Synopsis of the scorpion fauna of Colombia, with some considerations on the biogeography and diversity of species.

Colombian scorpion fauna called the attention of previous arachnologists since the middle of the 19th century, however, only in the last seven year this fauna has been intensively studied by the author. This paper represents the first attempt to produce a synthesis of this fauna, however, the results presented here must be considered as only a parcel of what really exists in Colombia as scorpion fauna, and only a much larger inventory work will reveal the real importance of the total number of taxa present in this country. At the present stage of the studies conducted since 1988, a total number of 4 families (Buthidae, Chactidae, Diplocetridae and Ischnuridae) with 9 genera and 41 species can be confirmed for the country. Some comments on the biogeography and diversity of this fauna are also added.