REDESCRIPTION OF COMPSOBUTHUS-MATTHIESSENI (SCORPIONES, BUTHIDAE) FROM SOUTHWESTERN ASIA

The buthid scorpion Compsobuthus matthiesseni (Birula 1905) is redescr ibed (male lectotype here designated), based on study of type specimen s and other material now available. Its placement in the genus Compsob uthus Vachon 1949 is discussed, and it is regarded as a valid species of the C. acutecarinatus group despite possessing some unique features . In particular, its elongated pedipalps and metasoma serve to readily distinguish it from other Compsobuthus thus far known in the region. Compsobuthus matthiesseni is known from a number of localities in Iran , Iraq and Turkey. Some details of the early collections made in south western Asia are provided.