| This small family, which consists only of 2 genera and 7
species [Updated 07.05.03], was recently elevated to family status by Lorenzo
Prendini. This is not mentioned in Fet et al. (2000), but the
family status is recognized by Dr. Fet (pers. comm.). This
genus was originally placed in the Scorpionidae (subfamily
Hemiscorpiinae). The elevation to family status was based on a
cladistic study of the "superfamily" Scorpionoidea. See
Prendini's publication for details (see below).
The members of this family are known from Africa (Eritrea
and Somalia) and Asia (Iran, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi
Arabia, Samha Island, Socotra Island, United Arab Emirates and
Yemen).
Scorpions in this family are probably not kept in
captivity.
Hemiscorpius lepturus is a very dangerous species
of serious medical significance (see species link for more
information). No data have been available for other members of
this family. The members of this family should be handled with
care as long as their venom status is unknown.
This family was not included in Fet et al.(2000). The subfamily
Hemiscorpiinae was elevated to family status by Lorenzo (2000) - se reference below.
Subspecies is not included in the list. I try to update the list as additions and changes are published. * denotes changes after Fet et al. (2000). I will be grateful
for information about new development in the taxonomy of this family. For information about synonyms and bibliographies, see Fet et al. (2000)
Prendini, L. (2000). Phylogeny and classification of the
superfamily Scorpionoidea Latreille 1802 (Chelicerata,
Scorpiones): An exemplar approach. Cladistics, 16, pp.
1-78.
SPECIES
FILES: |
Habibiella Vachon, 1974
H. gaillardi Vachon, 1974
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Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861
H. arabicus (Pocock, 1899)
H. lepturus Peters, 1861
H. maindroni (Kraepelin, 1900)
H. persicus Birula, 1903
H. socotranus Pocock, 1899
H. tellinii Borelli, 1904
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