New scorpion species discovered in Saudi Arabia

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The finding, based on a morphological description and genetic analysis, was published in the international scientific journal ZooKeys. (SPA)
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The finding, based on a morphological description and genetic analysis, was published in the international scientific journal ZooKeys. (SPA)
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Updated 23 November 2023
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New scorpion species discovered in Saudi Arabia

  • Belonging to the Leiurus genus, it was found on the Majami Al-Hadb Reserve, south of Riyadh

MAKKAH: Officials from the Saudi National Center for Wildlife have announced the discovery of a new scorpion species in the Kingdom.

Belonging to the Leiurus genus, it was found on the Majami Al-Hadb Reserve, south of Riyadh.

The finding, based on a morphological description and genetic analysis, was published in the international scientific journal ZooKeys.

The new species has been named Hadb scorpion in homage to its Arabic roots, with the scientific name Leiurus hadb. It differs from other scorpion species in Saudi Arabia on both morphological and molecular genetic levels.

Its discovery increases the count of species in the genus to 22 globally, with five now confirmed in the Kingdom.

The discovery is part of the wildlife center’s ongoing work to study and document the country’s biodiversity with a focus on assessing the status and distribution of national species in their natural habitats.

A spokesman for the center told Arab News that scorpion venom had varying levels of toxicity and that further studies were needed to establish levels in the Hadb creatures. There are now 34 registered scorpion species in Saudi Arabia, 11 of which are indigenous.


Saudi, Japanese officials discuss humanitarian ties

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Saudi, Japanese officials discuss humanitarian ties

RIYADH: President of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority Dr. Jalal Al-Owaisi received a delegation from the Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom, led by Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Chief of Mission Masahiro Tada, at the authority’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the delegation was briefed on the authority’s efforts to provide ambulance and humanitarian services, as well as its role in emergency response inside the Kingdom and internationally.

Discussions also covered Japan’s humanitarian contributions in crisis-affected regions and included an exchange of views on strengthening cooperation in humanitarian aid and disaster response.

Al-Owaisi underscored the authority’s commitment to enhancing international partnerships with humanitarian organizations and promoting cooperation and expertise exchange to advance humanitarian work and improve response efficiency in line with international best practices.

Last month, the Health Endowment Fund and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority signed an agreement to ensure effective financing for ambulance services across the Kingdom.

The agreement builds on both organizations’ efforts to develop a sustainable financing system for the nonprofit health sector and enhance the impact of endowment initiatives for ambulance services.

It also aims to improve emergency response readiness, covering ambulance transport, pre-hospital care, and responses to accidents and disasters.