Author/Authors :
Mohammadi Bavani, Mulood Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Rafinejad, Javad Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Hanafi-Bojd, Ahmad Ali Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Oshaghi, Mohammad Ali Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Navidpour, Shahrokh Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute - Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran , Dabiri, Farrokh Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute - Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran , Badakhshan, Mehdi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , Ghorbani, Esmaeil Disease Control Unit, Sareyn Health Center - Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Sareyn, Iran , Bagheri, Masoomeh Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Scorpions are one of the most important medical arthropods in Iran. This study aimed to determine the fauna, spatial distribution and some morphological characteristics of these venomous arthropods in the study area.
Methods: Scorpions were collected using Ultra Violet light, rock rolling and digging methods in West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil Provinces during 2015–2016. The specimens were preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol and transferred to the laboratory for species identification and morphological studies.
Results: Distribution maps were produced using ArcGIS 10.3. Totally, 368 specimens from two families of Buthidae (97.1%) and Scorpionidae (2.99%) were collected and identified as Mesobuthus eupeus (80.16%), Androctonus crassicauda (10.60%), M. caucasicus (4.89%), Hottentotta saulcyi (1.35%) and Scorpio maurus (2.99%).
Conclusion: The presence of medically important species, including the deadly black one in northwestern Iran re-quires health educational and control programs for reduction of these public health problems.
Keywords :
Scorpions , Distribution , Morphology , GIS , Iran
