Scorpion species distribution and sting epidemiology in Dena and Boyer-Ahmad, Iran – Implications for management

Scorpion envenomation represents a significant public health burden in Iran, particularly in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, which reports 40,000 to 50,000 cases annually. The ecological adaptability and diversity of scorpions contribute to their widespread distribution, heightening the risk of human encounters and the associated economic and psychosocial impacts. This epidemiological study investigated scorpion distribution and sting patterns in Dena and Boyer-Ahmad counties, southwestern Iran, during a six-month sampling period from spring to September 2024. Specimens were collected diurnally and nocturnally using UV light within 500-m radii of predetermined sites, primarily from beneath rocks and old walls in desert environments. Among 208 identified scorpions, <i>Hottentotta zagrosensis</i> (<i>n</i> = 132) predominated, followed by <i>Hemiscorpius lepturus</i> (<i>n</i> = 28), <i>Compsobuthus rugosulus</i> (<i>n</i> = 24), <i>Mesobuthus eupeus</i> (<i>n</i> = 20), and <i>Orthochirus sp.</i> (<i>n</i> = 4). The Buthidae family accounted for 86.53 % of specimens. Concurrently, clinical and demographic data from 156 sting cases recorded in local health centers during 2024 were analyzed. Males comprised 54.5 % of cases, with hands (48.1 %) and feet (37.2 %) being the most frequent sting sites. Most incidents occurred indoors (82.7 %) and between 6 p.m. and midnight (31.4 %). Notably, no fatalities were reported. This research provides the first comprehensive faunistic and epidemiological data for these counties, revealing <i>H. zagrosensis</i> as the dominant species. The findings establish a critical foundation for developing targeted ecological management strategies, public health interventions, and conservation efforts to mitigate scorpion-related risks in southwestern Iran.