Geographical and morphometric study on Orthochirus spp. isolated from Khuzestan province (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Study on ecology and biology of scorpions is very limited and the basis of this information the country, Iran, is the identification of habitats, and morphology of scorpions in different regions of Orthochirus species are widely distributed in the world. So far, 17 species have been identified throughout the world, of which 7 species have been found in different regions of Iran. In this study, Orthochirus specimens were collected from different regions of Khuzestan province and evaluated based on 27 morphometric values and 18 morphometric ratios. Four species, O. iranis, O. zagrosensis, O. farzanpay, and O. stackwelli were identified from different regions of Khuzestan province. Orthochirus. iranis and O. stackwelli had the most (41.6%) and the least (13.8%) frequencies, respectively, in the various regions of the province. The results of morphological studies and statistical analyzes on morphometric showed the complete separation of four types. Differences of species were confirmed based on the characteristics and ratios of the fourth segment of metasoma, carapace and telson sizes, the position of the median eyes, and pedipalp chela length and movable finger. The result of cluster analysis indicated that O. stackwell is morphologically distinct from other groups and had the most similarities between O. iranis and O. zagrosensis.