Androctonus Nazarii, a New Species of Scorpions from Khuzestan Province, Iran (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Venomous Animals and antivenom production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran

2 Ghods Town, Tehran Province, Iran.

3 Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran.

4 Zagros Herpetological Institute, P.O. No 12, Somayyeh 14 Avenue, Qom 37156-88415, Iran.

10.22092/ari.2025.371272.3928

Abstract

Recent research has clarified the historically complex taxonomy of the medically significant scorpion genus Androctonus in Iran, chiefly by resolving the A. crassicauda Olivier, 1807 species complex and describing numerous new species. However, the taxonomic status of certain populations in Khuzestan Province (south-western Iran) has remained unsettled. Here, we describe a new species, Androctonus nazarii sp. nov., from Baghmalek in the Zagros Mountains of Khuzestan Province, Iran. The new scorpion species, Androctonus nazarii sp. nov., is described from two male specimens based on a suite of distinct morphological features. Its key diagnostic traits include a brownish-yellow coloration, a light brown carapace without ocular black patches and with fine granulation, uniformly yellow legs, and a specific yellowish-brown, finely granulated chela manus. The species is distinguished via detailed comparison with its closest relatives (A. crassicauda, A. zagrosensis, A. sumericus, and A. barahoeii). Its discovery fills an important taxonomic gap in south-western Iran and carries significant implications for public health and conservation.

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Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 80, Issue 6
In-Press
November and December 2025

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