Author/Authors :
Mohammadi Bavani, M Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Urmia University of Medical Sciences - Urmia, Iran , Rafinejad, J Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Hanafi-Bojd, A. A Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Oshaghi, M. A Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Dabiri, F Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Urmia University of Medical Sciences - Urmia, Iran , Navidpour, Sh Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research (RRLS) - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute - Agricultural Research - Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) - Karaj, Iran , Badakhshan, M Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Urmia University of Medical Sciences - Urmia, Iran , Ghorbani, E Disease Control Unit - Sareyn Health Center - Ardabil University of Medical Sciences - Sareyn, Iran , Saeedi, Sh Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Scorpions are among the most medically important arthropods in Iran, particularly northwestern areas. To date,
five scorpion species, i.e. Mesobuthus eupeus, Mesobuthus caucasicus, Androctonus crassicauda, Hottentotta
saulcyi, and scorpio maurus, have been identified. The family Buthidae is responsible for most cases of
scorpionism in Iran. The Mesobuthus eupeus species belong to this family and is commonly distributed from
Turkey to China, including Iran. Among these species, Mesobuthus eupeus is regarded as the most medically
important species and responsible for most cases of envenomation in this area. Morphological differences
between some species collected in the study area have been reported. The present study, thus, aimed to identify
the subspecies of Mesobuthus eupeus in northwestern Iran. Scorpions were captured in the summer months from
37 localities in three northwestern provinces in Iran: West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil. Scorpion
collection was carried out using rock rolling and ultraviolet methods. A total of 376 specimens of Mesobutus
eupeus (177males and 199 females) were collected and identified as Mesobuthus eupeus (98.4%) and
Mesobuthus eupeus philippovitschi (1.6%). Owing to the findings of our study, M.e.philippovitschi has been
added to the scorpion fauna of northwestern parts of Iran for the first time. Unlike M.e. eupeus which is widely
distributed from plains to mountainous regions, M.e.philippovitschi has limited distribution and is found mostly
along the borders with neighboring countries. This subspecies is the most medically important and most
prevalent one in the region. The findings of the present study also provide the basis for future consideration of
regional antivenom production for this medically important species.
