Fauna and Zoogeography of Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpions) in Turkmenistan

Abstract

Scorpion fauna in Turkmenistan includes six genera and seven species of Buthidae, all belonging to the Saharo-Gobian (desert Palearctic) genera. Mesobuthus eupeus, M. caucasicus, and Orthochirus scrobiculosus are nearly ubiquitous and exhibit intraspecific variation; they are also widespread beyond the boundaries of Turkmenistan. Specialized Turanian sand desert genera include Liobuthus kessleri and Anomalobuthus rickmersi, and the endemic Pectinibuthus birulai. The last species, Kraepelinia palpator, is found in Turkmenistan only at salt lake shores (Yeroyulanduz Depression in the Badghyz Reserve); it is also known from Iran. Scorpion fauna of lowland Turkmenistan is a combination of widespread Asian and endemic Turanian and Iranian desert elements. There are no endemic species in the mountains; only one species, Mesobuthus eupeus, is commonly found in Kopetdagh.