On current distribution of Androctonus aeneas Koch, 1839 in Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Abstract

This work concerns a new consideration on the geographical distribution of Androctonus aeneas C.L. Koch, 1839 (Scorpiones) in Algeria. Historically, this species occupied the central band of Algeria, from Tébessa and Khenchela in the east, through Batna in the Belezma mountains, to Naâma in the west. Recent surveys by young researchers have noted an expansion of the range of this scorpion not only in the geographic distribution area predicted for this species by Lourenço et al. (2015) but also towards western Algeria (Aïn Témouchent, Sabdou, El Bayadh and Saïda) and towards the southwest of Algeria in Naâma and Béchar. These new data may enrich the understanding of this potentially dangerous species, but also to the known area of scorpion envenomation risk.

Ait Hammou, M., Dahmani, W., Cheddad, A., El Bouhissi, M., Feghoul, M.A., Benali, N., Boukhours, H., Rebbas, K., Bakel, A., Chelghoum, H., Tahri, D., Boussmaha, C., Nouar, I.E., Ziani, C.S.M.., Khacheb, Z., Megharbi, K. & Sadine, S.E. pp. 257-265., On current distribution of Androctonus aeneas Koch, 1839 in Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Serket vol. 20(3)