New additions to the scorpion fauna of Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

New additions to the scorpion fauna of Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

Al-Asmari AK^I; Al-Saief AA^II; Abdo NM^I; Al-Moutaery KR^III

^IResearch Center, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

^IIDepartment of Medicine, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

^IIINeurosurgery Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

^{Correspondence to}

ABSTRACT

In this work, we present additional morphological data about the scorpion fauna of Saudi Arabia. This investigation was carried out in the central region (Riyadh) of the country and identified existing and newly discovered scorpion species for taxonomic documentation while determining the medically important ones. The survey covered the entire Riyadh region, including all major districts, and collected a total of 4,164 specimens. Morphological identification of collected animals was based on identification keys. There were two species (one with a subspecies) that belonged to the family Scorpionidae, namely Scorpio maurus kruglovi (0.02%) and Hemiscorpius arabicus (0.05%). The latter, currently, is part of the Hemiscorpiidae family that had been upgraded from a subfamily. Eight more species from the Buthidae family were found: Leiurus quinquestriatus (7.20%), Androctonus crassicauda (17.24%), Androctonus bicolor (64.60%), Compsobuthus arabicus (3.84%), Compsobuthus werneri (0.94%), Buthacusyotvatensis nigroaculeatus (2.31%), Buthacusleptochelys (3.24%) and Orthochirus innesi (0.55%). The major locations of collection were the outskirts of Riyadh city and the airport vicinity. The specimens were transported from all central region areas in 124 short trips.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Hemiscorpius, Leiurus, Androctonus.

INTRODUCTION

Earlier studies by several investigators such as Vachon (1) as well as recent ones including Al-Hajjaj (2) and Al-Sadoon and Al-Farraj (3) described the presence of only two scorpion species in the Riyadh region (Androctonus crassicauda and Leiurus quinquestriatus), which belong to the Buthidae family. Other buthid species like Buthacusleptochelys and Vachoniolus (Buthacus) minipectinibus have not been reported in this area of Saudi Arabia, although they are found in other regions (1). Buthidae is the largest scorpion family (4, 5), distributed throughout numerous regions of the globe and widespread in the Old World, especially in the tropical areas of Africa.

Detailed recent information about scorpions is available in websites of scorpiology (6-11). Much controversy has recently been accumulated on scorpion taxonomy, particularly in higher level systematics and in relation to other arthropods (12). Whereas nine families were identified during the last previous decades (13-17); at least 16 families have been found in the current decade (14, 18-22). This fact was accompanied by abolishment of several families, such as Diplocentridae, and reinstatement of others, according to Prendini and Wheeler (23), based on certain morphological factors (5, 9, 24-28). The Hemiscorpiidae family was established, abolished and finally reinstated according to the steps taken in higher systematics of phylogeny adopted by The Scorpion Files (29) that followed Fet and Soleglad (30).

Medically important species were found in previously studied regions. However, there are other ones, considered medically unimportant, that may cause intracranial bleeding and other complications (31, 32). Other studies and personal contacts communicated serious inconvenient encounters between humans and other scorpion species [Compsobuthus werneri, Apistobuthus pterygocercus, Scorpio maurus kruglovi, Scorpio maurus (palmatus?)] and Hemiscorpius spp. (lepturus? arabicus?). While H. lepturus was found in Iran, H. arabicus was observed in the Al-Ha'er locality, in southern Riyadh (1, 33).

This work aimed to recognize new species and subspecies of scorpions and to confirm the existence of reported ones. Furthermore, our purpose was also to evaluate predominant and medically important species in the Riyadh region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scorpion Hunters

A group of professional hunters, specifically recruited for this job, collected scorpions from the wild (34, 35). The number of professionals was increased according to the demands of this thorough survey.

Scorpions

Twelve locations were selected around Riyadh (central region) to which regular trips were scheduled. Specimens collected from these locations were taken to the Riyadh Military Hospital (RMH) Research Center in groups (batches). This study was conducted from 2007 to 2008.

Colony Maintenance (Scorpion House)

The scorpion house was designed so that each scorpion batch was housed in larger plastic containers, which were placed in rows on shelves (34-37). Each single scorpion was kept in a separate plastic box. Small rolls of cotton, soaked in water, were supplied for each animal on a regular basis.

Food Supply

A food supply colony (mealworms) was raised to provide an adequate yield to meet the food requirements (34, 35). These yellow mealworms, the larval stage of the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molister), were kept in large plastic buckets and fed special food weekly (36, 37). Mealworms were given to scorpions every two weeks.

Morphological Identification of Scorpions

Morphological identification (scientific names) of scorpions was performed according to the taxonomic keys with a zoom stereo dissecting microscope (1, 15, 34, 35). According to recently published changes in higher scorpion phylogeny and taxonomy, the steps in higher systematics (family level) adopted by The Scorpion Files (29) that followed Fet and Soleglad (30) were employed herein, where appropriate, pending changes (if any, for future works). The project consultant taxonomist confirmed the classification of collected species (38, 39).

Histology of the Venom Glands

The venom glands of each scorpion collected from the Riyadh region were morphologically analyzed. Its telson was immersed in fixatives, processed, cut and stained (34, 35). Stained section photos were taken with an Olympus camera mounted on a microscope and then saved by computerized software. Venom glands, which are embodied inside the scorpion telson, were extensively studied and displayed as paired oval sacs in simple or folded cell layers surrounded by contractile muscles (24, 40). In transverse sections, their separate ducts lead to a common aculeus.

The Venom

Venom collection

Batches of scorpion specimens, collected from the different Riyadh region localities were brought to the central Research Laboratories in short trips and identified as described in earlier published studies (34). Venom was collected, in the same manner, by electrical stimulation of the telson (34, 35).

Venom processing and storage

The milked venom was handled by two processes, according to other published methods (34).

RESULTS

The Scorpion House

The scorpions, after being collected from the wild, were placed in small plastic containers as single specimens. There was no intention of breeding them in captivity during the study period. Tiny scorpions delivered in captivity by pregnant mothers (from the wild) were simply abandoned.

Scorpion Batches and Counts

The total number of specimens collected from this region was 4,164 scorpions. They were collected from 12 locations (Quaseem Road, Ramah Road, Nazeem Road, Airport Road, Ben Ban, Dirab, Al-Ha'er, Al-Thumama, Janadria Road, Muzahimiya Road, Al-Kharj and Khashm Al-Aan) in the central region around Riyadh (Figure 1). The specimens were brought in single batches to the Central Research Laboratories, RMH, at Riyadh in 124 short trips for identification and venom collection.

Morphological Examination of the Specimens

The scorpions were identified and classified into three families (Buthidae, Hemiscorpiidae and Scorpionidae. The ten species and subspecies included seven genera (Table 1). Collection ratios, body dimensions and color of each collected species are displayed in Table 2. From the Hemiscorpiidae family, the species Hemiscorpius arabicus (0.05%), displayed in Figure 2, was found. Of this same genus, an unknown single specimen (unsuitable for completing the study) was collected (Hemiscorpius lepturus?). The Buthidae family comprised five genera with eight species (Figures 3 to 9), namely Leiurus quinquestriatus (7.20%), Compsobuthus arabicus (3.84%), Compsobuthus werneri (0.94%), Androctonus crassicauda (17.24%), Androctonus bicolor (64.60%), Buthacusyotvatensis nigroaculeatus (2.31%), Buthacusleptochelys (3.24%) and Orthochirus innesi (0.55%). An unknown single specimen (unsuitable for inclusion in the study) that was subsequent ruled a member of the Buthidae family (genus Compsobuthus) had been collected (Compsobuthus arabicus arabicus?). The Scorpionidae family was represented in this study by one genus, a species and a subspecies (Figure 11), Scorpio maurus kruglovi (0.02%).

The species Hemiscorpius arabicus, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Compsobuthus arabicus, Compsobuthus werneri, Buthacus yotvatensis nigroaculeatus, Buthacus leptochelys and Scorpio maurus kruglovi were yellow, with mean lengths of 6.5, 9.1, 3.1, 3.6, 7.2, 6.8 and 5.3 cm, respectively (Table 2). The species Androctonus crassicauda, Androctonus bicolor and Orthochirus innesi were black, with respective mean lengths of 9.7, 8.2 and 2.9 cm (Table 2).

Histology of the Venom Glands

Figure 12 shows histological profiles of scorpion venom glands that were collected from the Riyadh region. Telson cross sections of Compsobuthus arabicus, Compsobuthus werneri, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus crassicauda, Androctonus bicolor, Buthacus yotvatensis nigroaculeatus, Buthacus leptochelys and Orthochirus innesi reflect complex folded glands. In fact, telson sections of Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus crassicauda and Androctonus bicolor present very distinct and densely folded glands. Scorpio maurus kruglovi sections, Scorpionidae family, showed simple or no folding as displayed in Figure 12 – I, with one layer of a very thick cuticle. Hemiscorpius arabicus sections, Hemiscorpiidae family, are not shown

The Venom (Milking of Scorpions)

Scorpion groups were milked a maximum of four times and then released in the wild. The venom was processed and stored to supply all procedures of venomology studies. The telson of dead or dying scorpions was removed, cut and dried for further processing (venom collection by telson crushing or maceration).

Venoms were collected from the following species: Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus crassicauda and Androctonus bicolor.

DISCUSSION

The most recent taxonomic endeavors in higher systematics (family level) adopted by The Scorpion Files (29), that followed Fet and Soleglad (30), were applied to the identification work of Saudi Arabian scorpions. In previous works, keys described specimens collected from parts of the Arabian Peninsula, while recent updates offer more comprehensive guides (1, 2, 3, 38, 39).

The present survey revealed a wide diversity of scorpion populations in the Riyadh region, with three families and a minimum of ten species and subspecies. The large amount (4,164 specimens) of collected animals suggests the astounding infestation degree of scorpions in these locations in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. The most abundant scorpion family was Buthidae, also considered a medically important one. The three species most frequently found were Androctonus bicolor, Androctonus crassicauda and Leiurus quinquestriatus, which renders them endemic in the Riyadh region. The third species, Leiurus quinquestriatus, though it comprised the lowest percentage among these three in the Riyadh region, is notorious worldwide for its danger and is called the "deathstalker" or "lethal killer". In fact, all three species are highly venomous and, hence, considered to be of high medical importance (41-44).

Although this region is endowed with an elevated number of scorpion families (three), the species Scorpio mauruskruglovi and Hemiscorpius arabicus – representing, respectively, the families Scorpionidae and Hemiscorpiidae – are more scarce in this region (based on count percentage). They are believed to be medically unimportant; however, there is doubt about H. arabicus. One of the two specimens of this species had stung a patient in the Riyadh region who was then hospitalized in RMH with serious medical outcomes. It is worth noting that another species of the same genus and family, found not far from this area (on the eastern side of the gulf, comprising southern provinces of Iran), is infamous for its medical complications, namely hemolysis, renal failure, coma with extensive damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue (6, 7, 33). Comparative work on these two species (H. arabicus and H. lepturus) awaits further verification and correlation studies.

The coexistence of the three families in this region – Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Hemiscorpiidae – denotes that Riyadh is an endemic area for scorpion stings.

There are two species, Compsobuthus werneri and Orthochirus innesi, of the Buthidae family, that can be found in this region; however, they are considered very rare (less than one per cent of the total number). Three other buthid species are very abundant in this locality. One of them, Compsobuthus arabicus, belongs to a genus of the aforementioned scarce group. The other two, Buthacus yotvatensis nigroaculeatus and Buthacus leptochelys, are of the same genus. Although several investigators had already described the toxicity of these less common species in other regions, in Riyadh this type of study demands further clarification (4, 42, 45-50).

In this region, three buthid species are black, explicitly Androctonus crassicauda, Androctonus bicolor and Orthochirus innesi. While the first two are medically important, the third, a small-sized species, is not.

Regarding colors, it is essential to note that the three more venomous scorpion groups of this region include two black species, while the remaining one, Orthochirus innesi, is yellow. This situation usually leads to confusion about the animal identification and, hence, proper medical treatment. Patients stung by scorpions generally describe their colors as yellow or black. It is also necessary to mention that it is not only coloration that leads to misunderstandings, but also the fact that some scorpion species considered weakly venomous (or medically unimportant), do present real medical significance, since they may provoke severe complications including intracranial hemorrhages and death (6, 7, 9, 31-33).

Another important point is that most of the deadly scorpions are armored with slender pedipalps and a thick tail with a prominent telson. It is understood that these species depend greatly on the powerful effect of their venoms rather than the mechanical power of their pedipalps. Lourenço (24) and Pavlovsky (40) have extensively studied scorpion venom glands. It was found that the complexity and effectiveness of the venom relies highly on the simplicity or folding of venom glands, which is related to the scorpion family and phylogeny. Furthermore, scorpions whose telson sections showed very distinct and densely folded glands (Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus crassicauda and Androctonus bicolor) are the most toxic and medically important. The venom gland morphology presents constant generic characteristics that could be useful and applicable in higher level scorpion taxonomy.

Results of the application of modern molecular phylogenetic techniques are described in separate studies, confirming and reconfirming the identity of scorpions from this part of the Middle East and comparing them with those earlier studies (50-53).

Thus, the present survey recognized the presence of three highly venomous scorpion species (Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus crassicauda and Androctonus bicolor) and three families, all of which proved to have members with medical importance in this and other regions of Saudi Arabia. The elevated population of these species in the Riyadh region is quite threatening, so that detailed studies of their venoms are warranted.

In conclusion, the extensive field collections and morphological determinations of the present survey corroborated the existence of at least ten species and subspecies in Riyadh. The specific toxicity and medical importance of the species common and endemic to this region demand further attention.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge their deep gratitude to KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology) for its help in sponsoring this research project. Thanks are also conveyed to Khalid Abdalla Elfaki for his technical help.

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Received: January 14, 2009

Accepted: June 15, 2009

Abstract published online: June 22, 2009

Full paper published online: November 30, 2009

Conflicts of interest: There is no conflict

Financial source: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  03 Dec 2009
• Date of issue
  2009

History

• Accepted
  30 Nov 2009
• Reviewed
  15 June 2009
• Received
  14 Jan 2009