Rajeshwar Hospital at 12:32, 18 May 2026

2026-05-18T12:32:32Z

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{{Short description|Species of arachnid}}
{{Other uses|Deathstalker (disambiguation)}}
{{pp|reason=Lowering to semi-protection since it's been a couple years without issue|small=yes}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Deathstalker ST 07.JPG
| genus = Leiurus
| species = quinquestriatus
| authority = [[Wilhelm Hemprich|Hemprich]] & [[Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg|Ehrenberg]], 1829
}}

The '''deathstalker''' ('''''Leiurus quinquestriatus''''') is a [[species]] of [[scorpion]], a member of the [[Family (taxonomy)|family]] [[Buthidae]]. It is also known as the '''Palestine yellow scorpion''',<ref name="Animals">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aEtrAAAAMAAJ&q=%22palestine+yellow+scorpion%22|title=Venom diseases|last=Minton|first=Sherman A.|publisher=Thomas|year=1974|isbn=978-0-398-03051-3|pages=235|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Biology">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdosAAAAMAAJ&q=%22palestine+yellow+scorpion%22|title=Entomology abstracts, Volume 24, Issues 10-12|last=The Staff of Cambridge Scientific Abstracts|publisher=Cambridge Scientific Abstracts|year=1993|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Ethnozoology">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fr2rANLrPmoC&q=palestine+yellow+scorpion&pg=PA360|title=The Continuum encyclopedia of animal symbolism in art|last=Werness|first=Hope B.|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|year=2004|isbn=978-0-8264-1525-7|pages=476|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref><ref name="World records">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSyswNFqTycC&q=%22palestine+yellow+scorpion%22|title=The Guinness Book of World Records 1998|last=Young|first=Mark|publisher=Bantam Books|year=1998|isbn=978-0-553-57895-9|pages=768|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> '''Omdurman scorpion''', and '''Naqab desert scorpion''', as well as by many other colloquial names, which generally originate from the commercial captive trade of the animal. To eliminate confusion, especially important with potentially dangerous species, the [[scientific name]] is normally used to refer to them. The name ''Leiurus quinquestriatus'' roughly translates into English as "five-striped smooth-tail".<ref>Respectively from Greek ''leios'' "smooth" and ''oura'' "tail", and Latin ''quinque'' "five" and ''striatus'' "striated, grooved, fluted".</ref> In 2014, the subspecies ''L. q. hebraeus'' was separated from it and elevated to its own species ''[[Leiurus hebraeus]]''.<ref>Lowe G, Yagmur EA, Kovarik F. A Review of the Genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with Description of Four New Species from the Arabian Peninsula. Euscorpius. 2014 (191):1-129. [http://www.science.marshall.edu/fet/euscorpius/p2014_191.pdf PDF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426134724/http://www.science.marshall.edu/fet/euscorpius/p2014_191.pdf |date=2018-04-26 }}.</ref> Other species of the [[genus]] ''[[Leiurus]]'' are also often referred to as "deathstalkers". ''Leiurus quinquestriatus'' is yellow, and {{convert|30|-|77|mm}} long, with an average of {{convert|58|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Amr|first1=Zuhair S.|last2=El-Oran|first2=Ratib|year=1994|title=Systematics and distribution of scorpions (Arachnida, Scorpionida) in Jordan|journal=Italian Journal of Zoology|volume=61|issue=2|pages=185–190|doi=10.1080/11250009409355881|doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Distribution and habitat ==
''Leiurus quinquestriatus'' can be found in desert and [[scrubland]] habitats ranging from North Africa through to the Middle East. Its range covers a wide sweep of territory in the [[Sahara]], [[Arabian Desert]], [[Thar Desert]], and Central Asia, from [[Algeria]] and [[Mali]] in the west through to [[Egypt]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Asia Minor]] and the [[Arabian Peninsula]], eastwards to [[Kazakhstan]] and western India in the northeast and southeast.

== Venom ==
[[File:L quinquestriatus2.jpg|thumb|A deathstalker eating a cricket in captivity]]

[[Neurotoxin]]s in ''L. quinquestriatus'' venom include:
* [[Chlorotoxin]]
* [[Charybdotoxin]], a blocker of [[calcium-activated potassium channel]]s.
* [[Scyllatoxin]]
* [[Agitoxin]]s types one, two and three
Other components :
* [[Lq2]], which gets its name from this scorpion.<ref name="pmid17239913">{{cite journal |vauthors=Catterall WA, Cestèle S, Yarov-Yarovoy V, Yu FH, Konoki K, Scheuer T |date=February 2007 |title=Voltage-gated ion channels and gating modifier toxins |url=http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-00378020/document |journal=Toxicon |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=124–41 |doi=10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.09.022 |pmid=17239913}}</ref><ref name="pmid16382105">{{cite journal |vauthors=Kubo Y, Adelman JP, Clapham DE, etal |date=December 2005 |title=International Union of Pharmacology. LIV. Nomenclature and molecular relationships of inwardly rectifying potassium channels |journal=[[Pharmacological Reviews]] |volume=57 |issue=4 |pages=509–26 |doi=10.1124/pr.57.4.11 |pmid=16382105 |s2cid=11588492}}</ref>

===Hazards===
The deathstalker is one of the most dangerous species of scorpion.<ref>"[https://www.planetdeadly.com/animals/worlds-dangerous-scorpions The World’s Most Dangerous Scorpions]" Planet Deadly.</ref><ref>"[https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/not-so-scary-scorpions Not so scary scorpions]" National Science Foundation.</ref> Its [[venom (poison)|venom]] is a powerful mixture of [[neurotoxin]]s, with a low [[median lethal dose|lethal dose]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/l_quinquestriatus_info.pdf |title=''Leiurus quinquestriatus'' (Ehrenberg, 1828) |author=Lucian K. Ross |work=The Scorpion Files |year=2008 |access-date=September 17, 2011}}</ref> While a sting from this scorpion is extraordinarily painful, it normally would not kill a healthy adult human. However, young children, the elderly, or infirm (such as those with a heart condition and those who are allergic) are at much greater risk. Any [[envenomation]] runs the risk of [[anaphylaxis]], a potentially life-threatening [[allergy|allergic reaction]] to the venom. A study from Israel shows a high rate of [[pancreatitis]] following envenomation.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=2028471 | volume=29 | title=Acute pancreatitis in children following envenomation by the yellow scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus | year=1991 | journal=Toxicon | pages=125–8 |vauthors=Sofer S, Shalev H, Weizman Z, Shahak E, Gueron M | issue=1 | doi=10.1016/0041-0101(91)90045-s}}</ref> If a sting from ''Leiurus quinquestriatus'' does prove deadly, the cause of death is usually [[pulmonary edema]].

[[Antivenom]] for the treatment of deathstalker envenomations is produced by pharmaceutical companies [[AbbVie]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/productinfo/SCORPION_ANTIVENOM_TWYFORD__NORTH_AFRICA_.html |title=Scorpion Antivenom Twyford (North Africa) |work=MAVIN |date=January 15, 2010 |publisher=[[Poison Centre Munich]] |access-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref> and [[Sanofi Pasteur]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/productinfo/SCORPIFAV.html |title=Scorpifav |work=MAVIN |date=January 15, 2010 |publisher=[[Poison Centre Munich]] |access-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref> and by the National Antivenom and Vaccine Production Center in [[Riyadh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antivenom-center.com/products/index.htm |title=Saudi National Antivenom and Vaccine Production Center |access-date=December 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707145903/http://www.antivenom-center.com/products/index.htm |archive-date=July 7, 2011 }}</ref> Envenomation by the deathstalker is considered a [[medical emergency]] even with antivenom treatment, as its venom is unusually resistant to treatment and typically requires large doses of antivenom.<ref name="Envenomation treatment">{{cite book |title=Goldfrank's toxicologic emergencies |last=Goldfrank |first=Lewis R. |year=2006 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional |isbn=978-0-07-147914-1 |pages=2064 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cvJuLqBxGUcC&q=leiurus+quinquestriatus&pg=PA1624 |access-date=November 23, 2010}}</ref>

In the United States and other countries outside of the typical range of the deathstalker, there is the additional complicating factor that none of the existing antivenoms are approved by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (or equivalent agencies) and are only available as [[investigational drug]]s (INDs). The US Armed Forces maintain an investigational drug application<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Eric A. Shalita |author2=Ryan D. Wells |year=2007 |title=Treatment of yellow scorpion (''Leiurus quinquestriatus'') sting: a case report |journal=[[Journal of the American Pharmacists Association]] |volume=47 |issue=5 |pages=616–619 |pmid=17848352 |doi=10.1331/JAPhA.2007.07051}}</ref> for the AVPC-Riyadh antivenom in the event of envenomation of soldiers in the Gulf War theater of operations, and the Florida Antivenin Bank, managed by the [[Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department]], maintains Sanofi Pasteur's Scorpifav antivenom for the deathstalker.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.miamidade.gov/fire/library/antivenom-species-covered.pdf |title=Antivenom: Species Covered |publisher=[[Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department]] |date=January 2009 |access-date=April 30, 2020 |id=#40}}</ref>

===Uses===
[[File:Deathstalker (Leiurus quinquestriatus) 6.jpg|thumb|Deathstalker in [[Negev Desert]], Israel]]
{{Main|Chlorotoxin}}
A component of the deathstalker's venom, the [[peptide]] chlorotoxin, has shown potential for treating human [[brain tumor]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Liliana Soroceanu |author2=Yancey Gillespie |author3=M. B. Khazaeli |author4=Harald Sontheimer |year=1998 |title=Use of chlorotoxin for targeting of primary brain tumors |journal=[[Cancer Research (journal)|Cancer Research]] |volume=58 |issue=21 |pages=4871–4879 |pmid=9809993 |url=http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/58/21/4871}}</ref> There has also been some evidence to show that other components of the venom may aid in the regulation of [[insulin]] and could be used to treat [[diabetes]].{{Citation needed|reason=for insulin and diabetes|date=October 2014}}

In 2015 clinical trials were beginning of the use of chlorotoxin with a fluorescent molecule attached as brain tumour "paint" (BLZ-100), to mark cancerous cells in real time during an operation. This is important in brain cancer surgery, where it is vital both to remove as many cancerous cells as possible, but not to remove healthy tissue necessary for brain functioning. In preclinical animal trials the technique could highlight extremely small clusters of as few as 200 cancer cells, compared to the standard use of [[MRI]], with a lower limit in excess of 500,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/10/how-to-light-up-a-tumour|title=How to light up a tumour - Alex O'Brien|first=Alex|last=O'Brien|date=10 September 2015|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

==Legality==
Possession of ''L. quinquestriatus'' may be illegal or regulated in countries with laws prohibiting the keeping of dangerous animals in general. Jurisdictions are increasingly and explicitly including ''L. quinquestriatus'' in laws requiring permits to keep animals which are not usual pets, or restricting possession of dangerous animals, and in some cases have prohibited the keeping of ''L. quinquestriatus'' save by licensed [[zoo]]s and educational facilities.

In several jurisdictions departments of fish and wildlife require permits for many animals,<ref>{{cite web|date=August 2010 |title=Appendix: Exceptions to unrestricted wild animal list |work=Wild Bird and Animal Importation and Possession |publisher=[[Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department]] |url=http://vtfishandwildlife.com/library/Forms_and_Applications/Importation_%20Application/Species/Appendix-%20Exceptions_to_the_Unrestricted_Wild_Animal_List.pdf |access-date=April 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323014305/http://vtfishandwildlife.com/library/Forms_and_Applications/Importation_%20Application/Species/Appendix-%20Exceptions_to_the_Unrestricted_Wild_Animal_List.pdf |archive-date=March 23, 2015 }}</ref><ref>In the UK a licence is required under the [[Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976|1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act]]</ref> and a number of cities and municipal governments have prohibited their possession in their bylaws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townofmorrison.org/OrdinancesZoning/Ordinance0702.pdf |publisher=[[Morrison, Wisconsin|Town of Morrison, Brown County, Wisconsin]] |title=Ordinance No: 07-02. Public Nuisance Ordinance |access-date=April 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324182725/http://www.townofmorrison.org/OrdinancesZoning/Ordinance0702.pdf |archive-date=March 24, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thevillageofpulaski.org/pdf/ordinance/chapter30.pdf |title=Licensing of dogs and cats; regulation of animals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711043438/http://www.villageofpulaski.org/pdf/ordinance/chapter30.pdf |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |publisher=[[Pulaski, Wisconsin|Village of Pulaski, Wisconsin]] |access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/codebook/chp8.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311093906/http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/codebook/chp8.pdf |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |title=Public Health and Welfare |publisher=[[Green Bay, Wisconsin|City of Green Bay, Wisconsin]] |access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brooklynshelter.org/AnimalOrdinances.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921224612/http://brooklynshelter.org/AnimalOrdinances.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2010 |title=Animal Ordinances Revision as of 4/11/05 passed at 4/11/05Council Mtg. |publisher=[[Brooklyn, Ohio|City of Brooklyn, Ohio]] |access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townofrockland.org/Documents/Animal_Ordinance_Draft_200801.doc |format=[[Microsoft Word|DOC]] |publisher=[[Rockland, Brown County, Wisconsin|Town of Rockland, Brown County, Wisconsin]] |title=Animal Ordinance Draft |date=November 28, 2007 |access-date=April 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315083550/http://www.townofrockland.org/Documents/Animal_Ordinance_Draft_200801.doc |archive-date=March 15, 2012 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Leiurus quinquestriatus}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110324142235/http://care-sheet.com/index/Leiurus_quinquestriatus ''Leiurus quinquestriatus''], WikiPets

{{Taxonbar|from=Q773744}}

[[Category:Buthidae]]
[[Category:Invertebrates of Israel]]
[[Category:Arthropods of Israel]]
[[Category:Arthropods of the Middle East]]
[[Category:Arthropods of North Africa]]
[[Category:Invertebrates of the Arabian Peninsula]]
[[Category:Arthropods of Egypt]]
[[Category:Arthropods of Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Arthropods of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Arthropods of India]]
[[Category:Arthropods of Central Asia]]
[[Category:Arachnids of Algeria]]
[[Category:Fauna of Jordan]]
[[Category:Fauna of Palestine (region)]]
[[Category:Fauna of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Fauna of Mali]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1829]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Wilhelm Hemprich]]

Deathstalker - Revision history

Rajeshwar Hospital at 12:32, 18 May 2026