On the identity and taxonomy of Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from southeast Iran
Abstract
Kraepelinia Vachon, 1974 is a monotypic buthid scorpion genus, with its populations distributed in Iran and Turkmenistan. A recent series of specimens were collected from the Sistan region, southeast Iran, during 2019-2023 and used for morphological and molecular studies. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was sequenced for molecular research. Kraepelinia palpator was re-described based on the new specimens. Based on phylogenetic analysis, K. palpator was placed sister to Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950. Phylogenetic trees and genetic distances confirmed the Monophyly of all studied genera of Buthidae in this study. This study found the highest genetic distance (0.155) between K. palpator and Androctonus sp., and the lowest (0.102) was with Mesobuthus rakhshanii. Kraepelinia runs as the most similar taxon to Mesobuthus based on morphological characters. This genus's most important morphological characteristics are the placement of eb trichobothria on the manus and having teeth on the ventral surface of the third metasomal segment. The members of this species are distributed in the lowlands areas.
Many thanks to Gérard Dupre for sending me this paper.
Barahoei, H. (2024). On the identity and taxonomy of Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from southeast Iran, Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 8(4), 184-192. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13840937
