Taxonomy Takes Time: Shortcuts to Synonymy

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  Taxonomy Takes Time: Shortcuts to Synonymy Abstract Taxonomy is the foundation of biology, providing the currency (species) for biological studies and the handle (epithet) to refer to them. The task at hand is urgent: a race against extinction as most species remain undescribed and expertise declines. In response, various ‘rapid taxonomy’ approaches aim to hasten descriptions. Good examples exist that genuinely accelerate the growth of taxonomic knowledge, but shortcuts risk errors that may take more time to resolve than the original work took to produce. Authors must consider (1) the total time budget, including subsequent revisions necessitated by inadequate taxonomy; (2) the taxonomic literature on regional and widespread taxa; and (3) illustration quality as a critical and enduring component of species description. Reviewers and editors must also ensure minimum standards. I discuss a recent example where shortcuts, instead of accelerating taxonomy, merely borrowed time. Anelo...

Revision of the genus Scorpio in Jordan, with a description of a new genus and three new species (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)

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Revision of the genus Scorpio in Jordan, with a description of a new genus and three new species (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)

Abstract

Several new Scorpio populations are studied from various habitats in Jordan, including specimens previously identified as Scorpio kruglovi Birula, 1910 and S. fuscus (Ehrenberg, 1829). A new scorpionid genus, Jordanius gen. n. is described, mainly differentiated from the genus Scorpio Linné, 1758 by the elongation and heavy patterns of granulation of chela manus, and granulated chela fingers. Scorpio granulomanus Al-Saraireh et al., 2023 is transferred to the new genus, and Jordanius maysaraensis gen. et sp. n. is described. Also, Scorpio jordanensis sp. n. and S. wahbehi sp. n. are described. Detailed redescriptions and illustrations of S. palmatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) and S. fuscus (Ehrenberg, 1829) are given. A neotype of S. palmatus from Alexandria, Egypt and a neotype of S. fuscus from Lebanon are designated. A key to the family Scorpionidae in Jordan and comments on dubious or incorrect records from Jordan are provided. Lastly, S. propinquus is suggested as nomen dubium.


Abu Afifeh, B., Yağmur, E. A., Al–Saraireh, M., & Amr, Z. 2024 . Revision of the genus Scorpio in Jordan, with a description of a new genus and three new species (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae). Euscorpius, No. 391: 1-66. 

https://mds.marshall.edu/euscorpius/vol2024/iss391/1/