A multigene approach to identify the scorpion species (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Colima, Mexico, with comments on their venom diversity

Authors

  • Edmundo González-Santillán Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1340-068X
  • Laura L. Valdez-Velázquez Universidad de Colima https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8474-1495
  • Ofelia Delgado-Hernández Instituto Francisco Possenti
  • Jimena I. Cid-Uribe Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  • María Teresa Romero-Gutiérrez Universidad de Guadalajara
  • Lourival D. Possani Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2024.95.5373

Keywords:

Barcoding, Holotype, Medical relevance, Microendemic, New species, Species group, Substrate-specialist

Abstract

Scorpion species diversity in Colima was investigated with a multigene approach. Fieldwork produced 34 lots of
scorpions that were analyzed with 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, COI, and 28S rDNA genetic markers. Our results confirmed
prior phylogenetic results recovering the monophyly of the families Buthidae and Vaejovidae, some species groups, and genera. We recorded 11 described species of scorpions and found 3 putatively undescribed species of Centruroides, 1 of Mesomexovis, and 1 of Vaejovis. Furthermore, we obtained evidence that Centruroides elegans, C. infamatus, and C. limpidus do not occur in Colima, contrary to prior reports. Seven genetically different and medically relevant species of Centruroides for Colima are recorded for the first time. We used the InDRE database (Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos), which contains georeferenced points of scorpions, to estimate the distribution of the scorpion species found in our fieldwork. Finally, we discuss from a biogeographical, ecological, and medical point of view the presence and origin of the 14 scorpion species found in Colima.

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2024-09-30

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González-Santillán, E., Valdez-Velázquez, L. L., Delgado-Hernández, O., Cid-Uribe, J. I. ., Romero-Gutiérrez, M. T. ., & Possani, L. D. (2024). A multigene approach to identify the scorpion species (Arachnida: Scorpiones) of Colima, Mexico, with comments on their venom diversity. Revista Mexicana De Biodiversidad, 95, e955373. https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2024.95.5373

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TAXONOMÍA Y SISTEMÁTICA