Fauna and Zoogeography of Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) in Bulgaria

Abstract

The fauna and zoogeography of scorpions in Bulgaria have not been well researched. At least four species are recorded currently for this country: the Balkan-Anatolian Mesobuthus gibbosus (Buthidae), known only from Pirin Mts., and several taxa of the genus Euscorpius Thorell (Euscorpiidae). The Balkan species E. hadzii inhabits the southwest of Bulgaria, and an undetermined species of the Balkan-Anatolian "Euscorpius mingrelicus" complex is known only from Pirin Mts. Remaining Bulgarian populations of Euscorpius, widely ranging from north to south (mainly in the mountain areas, up to 1850m a.s.l.), belong to "Euscorpius carpathicus" complex. Their true taxonomic identity is not yet known, but these populations are not homogeneous. A clearly separated cluster of Rhodope populations could represent a different taxon from the Stara Planina (=Balkan) ones (mainly known from the Western Stara Planina) and those from the southwest of Bulgaria. Taxonomic affinities of Bulgarian scorpion taxa are discussed, as well as their geographic and altitud.inal distribution