Venomous and poisonous arthropods in Iran, West Asia, and the Middle East: an overview of their identification, bites, stings, behavior, biology and geographical distribution

Abstract

Arthropods belong to the invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda, which contains the most species on Earth. Venomous arthropods are among the most important animals that live in abundance in the human environment. The current study gives an overview of the importance of their identification, bites, stings, behavior, biology, and distribution in the geographical region of Iran, West Asia and the Middle East. The databases have been searched comprehensively and the most relevant Published articles and books from 1978 to 2023 were carefully selected based on the most appropriate keywords. Biting and stinging venomous creatures of arthropods, class, order, and family were presented in the tables and their importance and role of each order in the bite, sting and the occurrence of hazards were determined separately. Finally, the methods of preventing their bites and stings were recommended. The phylum of arthropods in Iran has two subphylums including Chelicerata with one Class, five Orders, and 25 families, and Mandibulata with three Classes, nine Orders, and 29 families. They are scattered all over Iran. Their venom apparatus includes venom gland, modified pedipalps, chelicers, stinger in the tail (telson), mouthparts such as hypostome, fangs, appendages (mandibles), proboscis, ovipositor (stinger), and hair (urticating bristles). The importance of venomous animal stings and bites in the training programs of physicians, the medical and nursing staff is very weak or does not exist at all. To achieve and enhance the management efficacy of bites and envenomation, more accurate information about venomous creatures and their venom composition is required.

Keywords

• venomous arthropods
• poisonous
• insect
• bites and stings
• iran
• middle east