[Mapping the distribution of some important scorpions collected in the past five decades in Iran]

ABSTRACT

Scorpions are important venomous arthropods which kill many people annually globally. Scorpion sting is one of important health issues in subtropical area in south of Iran. Scorpions are subjects of many studies conducted before in many parts of Iran. The aims of this study were to find the dispersion and mapping the distribution of scorpion specimens based on published documents. In this study all published documents on Iranian scorpions which indexed with Iranmedex and PubMed including locally information and collection details were studied. Scientific names and collection details were arranged as a shape file in ArcGIS software and were mapped. Alternatively, a systematic literature review was preformed and the data and/or metadata were used for evaluation of the findings. Maps show the distribution of scorpions across Iran and provide preliminary information for its monitoring. Further prevention and control programs are needed. There was not considerable difference between the distribution of the studied specimens and the other information obtained from the other studies. The specimens of a few species which previously reported from some parts of Iran were not available. The existence of some species which was reported from different parts of the country needs to be confirmed by experts. It seems that more species of scorpions in Iran may found in central and south part of Iran and areas with low altitude