Diversity and Identification Key to the Species of Scorpions

Abstract

Taxonomic record on scorpion (Scorpiones: Arachnida) revealed the presence of three species of scorpions from Jaffna Peninsula during a field survey. They belong to two families, three genera and three species: the Buthids Hottentotta tumulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Isometrus (Isometrus) maculatus (DeGeer, 1778), and the Scorpionid Heterometrus swammerdami (Simon, 1872). Isometrus (Isometrus) maculatus and Heterometrus swammerdami are reported for the first time from Jaffna peninsula. Identification key of all three species with notes on distribution and ecology are provided.