BOA VISTA, BRAZIL - Two new scorpion species discovered by scientists in the Amazon were found near Evandro Waterfall, in the municipality of Mucajaí, in southern Roraima state. The research that identified and described the animals was conducted by São Paulo State University (Unesp).

The new scorpions were given the scientific names Cayooca puchus and Brotheas cernii. The species differ in size. Cayooca puchus measures between 3.2 and 5.1 centimeters, while Brotheas cernii ranges from 4.5 to 5.7 centimeters.

The discovery was the result of 10 years of research, through a project led since 2016 by researcher Manuela Pucca, coordinator of Unesp's Laboratory of Immunology and Toxinology. The work was supported by the Snakebite research group at the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR).

The findings were published in June this year in the international scientific journal Diversity, which specializes in biodiversity studies and is published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) in Switzerland.

To catalog the two species, researchers conducted active nighttime searches in the Evandro Waterfall area in October 2022. During the expeditions, they used ultraviolet flashlights, also known as black lights, to locate the scorpions.

Researchers also took photographs under white light. The specimens were collected with forceps and preserved in 70% alcohol.

The research may now take a new direction. The scorpions were sent to the laboratory of Unesp's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Araraquara, São Paulo state, where molecules found in the animals' venom are being studied.

One possibility being explored by researchers is the use of substances found in the venom of venomous animals in the search for new medicines.

Amazon Agency