Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia

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  Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia  Abstract This review traces the historical trajectory of ophidiology (the study of snakes) and ophidism (snakebite envenoming) within the Colombian context. Despite the profound cultural and scientific significance of the human–serpent relationship in the region, the relevant literature remains fragmented, with foundational historical works neither digitized nor readily accessible. To address this, we conducted a narrative review of primary sources spanning from the pre-Colombian era to the present. Our methodology involved sourcing material from specialized libraries, historical archives, personal collections and contemporary scientific databases. The analysis identifies and contextualizes pivotal contributions across distinct historical periods, from early archeological evidence and colonial accounts to foundational eighteenth-century works and the formalized scientific studies of the last two centuries. The review cul...

Synopsis of the scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Diplocentridae) of Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, with description of a new species of Oiclus Simon, 1880 from La Désirade

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Synopsis of the scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Diplocentridae) of Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, with description of a new species of Oiclus Simon, 1880 from La Désirade

Abstract. – A synopsis is provided for the scorpions of the Guadeloupe archipelago, including diagnoses, illustrations and distribution records. A biodiversity survey recently conducted in three islands of Guadeloupe (La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes) allowed the description of a new species of the genus Oiclus Simon, 1880: O. desirade sp. n. from La Désirade, possibly endemic from this island. This new taxon raises to height the number of described Oiclus species and confirms again that this genus endemic to the Lesser Antilles is more diverse than originally suspected. The number of known scorpion species occurring in the Guadeloupe archipelago is increased to nine. A map of their geographical distribution is presented and a key for their identification is provided. Comments on the conservation status of some species from Guadeloupe are also proposed.

Ythier E. & Ramage T., 2025. – Synopsis of the scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Diplocentridae) of Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, with description of a new species of Oiclus Simon, 1880 from La Désirade. Faunitaxys, 13(23): 1 – 12.

https://doi.org/10.57800/faunitaxys-13(23) - https://zoobank.org/1D62D664-5AD2-4AE6-BA9D-DEE3EA4C83B2