Systematic Revision of the Sand Scorpions, Genus Buthacus Birula, 1908 (Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837) of the Levant, with Redescription of Buthacus arenicola (Simon, 1885) from Algeria and Tunisia

Scorpions of the genus ButhacusBirula, 1908 (Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837), commonly known as “sand scorpions,” are widespread in sandy deserts Palearctic, from West Africa to India. Although many new species Buthacus were described recent years, no modern revision exists for and limits infrageneric taxa remain unclear. The present contribution addresses recorded Levant, defined here region Middle East including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian territories, Sinai Peninsula (Egypt). Prior this study, five subspecies, several synonyms, recognized region. Based on extensive collections, a reassessment morphology (including multivariate statistical analysis), phylogenetic analysis morphological DNA sequence data, published elsewhere, seven now raising number 30. Three described: amitaii, sp. nov., endemic Israel; arava, Israel Jordan; levyi, Egypt, perhaps Libya. arenicola (Simon, 1885) is redescribed restricted northeastern Algeria central Tunisia, leptochelys (Ehrenberg, 1829) Sudan, armasiLourenço, 2013, stat. rev., southern Algeria, spatzi (Birula, 1911), Tunisia western Libya, revalidated, fuscataPallary, 1929, nov. et revalidated elevated rank species. nitzaniLevy al., 1973, currently but probably (Egypt), tadmorensis 1892), Iran, Iraq, Turkey, yotvatensisLevy revalidated. synonyms presented: Androctonus (Leiurus) macrocentrus Ehrenberg, 1828 = 1829), syn. nov.; Buthus pietschmanniPenther, 1912 granosusBorelli, 1929 occurring Levant diagnosed illustrated standards, with updated distribution maps. A list Buthacus, key identification also presented.