Abstract
This review describes the history of taxonomic research on scorpions and provides an updated checklist and key of the scorpions currently known in China. This checklist is based on a thorough review of the extant literatures on scorpion species whose presence has been confirmed in China through field expeditions and examination of scorpion collections, excepting a few members that have no clear distribution or are currently in doubt. Totally, the scorpion fauna of China consists of 53 species and subspecies belonging to 12 genera crossing five families, with 33 species (62.3%) and one genus being recorded as endemic. Additionally, identification key and the distribution of scorpions from China are provided.
Keywords: Scorpion, Taxonomy, Checklist, Key, Distribution, China
China is comprised of a vast territory crossing frigid, temperate, and tropical zones, as well as complex topography (80% of which are mountains) including rich rivers, lakes, and diverse climate. These features contribute to China's possession of high species and habitat diversity, making it to be one of 12 megadiversity countries. For example, there are at the least 1.5×104 species estimated conservatively, which is about 1/10 of the sum of the entire world (88 328, 929 050 species recorded in China and the world respectively, Yu, 2004).
Of these species, Scorpions, though as a small arachnid group, are quite interesting. To date, there are 15 families, 197 genera and 2 069 species recorded in the world (6/20/2013, <a href="http://www.ntnu.no/ub/ scorpion-files/index.php">http://www.ntnu.no/ub/ scorpion-files/index.php</a>). Aristotle (384-322 BC) was the first scorpion researcher who studied zoological information about biogeography of scorpions in the western world (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b24-ZoolRes-35-1-3">Fet <italic>et al</italic>, 2009</xref>), a search enhanced by the systematics research began by Carl von Linne (1758), who recorded five scorpion species in the tenth edition of <italic>Systema Naturae</italic>, and classified them as the members of the genus <italic>Scorpio</italic> in Insect Aptera (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b21-ZoolRes-35-1-3">Fet <italic>et al</italic>, 2002</xref>).
Chinese reported scorpions from 2 000 years ago, as the simple information in Er ya (published in 221 BC-9 AD) (Wang & Chen, 2007). Scorpions are found in some multifarious ancient books and local chronicles, especially the traditional Chinese medicine books, such as, Shu ben cao, Ben cao tu jing, Ben cao jing shu, and Ben cao bei yao (Zhang et al, 2009). However, all of these historical data contained no value on classification. The beginning of Chinese scorpion taxonomy research was started by foreign scientists. Prior to 2003, there were 19 species and subspecies reported in China, as noted by Zhu et al (2004). Buthus confucius Karsch (1879) (=Buthus martensii=Mesobuthus martensii, belonging to the family Buthidae) was the first species described from China (Zhu et al, 2004). Simon (1880) described a new species, Buthus confucius (Buthidae), on the basis of specimens collected in Beijing (cited in Qi et al, 2004; Shi & Zhang, 2005). Kraepelin (1899) reviewed the order Scorpiones, including 13 species and subspecies from China. Karsch (1881) also suggested that Buthus confucius might be a synonym of Buthus martensii (Qi et al, 2004; Shi & Zhang, 2005). Birula (1897, 1911) named three subspecies from China: Buthus caucasicus intermedius (Birula, 1897) (=Mesobuthus caucasicus intermedius); Buthus caucasicus przewalskii (Birula, 1897) (=Meso-buthus caucasicus przewalskii); and Buthus eupeus mongolcus (Birula, 1911) (=Mesobuthus eupeus mongolcus). Birula's descriptions were backward and without normal figures. Birula (1904) described a new subspecies, Buthus confucius hainanensis (=Mesobuthus martensii hainanensis), based on a single specimen from Hainan Island. Wu (1936) identified two families, four genera and four species of scorpions from China. Kishida (1939) recorded Chinese scorpions and re-described Buthus martensii, however, his figures were very inaccurate, and he provided no characteristics of trichobothria. Takashima (1942, 1948, 1951) listed scorpions from Hainan and Shanxi, while Stahnke (1967) redescribed Mesobuthus eupeus mongolcus, but did not compare this species with its close relatives. Song et al (1982) finished his research on external morphology, reproductive system, life habits and development of Buthus martensii. Kovařík (1994) named a new subspecies of Scorpiops hardwickii (Gervais, 1843): Scorpiops hardwickii jendeki Kovařík, 1994, and later elevated this subspecies to species in his revision of the family Scorpiopidae ( (transferred to Euscorpiidae by Soleglad & Sissom (2001)).
Though an impressive compilation of earlier scholarship, there were many limitations to these earlier studies. Thankfully, the number of research papers on Chinese scorpions increased gradually since the early 21st Century. Zhu et al (2004) published a list of Chinese scorpions based on Fet et al (2000) and Kishida (1939) mainly, listing five families, nine genera, 19 species and subspecies. Qi et al (2004) re-described Mesobuthus martensii martensii (Karsch, 1879) and provided the detailed study history of this species. Qi et al (2005) published the first comprehensive report on scorpions from Tibet, the authors discovered eight new species belonging to the family Chaerilidae (with one monotypic genus Chaerilus) and the family Euscorpiidae (the genera Euscorpiops and Scorpiops): Chaerilus tessellatus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005;Euscorpiops karschi Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005; Euscorpiops shidian Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005; Euscorpiops vachoni Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005; Scorpiops atomatus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005; Scorpiops langxian Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005; Scorpiops luridus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005; and Scorpiops pococki Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005. Scorpiops petersii Pocock, 1893 also appeared in this paper which followed on the report of Kishida (1939). Lourenço et al (2005) identified two new species: Mesobuthus songi Lourenço, Qi &Zhu, 2005 (=Hottentotta songi (Lourenço et al, 2005)), and Heterometrus tibetanus Lourenço, Qi, & Zhu, 2005 (belonging to the family Scorpionidae). Shi & Zhang (2005) summarized the research history of taxonomy of the family Buthidae and listed eight species and subspecies, four genera in China: Mesobuthus martensii (Karsch, 1879); Mesobuthus eupeus (Koch, 1839) (with two subspecies: Mesobuthus eupeus mongolicus (Birula, 1911); Mesobuthus eupeus thersites (C. L. Koch, 1839)); Mesobuthus caucasicus (Nordmann, 1840) (with two subspecies: Mesobuthus caucasicus intermedius (Birula, 1897);and Mesobuths caucasicus przewaklskii (Birula, 1897)); Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798); Isometrus maculates (DeGeer, 1778); and Orthochirus scrob-iculosus (Grube, 1873). Lourenço & Qi (2006) described one new genus and new species based on specimens from Tibet: Tibetiomachus Lourenço & Qi, 2006 (belonging to the family Hemiscorpiidae), Tibetiomachus himalayensis Lourenço & Qi, 2006. Bastawade (2006) reported two new species and four new records based on specimens from Zangnan (the South Tibet, China): Chaerilus dibangvalleycus Bastawade, 2006; Chaerilus pictus (Pocock, 1890); Chaerilus tricostatus Pocock, 1899; Euscorpiops asthenurus (Pocock, 1900); Eusc-orpiops kamengensis Bastawade, 2006; and Scorpiops leptochirus Pocock, 1893. Zhu et al (2007) described a new species of Euscorpops from Yunnan: Euscorpiops yangi Zhu, Zhang & Lourenço, 2007. Shi et al (2007) reported the geographical distribution of two species of Mesobuthus: Mesobuthus eupeus and Mesobuthus martensii. Zhu et al (2008) summarized the chaerilid scorpions of China, and provided the re-descriptions for Chaerilus tessellatus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005 and Chaerilus triznai Kovařík, 2000. They also pointed out that Chaerilus pictus (Pocock, 1890), which was described by Qi, Zhu & Lourenço (2005) was misidentified and described it as one new species: Chaerilus conchiformus Zhu, Han &Lourenço, 2008. Lourenço & Zhu (2008) discovered a new species belonging to Isometrus (belonging to the family Buthidae): Isometrus (Reddyanus)tibetanus Zhu & Lourenço, 2008. Di & Zhu (2009a, b) described two new species: Scorpiops lhasa Di & Zhu, 2009; and Chaerilus mainlingensis Di & Zhu, 2009. Zhang & Zhu (2009) analysed the morphological variation of Mesobuthus martensii (Karsch, 1879) from Northern China and found that although this species is widespread in northern China, its morphology does not vary significantly and the variation both in males and females is below species level. Di & Zhu (2009c) described the male of Euscorpiops karschi for the first time. Di et al (2009) analysed the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 of China, with a description of the female Chaerilus tricostatus Pocock, 1899 for the first time (Chaerilus assamensis Kraepelin, 1913 was an erroneous record in this paper). Di & Zhu (2010) provided a redescription of Scorpiops margerisonae Kovařík, 2000 and described the female for the first time. Teruel & Rein (2010) transfered Mesobuthus songi Zhu, Qi & Lourenço, 2005 to the genus Hottentotta (belonging to the family Buthidae): Hottentotta songi (Zhu, Qi & Lourenço, 2005). Sun et al (2010) reported a new species of the genus Mesobuthus from Xinjiang, China: Mesobuthus bolensis Sun, Zhu &Lourenço, 2010, redescribed the characters of Mesobuthus songi Lourenço, Qi & Zhu, 2005, and transferred it to genus Hottentotta too. Di et al (2010a, b) discovered two new species in Yunnan: Euscorpiops validus Di, Cao, Wu & Li, 2010; Euscorpiops puerensis Di, Wu, Cao, Xiao & Li, 2010. Sun & Zhu (2010a, b) described new species of the genera Euscorpiops and Mesobuthus from Yunnan and Xinjiang, China: Euscorpiops xui Sun & Zhu, 2010, and Mesobuthus longichelus Sun & Zhu, 2010. Lourenço et al (2010) published a new record genus and a new species in China: Razianus xinjianganus Lourenço, Sun & Zhu, 2010. Di et al (2011a) reviewed the scorpions from Yunnan, and described a new record species to China: Euscorpiops kubani Kovařík, 2004. Di et al (2011b) recorded the Scorpiops species distributing in Central China, and provided a key for the Chinese species of the genus. Sun & Sun (2011) reviewed the genus Mesobuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in China, and described a new species: Mesobuthus karshius Sun & Sun, 2011. Recently, Kovařík (2012a) reported five new species of genus Chaerilus, including one new species from China: Chaerilus wrzecionkoi Kovařík, 2012. Di et al (2013a) reviewed the scorpions from Hainan Island and listed five species belonging to four genera of two families. Di & Fet (2012, personal communication) questioned the validity of Mesobuthus martensii hainanensis in Hainan. Di et al (2013b) analysed the scorpions from Tibet: 26 species of seven genera of five families were recorded in Tibet, all with distribution in south and the north shore of Yarlung Zangbo Jiang.
Given both the earlier literature and the most recent and detailed study, the total count for scorpions in China includes 53 species of 12 genera of five families. Particularly worth noting at four scorpion genera with higher diversity in China than elsewhere: Chaerilus (8), Euscorpiops (11), Mesobuthus (9) and Scorpiops (11) with more species.
Taxonomy
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpionida
Family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837
Buthidae: Fet & Lowe, 2000: 54-57; Soleglad & Fet, 2003: 89-91.
Chinese members: six genera, 18 species and subspecies.
Distribution in China (provinces): most areas of China, except Guangdong, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Hunan, Jiangxi, Jilin, Sichuan, Zhejiang.
Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908
Hottentotta: Fet & Lowe, 2000: 134-135; Kovařík, 2007: 2-3, 8-10; Sun et al, 2010: 40.
Chinese members: two species.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
1. Hottentotta alticola (Pocock, 1895)
Hottentotta (Hottentotta) alticola minusalta: Fet & Lowe, 2000: 135.
Hottentotta (Hottentotta)alticola nigrifrons: Fet & Lowe, 2000: 136.
Hottentotta alticola: Kovařík, 2007: 10, figs. 21-22; Zhu et al, 2004: 111.
Distribution in China: Unknown.
2. Hottentotta songi (Lourenço, Qi & Zhu, 2005)
Mesobuthus songi Lourenço, Qi &Zhu, 2005: 3-8, figs. 1-17, tab. 1.
Hottentotta songi: Teruel & Rein, 2010: 7; Sun et al, 2010: 40-42, figs. 25-29.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic (unique to China)).
Genus IsometrusEhrenberg, 1828
Isometrus: Thorell, 1876: 8; Sissom, 1990: 101; Fet & Lowe, 2000: 146; Kovařík, 2003: 1-2.
Chinese members: two subgenera, three species.
Distribution in China: Hainan, Taiwan, Tibet.
Subgenus Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1829
Isometrus (Isometrus): Fet & Lowe, 2000: 146; Kovařík, 2003: 2.
Chinese members: one species.
Distribution in China: Hainan, Taiwan, Tibet.
3. Isometrus (Isometrus)maculatus (DeGeer, 1778)
Isometrus (Isometrus)maculatus: Fet & Lowe, 2000: 147; Kovařík, 2003:2-4; Zhu et al, 2004: 112.
Di et al, 2013a: 4, 7, figs. 1-29, tabs. 1-2.
Isometrus (Raddyanus)europaeus: Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 286-292, figs. 824-840.
Distribution: Hainan, Taiwan.
Subgenus Reddyanus Vachon, 1972
Isometrus (Reddyanus): Fet & Lowe, 2000: 151; Kovařík, 2003: 5.
Chinese members: two species.
Distribution in China: Hainan, Tibet.
4. Isometrus (Raddyanus)hainanensisLourenço, Qi &Zhu, 2005
Isometrus (Reddyanus)hainanensis Lourenço, Qi &Zhu, 2005: 58, 60, figs. 1-15, 17-19, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Hainan (endemic).
5. Isometrus (Reddyanus)tibetanusZhu & Lourenço, 2008
Isometrus (Reddyanus)tibetanus Zhu & Lourenço, 2008: 268-270, figs. 14-26, 32, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
Genus Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845
Lychas: Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 40; Kovařík, 1997: 312-314.
Chinese members: two species.
Distribution in China: Guangxi, Hainan, Shanghai (?), Yunnan.
6.Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798)
Lychas mucronatus: Kovařík, 1997: 341-344, figs. 10, 12, 29, 31, 80-82, 93, 98; Fet & Lowe, 2000: 164-165; Zhu et al, 2004: 112; Di et al, 2013a: 7, 12, 15, figs. 48-69, tabs. 1-2.
Distribution in China: Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan.
7. Lychas scutilusC. L. Koch, 1845
Lychas scutilus: Kovařík, 1997: 351-352, figs. 41, 47-76, tabs. 1-3; Fet & Lowe, 2000: 166; Zhu et al, 2004: 112.
Distribution in China: Shanghai?
Comments: Fet et al (2000) recorded this species' distribution in China, but they questioned its authenticity. Kovařík & Whitman (2004) reported Lychas scutilus C.L. Koch, 1845 in China, and provided the information: "1 ♀ (591), Cina: Shangai, 1878,d. [G.] Branchi. Note: È la prima segnalazione per la Cina".
Genus Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950
Mesobuthus Vachon 1950: Sun, Zhu & Lourenço, 2010: 35.
Chinese members: nine species and subspecies.
Distribution in China: the north of the Changjiang River (except Heilongjiang and Jilin), Hainan (?), Shanghai (?).
8. Mesobuthus bolensisSun, Zhu &Lourenço, 2010
Mesobuthus bolensis Sun, Zhu &Lourenço, 2010: 36, 40, figs. 2-3, 5-11, 14-18, 21-22, tab. 1; Sun & Sun, 2011: 59-60.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang (endemic).
9. Mesobuthus caucasicus intermedius (Birula, 1897)
Mesobuthus caucasicus intermedius: Shi & Zhang, 2005: 475; Sun & Zhu, 2010b: 3-4, 7-8, figs. 2, 11-13; Sun & Sun, 2011: 61-63, figs. 3-4, tab. 1.
Olivierus caucasicus intermedius: Fet & Lowe, 2000:191; Zhu et al, 2004:113.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang.
10. Mesobuthuscaucasicusprzewalskii (Birula, 1897)
Mesobuthus caucasicus przewalskii: Shi & Zhang, 2005: 475; Sun & Zhu, 2010b: 4-5, 7-8, figs. 3, 14-16; Sun & Sun, 2011: 60-61, figs. 1-2, tab. 1.
Olivierus caucasicus przewalskii (Birula): Fet & Lowe, 2000: 192; Zhu et al, 2004: 113.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang.
11. Mesobuthus eupeus mongolcus (Birula, 1911)
Mesobuthus eupeus mongolicus: Sun & Sun, 2011: 67-70, figs. 7-8, tab. 1; Zhu et al, 2004: 112.
Distribution in China: Gansu, Inner Mongolia (Neimenggu), Ningxia.
12. Mesobuthus eupeus thersites (C. L. Koch, 1839)
Mesobuthus eupeus thersites: Sun & Sun, 2011: 70-72, tab. 1; Zhu et al, 2004: 113.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang.
13. Mesobuthus karshiusSun & Sun, 2011
Mesobuthus karshius: Sun & Sun, 2011: 63-67, figs. 5-6, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang (endemic).
14. Mesobuthus longichelusSun & Zhu, 2010
Mesobuthus longichelus Sun & Zhu, 2010b: 5-10, figs, 1, 4-10, 17-21.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang (endemic).
15. Mesobuthus martensiimartensii (Karsch, 1879)
Buthus martensi Karsch: Kraepelin, 1899: 25-26; Wu, 1936: 115-117, fig. 1; Song et al, 1982: 22-25, figs. 1-7; Song, 1998: 508, fig. 30: 1.
Mesobuthus martensii (Karsch): Kovařík, 1997: 115; Shi & Zhang, 2005: 474; Shi et al, 2007: 216-223, figs. 1-3, tab. 1; Zhang & Zhu, 2009: 1-17, tabs. 1-8; Sun & Zhu, 2010b: 10.
Mesobuthus martensii martensii (Karsch): Fet & Lowe, 2000:178; Qi et al, 2004: 137-143, figs. 1-19, tab. 1; Zhu et al, 2004: 113; Sun & Sun, 2011, 72, fig. 9, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Shi et al (2007) summarized the distribution range of M. martensii (Karsch, 1879) in China as the south side of N43°and the north side of the Yangtze River, bordered by the Helan Mountains and the Tengger and Mo Us sand desert in the west and limited by the sea in the east. Kovařík & Whitman (2004) reported Mesobuthus martensii (Karsch, 1879) distributed in Shanghai, and the simple information as follows: "2♀♀ (592), Cina: Shangai, 1878, d. [G.] Branchi".
16. Mesobuthus martensii hainanensis (Birula, 1904)
Buthusconfucius hainanensis Birula, 1904: 27; Sun & Sun, 2011: 72.
Mesobuthus martensii hainanensis: Fet et al, 2000: 178; Zhu et al, 2004: 113.
Distribution in China: Hainan (endemic ?).
Comments: Di & Fet questioned the facticity of its distribution in Hainan (2012, personal communication). Birula (1904) described this subspecies, but did not provide a detailed description or illustrations; he did not report the gender or discuss relationship between this species and nominotypic M.martensii. We have not found any Mesobuthus species in Hainan, and we question the authenticity of this record. Birula (1904) studied specimens labeled "Hainan" and collected by Alfred Otto Herz (St. Petersburg, Russia) who conducted entomological expeditions in the 1890s to China, Korea, Japan, and Siam. Herz did indeed visit Hainan; his collections of reptiles and insects from Hainan were among the first ever made by Europeans. Therefore, M. martensii hainanensis could be a case of a mistaken label. Shi et al (2007) confirmed the distribution range of M.martensii in China by extensive field surveys and predictive models, and considered this species restricted to latitudes south of N43°and the north side of the Yangtze River, bordered by the Helan Mountains and the Tengger and Mo Us sand desert in the west and limited by the sea in the east.
Genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891
Orthochirus: Kovařík, 2004c; Lourenço & Leguin, 2011a & b.
Chinese members: one species.
Distribution in China: general northwest.
17. Orthochirus scrobiculosus (Grube, 1873)
Orthochirus scrobiculosus: Shi & Zhang, 2005: 475.
Distribution in China: general northwest.
Genus RazianusFarzanpay, 1987
Razianus: Lourenço et al, 2010: 307-308.
Chinese members: one species.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang.
18. Razianus xinjianganus Lourenço, Sun & Zhu, 2010
Razianus xinjianganus Lourenço, Sun & Zhu, 2010: 308-309, 311-312, figs. 1-2, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Xinjiang (endemic).
Family Chaerilidae Pocock, 1893
Chaerilidae: Fet, 2000a: 323. Kovařík, 2000a: 40-41; Soleglad & Fet, 2003: 92.
Chinese members: one genus, eight species.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
Genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877
Chaerilus: Fet, 2000: 323; Kovařík, 2000a: 38; Kovařík, 2005: 1; Qi et al, 2005: 29; Lourenço & Zhu, 2008: 462.
Chinese members: eight species.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
19. Chaerilus conchiformusZhu, Han & Lourenço, 2008
Chaerilus pictus: Qi et al, 2005: 34, 38, figs. 126-144.
Chaerilus conchiformus Zhu, Han &Lourenço, 2008: 38-42, figs. 1-29, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
20. Chaerilus dibangvalleycusBastawade, 2006
Chaerilus dibangvalleycus Bastawade, 2006: figs. 1-16.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
21. Chaerilus mainlingensisDi & Zhu, 2009
Chaerilus mainglingensis Di & Zhu, 2009b: 97-98, 101, figs. 1-16.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
22. Chaerilus pictus (Pocock, 1890)
Chaerilus pictus: Fet, 2000: 327; Kovařík, 2000a: 53-54; figs. 21-22, 39, 42-43, tabs. 1-2; Zhu et al, 2004: 113-114.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
23. Chaerilus tessellatusQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Chaerilus tessellatus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 30, 34, figs. 109-125; Zhu et al, 2008: 44, 47, figs. 30-44, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
24. Chaerilus tricostatus Pocock, 1899
Chaerilus tricostatus: Fet, 2000a: 327; Kovařík, 2000a: 61-62, figs. 27-28, tabs. 1-2; Di et al, 2009: 133, 136-137, figs. 1-18, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
25. Chaerilus tryznaiKovařík, 2000
Chaerilus tryznai Kovařík, 2000a: 65-66, figs. 32-33, tabs. 1-2.
Chaerilus tryznai: Zhu et al, 2008: 47-48, 50-51, figs. 45-59, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
26. Chaerilus wrzecionkoiKovařík, 2012
Chaerilus wrzecionkoi Kovařík, 2012b: 11, 13, figs. 62-77.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
Family Euscorpiidae Laurie, 1896
Euscorpiidae: Fet & Sissom, 2000: 355; Soleglad & Fet, 2003: 105.
Scorpionidae: Fet, 2000c: 487; Kovařík, 2000b: 154.
Chinese members: two genera, 22 species.
Distribution in China: Yunnan, Tibet.
Genus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980
Euscorpiops: Fet & Sissom, 2000: 488; Kovařík, 2000b: 154; Kovařík, 2005: 1, 4; Kovařík, 2012a: 1, 3.
Chinese members: 11 species.
Distribution in China: Yunnan, Tibet.
27. Euscorpiops asthenurus (Pocock, 1900)
Euscorpiops asthenurus: Fet & Sissom, 2000: 488.
Scorpiops asthenurus: Kovařík, 2000b: 167, figs. 15, 28, 31, tabs. 1-3.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
28. Euscorpiops kamengensisBastawade, 2006
Euscorpiops kamengensisBastawade, 2006: 454, 456-457, figs. 17-26.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
29. Euscorpiops karschiQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Euscorpiops karschi Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 25, figs. 94-108; Di & Zhu, 2009c: 11, 14-15, figs. 1-27, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
30. Euscorpiops kubaniKovařík, 2004
Euscorpiops kubani Kovařík, 2004a: 14-16, figs. 1-6, tab. 1.
Euscorpiops kubani: Di et al, 2011a: 5-9, figs. 10-28, tabs. 1-2.
Distribution in China: Yunnan.
31. Euscorpiops novakiKovařík, 2005
Euscorpiops novakiKovařík, 2005: 4, 6, figs. 8, 11, 15-16, tab. 1.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
32. Euscorpiops puerensisDi, Wu, Cao, Xiao & Li, 2010
Euscorpiops puerensis Di et al, 2010b: 49-52, 54, 56, 58-59, figs. 1-34, tabs. 1-2.
Euscorpiops puerensis: Di et al, 2011a: 9, 12-15, figs. 29-49.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
33. Euscorpiops shidianQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Euscorpiops shidian Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 18, 22, 25, figs. 78-93.
Euscorpiops shidian: Di et al, 2011a: 9, 15-19, figs. 50-68, tabs. 1-2.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
34. Euscorpiops vachoniQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Euscorpiops vachoni Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 18, figs. 62-77.
Euscorpiops vachoni: Di et al, 2011a: 19-21, figs. 69-72.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
35.Euscorpiops validus Di, Cao, Wu & Li, 2010
Euscorpiops validus Di et al, 2010: 14-17, 19, 21, figs. 1-32, tabs. 1-2.
Euscorpiops validus Di et al, 2011: 21, figs. 73-91.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
36. Euscorpiops xuiSun & Zhu, 2010
Euscorpiops xui Sun & Zhu, 2010: 62, 67, figs. 1-14, tab. 1.
Euscorpiops xui: Di et al, 2011a: 21-25, figs. 92-110, tabs. 1-2.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
37. Euscorpiops yangiZhu, Zhang & Lourenço, 2007
Euscorpiops yangi Zhu et al, 2007: 20-22, 25, figs. 1-22, tab. 1.
Euscorpiops yangi: Di et al, 2011a: 26-28, figs. 111-117.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
Genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861
Scorpiops: Fet & Sissom, 2000: 491; Kovařík, 2000b: 162, 164, 166; Qi et al, 2005: 2; Di & Zhu, 2009a: 40; Di et al, 2011b, 1-2. Kovařík, 2009: 1.
Chinese members: 11 species.
Distribution in China: Hubei, Yunnan, Tibet.
38. Scorpiops atomatusQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Scorpiops atomatus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 6, 10, figs. 16-31.
Distribution in China: Tibet (endemic).
39. Scorpiops hardwickii (Gervais, 1843)
Scorpiops hardwickii: Kovařík, 2000b: 175-179, figs. 14, 46, 56-57.
Scorpiops hardwickii hardwickii: Fet & Sissom, 2000: 492.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
40. Scorpiops jendekiKovařík, 1994
Scorpiops hardwickii jendeki Kovařík, 1994: 62, figs. 7-13, tab. 1; Fet, 2000: 492.
Scorpiops jendeki: Kovařík, 2000b: 180, 182, figs. 59-60, tabs. 1-3; Di et al, 2013b: 90, 93-94, figs. 119-135, tab. 3.
Distribution in China: Yunnan (endemic).
41. Scorpiops langxianQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Scorpiops langxian Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 10, 14, figs. 32-46.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
42. Scorpiops leptochirus Pcock, 1893
Scorpiops leptochirusPocock, 1893: Fet & Sissom, 2000: 493.
Distribution: Tibet.
43. Scorpiops lhasaDi & Zhu, 2009
Scorpiops lhasa Di & Zhu, 2009a: 40-41, 45, 47, figs. 1-33, tab. 1.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
44. ScorpiopsluridusQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Scorpiops luridus Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 2, 6, figs. 1-15.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
45. Scorpiops margerisonaeKovařík, 2000
Scorpiops margerisonae Kovařík, 2000b: 189, figs. 66, 70, tabs. 1-3; Di & Zhu, 2010: 1-8, figs. 1-23, tabs. 1-2.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
46. Scorpiops petersii Pocock, 1893
Scorpiops petersii: Kovařík, 2000b: 192-194, figs. 35, 42, tabs. 1-3; Fet & Sissom, 2000: 494.
Distribution: Tibet.
47. Scorpiops pocockiQi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005
Scorpiops pococki Qi, Zhu & Lourenço, 2005: 14, figs. 47-61.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
48. Scorpiops tibetanusHirst, 1911
Scorpiops tibetanus Hirst, 1911: 472-473; Kovařík, 2000b: 197, figs. 47, 68-69, tab. 1-3; Fet & Sissom, 2000: 495; Di et al, 2013b: 75, 77, 80-81, 83, 85, figs. 102-118, tab. 2.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
Family Hemiscorpiidae Pocock, 1893
Chinese members: two genera, two species.
Distribution in China: Hainan, Tibet.
Genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833
Liocheles: Monod & Volschenk, 2004: 677.
Chinese members: one species.
Distribution in China: Hainan.
49. Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775)
Hormurusaustra lasiae: Wu, 1936: 121-123, fig. 4; Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 501-505, figs. 1362-1375.
Liocheles australasiae: Monod & Volschenk, 2004: 677; Di et al, 2013a: 15-16, 19-21, figs. 70-88, tabs. 1-2.
Liocheles australasiae australasiae: Fet, 2000b: 397.
Distribution: Hainan.
Genus TibetiomachusLourenço & Qi, 2006
Tibetiomachus Lourenço & Qi, 2006: 291.
Chinese members: one species.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
50. Tibetiomachus himalayensisLourenço & Qi, 2006
Tibetiomachus himalayensis Lourenço & Qi, 2006: 291, 293-294, figs. 1: 5-14, 2: 5-26.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
Family Scorpionidae Latreille, 1802
Scorpionidae: Fet, 2000c: 427-428; Soleglad & Fet, 2003: 113-114.
Chinese members: one genus, three species.
Distribution in China: Tibet.
Genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828
Heterometrus: Fet, 2000d: 431; Kovařík, 2004b: 2, 4; Lourenço et al, 2005: 9.
Chinese members: three species.
Distribution in China: Tibet (?)
51. Heterometrus longimanus (Herbst, 1800)
Heterometrus petersii (Thorell, 1876): Zhu et al, 2004: 114.
Distribution in China: some indeterminate parts.
52. Heterometrus tibetanusLourenço, Qi &Zhu, 2005
Heterometrus tibetanus Lourenço, Qi &Zhu, 2005: 10-14, figs. 18-34, tab. 1.
Distribution: Tibet (endemic).
53. Heterometrus petersii (Thorell, 1876)
Heterometrus petersii (Thorell, 1876): Zhu et al, 2004: 114.
Distribution in China: some indeterminate parts.
Key to scorpions from China (Di & Zhu, 2010; Di et al, 2009, 2010, 2011a, 2011b, 2013a, 2013b; Monod & Volschenk, 2004; Kovařík, 1997, 2000a, 2000b, 2003, 2004a, 2004b, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012a, 2012b; Prendini, 2000; Soleglad & Fet, 2003; Sun et al, 2010; Sun & Sun, 2011; Zhu & Lourenço, 2005):
1. Orthobothriotaxic pattern type A; ventral aspect of leg tarsus with multiple irregular rows of setae, no trace of spinules (configuration 2); dorsal edge of cheliceral movable finger with two basal denticles; hemispermatophore is flagelliform (Buthidae)························································································································································· 2
1. Orthobothriotaxic pattern type B or C; ventral aspect of leg tarsus with or without irregular setal rows, spinules present medially; dorsal edge of cheliceral movable finger with a single basal denticle; hemi-spermatophore is either fusiform or lamelliform ························································································································································· 19
2. Tibial spurs absent on all legs (Isometrus)··································································································· 3
2. Tibial spurs present on legsIII & IV··········································································································· 5
3. Trichobothrium db of the fixed finger in a distal position in relation to the trichobothria et and est; the distance between external trichobothria of the femur, e1 and e2 being at least two to five times the distance between trichobothria e1 and d3 of the femur (subgenus Isometrus); telson with 2 granules on the ventral surface······································· Isometrus maculatus
3.Trichobothrium db in a basal position to et, situated between et and est; the distance between external trichobothria of the femur, e1 and e2 always less than two times the distance between e1 and d3 (subgenus Reddyanus)································· 4
4. Telson with 5 granules on the ventral surface·································································· Isometrus hainanensis
4. Telson with 2 granules on the ventral surface······································································ Isometrus tibetanus
5. Telson with subaculear tooth (Lychas)········································································································ 6
5. Telson without subaculear tooth················································································································ 7
6. In adults, total length of males longer than females, metasomes of males notable elongated············· Lychas scutilus
6. In adults, with similar body and metasome length in both sexes (or males small)······················· Lychas mucronatus
7. Metasome with punctuate (Orthochirus)·································································· Orthochirus scrobiculosus
7. Metasome with granule or smooth············································································································· 8
8. In adults, with smaller body (usually shorter than 20mm), carinae of prosome and mesosome weak (Razianus)··········· Razianus xinjianganus
8. Medium to large body length (over 30 mm), carinae of prosome and mesosome strong······································· 9
9. Ventrolateral carinae of fifth metasomal segment with all granules more or less equal in size and never lobate (Hottentotta)························································································································································· 10
9. Ventrolateral carinae of Metasoma segment V formed of disjunct and unequal granules, often enlarged posteriorly (Mesobuthus)························································································································································· 11
10. Movable finger of pedipalp-chela with distinct granules divided into 14-16 rows, pedipalps without intense setation Hottentotta alticola
10. Movable finger of pedipalp-chela with distinct granules divided into 13 rows, body and pedipalps covered with very intense setation························································································································· Hottentotta songi
11. Ventrolateral carinae of segment V on metasoma with several markedly large and extroversive lobed granules···· 12
11. Ventrolateral carinae of segment V on metasoma without markedly large and extroversive lobed granules········· 14
12. Ventral carinae of segment II and III of metasoma gradually stronger posteriorly·········································· 13
12. Ventral carinae of segment II and III of metasoma not stronger posteriorly····················· Mesobuthus longichelus
13. Anterior margin of carapace with a very weak median concavity, chelae more robust·········································
······················································································································ Mesobuthus eupeus thersites
13. Anterior margin of carapace with a very weak median projection or approximately straight, chelae relatively less robust················································································································· Mesobuthus eupeus mongolicus
14. Ventral surface of segment V on metasoma without brown pigment····························································· 15
14. Ventral surface of segment V on metasoma with markedly brown pigment··················································· 16
15. Surfaces of carapace with relatively dense small granules, tarsus of legs with two long longitudinal rows of setae positioned ventrally···················································································································· Mesobuthus bolensis
15. Surfaces of carapace between median carinae almost smooth, but the external surfaces with comparatively dense small granules, tarsus of legs with two short longitudinal rows of setae positioned ventrally···························· Mesobuthus karshius
16. Dorsal surfaces of metasomal segments I-IV and each surface of segment V with irregular net-like dark pigmentation 17
16. Only surfaces of segment V on metasoma with irregular net-like dark pigmentation, dorsal surfaces of segments I-IV without net-like pigmentation (Mesobuthus martensii (Karsch, 1879))······································································ 18
17. Pectinal teeth number 20-25 in females and 26-30 in males; dentate margins of movable and fixed fingers with 12 and 11 oblique rows of granules respectively············································································· Mesobuthus caucasicus intermedius
17. Pectinal teeth numbers 15-19 in females and 19-23 in males; dentate margins of movable and fixed fingers with 11 and 10 oblique rows of granules respectively··························································· Mesobuthus caucasicus przewalskii
18. Distributed on the north side of the Yangtze River············································ Mesobuthus martensii martensii
18. Distributed on Hainan Island···································································· Mesobuthus martensii hainanensis
19. Orthobothriotaxic pattern type B; sternum is type 1; hemispermatophore is fusiform (Chaerilidae: Chaerilus)··· 20
19. Orthobothriotaxic pattern type C; sternum is type 2; hemispermatophore is lamelliform·································· 27
20. Movable finger of pedipalp with 7-8 rows of granules··············································································· 21
20. Movable finger of pedipalp with 10-14 rows of granules············································································ 25
21. Chela length to width ratio in adults 1.6-1.8···················································································· Chaerilus conchiformus
21. Chela length to width ratio in adults higher than 2.0·················································································· 22
22. Ventral side of seventh mesosomal segment with 2 pair of granular carina, anterior margin straight with a median notch························································································································································· 23
22. Ventral side of seventh mesosomal segment with many granules but without carina, anterior margin straight without median notch················································································································································· 24
23. Pedipalp femur short than carapace; 8-9 minute teeth on inner ventral margins of movable and immovable fingers respectively························································································································ Chaerilus dibangvalleycus
23. Pedipalp femur longer than carapace, 7-8 minute teeth on inner ventral margins of movable and immovable fingers respectively··························································································································· Chaerilus mainlingensis
24. Manus of pedipalp in male narrow and long. Chela length/width ratio in male higher than 3································ ····································································································································· Chaerilus tryznai
24. Manus of pedipalp in male robust (Fig. 68). Chela length/width ratio in adults lower than 2.6·······························
······························································································································ Chaerilus wrzecionkoi
25. Movable finger of pedipalp with 13-14 rows of granules; telson of male rather long and about 4.7 times greater length than width, with obvious sexual dimorphism·························································································· Chaerilus pictus
25. Movable finger of pedipalp with 11-12 rows of granules, telson of male and female without sexual dimorphism, manus lacks 1 dorsal carina········································································································································ 26
26. Carapace, tergites nearly smooth in adults, chelicerae dorsal aspect without granules············· Chaerilus tessellatus
26. Carapace, tergites with many big granules in adults, chelicerae dorsal aspect with granules ····· Chaerilus tricostatus
27. Legs with two pedal spurs (though one or more pedal spurs are lost in many troglobitic species); ventral aspect of leg tarsus equipped with moderately developed setal pairs and/or median row of spinules (configuration 5); paraxial organ without reflection of internobasal sperm duct (Chactoidea, see Soleglad & Fet, 2003, p. 92-93: Key to the superfamilies of parvorder Iurida); chelal fingers equipped with inner accessory denticles (IAD), outer denticles (OD) situated outside of median denticle (MD) row; major variable neobothriotaxy present, types Eu1 and Eu2; chelal palm is flat in appearance, carinae D3 and V2 essentially obsolete, angle formed by carinae D3:D4:D5 greater than 90° (Euscorpiidae, see Soleglad & Fet, 2003, p. 94: Key to the families of superfamily Chactoidea)······················································································································· 28
27. Legs with one pedal spur (retrolateral spur absent, though this character is reversed in some bothriurid genera); ventral aspect of leg tarsus equipped with pairs of large limbated socketed setae, median spinule row optional (configuration 4); paraxial organ with reflection of internobasal sperm duct (Scorpionoidea, see Soleglad & Fet, 2003, p. 92-93: Key to the superfamilies of parvorder Iurida)··············································································································································· 47
28. Tricho-bothrium Eb3 on external surface of chela is located between trichobothria Dt and Est. Telson vesicle/aculeus juncture with annular ring (Euscorpiops)·············································································································· 29
28. Trichobothrium Eb3 on the external aspect of pedipalp chela located basally from trichobothrium Dt. Annular ring at vesicle/aculeus juncture absent (Scorpiops)······························································································· 39
29. Number of trichobothria on external surface of pedipalp patella: 19 (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 5 est, 5 et)····················· 30
29. Number of trichobothria on external surface of pedipalp patella: 17-19 (5-6 eb, 1-2 esb, 2 em, 4 est, 5 et)········· 32
30. Pattern of trichobothria on external surface of pedipalp patella: 19 (6 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 4 est, 5 et)··· Euscorpiops xui
30. Pattern of trichobothria on external surface of pedipalp patella: 19 (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 5est, 5et)······················· 31
31. Number of trichobothria on ventral surface of patella: 7; number of pectinal teeth: 4-5; movable finger longer than carapace and as long as pedipalp femur················································································· Euscorpiops kamengensis
31. Number of trichobothria on ventral surface of patella: 9; pectinal teeth number 8; movable finger as long as carapace and shorter than pedipalp femur······································································································ Euscorpiops novaki
32. Male pedipalp chela finers strongly scalloped: with a pronounced lobe on the movable finger and a corresponding
notch on fixed finger····························································································································· 33
32. Male pedipalp chela fingers slightly scalloped or straight: lobe and corresponding notch reduced to absent·········· 37
33. Chela length to width ratio higher than 2.9······························································································· 34
33. Chela length to width ratio lower than 2.9································································································ 36
34. Female pedipalp fingers nearly straight······································································ Euscorpiops asthenurus
34. Female pedipalp fingers obviously scalloped.............................................................................................................. 35
35. Chela length to width ratio 2.9-3.2, carapace with dense, minute granules, total length over than 50 mm, coloration
basically dark brown····································································································· Euscorpiops validus
35. Chela length to width ratio 3.4-3.5, carapace with sparse, nearly equal granules, total length less than 50 mm (small species), coloration basically dark red-brown················································································· Euscorpiops karschi
36. Chela manus short, stout and rounded·········································································· Euscorpiops vachoni
36. Chela manus flattened dorsoventrally········································································· Euscorpiops puerensis
37. Chela length to width ratio higher than 3.2······························································································· 38
37. Chela length to width ratio lower than 3.2········································································ Euscorpiops kubani
38. Number of trichobothria on ventral surface of patella: 11, chela length to carapace length ratio less than 1.4 Euscorpiops shidian
38.Number of trichobothria on ventral surface of patella: 10, chela length to carapace length ratio higher than 1.9······· ··································································································································· Euscorpiops yangi
39. Fingers of pedipalps are straight or only slightly flexed in both sexes ···························································· 40
39. Fingers of pedipalps are flexed (or curved) in both sexes ············································································ 41
40. Ventral trichobothria on patella number 6 (7 rarely), total length 30-42.1 mm, pectinal teeth number 4-5, chela length to width ratio about 2.2 ··············································································································· Scorpiops jendeki
40. Ventral trichobothria on patella number 7, total length 40-58 mm, pectinal teeth number 7-9, chela length to width ratio about 3.3-3.5···················································································································· Scorpiops leptochirus
41. Male chela length to width ratio about 1.8-2.2; the manus with same or very similar length and width, fingers of pedipalps are very strongly flexed in the male. Ventral trichobothria on patella number 6-8·····················································
·································· Scorpiops hardwickii "complex" group (including S. hardwickii, S.langxian, and S. pococki)
41. Manus length to width ratio visibly higher than 1.0 ··················································································· 42
42. Total length more than 65 mm ············································································································· 43
42. Total length less than 65 mm················································································································ 44
43. Mostly yellowish to yellow in adults, ventral patella of pedipalps with 9 trichobothria················· Scorpiops luridus
43. Mostly red brown in adults, ventral patella of pedipalps with 7 (rarely 6 or 8) trichobothria ········· Scorpiops petersii
44. Dorsally flat manus of pedipalps and chela of both sexes with length/width ratio: 2.1-2.2 (mean about 2.1 in males and 2.2 in females), total length 40.0-50.0 mm in adults····························································· Scorpiopsmargerisonae
44. Dorsally round manus of pedipalps or at least the chela of one sex with length to width ratio higher than 2.2 or total length higher than 50 mm········································································································································ 45
45. Total length lessthan 40 mm ················································································································ 46
45. Total length morethan 50 mm, chela strong, with length/width ratio: 2.0 in male and 2.5 in female·······················
································································································································· Scorpiops tibetanus
46. Chela of pedipalp length to width ratio about 2.6-3.0, dorsal surface of chela of pedipalp coarse ························
······································································································································· Scorpiops lhasa
46. Chela of pedipalp length to width ratio lower than 2.5, dorsal surface of chela of pedipalp smooth with luster Scorpiops atomatus
47. Median ocular tubercle of carapace shallow, not raised above carapace surface; 2 pairs of lateral eyes; telotarsus with lateral lobes truncated; Est located in middle of hand (Hemiscorpiidae, see Stockmann & Ythier, 2010, p. 201)············· 48
47. Median ocular tubercle raised up; 3 pairs of lateral eyes; telotarsus with lateral margins ending in rounded lobes; Est located in distal of hand (Scorpionidae, see Stockmann & Ythier, 2010, p. 201); pedipalp femur with three trichobothria; patella of pedipalp with 19 trichobothria, three on ventral and 13 on external surface; chela of pedipalp with 26 trichobothria; retrolateral pedal spurs absent; lateroapical margins of tarsi produced into rounded lobes; metasomal segments I to IV with paired ventral submedian carinae; stridulatory organ located on opposing surfaces of pedipalp coxa and first leg; total length 60 to 180 mm (Heterometrus, see Kovařík, 2004, p.2)························································································································· 49
48. Chela trichobothrium dt present (Liocheles)································································· Liocheles australasiae
48. Chela trichobothrium dt absent (Tibetiomachus)··················································· Tibetiomachus himalayensis
49. Chela round and strong······························································································ Heterometrus petersii
49. Chela narrow and long························································································································· 50
50. Chela manus with weak granules on the dorso-internal aspect····································· Heterometrus longimanus
50. Chela manus with strong spinoid granules on the dorso-internal aspect····························· Heterometrus tibetanus
DISCUSSION
The distribution of scorpions is quite well demarcated by very distinct features arising from the geography and topography of China: there are markedly different constituents between east and west, north and south. Only four recorded species can be found living in both East China and Chinese islands (based on recently finished investigations): Isometrus maculatus (DeGeer, 1778), Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798), Liocheles aus-tralasiae (Fabricius, 1775), and Mesobuthus martensii martensii (Karsch, 1879); Three species maybe extinct or invalid: Isometrus hainanensis Lourenço, Qi & Zhu, 2005, Lychas scutilus C. L. Koch, 1845, and Mesobuthus
martensii hainanensis (Birula, 1904). In Central China, only one species is reported: Mesobuthus martensii martensii (Karsch, 1879).
All of the species of genera Chaerilus, Euscorpiops, Scorpiops, and most of Mesobuthus live in the west of China, which is unsurprising as Tibet, Yunnan, and Xinjiang are the richest areas of scorpion biodiversity in all of China. Meanwhile, there are only nine species of two genera reported in northern China (including Xinjiang): Mesobuthus (eight species) andRazianus (one species).
Zhu et al (2004) published a list of Chinese scorpions based on the information of Fet et al (2000) and Kishida (1939), which included 5 families, 9 genera, 19 species and subspecies. Qi et al (2005) discovered eight new species of Chaerilidae (Chaerilus) and Euscorpiidae (Euscorpiops and Scorpiops). Di et al (2011a) reviewed the scorpions of Yunnan, recording eight previously known species and described one new species to China: Euscorpiops kubani Kovařík, 2004. Sun & Sun (2011) reviewed the genus Mesobuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in China, recorded Nine species and subspecies including a new species: Mesobuthus karshius Sun & Sun, 2011. et al (2013a, b) reviewed the scorpions from Hainan Island and Tibet: 5 species and 26 species were recorded in Hainan and Tibet respectively.
While not completely exhaustive, this study nonetheless gives an excellent overview on the general situation of scorpion biodiversity in China. At present, 53 scorpion species of 12 genera of 5families are recorded in China, which has greatly helped clarify the characters of biodiversity and distribution of scorpions. This overview-including a history of taxonomic research, an updated checklist and key of the scorpions of China-accordingly is aimed at producing a catalogue of scorpions in China. While the survey on scorpion species diversity in China is not completed yet, we hope that this overview can provide researchers in both mainland China and abroad with enough basic data for taxonomy, fauna, and resources to help further their efforts.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Prof. Victor Fet, Prof. Wilson R. Lourenço, Mr. Kovařík, and Mr. Jan Ove Rein for providing references.
Funding Statement
This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (31071942), the Basic Project of Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2007FY210800), and the 973 program (2010CB529800).
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