Genetic diversity within Leiurus quinquestriatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) populations in Egypt as inferred from 16S mDNA sequence analysis

Abstract

The highly toxic and medically important scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus is the most common scorpion species in Egypt and in some regions, is medically problematic for the local population. We studied variation in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene within 12 populations from different ecogeographical regions of Egypt. Our results indicate a high genetic variation among L. quinquestriatus populations with five haplotypes existing. Our data also suggests the existence of a distinct population of L. quinquestriatus in Sinai which may be a separate species.

Keywords:

• Molecular phylogeny
• scorpions
• phylogeography, Sinai Peninsula

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Ahmed Abdullah, Dr. Mahmoud Saber and Mr. Ahmed Kamal, in Taba, Elba protected area, and White Desert Protectorate, respectively, for their friendly assistance during the field work of this study. We also thank Jordan Cuff, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom, for revising the manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.