Morphological and karyological study of scorpion species in West and East Azerbaijan provinces

In this study, ۹۵ living samples of scorpions were collected from diverse habitats across West and East Azerbaijan provinces. Sampling was conducted during different seasons using both nocturnal UV light techniques and diurnal methods involving lifting rocks, searching under fallen leaves and tree bark, and examining gaps between walls and rocks, as well as by water extraction from scorpion nests. Specimens were taxonomically identified at the family, genus, and species levels using the Iranian scorpion fauna and Middle Eastern scorpion fauna keys at the Animal Biosystematics Laboratory, University of Zanjan. Subsequent karyological analyses were performed on scorpion species collected, revealing notable differences in diploid chromosome numbers between species. The results indicate the presence of scorpion species, Mesobuthus caucasicus and Mesobuthus eupeus, belonging to the family Buthidae in West Azerbaijan. Conversely, only Mesobuthus caucasicus was found in East Azerbaijan. Karyological experiments confirmed distinct diploid chromosome counts between the two species, with Mesobuthus eupeus exhibiting ۲n=۴۸

کلیدواژه ها:

Morphology ، Scorpion ، Species ، West Azerbaijan ، East Azerbaijan ، Karyology