In last month’s “Artist of the Month” feature, we explored the serene beauty of botanical art through Hafsa’s captivating watercolor creations. This month, we’re shifting gears and diving into a world often overlooked, yet equally fascinating—the world of arachnids.
Meet Mohamed, a talented young artist and master’s student at the Fes Faculty of Science and Technology, who brings the intricate beauty of spiders and scorpions to life through his art. Beyond his academic work as a Moroccan arachnids and reptiles researcher, Mohamed’s artistic journey began long before his formal education. Like many artists, his love for art was sparked by anime and cartoon characters. Reflecting on his early inspirations, Mohamed shares, “Before I studied biology, and even before I began my formal education, I loved drawing. I started by sketching cartoon and anime characters.”
While scorpions and spiders deter most people, Mohamed is drawn to defending these misunderstood creatures. His fascination began in childhood. “In the region where I live, there are five species of scorpions, and we frequently encounter them in our home,” he recalls. From a young age, Mohamed was taught that these creatures were dangerous, but instead of fear, it sparked curiosity. “Why do the locals despise them? What makes them so dangerous? Why are they killed?” These questions fueled his passion to understand the human-animal conflict in Morocco.
His deep interest in arachnids grew further in 2020 when Mohamed discovered online communities focused on scorpions and spiders. “I found Facebook groups where European specialists shared their knowledge, and I was intrigued by their expertise. I aspired to become like them,” he explains. Mohamed’s knowledge about arachnids flourished by photographing these creatures, posting them for identification, and engaging in research. His ambition now is to make significant contributions to the study of Moroccan Arachnofauna.
Mohamed’s unique blend of scientific expertise and artistic skill has led him to create precise scientific illustrations of scorpions. Inspired by renowned arachnologists such as Wilson R. Lourenço and Max Vachon, he admires their use of illustrations to provide detailed morphological descriptions of species. “I’m very interested in morphological drawings that show the totality of diagnostics. In parallel with drawings, real pictures should also be used for these diagnoses,” he says, highlighting the importance of both art and photography in scientific research.
When asked about Moroccan scorpions, Mohamed enthusiastically shares fascinating insights into the country’s rich arachnid diversity. “Morocco is remarkably diverse when it comes to scorpions. For example, the country is home to 11 described species of Androctonus, making it the most diverse in this genus. Additionally, Morocco is the only place where the genus Cicileiurus has been recorded, represented by a single species, Cicileiurus monticola. This unique fauna deserves protection,” he emphasizes. Despite this diversity, Mohamed notes that the field remains understudied, with many species requiring further research and clarification.
Even within the broader field of arachnology, research in Morocco is lagging. “The list of Moroccan spider species today includes just 512 species, which is very low. Morocco should have tremendous diversity due to its distinctive geography. This lack of species documentation is due to limited research and few researchers in this field,” Mohamed explains. He points out that within just two months of surveys, he and his partner recorded five new species, showcasing the untapped potential for discovery.
Photos took by Mohamed documenting scorpions
In collaboration with his peers and professors, Mohamed is now working on a comprehensive review of all scorpion species described in Morocco. Their goal is to document the morphology, ecology, and geographic range of these species, contributing valuable knowledge to both the scientific community and conservation efforts.
Mohamed’s passion for arachnids, combined with his artistic talent, offers a unique perspective on the natural world. As he continues to explore the rich biodiversity of Morocco, his work serves as a reminder of the importance of studying and protecting even the creatures we often overlook.
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