[Arachnida • 2026] Urophonius andinus • First total evidence dated Phylogeny of the Scorpion Genus Urophonius (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae), with New Insights into the Transition to Winter Activity, and the Description of the First highland Andean Species of the Genus

Urophonius andinus 

Ojanguren-Affilastro, Santibáñez-López, Alfaro, Ramírez, Iuri, Mattoni & Pizarro-Araya, 2026. 

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70032

Abstract 

This study presents the first total evidence dated phylogenetic analysis of the scorpion genus Urophonius, integrating 115 morphological characters and five molecular markers (28S, 18S, H3, 16S, COI). Our comprehensive phylogenetic framework provides novel insights into the genus' diversification timeline and evolutionary processes. Additionally, we described Urophonius andinus n. sp. from the central Chilean Andes, a high-altitude species found at 2400 m.s.a.l., representing the highest elevational record for the genus. This new species is placed within the granulatus species group, characterized by a spring–summer activity period.

Keywords: Andes, new species, highland, Scorpiones, total evidence dated phylogeny, Urophonius, winter activity

Urophonius andinus n. sp. 

Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Carlos Eduardo Santibáñez-López, Fermín M. Alfaro, Martín J. Ramírez, Hernán A. Iuri, Camilo I. Mattoni and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2026. First total evidence dated Phylogeny of the Scorpion Genus Urophonius (Bothriuridae), with New Insights into the Transition to Winter Activity, and the Description of the First highland Andean Species of the Genus. Systematic Entomology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70032 [17 March 2026]

 

[Arachnida • 2025] Brachistosternus pehuenche • A New scorpion Species (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) from the upper Maule Valley, in the southern Chilean Andes

 

 Brachistosternus pehuenche  

Ojanguren-Affilastro, Alfaro, Iuri, Camousseigt-Montolivo & Pizarro-Araya, 2025

.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.146451

Abstract

Brachistosternus pehuenche sp. nov. (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) is described from the Mauline Andean forests of the northern Chilean Patagonia, located within the upper basin of the Maule Valley. Its unique geography and the discovery of this partial isolation, as a result of the surrounding higher altitudes, support the role of this valley as a biodiversity hotspot, fostering a variety of endemic epigean arthropods. The discovery of this third endemic scorpion species highlights the area’s ecological uniqueness. The species is most similar to Brachistosternus negrei, a species found in the southern Chilean forests, but distinct morphological traits, such as pigmentation patterns and metasomal structures, clearly separate the two. This study underscores the ecological value of the Maule Valley, which, despite its high endemism, remains unprotected and is subject to significant anthropogenic pressures, including agriculture, hydropower projects, and international transit routes. The need for conservation initiatives in this region is critical to preserve its exceptional biodiversity. This work not only adds to the taxonomy of Brachistosternus but also raises fundamental questions about the processes driving endemism in the Andes and the broader implications for the conservation of montane ecosystems.

Key Words: Area of endemism, Bothriuridae, Chile, Mauline woods, new species, Scorpiones

 Brachistosternus pehuenche sp. nov., habitus.
A. Male, dorsal aspect; B. Male, ventral aspect;
C. Female, dorsal aspect; D. Female, ventral aspect. Scale bar: 1 cm.

 Brachistosternus pehuenche sp. nov. (Scorpiones; Bothriuridae). 

A. Preying on an adult of Athlia rustica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae); B. Climbing on branches of Lobelia sp. (Campanulaceae) in a hunting position for flying insects; C. Male, living specimen.

  Brachistosternus pehuenche sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Brachistosternus pehuenche sp. nov. is most similar to B. negrei, which is the only Brachistosternus species occurring in nearby areas of the south-central Chilean woods. Both species can be easily distinguished by several morphological characters. Brachistosternus pehuenche, on one hand, has tergites that bear two lateral spots, with pigment occupying most of the posterior lateral margins and leaving a median unpigmented stripe (Figs 4A, C, 5A); B. negrei, on the other hand, has five spots on each segment, one antero-median, two lateral, and two postero-submedian, in some cases connected by faint reticulate pigment (Fig. 5E). The metasomal segments I–IV of B. pehuenche bear two VL narrow stripes and a VM wide stripe (the VM stripe can be very faint or absent in segments I–III) (Fig. 5B), whereas in B. negrei there are two VL stripes and two VSM stripes (VSM stripes can be faint or absent in segments I–III) (Fig. 5F). The paired dorsal glands of metasomal segment V of males, or Androvestigia, are medium-sized in B. pehuenche, occupying from a third to almost the entire posterior half of the segment (Fig. 5C), whereas in B. negrei these glands are small, occupying between 10 to 25 percent of the dorsal surface of the segment (Fig. 5G). Metasomal segment V is more granular ventrally in B. pehuenche than in B. negrei, with some granules even forming a slight ventro-median carinae in the former (Fig. 5D), whereas in B. negrei there is no VM carina at all, and ventral granules are more sparse and smaller (Fig. 5H).

Etymology: The specific epithet “pehuenche” is a noun in apposition referring to the Pehuenche International Pass between Argentina and Chile, in the northern Patagonia, where this and other endemic scorpion species have been collected. Pehuenche is also the name of the indigenous people of this area, belonging to the Mapuche cultural group.

 

  Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Fermín M. Alfaro, Hernán A. Iuri, Bernardino Camousseigt-Montolivo and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2025. Description of Brachistosternus pehuenche sp. nov. (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), A New scorpion Species from the upper Maule Valley, in the southern Chilean Andes. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(3): 969-981. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.146451

[Arachnida • 2024] Urophonius trewanke • A New Species of Genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae), from Andean Mauline Chilean Forests, with a phylogenetic re-analysis of the Genus

Urophonius trewanke

 Ojanguren-Affilastro, Alfaro, Ramírez, Camousseigt-Montolivo & Pizarro-Araya, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.119153

Abstract

Urophonius trewanke sp. nov. is described from the Mauline Andean woods of northern Chilean Patagonia. This species belongs to the granulatus species group, which includes the most basal species within the genus. This species is only active in summer as in all species of its group. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Urophonius based on morphological characters to establish the position and relationships of the new species in the genus.

Key Words: Bothriuridae, Chile, Mauline woods, new species, phylogeny

 

Urophonius trewanke sp. nov.,
a, b. Holotype ♂; c, d. Paratype ♀; a, c.
Dorsal aspect; b, d. Ventral aspect. Scale bar: 10 mm.

  Habitat of Urophonius trewanke sp. nov., woods at Fundo La Escuadra, Maule Valley, Maule Region, Chile; 

b. Couple of Urophonius trewanke sp. nov. during courtship in its natural environment;
c. Urophonius trewanke sp. nov. male, living specimen.

 

Urophonius trewanke sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Urophonius trewanke sp. nov. is most closely related to U. tregualemuensis from south-central Chile (Fig. 2a). Both species can be easily separated by their pigment pattern; in U. trewanke sp. nov. the dorso-submedian spots of tergites are poorly developed, being reduced to small triangles in the posterior half of the segment (Figs 4a, 5a), whereas in U. tregualemuensis, these spots are much more developed, occupying almost the whole median part of the segment (Fig. 5b).

...

Etymology: The specific epithet “trewanke” is a noun in apposition meaning scorpion in Mapungudun, the language of the Mapuche people, the original inhabitants from most parts of southern and central Chile.

 Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Fermín M. Alfaro, Martín J. Ramírez, Bernardino Camousseigt-Montolivo and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2024. A New Species of Genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), from Andean Mauline Chilean Forests, with a phylogenetic re-analysis of the Genus.  Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(2): 469-482. DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.119153

[Arachnida • 2023] Bothriurus mistral • the Highest-dwelling Bothriurus (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) from the western Andes

Bothriurus mistral

Ojanguren-Affilastro, Benítez, Iuri, Mattoni, Alfaro & Pizarro-Araya, 2023

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281336

Abstract

We describe Bothriurus mistral n. sp. (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) from the Chilean north-central Andes of the Coquimbo Region. This is the highest elevational discovery for Bothriurus in the western slopes of the Andes. This species was collected in the Estero Derecho Private Protected Area and Natural Sanctuary as part of the First National Biodiversity Inventory of Chile of the Integrated System for Monitoring and Evaluation of Native Forest Ecosystems (SIMEF). Bothriurus mistral n. sp. is closely related to Bothriurus coriaceus Pocock, 1893, from the lowlands of central Chile. This integrative research includes a combination of traditional morphometrics and geometric morphometric analyses to support the taxonomic delimitation of the species.

 Living specimens and type locality of Bothriurus mistral n. sp.
 (A) Living specimen (B) Living specimen under UV light.
(C) Type locality in the Estero Derecho Private Protected Area and Natural Sanctuary (Coquimbo Region, Chile). (D) Aerial view of the type locality.

 Bothriurus mistral n. sp., habitus.
(A) Male, dorsal aspect, (B) Male, ventral aspect, (C) Female, dorsal aspect, (D) Female, ventral aspect.

Scale bars: 10 mm.

Bothriurus mistral n. sp. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Mattoni, Alfaro & Pizarro-Araya

Diagnosis and comparisons: Bothriurus mistral n. sp. is most closely related to B. coriaceus, which occurs in neighboring areas but at much lower altitudes. Both species can be easily told apart by their pigment pattern and morphology. Bothriurus mistral n. sp. is more pigmented than B. coriaceus; the pigment pattern of tergites I–VI is usually restricted to the anterior third of the segment in B. coriaceus (Fig 8C), whereas in B. mistral n. sp. it occupies more than the anterior half of each segment (Fig 8D). Additionally, B. coriaceus only has a median wide stripe in the ventral surface of metasomal segments I–IV (Fig 8A), whereas B. mistral n. sp. has three ventral stripes, two VL and a VM (Fig 8B). Bothriurus coriaceus has more developed ventral carinae in metasomal segment I (Fig 6G–6J). Metasomal segment V is more elongated in B. mistral n. sp. males (Fig 6E), and its length/width ratio ranges from 1.80 to 2.01 (N = 10; mean = 1.86), whereas in B. coriaceus males (Fig 6F) it ranges from 1.61 to 1.76 (N = 10; mean = 1.67). The base of the aculeus in B. mistral n. sp. males is slightly thicker and higher than in B. coriaceus males (Fig 6B and 6D), but this character is highly variable. There are also some conspicuous differences in the hemispermatophores of both species; in B. mistral n. sp. the distal lamina is more elongated and more recurved apically than in B. coriaceus (Fig 7A and 7B), being the distal lamina proportionally shorter and wider in B. coriaceus than in B. mistral n. sp. considering the total length of the hemispermatophore. Hemispermatophore total length/distal lamina length ratio ranges from 1.88 to 1.98 (N = 5; Mean = 1.93) in B. mistral n. sp., whereas in B. coriaceus it ranges from 2.04 to 2.08 (N = 5; Mean = 2.06). Hemispermatophore total length/distal lamina width ratio ranges from 7.71 to 8.23 (N = 5; Mean = 8.03) in B. mistral n. sp., whereas in in B. coriaceus it ranges from 6.31 to 7.16 (N = 5; Mean = 6.81).

Etymology: The specific name mistral is a noun in apposition referring to Gabriela Mistral, pseudonym of the Chilean poetess Lucila María Godoy Alcayaga (1889–1957), who was born in Vicuña and raised in Monte Grande, both in the Elqui valley (Coquimbo Region), an area adjacent to the type locality of this species. For her poetry work, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945 and was the first Ibero-American woman and the second Latin American person to receive the Nobel Prize. Gabriela Mistral worked as a teacher at numerous schools of the Elqui valley and became a leading thinker as to the role of public education. She was also involved in the reformation of the Mexican education system, and since the 1920s, led an itinerant life due to her work as a consul and representative for international organizations in the Americas and Europe.

Distribution: Bothriurus mistral n. sp. is only known from its type locality, the Estero Derecho Private Protected Area and Natural Sanctuary (30°23ʹ3.86ʺS, 70°24ʹ44.97ʺW, 3,034 masl), located in the Paihuano mountain range, an area with a surface of 31,680 ha, placed at high altitudes of the north central Chilean Andes (Coquimbo Region, Chile) (Fig 1).

Ecology: 

The area where Bothriurus mistral n. sp. was collected occupies the sub-Andean floor, which is characterized by the presence of medium-height shrub vegetation and scrublands, with the dominant species Stipa chrysophylla E. Desvaux, 1854, Viviana marifolia Cavanilles, 1804, Cristaria andicola Gay, 1846, Adesmia hystrix Philippi, 1860 (Fabaceae), and Ephedra americana Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd 1806; and the lowermost Andean floor, characterized by a low tropical-Mediterranean shrubland of Adesmia subterranea Clos, Gay, C., 1838, and Adesmia echinus C. Presl, 1791 (Fabaceae) [15, 31].

Bothriurus mistral n. sp. has been found in sympatry with Brachistosternus gayi Ojanguren-Affilastro, Pizarro-Araya & Ochoa, 2018, and with an undetermined, possibly new, species of Brachistosternus.

 

Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Hugo A. Benítez, Hernán A. Iuri, Camilo I. Mattoni, Fermín M. Alfaro and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2023. Description of Bothriurus mistral n. sp., the Highest-dwelling Bothriurus from the western Andes (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), using Multiple Morphometric Approaches. PLoS ONE. 18(2): e0281336. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281336

[Arachnida • 2018] Five New Scorpion Species of Genus Brachistosternus (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) from the Deserts of Chile and Peru, with Comments About some poorly Studied Diagnostic Characters of the Genus

Brachistosternus gayi 

Ojanguren-Affilastro, Pizarro-Araya & Ochoa, 2018

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4531.2.1 

Abstract

Five new scorpion species of genus Brachistosternus of Chile and Peru are described. Brachistosternus gayi n. sp. is a high Andean species of north central Chile. Brachistosternus philippii n. sp. occurs near the coast of Antofagasta. Brachistosternus misti n. sp. occurs at intermediates altitudes of southern Peru. Brachistosternus contisuyu n. sp. occurs in Lomas formation in southern Peru. Brachistosternus anandrovestigia n. sp. occurs in coastal areas of southern Peru, and is the second known species of the genus without metasomal glands or androvestigia. Two diagnostic characters are discussed: the Internal Laminar Apophysis of the right hemispermatophore, and the sternum macrosetae.

Keywords: Scorpiones, Bothriuridae, Brachistosternus, new species, coastal desert, Andes, Chile, Peru

 Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Jaime Pizarro-Araya and José A. Ochoa. 2018. Five New Scorpion Species of Genus Brachistosternus (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) from the Deserts of Chile and Peru, with Comments About some poorly Studied Diagnostic Characters of the Genus.  Zootaxa. 4531(2); 151–194. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4531.2.1

[Arachnida • 2017] Bothriurus delmari & B. aguardente • Two New Species of Bothriurus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) from Northeastern Brazil

Bothriurus delmari  

Santos-da-Silva, Carvalho & Brescovit, 2017

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4258.3.2 

Abstract

Two new species of Bothriurid scorpions, Bothriurus delmari n. sp. and Bothriurus aguardente n. sp., are described from Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. These species are included in the asper group owing to the peculiar hemispermatophore morphology. These two newly described species increases to 47 the number of known and valid Bothriurus species. Additionaly, the known distribution of Bothriurus asper is updated.

Keywords: Scorpiones, scorpions, taxonomy, asymmetric hemispermatophore, Caatinga, geographic distribution

 Juvenile of Bothriurus delmari n. sp. from Morro do Chapéu, Bahia (CHNUFPI 1737) 

  

Bothriurus delmari n. sp.

Etymology. The specific name is a patronym in honor of Delmar Lopes Alvim, a geographer, theologian, sociologist and environmentalist that attended in the preparation of the Parque Estadual de Morro of Chapéu and develops socio-educational and environmental actions with local community.

Distribution. Known only for the municipality of Morro do Chapéu, in the northern region of the Chapada Diamantina, one of the semiarid Caatinga ecoregions, in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. ...

Botriurus aguardente n. sp. 

Etymology. The name honors the municipality of Abaíra, known as the "city of cachaça" (cachaça or aguardente refers to alcoholic drinks obtained by destilation from sugar cane juice, in Brazil). The municipality is named after the Abaíra aguardente and its economy persist mainly of the trade of this beverage.

Distribution. Known only for the Serra do Barbado, district of Catolés in the municipality of Abaíra, in the central region of the Chapada Diamantina, one of the semiarid Caatinga ecoregions, in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. ....  

Andria de Paula Santos-da-Silva, Leonardo Sousa Carvalho and Antonio Domingos Brescovit. 2017. Two New Species of Bothriurus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) from Northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa. 4258(3); 238–256.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4258.3.2

[Arachnida • 2017] Mauryius cuyanus • A New Genus and Species of Scorpion (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) from the Argentinean Precordillera

Mauryius cuyanus 

Ojanguren-Affilastro &  Mattoni, 2017

senckenberg.de

Abstract 

Mauryius n.gen., a new bothriurid scorpion genus from the Argentinean Precordillera, is described, and its phylogenetic position is discussed based on a phylogenetic analysis of morphological data. Mauryius n.gen. is the first scorpion genus endemic to the Argentinean Precordillera. It is most closely related to Pachakutej Ochoa, 2004 from the inter-Andean valleys of Peru and to Rumikiru Ojanguren-Affilastro, Mattoni, Ochoa & Prendini, 2012 from the Atacama Desert in Chile. Mauryius cuyanus n.sp., the only known species of the genus, is described. Biogeographical implications of Mauryius relationships are discussed. 

Key words: Andes, Argentinean Precordillera, Bothriuridae, Scorpiones, new genus

 Habitus in life of Mauryius cuyanus n.gen. et n.sp., male 

Systematics 

Family Bothriuridae Simon, 1880 

Mauryius n.gen.  

Type species. Mauryius cuyanus n.sp.

 Etymology. The name of this genus is masculine in gender and derives from the surname of the Argentinean arachnologist Dr. Emilio Maury (1940–1998), who was the director of the MACN arachnology laboratory up to his death in 1998, and who has been the most important researcher in scorpion systematics from Argentina. 

Mauryius cuyanus n.sp.

Etymology. The specific epithet “cuyanus” is a noun in apposition, referring to the Argentinean area denominated “Cuyo” which includes three central Argentinean provinces: Mendoza, San Luis, and San Juan (to which M. cuyanus is endemic). 

Fig. 1. A: Habitat of Mauryius cuyanus n.gen. et n.sp. in Sierra del Tontal, San Juan Province, Argentina.
B: Habitus in life of Mauryius cuyanus n.gen. et n.sp., male. 

Distribution and habitat. Mauryius cuyanus n.sp. has been collected only at “El Tontal” mountain chain, in San Juan Province (Fig. 2), Argentina. This is a mountain range belonging to the Argentinean Precordillera. This species has been collected at intermediate altitudes between 2500 and 3000 m asl, in an area that could be assigned to the Prepuna vegetational formation, or to an ecotone between Monte and Prepuna vegetational formations. This species does not reach the upper level of the mountain (above 3000 m asl) which belongs to a clear Altoandina vegetational formation. Mauryius cuyanus is a litophilous species, which seems to prefer rocky reliefs (Fig. 1A). Most of the active specimens, captured at night under UV light, were collected on vegetationless scree slopes, comprising piles of stones accumulated below steep cliff faces. Most usually, specimens were hiding under these stones with little or no parts of the body exposed. Some specimens, however, were found walking over stones. Specimens collected during the day were always found under stones, and we did not detect any kind of burrow in the soil under these rocks. This microhabitat preference is quite uncommon in Bothriuridae and is shared only with the close genus Rumikiru (Ojanguren-Affilastro et al. 2012), from rocky reliefs in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Most species of Bothriuridae are fossorial, digging their burrows on exposed soils, or occasionally, under rocks. Mauryius cuyanus occurs in sympatry with Bothriurus olaen Acosta, 1997, Brachistosternus montanus Roig Alsina, 1977, and Orobothriurus alticola (Pocock, 1899). However, none of these species actually occurs in exactly the same microhabitat occupied by Mauryius.

  

Andres Ojanguren-Affilastro and Camilo Mattoni. 2017. Mauryius n. gen. (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae), A New Neotropical Scorpion Genus.   

Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 75(1); 125–139

 http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/arthropodsystematics/asp_75_1/05_asp_75_1_ojanguren_125-139.pdf