The genus was introduced in 1908 by
A. A. Birula, originally as a
subgenus of the genus Buthus.[2] It was elevated to genus rank by
F. Werner in 1934.[3]ButhotusVachon, 1949 is an often used but outdated
synonym of Hottentotta.[1]
Some authors subdivided the genus into three
subgenera, Hottentotta (Hottentotta), Hottentotta (Balfourianus)Vachon, 1979,[4] and Hottentotta (Deccanobuthus) Lourenço, 2000.[5] The latest taxonomic reviews of this genus by F. Kovařík[1][6] reject this subdivision and recognizes a single, undivided genus Hottentotta. The differences separating the closely related genus Mesobuthus from Hottentotta are very subtle, and species have been often been misassigned among the two genera.[1][7]
Diversity
The content of this genus may vary, depending on the authority. At least 40-41 species are known:[1][6][7][8][9][10]
Hottentotta syrticus (Borelli, 1914) and Buthotus (=Hottentotta) asimii Amir, Kamaluddin & Khan, 2004 are considered
nomina dubia.[1][12]
General characteristics
Members of Hottentotta are generally moderately sized scorpions, with a total length of 70–90 millimetres (2.8–3.5 in); the smallest species are 30 millimetres (1.2 in) long, while the largest species reach 100–130 millimetres (3.9–5.1 in). They belong to the most colorful species of scorpions. The base color ranges from bright yellow to black, with most species colored in brown or reddish tones. Many species are ornamented by color spots or bands especially on the
mesosoma. Coloration may be considerable variable between individuals of the same species or among regional populations.[1]
They show a typical
buthidhabitus with gracile
pedipalpchelae and a moderately thickened
metasoma. The vesicle is bulbous and proportionally large in some species. The
cephalothorax and
mesosoma shows distinct granulation in most species, some are strongly hirsute. The
tergites of the mesosoma bear three distinct, longitudinal carinae (ridges).[1]
Toxicity
As in other
buthids the venom in at least some species of Hottentotta is relatively potent and can be of medical importance to
humans.
Hottentotta tamulus, the Indian red scorpion, has evidently caused human fatalities by cardiovascular and pulmonary manifestations of
intoxication[13][14][15] and is considered the most lethal scorpion species in the world.[16]
Kleber et al. (1999)[17] listed envenomation by at least four other species as to cause clinically significant
symptoms.
Relative toxicity and symptoms caused by envenomation from Hottentotta species
This listing is not comprehensive due to lack of data and all species of Hottentotta are potentially highly venomous to humans.
Note that the LD50 value might differ considerably between populations of the same species.
Due to their relatively colorful appearance Hottentotta species are often kept and bred in captivity. Popular species are H. hottentotta and H. trilineatus. As with other highly venomous
buthids keeping these species in captivity is only recommendable to experienced people.
^Birula, A. A. (1908). "Ergebnisse der mit Subvention aus der Erbschaft Treitl unternommenen zoologischen Forschungsreise Dr. F. Werner's nach dem Anglo-Aegyptischen Sudan und Nord-Uganda. XIV. Skorpiones und Solifugae". Sitzungsberichte der kaiserlich-königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien (in German). 117 (1): 121–152.