An integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n. from Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

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  An integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n. from Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) Abstract The genus  Euscorpius  Thorell, 1876 comprises a diverse and taxonomically challenging group of scorpions in the Mediterranean, with Greece representing one of its principal centers of diversity. In this study, we provide an integrative description of  Euscorpius diagorasi   sp. n. , a new species from Rhodes Island, Greece. The new species is described on the basis of adult male and female morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data. It is a small oligotrichous species characterized by a total length of approximately 21–25 mm, pale yellow to light brown coloration with darker reddish-brown pedipalps, pectinal tooth count of 8 in the male and 7 in the females, Pv = 7–8, Pe-et = 5–6, and a distinct mitochondrial lineage. Phylogenetic analyses based on COI recovered the Rhodian specimens as a strongly supported monophyletic lineage, sister to...

Review of the distribution of π΄π‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘₯𝑖 (Audouin, 1825) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Morocco

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Review of the distribution of π΄π‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘₯𝑖 (Audouin, 1825) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Morocco

Abstract

This is a brief synoptic review of π΄π‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘₯𝑖 (Audouin, 1825) in Morocco. A summary of its morphological description is provided. Five new localities of this species in Morocco from Errachidia (1 station) and Tinghir (4 stations) provinces are reported, substantiated by photos of live specimens observed therein. Based on previous ecological study of this species, with its observation records on iNaturalist and geographical references from satellite images, we suggest that 𝐴. π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘₯𝑖 may spread more widely in the extreme southern Morocco, a Saharan area with vast arid regions of suitable ecological conditions for its dispersal, into the north of Mauritania. An updated distribution map of this species in Morocco is provided as per these new records and previous studies. Finally, after comparing its morphology with its congeners, we urge a more systematic review of this species giving the ambiguity of its true identity and the likelihood of being a species-complex comprising three cryptic lineages.

Mousaid, Mohamed & Tang, Victoria. (2024). Review of the distribution of π΄π‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘₯𝑖 (Audouin, 1825) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Morocco. SERKET  The Arachnological Bulletin of the Middle East and North Africa. vol.19. 78-92.