First Exhaustive List and Distribution Pattern of Scorpions in Libya (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

Faraj  Aboshaala; Salah Eddine   Sadine; Mustafa  Ghaliow; Iasmi  Stathi; Ahmed   Badry; Zineb  Souilem; Ersen    Aydın Yağmur

doi:10.56093/aaz.v65i3.178004

Authors

Faraj Aboshaala Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Misurata, Libya
Salah Eddine Sadine Laboratoire de valorisation et conservation des écosystèmes arides (LVCEA). Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et Sciences de la terre, Université de Ghardaïa, Ghardaïa, Algeria
Mustafa Ghaliow Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Misurata, Libya
Iasmi Stathi Natural History Museum of Crete-University of Crete, 714 09 Irakleio, Crete, Greece
Ahmed Badry Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
Zineb Souilem Materials, Energy Systems Technology and Environment Laboratory. Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Ghardaïa, 47000, Ghardaïa, Algeria
Ersen Aydın Yağmur Alaşehir Vocational School, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v65i3.178004

Keywords:

Scorpiones, Buthidae, Scorpionidae, faunistics, North Africa

Abstract

Libya, one of the largest countries in North Africa, is characterized by a Mediterranean climate along its northern coast and an extensive hot desert climate across much of its territory. These environmental conditions provide suitable habitats for a diverse assemblage of scorpion species adapted to arid ecosystems. Despite this ecological suitability, the scorpion fauna of Libya remains inadequately documented, with previous studies largely restricted to individual species or limited geographic regions. Therefore, the present study aimed to update the inventory of Libyan scorpions through the examination of specimens collected from several localities between January 2020 and May 2025, combined with a comprehensive review of previously published records. The revised checklist comprises 28 scorpion species belonging to 12 genera and three families. The family Buthidae is the most diverse, encompassing 10 genera and 26 species, whereas the families Euscorpiidae and Scorpionidae are each represented by a single genus and species. A critical taxonomic reassessment resulted in the exclusion of three species—Androctonus crassicauda, Buthus occitanus, and Leiurus quinquestriatus—from the Libyan fauna. Endemic species account for 21.4% of the total diversity, with six species being restricted to Libya. Analysis of species distribution revealed that Androctonus amoreuxi and Androctonus australis are the most widespread species, each occurring in approximately 75% of the surveyed localities, whereas nine species were recorded from only a single site. At the regional level, Misurata and Tajura exhibited the highest species richness, each supporting eight scorpion species. Overall, scorpion diversity is particularly pronounced in northwestern Libya, where the convergence of Mediterranean and desert climatic conditions creates favorable habitats for a wide range of taxa. Nevertheless, the country’s scorpion fauna remains incompletely explored, highlighting the need for further systematic surveys and taxonomic investigations to achieve a comprehensive understanding of Libya’s scorpion biodiversity.

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