Scorpion  (Buthacus yotvatensis)

This species has yet to be classified by the IUCN.

Buthacus yotvatensisis a highly poisonous yellow-green scorpion, found in deserts and other arid, sandy areas. Like other members of the Buthacus genus, Buthacus yotvatensis is characteristically slight in build, with long, slender appendages, relatively small pincers and a tail that is relatively thick compared to its body size (2).

As with all scorpions, the body of Buthacus yotvatensis is comprised of many segments and six pairs of appendages. One pair of the front appendages are modified pincers, which are used to restrain prey and fight other scorpions. A second pair of appendages is modified into feeding apparatus known as ‘chelicerae’ (4).

Two subspecies of this scorpion are known: Buthacus yotvatensis yotvatensis and Buthacus yotvatensis nigroaculeatus. B. y. yotvatensis has a yellowish sting, and B. y. nigroaculeatus may be distinguished by the contrasting dark brown or black sting against the pale hue of the body (3).

Buthacus yotvatensis occurs in Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (3).

Buthacus yotvatensis inhabits vegetated sandy areas. In the UAE it is found predominantly in arid deserts, but it may also be found on sandy beaches. It shelters during the day under stones, rubble and wood, as well as anywhere else that may provide respite from the sun (2) (4) (5).

Buthacus yotvatensis usually preys on small invertebrates which are caught and restrained by the sharp pincers. However, the pincers are too weak for effective hunting alone, thus, Buthacus yotvatensis has a vicious sting, containing a powerful neurotoxin, which is used to immobilise and kill prey (6) (7).

The neurotoxin affects the nervous system, and is poisonous to potential prey, as well as humans and a range of other animals (6). However, this scorpion generally only stings larger animals when it is threatened (4).

Prior to breeding, Buthacus yotvatensis will find other members of its species by using vibrations in the sand, and is able to detect the gender of these individuals using pheromones. The mating ritual consists of a dance-like set of movements, in which the male will grasp the female’s pincers before guiding the female over a spermatophore that has been deposited on the ground (6) (7).

After insemination the male will retreat, leaving the female to gestate and raise the young alone. Like other scorpions, Buthacus yotvatensis is viviparous. The fully-formed young are carried around on the female’s back until they have moulted and acquired a stronger exoskeleton, which usually occurs several days after birth (6) (7).

There are no known to threats to Buthacus yotvatensis.

There are no known specific conservation measures in place for Buthacus yotvatensis.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

For further information on Buthacus yotvatensis see:

• Scorpion Systematics Research Group, American Museum of Natural History:
  http://scorpion.amnh.org/index.html

For further information on conservation in Abu Dhabi and the UAE:

• The Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi:  
  http://www.ead.ae/en/