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

Recent research has clarified the historically complex taxonomy of the medically significant scorpion genus Androctonus in Iran, chiefly by resolving the A. crassicauda Olivier, ۱۸۰۷ 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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Androctonus nazarii ، Khuzestan Province ، morphological features ، new species ، Zagros Mountains