Taxonomical and Geographical Occurrence of Libyans Scorpions
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TAXONOMICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL OCCURRENCE OF LIBYANS SCORPIONS L. ZOURGUI 1,2*, M. MAAMMAR 2 AND R. EMETRIS 2 1 Research Unit Biochemistry Macromolecular and Genetic (BMG), Faculty of Sciences Gafsa, Zarroug City, 2112, Gafsa, Tunisia 2 Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine-El-Fateh university Tripoli-Libya. * Corresponding author: Tel: + 216 76 211 024; Fax: +216 76 211 026; Email: [email protected] RESUME SUMMARY A partir de 5000 scorpions récoltés dans différentes Nine different species of scorpions can be recogni- régions de la Libye, neufs différentes espèces ont été zed from more than 5000 samples collected from identifiées: Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus different areas in Libya: Leiurus quinquestriatus, bicolor, Androctonus australis, Androctonus Androctonus bicolor, Androctonus australis, amoreuxi, Buthacus leptochelys, Buthus occita- Androctonus amoreuxi, Buthacus leptochelys, nus, Buthacus arenicola, Orthochirus innesi et Buthus occitanus, Buthacus arenicola, Orthochirus Scorpio maurus. L’étude de la distribution géo- innesi and Scorpio maurus. The geographical graphique montre que l’espèce Leiurus quinques- occurrence showed that Leiurus quinquestriatus triatus est localisée spécifiquement dans la région seems to be restricted to the Southern areas. On the du Sud; par contre, Buthus occitanus ne se trouve contrary, Buthus occitanus was found in the costal que sur les côtes Libyennes. Les autres espèces, regions. Other species such as Androctonus were comme Androctonus, se trouvent répandues dans widely spread in all regions. Buthacus Leptochelys, toutes les régions alors que Buthacus Leptochelys, Orthochirus innesi and Scorpio maurus were Orthochirus innesi et Scorpio maurus sont fré- found, in the East (Aujlah, Jalu), the South (Wadi- quentes, respectivement, dans l’Est (Aujlah, Jalu), le Atbah) and the Western cost of Libya respectively. Sud (Wadi-Atbah) et l’Ouest des côtes libyennes. Mots clés: Scorpions, taxonomie, distribution géo- Key words: Scorpions, taxonomy, distribution, graphique, Libye. Libya. INTRODUCTION Scorpion envenomation is a major threat to thousand Furthermore, no studies have been conducted so far of lives in Libya and many other parts of third to evaluate biochemical characterization of venoms countries. Upon extensive review of literature about from scorpion species nor to compare their scorpions as a public health problem in Libya, the corresponding toxicity. This study is designed to authors encountered very scant information about provide background information about the taxonomy taxonomic identification of different scorpion and the geographical distribution of scorpions in species endogenous to Libyan environment. Libya. Archs. Inst. Pasteur Tunis, 2008, 85 (1-4) 81 TAXONOMICAL OF LIBYANS SCORPIONS MATERIELS ET METHODS The scorpions were collected from different micro- FIELD STUDY AND SAMPLE COLLECTIONS habitats, such as garbage yards, under the stones, Thousands of scorpions were collected from more rotten animal hides, rotten woods, trunks of fallen than sixty five cities and villages in Libya. The sites palm trees. Collections were made at day and night of the collection were grouped into eight zones. At times. Zones one and two were sampled first. different intervals, various collecting trips were The Second part of the collecting program in sites made to several regions. The sites which were three to eight started in June 1990 when the sampled at the same period were indicated in collecting facilities and the field study conditions figure1, surrounded by a solid line and considered as became much improved. Every collected scorpion a single zone. These areas were chosen as sites of was kept in individual plastic can. Scorpions needed collection for convenience, habitat similarity and for identification were preserved in 70% alcohol. high incidence of scorpion sting cases. Field Location, date of collection and serial numbers were collection lasted from June 1989 to November 1991. labeled on each sample. 2 3 1 4 5 7 8 6 Figure 1. A map showing the various zones (1to 8) of scorpion collection in Libya. 82 Archs. Inst. Pasteur Tunis, 2008 L. ZOURGUI ET AL. Procedure and time collection place scorpions individually in square-bottomed • Diurnal collection plastic containers having 13cm in diameter and 10cm The collection begins early morning by searching in depth with hinged punctured lids to allow ventilation the scorpions in their hiding places, mostly near and easy access for feeding and watering. garbage, hides wooden planks, shoes, old mattresses, Before introducing the scorpion into to the container, cut palm tree branches and any other shelters which a substrate can be added depending upon their habits. protect scorpions from direct sun rays. These The selected substrate may be sand for psammophiles materials give protection to scorpions since they are or rocks for lithophils and soil for most of the others ventilated by leaving a sufficient gap between the species. ground and the so called roof for the scorpion. The Under more elaborate conditions (i.e., with larger natural shelters are usually seen around the farms, containers with deep layers of soil), scorpions have the companies and the camp areas, the garbage been induced to burrow and reproduce under dumping regions and the Rocky Mountains. laboratory inhabitation 3, 1. • Nocturnal collection Preservation of collected scorpions This method is based on attracting scorpions by their In this study, a modified method of scorpions preser- favorite preys such as crickets, moths and many other vation described by Williams 4 and Newlands 5 has invertebrates that are active at night. However, the been used. The steps involved are summarized below: scorpions could be attracted by light as well. The method is simple and uses a source of light • Scorpions were killed by heat shock by immersing coming a petromax, a plastic container 500cm in them for less than five seconds in water at 90°C. diameter and 20cm deep. The container is buried in • The specimens were then fixed in the following a whole so that the top is on the level of the ground. suspension: The attracted scorpions that rush to catch their prey a- 10% Formaline ..........................................12 ml. fall in the container and fail to get out. There should b- 95% Ethyl Alcohol ....................................30 ml. be periodical visits to the trap to confirm that it is c- Glacial Acetic Acid ....................................02 ml. working and to collect the different trapped species d- Glycerol.....................................................05 ml. and instars of scorpions. Emptying the trap should be e- Distilled Water .......................................... 51 ml. continuous to ensure getting live scorpions and mini- mize mortality. Fixation was accomplished by having the specimen completely submerged in the fixative for 24 hours. Laboratory studies Large specimens were injected with the fixative to The collected scorpions (average length of 6.5cm), aid fixative penetration. Since our specimens are were taken to the laboratory and dead specimens also for taxonomic purposes, the chelicerae are were identified and labeled. The living scorpions were pulled interiorly until they become visible, with the reared under the laboratory conditions. Thus, they opening of one of the fingers of the chelicerae and were individually placed in plastic containers, each pedipalp chea. The time needed for fixation depen- measuring 13cm in diameter and 10cm in height. Each ded on the size of the specimens. They should not jar contained sand to a depth of 5 to 6 cm and pieces be kept in the fixative for long period to avoid har- of board or bark serving as hiding places for the dening, which was also avoided by adding glycerol. scorpions. The top of the jar was closed with a special cover containing small holes for ventilation. It has • Scorpions were then rinsed in 80% ethanol for one been noticed that as long as food and water are hour, and stored in 70% ethanol in a dark place. provided for the scorpions, they survive and it is • Due to the vital need for these specimens for possible to maintain scorpions alive for several years taxonomical studies, special care was given to under these laboratory conditions, especially if they not lose any part of their bodies. are collected in old instars 1. There are no stringent guidelines for housing scorpions. Any type of container TAXONOMY is adequate as long as the container is escape-proof, Two methods, morphological and anatomical, have glistening and smooth 2. It is desirable, however, to been used for classification of the collected scorpions. Tome 85 (1-4) 83 TAXONOMICAL OF LIBYANS SCORPIONS Morphology The results showed that only nine different species Morphological classification is based on distin- can be recognized. Most of these species were found guishing characters using binocular and light to belong to the Buthidae family whereas the rest microscope allowing determination of ultra-mor- belonged to the Scorpionidae. phological features, starting with the characters that could differentiate between families such as: Tableau I. Number of scorpions colleted of each zone. 1. Number of trichobothria in the pedipalp femur. Zone Number of scoprions collected 2. Mode of expansion of coxapophysis. 1 240 3. Presence or absence of retro lateral pedal spurs. 2 190 4. Subaculear tubercle. 3 210 5. Sternum shape or its reduction. 6. Basal tooth on the internal margin of the 4 580 cheliceral movable