Scorpions may bring deserts to mind, but their distribution is far wider. Türkiye is an interesting example in this respect: from the hot, arid belt in the south to the humid forests of the Black Sea, from the Mediterranean coast to the steppes of the interior, it holds very different environments, and each of them is home to different scorpion groups.
The second reason for this diversity is location. The country lies in a transition zone where the faunas of Europe, Asia and North Africa come close to one another. The list therefore shows both groups of Mediterranean origin and genera characteristic of the arid belt of the Middle East side by side.
One thing to keep in mind when looking at this table is that the number of families is small while the number of species is much higher. Within a single genus there may be many species that closely resemble one another and can be separated only by detailed examination. The real source of diversity in the country is not the number of families but the variety of species within genera.
Which families occur in the fauna?
| Family | Examples of genera represented in the country | General tendency |
|---|---|---|
| Buthidae | Androctonus, Leiurus, Mesobuthus, Hottentotta, Compsobuthus | Mainly the south and south-east; the arid belt |
| Scorpionidae | Scorpio | Large burrowing species in the southern regions |
| Euscorpiidae | Euscorpius | Humid, shaded environments, the forest floor |
| Iuridae | Iurus | Mountainous, rocky areas in the west and south-west |
The distinctions in the table give a rough orientation. Members of Buthidae are recognised by their slender pincers and thick tails; the general features of the family are gathered in the article on the family. Members of Euscorpius, by contrast, are small, dark scorpions that prefer humid environments; they are often seen under stones, in woodpiles and on garden walls.
The ways of life of the families differ as well. Members of Scorpio dig deep burrows in the soil and spend most of the day in them. Members of Iurus are found on rocky slopes, in the gaps between blocks of stone. Some members of Buthidae, rather than digging a fixed burrow, shelter by roaming under stones and in crevices.
The pattern of distribution
The general tendency is for the number of species to increase towards the south and south-east. The steppe and semi-desert areas of south-eastern Anatolia offer a suitable environment for arid-belt genera. The Mediterranean coast is diverse too, thanks both to the warm environments of the coastal strip and to the mountains behind it.
The picture changes towards the north. In humid, cool environments the arid-belt genera give way to small, secretive groups. Altitude is decisive as well: quite different species may be found at different elevations within the same province. Distribution maps are therefore read by climate and habitat zones rather than by provincial boundaries.
The line worked with at our facility originates in Şanlıurfa, and the species has been identified as Androctonus turkiyensis, belonging to the genus Androctonus. The species record and the identification criteria are set out in detail in the article on the species.
Scorpions are not found only in untouched nature. Because piles of stones, garden walls, woodsheds and building debris around settlements provide suitable shelter, they are seen around villages and towns too. When nocturnal activity increases in the summer months, the likelihood of their entering buildings rises; this comes not from the animal seeking people out but from its search for coolness and shelter.
The seasonal rhythm is marked as well. In the cooler months the animals withdraw into their shelters and are rarely seen on the surface; activity increases as the weather warms. Regional observation records therefore show different densities according to season, and field studies are generally carried out in the warm period.
Why is no exact number of species given?
The number of scorpion species reported for the country differs between sources. The reason is not a lack of knowledge but that systematics is a living field. New species are described, populations previously counted as one species are shown to be separate species, or conversely two names are reduced to one species. The addition of molecular methods to morphological examination has accelerated these revisions in recent years.
Rather than giving a number, then, it is more accurate to state the trend: the fauna of Türkiye has expanded steadily in recent years, with new records added particularly from southern and south-eastern provinces. When looking at a fauna list, it is worth checking the date of the source and which study it rests on.
The answer to how faunal knowledge is produced lies here too. Records are built from museum collections, specimens gathered during fieldwork and the re-examination of these by specialists. A species found for the first time in a province is reported as a new record, while a population never described before is reported as a new species. When the two kinds of report are confused, the list appears to be growing faster than it is.
Why does species identity matter?
The name of the species is not just information written on a scorpion's label. Because venom composition differs at species level, which species the material used in a scientific study came from changes how the result is interpreted. Identification is made by assessing morphological criteria together; which structures are examined is described in the article on body structure.
Common names do not carry this distinction. Descriptions such as yellow scorpion or black scorpion may cover more than one species, and the same species may be known by different names in different areas. This is why the two-part scientific name is used in scientific work and in official records.
It is worth closing with a warning: this article is not an identification guide and should not be read as an invitation to catch scorpions in the field. The precautions that can be taken in living spaces are described in the article on protection. In the event of a sting, the only thing to do is to stay calm, keep the affected area still and call 112.
