King Salman Royal Reserve Documents First Confirmed Record of Arabian Black Deathstalker in Northern Saudi Arabia

   Riyadh, July 6, 2026, SPA -- The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, in collaboration with a research team, has documented the first confirmed record of the Arabian black deathstalker scorpion (Leiurus nigellus) in northern Saudi Arabia’s Hail Region.
   The study, conducted by the authority’s environmental conservation experts and the participating research team, also provided the first molecular genetic data for Leiurus nigellus worldwide. The findings were published in the international journal Diversity, underscoring the scientific significance of the study and its international recognition.
   The study revealed an unprecedented expansion of the species' known distribution range by more than 200 kilometers beyond its previously known range in AlUla. This demonstrates the species’ ability to adapt to rocky mountainous environments and semi-arid habitats in northern Saudi Arabia.
   The discovery marks a significant scientific milestone by redefining the known northern distribution of the species in the Kingdom’s north, while enhancing biodiversity databases and supporting science-based conservation efforts.
   -- SPA