Newly-discovered scorpion species in the Western Ghats may change old notions about the arachnid

Since March 2020, scientists from the Institute of Natural History Education and Research, Pune have described seven new species of scorpions from the Western Ghats – six from the Sahyadris in Maharashtra and one from the southern Western Ghats near Bengaluru. These discoveries highlight the need for dedicated surveys and integrated taxonomic research on scorpions to be able to effectively conserve them.

Among the newly described species, Isometrix tamhini and Isometrus amboli are bark scorpions found in the dense semi-evergreen forests of Tamhini and Amboli and are indicators of the health of the forest.

“All bark scorpions live in pure evergreen forests or pure deciduous forests wherever there are all primary natural trees and loose barks which have places for dwelling,” shared Shauri Sulakhe, the lead author of five research papers describing seven new species of scorpions discovered in the Western Ghats recently. “The species we discovered from the Western Ghats are an indication of a good forest – especially the bark scorpions of the genus Isometrus. An ancient taxon dwelling in these forests shows that this forest still has potential.”

Isometrus kovariki, the third new species discovered, also a bark scorpion, was found on the outskirts of Bengaluru city on a 10-year to 15-year-old Acacia auriculiformis plantation. This discovery was a result…

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