Scorpions Fauna of Kerman Province-IRAN

Introduction: Considering wide distribution of scorpions in various parts of the country and their importance in biological and medical Sciences, the current study was performed during 2005 to 2006 in order to determine scorpions species in Kerman/Iran. Method: In this descriptive research, 13 cities in Kerman province were investigated. All collected scorpion specimens in %75 ethyl alcohol were sent to the entomology laboratory of Kerman university of Medical Sciences for identification of their species by the use of stereo microscope and morphologic identification key. Results: A total of 8 species belonged to three families of Buthidae , Hemiscorpiidae or Liochelidae and Scorpionidae were identified. The identified species were as follows: A: Family Buthidae: Mesobuthus eupeus(44%), Androctonus crassicauda (28.5%), Odontobuthus doriae(22.6%), Orthochirus scrobiculosus(3%), Androctonus.amorcuxi(0.35%), Buthotus saulcyi (0.35%), B:Family Liochelidae: Hemiscorpious lept urus(0.9%), C:Family Scorpionidae: Nebo sp (0.3%) Conclusion: Kerman province with 8 scorpion species has a high bidogical founa. This is the second report of the Nebo Genus from Iran after the report in 1980 from Hengam island located in south of Iran in Persian Golf. Planning prevention, control and treatment programs based on the identified species is suggested.