Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

  Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Abstract A new scorpion species, Cicileus derradji sp. nov., is described from Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province, southern Algeria. The description is based on an adult male holotype, an adult female paratype and a juvenile specimen, and is supported by detailed morphological analyses, including colouration, morphometrics, carination patterns and trichobothrial arrangement. This discovery extends the known distribution of the genus Cicileus approximately 500 km southwestward within Algeria. With the addition of this species, the number of recognised species in the genus increases to six. The new species is compared with all previously known species of Cicileus , and detailed colour photographs, including images taken under ultraviolet illumination, are provided. Derradj, L., Aydın Yağmur, E., Benali, N., & Bikada, M. (2026). Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from south...

New Species of the Digger Scorpions, Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 (Buthidae) from Southern Iran

 


New Species of the Digger Scorpions, Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 (Buthidae) from Southern Iran

Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950, with nine described species, is a genus of digger scorpions in the Buthidae family, which can be distinguished by having large tooth-like processes on the ventrosubmedian carinae of the second and third metasomal segments. Morphological and molecular investigation of coastal specimens from the Hormozgan province in Iran led to the discovery of a new species named Odontobuthus persicus sp. nov. that is described here. It is closely related to O. chabaharensis morphologically. The new Odontobuthus species has two large and conical tooth-like processes on ventrosubmedian carinae of the second and third metasomal segments, while O. chabaharensis has three or four medium to large tooth-like processes. Based on phylogenetic analysis using partial COI sequences, the new species is placed as a sister taxon of O. brevidigitus. Genetic differences with the other species of Odontobuthus (mean = 0.107) confirmed the validity of this species.

Acknowledgments: I would like to thank Hossein Barahoei (Ms.c) from the Research Institute of Zabol
I.R.IRAN, for forwarding this work and paper. 

Barahoei H, Shahi M. 2024. New species of the digger scorpions, Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 (Buthidae) from Southern Iran. Zool Stud 63:48. doi:10.6620/ZS.2024.63-48.