Faunestic study and biodiversity of scorpions in Kish Island, Iran (Persian Gulf)

Scorpions in the Middle Eastern countries are known as the most widely spread poisonous creatures that cause casualties and death to human being and domestic animals. These creatures are distributed and well established in subtropical regions.Among sixteen Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, Kish Island is the focus of important internal and foreign industrial and commercial activities, attracting, thousands of tourists willing to visit its natural beauties and site seeing places every year. The present study was carried out during 1998-99 throughout Kish Island in order to learn about the species, abundance and foci of distribution of scorpions. This was done to establish a control strategy, reduce scorpion stings, and safeguard visitors, as well as, local population. Collections were made using the night search using the direct smapling method with a UV light. A total of 371 scorpions were captured. These were identified as Buthotus jayakari 365 specimens (%98.38) and Buthacus leptochelys with only 6 specimens (%1.68) belonging to the Buthidae family. B. jayakari was collected in most parts of the island and was considered to be the dominant species. The sex ratio was 1:1.53 in favor of females. Whereas B. leptochelys was a rare species having a restricted distribution. Considering the high population of B. jayakari and its wide spread distribution, it can be regarded to be responsible for the majority of scorpion-stings in Kish Island.