Ecology and species composition of scorpions (Arachnida, Scorpiones) in Masjed-Soleyman County, Southwestern Iran

Abstract

Aims: The current study aimed to study the scorpion ecology and fauna of Masjed-Soleyman County, southwestern Iran to manage scorpion sting-related problems during 2016–2017. Materials and Methods: Scorpions were collected from different localities of Masjed-Soleyman using rock-rolling, digging the ground, Ultra Violet flashlight, pouring water in holes, and ordinary flashlight methods. The collected scorpions were placed to 70% alcohol. Morphological studies were completed under a stereomicroscope. The scorpion species were identified using diagnostic valid key for the Iranian scorpions. Results: Out of the 318 collected scorpions, 10 species from three families, buthidae (71.1%), scorpionidae (2.2%), and hemiscorpiidae (26.7%) were identified. The most abundant species were Androctonus crassicauda (32.4%), Hemiscorpius lepturus (26.7%), and Mesobuthus phillipsii (21.4%). The females were the dominant sex, i.e., 1.7:1 (F/M) sex ratio. The highest number of scorpions were caught in August (27.7%). The highest abundant of scorpions were collected in summer (65.7%). Furthermore, the majority of specimens were hunted through of ultraviolet flashlight (44.4%). The most abundant scorpions were caught in animal husbandry (23.6%). Conclusion: Because treatment of the patients who received stings should be managed according to the kind of their venom and the scorpion species, it is important for planning treatment and prevention according to the species composition of scorpions of each region.