Mesobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828), 2005

Karataş, Ayşegül & Çolak, Mehmet, 2005, Scorpions of Gaziantep Province, Turkey (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Euscorpius 30 (30), pp. 1-7 : 4

Mesobuthus nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828)

Specimens examined: Şahinbey, Budak Town, 13.VII.2003: 1 ♀ ( ZDNU2003 /466), Güllüce Village , lower slopes of Ellezi Mountain , 29.VI.2003: 1 ♀ ( ZDNU2003 /522), 1 ♂ ( ZDNU2003 /535), Nizip , Mağaracık Village (460 m asl), 27.IX. 2002: 1 ♀ ( ZDNU2002 /357), road from Gaziantep to Nizip, 12.VIII. 2001: 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ ( ZDNU2001 /292/1-4) .

Comments: M. nigrocinctus was described from Lebanon, and recorded from Israel and Syria (Fet et al., 2000). Later, Crucitti & Vignoli (2002) reported it from Turkey (Adıyaman). The specimens were found under stones in steppe areas or on stony ground covered with bushes. Two specimens were obtained from higher plateaus of Ellezi Mountains. Fet et al. (2000) noted that this species was found sympatrically with Scorpio maurus . Similarly, M. nigrocinstus was found syntopically with S. maurus and Calchas nordmanni on Ellezi Mountain. The slopes of this Mountain have nut, almond, and fig gardens, and vineyards while the upper parts have stony soil with bush vegetation. While C. nordmanni was found on the lower slopes of the mountain ca. 800 m asl, M. nigrocinctus and S. maurus were taken from higher plateaus near the top of the mountain, ca. 1200 m asl.

Family Iuridae