Confirmation of a new species of Buthus Leach, 1815 from Sicily (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Biogeographical implications

Abstract: A new species belonging to the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from Palermo province, in Sicily. Buthus trinacrius sp. n. shows morphological affinities with Buthus occitanus (Amoreux), originally described from southern France, but, in some characters, also with some African Buthus species. For morphological, biogeographical and geological rea- sons, the new species could represent a link between African and European Buthus populations. If Buthus inhabited the Italian Pe- ninsula in past geological times, it probably regressed and became extinct due to severe climatic modifications which took place since the end of the Tertiary period. Regarding the occurrence in Sicily of Buthus, surely still present on the island during the 19th century but maybe extinct now, a possible explanation could be the heavy urbanization of the Palermo region.