Scorpio basraensis sp. n. from southern Iraq (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)

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  Scorpio basraensis sp. n. from southern Iraq (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) Abstract A new scorpion species, Scorpio basraensis sp. n. , is described and illustrated from Basra Province, southern Iraq. Scorpio basraensis sp. n. is compared with all known species of the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 occurring in countries surrounding Iraq. The new species can be distinguished by the circular genital operculum in males and the cordiform genital operculum in females (not posteriorly elongated), a densely hirsute body, appendages and metasoma, a distinctly elongated telson vesicle, discrete granules on the external surface of the chela manus that are not flattened, and pectinal tooth counts of 11–13 in males and 9–11 in females. With the description of this species, the number of scorpion species known from Iraq increases to 22, whereas the number of recognized species in the genus Scorpio reaches 33. Yağmur, Ersen A.; Makki, Jafar A.; and Najim, Shurooq A. (2026) " Scorpio basraen...

Record of a Tarantula Bonnetina cyaneifemur Preyed Upon by Centruroides elegans

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Record of a Tarantula Bonnetina cyaneifemur Preyed Upon by Centruroides elegans

Abstract

Tarantulas and scorpions have an important intraguild predation relationship, with spiders acting as predators in most cases. However, scorpions can prey on tarantulas, especially juveniles. We present a case of scorpion predation on the tarantula Bonnetina cyaneifemur in a Mexican dry forest. A juvenile B. cyaneifemur was found in the vegetation with its prosoma partially eaten by a female scorpion Centruroides elegans. Our record increases the number of known predators for the Mexican tarantula B. cyaneifemur and provides information on a trophic niche of the species.

Lizbeth Parra Mendoza, André Felipe de Araujo Lira, Edmundo González-Santillán "Record of a Tarantula Bonnetina cyaneifemur Preyed Upon by Centruroides elegans," Southwestern Entomologist, 50(2), 1-6, (26 May 2025) https://doi.org/10.3958/059.050.0208