Heliyon (Jul 2022)
New data on medically important scorpion species of Iran based on seven physiographic areas
Abstract
There are 2612 and 80 scorpion species in the world and Iran, respectively. Iran is rich in climatic conditions and biodiversity. In this study, new data on scorpion fauna of different physiographic areas of Iran were obtained from various databases, including plains and deserts, eastern area of the Caspian Sea, western and central areas of the Caspian Sea, heights and foothills, the west coast of the Persian Gulf and the east coast of the Persian Gulf. Then, spatial distribution maps for scorpion species in different physiographic areas were prepared using ARC GIS software. There are three families (Buthidae, Hemiscorpiidae, and Scorpionidae), 19 genera, and 80 species and subspecies. In plains and deserts, there are three families, 15 genera, and 37 scorpion species; in the Caspian Sea area, there is only one family with four scorpions; in heights and foothills, there are three families, 14 genera, and 35 scorpion species; in the west coast of the Persian Gulf, there are three families, 13 genera, and 31 scorpion species, and finally, in the east coast of the Persian Gulf, there are three families, 14 genera, and 35 scorpion species. The Buthidae is the most prevalent family in Iran. Because of good climatological conditions on the east and west coast of the Persian Gulf, there are three families of scorpions, 18 genera, and 45 species. The majority of scorpion species inhabit this region, and the highest rate of scorpionism and death due to scorpion sting occurs in this part of Iran.
