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Scorpions & Venom Catalogue

Explore our catalog of scorpion species — habitats, traits, venom composition, and research potential. Each profile highlights peptides, analytics, and applications in biotechnology and drug discovery.

Androctonus crassicauda (Black Scorpion), dorsal view
Androctonus crassicauda — Black Scorpion

Androctonus crassicauda

Family: Buthidae — Genus: Androctonus

Highly toxic • Nocturnal • Wide distribution in Iran

Basic Information

Distribution
Bushehr, Semnan, Khuzestan, Ilam, West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Razavi Khorasan, South Khorasan, Kermanshah, Kerman, Sistan & Baluchestan (Iran)
Size
Up to ~10 cm
Appearance
Dark brown to black; thick, robust tail segments

Morphological Profile

Typical adult size
Body ~90 mm; metasoma ~50 mm; total length up to ~10 cm
Coloration
Dark brown to black; overall uniform dark appearance
Key morphology
Thick metasomal segments with pronounced serrated ventral keels; large pedipalps
Distinguishing features
“Thick-tailed” build (broad tail); robust habitus
Taxonomic note
~18 recognized subspecies; three reported from Iran
Etymology
Androctonus is Greek for “man-killer”

Behavior & Ecology

Activity
Nocturnal; hides by day in cracks and crevices
Abilities
Can climb many non-smooth surfaces (not polished glass)
Diet
Invertebrates and small insects; occasionally small lizards or mammals
Predation/defense
Uses terminal sting to subdue prey or defend; very defensive when disturbed
Habitat
Deserts and dry/semi-dry regions with sandy, gravelly and rocky substrates
Distribution in Iran
Broad — north to south (see provinces listed)

Venom Profile

  • Total protein (Kjeldahl): >83%
  • SDS-PAGE: 14.4–116 kDa
  • HPLC: ~71 peaks (distinct dominant fractions)
  • LD50 (mouse, IP): ~5 µg / 20 g
  • Mucus content: ~10–15%

Key Peptides & Applications

  • Rich repertoire of short- and long-chain neurotoxins modulating Na+/K+ channels
  • Potential leads for neuropharmacology and oncology; peptide scaffolds for targeted design

Clinical Profile

  • Severely painful sting with local erythema and swelling
  • Neurological symptoms may appear and affect cardiac function
  • Severe cases may involve internal bleeding, respiratory difficulty, and visual disturbances
  • Medically important in Iran (among the most dangerous after H. lepturus)

Research Highlights

Reported suppression of MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth: necrosis at higher doses; apoptosis and S-phase arrest at lower doses.

Details: Research

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Hottentotta saulcyi, dorsal view
Hottentotta saulcyi

Hottentotta saulcyi

Family: Buthidae — Genus: Hottentotta

Large size • Mountainous & rocky steppes • Nocturnal & defensive • Broad distribution in Iran • Reported in Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan • Ion-channel toxins

Morphological Profile

Typical adult size
~7.5–12 cm; occasionally up to ~13 cm
Coloration
Dark yellow to light brown; darker prosoma/telson
Key morphology
Large chelae; metasomal keels; body with setae (hair-like)
Sexual dimorphism
Pectinal teeth — ♂: 28–30, ♀: 24–29

Behavior & Ecology

Activity
Predominantly nocturnal; notably defensive when disturbed
Habitat
Mountainous areas up to ~2000 m and rocky steppe
Distribution (global)
Iran, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan
Distribution (Iran)
East/West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Alborz, Ilam, Bushehr, Tehran, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, North Khorasan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Fars, Qazvin, Kurdistan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad, Golestan, Lorestan, Hormozgan, Hamedan, Markazi

Venom Profile

  • Total protein (Kjeldahl): >80%
  • SDS-PAGE: 14.4–116 kDa
  • HPLC: complex profile (multiple fractions)
  • LD50 (mouse, IP): ~20 µg / 20 g
  • Mucus content: ~10–25%
  • Neurotoxins: repertoire of short- & long-chain Na+/K+ channel toxins

Key Peptides & Applications

  • Diverse Na+/K+ channel-targeting peptides — valuable for neuropharmacology
  • Potential leads for peptide discovery and voltage-gated channel studies

Clinical Profile

  • Medically important scorpion in Iran
  • Stings can cause marked local pain; neurotoxic symptoms possible
  • Prompt medical evaluation is advised following envenomation

Research Highlights

Rich Na+/K+-channel toxin repertoire; suitable for neuropharmacology assays and peptide discovery.

Details: Research

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Hemiscorpius lepturus, dorsal view
Hemiscorpius lepturus

Hemiscorpius lepturus

Family: Hemiscorpiidae — Genus: Hemiscorpius

Dermonecrotic effects • High medical relevance • Southwest Asia

Morphological Profile

Typical adult size
Medium-sized (varies by locality/sex)
Coloration
Light brown to beige; generally pale
Key morphology
Slender metasoma; morphology typical of Hemiscorpiidae
Distinguishing features
Medically important; dermonecrotic stings reported

Behavior & Ecology

Activity
Primarily nocturnal
Habitat
Arid/semi-arid regions; among rocks and crevices
Distribution (Iran)
Fars, Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad, Kerman, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khuzestan, Isfahan, Semnan, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Ilam

Venom Profile

  • Total protein (Kjeldahl): >80%
  • SDS-PAGE: 14–116 kDa (multiple bands)
  • HPLC: present
  • Cardio/neuro effects: cardiotoxic & arrhythmogenic effects reported in animal studies

Key Peptides & Applications

  • Hemicalcin — acts on ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels
  • Hemotoxin — hemolytic activity
  • Hemilipin (sPLA2 dimer) — anti-angiogenesis (in vitro & in vivo)
  • PLD1, HL215, HL2153 — dermonecrotic/cytotoxic activities

Clinical Profile

  • Dermonecrotic lesions at the sting site (tissue injury)
  • Hemolytic potential; medically significant envenomation risk
  • Systemic manifestations may occur; prompt medical evaluation advised

Research Highlights

Anti-angiogenic potential (Hemilipin) for oncology; Ca2+ channel probes (Hemicalcin); dermonecrosis models supporting translational research.

Details: Research

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Odontobuthus doriae, dorsal view
Odontobuthus doriae

Odontobuthus doriae

Family: Buthidae — Genus: Odontobuthus

Burrowing • Arid habitats • Iran (Kerman, Hormozgan, Kermanshah, West Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Markazi, Yazd, Semnan, Tehran) • Reported in Iraq

Morphological Profile

Typical adult size
~7–8.5 cm; reported adults ~6–7.5 cm, occasionally >10 cm
Coloration
Pale yellow to yellow-brown; generally uniform/lightly patterned
Key morphology
Robust metasoma; pronounced ventral dentation; strong pedipalps tapering toward chela tips
Distinguishing features
Fossorial build adapted for digging; pale body with strong metasomal ventral keels

Behavior & Ecology

Activity
Primarily nocturnal; also active at dusk and dawn
Lifestyle
Strongly fossorial; burrows may reach ~70 cm depth
Habitat
Deserts, calcareous steppes, rocky/arid regions with poor to moderate vegetation
Distribution
Iran (see provinces above); also reported from Iraq
Behavioral notes
Readily adopts defensive posture; elevates metasoma when disturbed

Venom Profile

  • Total protein (Kjeldahl): >70%
  • SDS-PAGE: bands ~14.4–116 kDa
  • HPLC: multi-peak complex profile
  • LD50 (mouse, IP): ~20 µg / 20 g
  • Mucus content: ~10–25%

Key Peptides & Applications

  • OD1 (65 aa) — Nav1.7 sodium channels; relevance to neuropathic pain & oncology
  • ODK1 (α-KTx 8.5, 29 aa) — modulates Kv1.2 at nanomolar range
  • ODK2 (38 aa) — selective effect on Kv1.3; relevance to autoimmune indications

Clinical Profile

  • Painful local sting with swelling and erythema
  • Severity often comparable to a bee sting
  • No confirmed systemic neurotoxic effects reported to date
  • No fatalities attributed to O. doriae stings documented

Research Highlights

Ion-channel pharmacology tool; potential in pain modulation and oncology. Ongoing studies on selectivity and delivery strategies.

Details: Research

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Mesobuthus eupeus, dorsal view
Mesobuthus eupeus

Mesobuthus eupeus

Family: Buthidae — Genus: Mesobuthus

Polymorphic • Wide distribution • AMPs, Kv blockers & chlorotoxin-like peptides • Anti-malarial peptide candidates

Morphological Profile

Typical adult size
~4–5 cm (1.6–2.0″)
Coloration
Yellow to yellow-brown; dorsal mesosoma often with irregular dark bands
Sexual dimorphism
Females generally larger; pectinal teeth: ♀ ~16–23 vs ♂ ~22–28
Pedipalps & chelae
Up to ~10 oblique granule rows on fixed finger and ~11 on movable finger; chelae wider than pedipalp patella
Metasoma & telson
Thick metasomal segments with eight keels (octocarinate); subglobular telson
Other traits
Slender legs; relies more on sting than grasping strength

Behavior & Ecology

Activity
Nocturnal
Refuge
Not a true burrower; uses crevices and spaces under stones/objects
Diet
Small insects (e.g., crickets, small beetles)
Habitats
Arid to semi-arid areas with sparse vegetation
Global range
East Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, S Russia, N Syria, E Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Australia, S Mongolia & N China
Iran (provinces)
Khuzestan (Shush, Mahshahr, Abadan), Hormozgan (Bandar Abbas), Golestan (Gorgan), Tehran (Varamin, Barghan Mts), Kurdistan (Saqqez, Marivan, Baneh), Kermanshah (Sarpol-e Zahab, Qasr-e Shirin, Paveh), Ilam (Dehloran, Eyvan, Mehran), West Azerbaijan (Chaldoran, Piranshahr, Sardasht, Salmas, Maku, Khoy, Oshnavieh, Urmia), Khorasan (Quchan, Dargaz, Sarakhs, Nehbandan, Birjand, Qaen, Khaf, Taybad, Torbat-e Jam)

Venom Profile

  • Overall potency: generally lower than the most dangerous buthid species
  • Total protein (Kjeldahl): >80% (reports ~91.7%)
  • SDS-PAGE: 14–116 kDa
  • HPLC: ~81 peaks (several dominant fractions)
  • LD50 (mouse, IP): ~30 µg / 20 g
  • Mucus content: ~10–25%

Key Peptides & Applications

  • MeuKTX — potent inhibition of rKv1.1, rKv1.2, hKv1.3; little/no effect on rKv1.4, rKv1.5, hKv3.1, rKv4.3, hERG at high concentrations
  • BeKm-1 — selectively inhibits hERG (cardiac K+ channel)
  • Na+ channel inhibitors — sodium channel–targeting peptides reported
  • Meucin-13 & Meucin-18 — broad cytolytic antimicrobial activity
  • Meucin-24 & Meucin-25 — selectively kill Plasmodium falciparum and inhibit P. berghei growth
  • MeuClTx family — chlorotoxin-like peptides; potential for glioma targeting/BBB interaction
  • MeVAMP / MeVAMP-9 — antimicrobial, non-disulfide-bridged peptides

Clinical Profile

  • Severe local pain, bleeding, swelling, and burning at the sting site
  • Occasional numbness and itching reported
  • Overall envenomation typically less severe than highly dangerous buthids

Research Highlights

Anti-malarial prospects (Meucin-24/25); broad AMPs (Meucin-13/18); K+/Na+ channel pharmacology (MeuKTX, BeKm-1) for drug design and delivery scaffolds. Reports also suggest anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritis effects in a mouse model (mechanism under investigation).

Details: Research

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Company Expertise

The information and scorpion catalog provided on this page are the outcome of years of continuous research and professional expertise at Avand Kashef Tasnim. Our team specializes in scientific breeding, systematic study of diverse scorpion species, and advanced analysis of venom composition and its pharmaceutical potential.

Through innovation, rigorous methodology, and collaboration with leading institutions, Avand Kashef Tasnim has established itself as a trusted authority in scorpion science and venom biotechnology. The knowledge shared here reflects our dedication to advancing global understanding of scorpion venom.

To discover more about ongoing studies, laboratory insights, and publications, visit the Research page.