There are over 17 hundred species of scorpions scattered around the world with the exception of Antarctica. In the southwestern part of Turkey, researchers have announced the discovery of a new species.


There are over 17 hundred species of scorpions scattered around the world with the exception of Antarctica.

In the southwestern part of Turkey, researchers have announced the discovery of a new species.

The small wood scorpions might look menacing with their pinchers and tail stinger, but they are only a few centimeters long and their stingers inflict damage that is comparable to a mosquito bite.

Named after the location where they were discovered, in the Lycia region of Turkey, the Euscorpius lycius is the fifth species from the euscorpius genus, which includes small scorpions living in parts of North Africa and Europe.

Ersen Yagmur a researcher from Celal Bayar University in Turkey who worked on the research said: “Further studies are in progress to understand the quantity and distribution of the different species and populations of the genus Euscorpius in Turkey and their relationship with the Greek populations.”

Researchers collected 26 specimens of the Lycius scorpions from places with shade cover like garden walls and under stones in the provinces of Mugla and Antalya in Turkey.

What do you think about the discovery of a new species of scorpion?