Species of the genus Centruroides that are toxic to the mexican population

Toxic scorpions

Typically, we consider toxic scorpions as responsible of most of the reported deaths, those species that cause severe symptoms of intoxication (Keegan, H. L., 1980. Scorpions of Medical Importante. Univ. Press Mississippi, 139 pp.). However, there are other species that have allegedly lower toxicity, and it’s sting produces moderate to severe symptoms (without causing death) and its victims usually require medical attention. In this website we include maps of Mexico with details on each state and municipalities where there have been deaths due to scorpionism (Mortality),  along with this maps we also include maps where people have been stung and have received medical attention (Morbility). Attached you will also find official information from the CENAVECE (Centro Nacional de Vigilancia Edpidemiologica), which was used to made those maps.

The toxic species list presented below is based on a more wide criteria, although in some cases it has not been evaluated the toxicity, but the species is found in morbilism areas. All the toxic species belong to the family Buthidae (see diversity section) and to the genus Centruroides Marx. In Mexico, the species belong to two taxonomic groups: the ones with 9 rows of granules in the fingers of the pedipalp and the ones with 8 rows. The toxic species belong to the second group. Links go to records in the CNAN trough the website of UNIBIO.