Prof. Dr. Ersen Aydın Yağmur, a faculty member at the Alaşehir Vocational School of Manisa Celal Bayar University, has discovered a new species of scorpion belonging to the genus Euscorpius, which is widely distributed in Southern Europe, the Balkans, and Turkey.

During his field studies in Beyşehir, Konya, Prof. Dr. Yağmur collected specimens that, after laboratory examinations, were identified as a new species. This species has been named “Euscorpius gulhanimae.”

With this discovery, the number of known scorpion species in Turkey has risen to 49, with 17 belonging to the Euscorpius genus. The new species is distinguished by its light yellow body, reddish chelae, and brown tail, as well as having the highest number of trichobothria (long setae) on its patella compared to other species in the genus.

The research article has been published in "Euscorpius," a prestigious journal specializing in scorpions in the United States.

Prof. Dr. Yağmur, who has been studying scorpion species and faunas in Turkey and neighboring countries for 21 years, shared insights about the discovery process:

"I found specimens of this new species during my field studies in a pine forest at the foot of the Dedegöl Mountains and on Hacıakif Island in Beyşehir Lake. After my laboratory examinations, I determined that it was a previously unclassified new species of the Euscorpius genus. This new species is differentiated by its two-colored body and the highest number of trichobothria.”

He also noted that this species has weak venom and poses no threat to human health, stating, “I named this new species ‘Euscorpius gulhanimae’ in honor of my wife, Gülhanım Yağmur, for her support and contributions to my work.