New scorpion species adds to the remarkable biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Andes

The new species belongs to the genus Tityus, which is part of the scorpion family Buthidae. This genus, with more than 200 known species, is the most speciose one among all the buthid genera. The animals of this group can range from very small (smaller than 3 cm) to very large species of up to 12 cm in length. All scorpions possess venom glands and several representatives of this family, including also species of the genus Tityus are also known to produce powerful venom that can be deadly to humans.

"Although scorpions can be considered as fascinating animals, the interest shown by people in general is only connected with their negative reputation as a 'killer of man'. Nonetheless, only a limited number of species probably are actually responsible of serious or lethal incidents. Initially, research on scorpions focused primarily on descriptive taxonomy and general anatomy, followed by some medical research on venom biochemistry. More recently, however, research on scorpions expanded greatly to encompass many aspects of evolutionary biology of these fascinating species.," comments the lead author of the study, Dr. Wilson R. Lourenço, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris.

Many authors working on the floras and faunas of the Neotropical region seem to agree that the possible 'epicentre' of global diversity occurs namely in the tropical and subtropical Andean region (the upper Amazon, North of Peru, and most of Ecuador and Southern Colombia). Ecuadorian scorpion fauna remains one of the less well studied among those of South America. The Ecuadorian Andes may in fact have many surprises stored for future studies of the scorpion fauna there.