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...

Sexual Size Dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia

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Sexual Size Dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia

Abstract

Scorpions are known to exhibit sexual size dimorphism, but data is still lacking from a large number of species throughout the world. Such information is nonetheless essential for a better understanding of the factors and processes shaping scorpion morphology. In this work, we investigated sexual size dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus, a common scorpion species in Tunisia. Using morphometric data on a sample of 100 females and 142 males, we assessed sexual differences in body parts and investigated allometric relationships. Results showed significant sexual size dimorphism in weapon systems, namely the metasoma and chelae. More specifically, there was male-biased dimorphism in metasoma size but female-biased dimorphism in chela size. Increased body size was associated with an exaggerated increase in metasoma size in males and chela size in females. These patterns are in agreement with those previously reported in other scorpion species and highlight the roles of sexual differences in mating behavior and ecological requirements in shaping the morphology of weapon systems in scorpions.

Sarra Hajri, Babay, J., Selmi, S. et al. Sexual Size Dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359024607730