15 rural areas with various climates and topography were selected for monthly scorpion collection in 2016. Additionally, clinical data was obtained from questionnaires over a 5-year period (2012 to 2016) which were completed by physicians and health staff in hospitals and health centers. The data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS Version 20.ResultsA total of 850 scorpion samples with the most frequency in rural areas were collected. Eight species belonging to three families; Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Hemiscorpiidae were identified. A. crassicauda was the dominant species followed by H. lepturus. The largest collection due to scorpion’s activity was recorded in summer. The five-year prevalence of scorpion sting were 9.1/1000 inhabitants. The highest frequency of scorpionism was observed in the male age group of 25–34 years. Most cases had been treated with polyvalent scorpion antivenom within 6–12 hours of the sting.ConclusionBased on the findings, six species of medically important scorpions that were previously reported from Iran were also collected and caught in this study area. The findings of this study can be useful for policymakers at the Andimeshk Healthcare Center to prevent scorpionism and provide appropriate treatment for scorpionism cases.

Survey of museum beetle (Dermestes sp.) damage to the scorpion collection in the Health Faculty of Kashan University of Medical Sciences

The result showed that all the drawers containing the scorpion preservation boxes were found damaged by Dermestes sp. Totally, 210 Dermestes larvae were collected. On a average 15 larvae were collected from each drawer. The length of the mature larva was 10–12 mm. The larvae were oval shaped with bodies covered hearly by strands of hair. The incurred damages to the collections were huge because of lack of supervision.

Scorpions and scorpionism in Iran’s central desert

Venomous scorpions have extreme importance in field of medicine and public health. This descriptive – analytic study was done to identify scorpion fauna, their ecological aspects as well as scorpionism for risk management and prevention of this health problem in Iran's central desert. Four urban and fifteen rural areas with various climates and topography locations were selected for monthly scorpion collection through a randomly cluster sampling in 2013. The clinical data was obtained from questionnaires provided in 2009–2014. Totally, 1481 scorpion sting cases were recorded. The majority were treated less than 6h after the sting. Statistical tests showed significant difference between season, scorpion’s color, living place of patients and scorpionism cases. Plain areas had the most occurrence of scorpionism followed by foothills. Moreover, 311 scorpion samples belonged to 7 species of Buthidae were collected. Mesobuthus eupeus was the dominant species in both rural and urban areas. Most of the collected samples were from indoors, yards and around the houses. The most scorpion activity was recorded in the summer. The studied areas had rich scorpion fauna due to various climates and topography locations. Scorpion stings can be important and fatal in this area, particularly in the plain regions with semi-desert climate. An investigation for assessment of peoples’ awareness on prevention methods of scorpionism and also the determination and the assessment of effective factors on reducing the elapsed time between scorpion stings and receiving medical care are here recommended.

Study on Distribution of Scorpions to Provide Prevention and Interventions in Combating Scorpionism in Poldokhtar County, Lorestan Province, Iran.

Scorpions are arthropods of medical importance classified in the class Arachnida, inhabiting hot and dry environments. All scorpions have a venomous sting and several thousand people die each year from scorpion stings, but this mortality is due to the venom of about 25 species located in northern Africa, the Middle East, India, Mexico and parts of South America. Poldokhtar County belongs to one of the southern cities of Lorestan Province, providing suitable habitats for many different species of scorpions due to its specific climatic conditions. To examine the fauna of scorpion and its distribution in the Poldokhtar County and to provide appropriate preventive and medical interventions in combating scorpionism. This present study was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. This study was conducted from April 2014 to November 2014 in regions of Poldokhtar County, Lorestan Province, and west of Iran. Cluster sampling methodology was employed in the sampling and scorpion collection procedure. Sampling was undertaken for an eight-month period, in villages and districts, namely, Myankuhe sharqi, Jayedar, Jelogir and Malavi within the county. The Chi-square test and the Fisher-exact test for homogeneity of proportions were used to compare quantitative variables. Totally, 393 specimens were captured entailing 193 (49.1%) males and 200 (50.9%) females. There were at least seven species of scorpions belonging to three families; BU= Buthidae, HE = Hemiscorpiidae, SCN = Scorpionidae in Poldokhtar. Out of 393 collected scorpions, seven species, Androctonus crassicauda, Hottentotta (Buthotus) saulcyi, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Compsobuthus rugosulus, Orthochirus scrobiculosus, Scorpio maurus and Hemiscorpius lepturus were identified. The overall sex ratio of females to males was 1:1.03. It is crucial to improve the knowledge of residents in this region regarding preventive methods towards scorpion stinging. All the known dangerous Iranian scorpions having medical importance, including Hemiscorpius lepturus and Androctonus crassicauda were found in the study area. Additionally, other complementary research detailing the fauna of scorpions and their morphological, ecological and molecular variety in this region is highly recommended to estimate the correlation between particular scorpions' species and ensuring clinical signs and symptoms.

The scorpion collections (Arachnida, Scorpiones) held in the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin (Italy)

doi: 10.5431/aramit4307 Abstract: Data and considerations about the history and contents of the scorpion collection housed in the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin (MRSN) are reported. Information on type material and important historical specimens are provided, as well as biographical notes about the major zoologists of the museum. In 1978 the public administration of the Regione Piemonte founded the 'Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali' (MRSN) in Turin. Since 1980, the zoologi- cal treasures kept by the Zoological Museum of the Turin University (MZUT) have been entrusted to the MRSN. The MZUT is one of the oldest and most important Italian university museums. It was founded in 1805, during the French occupation, merging the collections of the former Royal museum of natural history and of the 'Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino'. Since the middle of the 19th century the museum began to acquire important and rare material from all over the world. Long and difficult expeditions were organized by the museum as well as by private researchers. During the 20th century the collections were enriched by the activities of the museum's re- search staff, by exchanges and gifts from other spe- cialists and from travellers. In the first decades of the 20th century the museum's zoological research started to shift its focus towards histology and genetics, and the collections lost their primary role. In 1936 the MZUT was moved into the 'Ospedale Maggiore di San Giovanni Battista'. Here work began to rearrange the large amount of material; then in a poor state of conservation, due to the partial lack of conserving fluid and the fading (or loss) of several labels. Interesting material and documents were lost or irreparably damaged (Tortonese 1957). Between 1950 and 1967, notwithstanding their importance, the museum collections were neglected. Specimens in ethanol suffered and exchanges, loans and systematic studies on specimens were interrupted. In 1968, under Professor Umberto Parenti's guidance and thanks to the curators, the MZUT was reorganized. Since 1980 a large number of transfers have taken place involving all the collections. The scorpion collection held in the Turin museum is quite large and historically important. The collection dates back to the second half of the 19th century and reflects the global perspective of the institution and the contribution of many eminent zoologists. In this first attempt we review the scorpion collections and illustrate the present situation of this interesting material - neglected for far too long - which is still needed by specialists for describing new species from all over the world.

Escorpiones (Arachnida: Scorpiones) depositados en la colección aracnológica del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santo Domingo

La colección de escorpiones del MNHNSD contiene 255 especímenes, correspondientes a las familias Buthidae (4 géneros), Scorpionidae (Diplocentrinae, 2) y Hemiscorpiidae (Hormurinae, 1). Centruroides Marx, 1890, es el género mejor representado, con cinco (5) especies y 124 especímenes. La mayor parte de los especímenes procede de la Región Sur de la República Dominicana. Se presenta la lista de las especies depositadas en la colección.

Taxonomic studies on a collection of scorpions (Scorpiones: Arachnida) from Western Ghats in Kerala, India with two new distribution records

Systematic account on 19 species of scorpions (Arachnida) uinder eight genera and three families from Kerala, mainly from the Western Ghats is provided. Two speices, namely,. Mesobuthus hendersoni (Pocock) and Heterometrus (Chersonesometrus) barberi (Pocock) are reported for the first time from Kerala.

Ocorrência de Rhopalurus debilis (C.L. Koch, 1840) (Scorpiones, Buthidae) no estado da Bahia, Brasil

Este trabalho assinala a ocorrência de Rhopalurus debilis (C.L. Koch, 1841), no estado da Bahia, Brasil, acrescentando mais uma espécie à sua escorpiofauna e reforçando a importância do estudo regionalizado desses animais. Sete escorpiões (2 machos, 4 fêmeas e 1 jovem) foram coletados no município de Curaçá (08º 59' 31"S/ 39º 54' 29"W), entre os dias 14 e 16 de março de 2003, registrados no Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia e Animais Peçonhentos da Bahia (NOAP) e tombados no Museu de Zoologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Este registro revela uma nova ocorrência desta espécie, na margem direita do rio São Francisco.

Nouvelles considérations taxonomiques sur les espèces du genre Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 et description de deux nouvelles espèces (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

New taxonomic considerations on the species of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 and description of two new species (Scorpiones, Buthidae).- Results of the study of an interesting collection of scorpions of the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 from North African and the Middle East, now deposited in the Geneva Museum, are presented. The collection contains specimens of 13 species, two of which are new and described here: Androctonus maelfaiti sp. n. and Androctonus dekeyseri sp. n. A key to all these species is provided. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Androctonus australis garzonii Goyffon & Lamy and Androctonus australis africanus Lamy, Le Pape & Weill are placed in the synonymy of Androctonus australis (Linnaeus). Androctbnus crassicauda gonneti Vachon and Androctonus australis baluchicus Pocock are raised to the status of species as Androctonus gonneti and Androctonus baluchicus. Androctonus aeneas C.L. Koch is placed in the synonymy of Androctonus bicolor Ehrenberg, whereas Androctonus bicolor liouvillei (Pallary) is reconsidered as a valid species. Finally, Androctonus mauritanicus bourdoni Vachon is placed in the synonymy of Androctonus mauritanicus (Pocock). Comments are given on the distributional patterns presented by the species of this genus.

Discovery of the Male of Parabuthus muelleri, and Implications for the Phylogeny of Parabuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

The male of Parabuthus muelleri Prendini, 2000 is described, based on a specimen discovered in the Alexis Harington Scorpion Collection (recently acquired by the American Museum of Natural History). This is only the third known specimen of P. muelleri. The holotype and paratype are both female. The male presents several character states, including the lobate condition of the pectinal proximal median lamella and pedipalp chelae that are not incrassate, that are uncommon in male Parabuthus Pocock, 1890. These character states, previously scored with missing entries in a cladistic character matrix for Parabuthus species, are now added and a reanalysis of Parabuthus phylogeny, resulting in new insights about the phylogenetic position of P. muelleri, is presented. Lectotypes are designated for four northeastern African species of Parabuthus.

New addition to the scorpion fauna (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Sri Lanka

In this paper we present results of the study of a collection of scorpions from Sri Lanka, now deposited in the Natural History Museum, Geneva. This collection comprises 3 families, 3 genera and 7 species. A new species Isometrus (Reddyanus) garyi sp. n. and a new subspecies Isometrus (Isometrus) thwaitesi pallidus ssp. n. (Buthidae) are described. Isometrus (Reddyanus) loebli Vachon and Heterometrus (Gigantometrus) swammerdami titanicus Couzijn are raised to species rank.

Sinopse das espécies de Tityus do Nordeste do Brasil, com a redescrição da T. neglectus Mello-Leitão (Scorpiones, Burthidae)

Tityus neglectus Mello-Leitão, 1932, originalmente descrito de uma fêmea coletada no Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil) é redescrito. O tipo, no Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Rio de Janeiro) está perdido; um macho da coleção de escorpiões do Instituto Butantan (São Paulo) é proposto como neótipo. Fornece-se uma sinopse das demais espécies conhecidas de Tityus do Nordeste do Brasil, e uma chave para a identificação das espécies.

Taxonomic and ecological observations on the scorpions collected in the Forest of Arikazomivady Ambositra and on the «RS d' lvohibe», Madagascar

During tbe three montbs of field work between October and December 1997 by tbe junior autbor in tbe in tbe Réserve Spéciale d'Ivohibe and in tbe Foret d' Ankazomivady-Ambositra, Province of Fianarantsoa, a collection of scorpions was made, mainly witb tbe use of pitfall buckets. The species collected were Grosphus limbatus (Pocock), Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais), and new species of Tityobuthus Pocock (Scorpiones, Buthidae), which is described from Ivohibe based on two female specirnens. Tityobuthus ivohibe n. sp., is tbe e1eventb species described in tbe genus from Madagascar. Some comments concerning tbe taxonomic position of tbe new species are also presented.

XXXVII.—Report upon a small collection of Scorpions and centipedes sent from Madras by Mr. Edgar Thurston, of the Government Central Museum

(1890). XXXVII.—Report upon a small collection of Scorpions and centipedes sent from Madras by Mr. Edgar Thurston, of the Government Central Museum. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 5, No. 27, pp. 236-250.