Vaejovis dugesi Pocock, 1902

A, Contreras-Félix Gerardo & Oscar, Francke B., 2019, Taxonomic revision of the “ mexicanus ” group of the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Zootaxa 4596 (1), pp. 1-100 : 34-37

Vaejovis dugesi Pocock, 1902

Figures 4 , 13e , 14d , 15e , 16e , 17e , 18e , 19e , 23

Vaejovis mexicanus dugesi Pocock, 1902: 9 ; Beutelspacher, 2000: 142 (lapsus)

Vaejovis dugesi: Ewing, 1928: 12 ; Sissom, 1990 b: 47–49, Fig: 1A–G; Kovarík, 1998: 146; Beutelspacher, 2000: 80, 140, 153, map 54 (part); Sissom, 2000: 540; González Santillán et al., 2004: 9; Jarvis et al. 2005: 207; Fet & Soleglad, 2007: 260.

Vejovis mexicanus dugesi: Hoffmann, 1931: 398 ; Gertsch, 1958: 6.

Type material. Holotype female. MEXICO: Guanajuato. Col.: A. Duges. ( BMNH). Examined.

Other specimens examined. Vaejovis dugesi : MEXICO: Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Área Natural Protegida Cuenca de la Esperanza (N 21.06711°, W 101.22379°, elev. 2436 m.) VI-10-2013. Cols.: O. Francke, R. Monjaraz, J. Mendoza and G. Contreras. 1 ♀ ( CNAN) . Same locality, III-18-2014. Cols: O. Francke, J. Mendoza, G. Contreras, R. Monjaraz and A. Guzmán. 5 ♂, 8 ♀ ( CNAN) . MEXICO: Guanajuato, Guanajuato, km. 94 Guanajuato—Dolores Hidalgo highway (N 21.006379°, W 101.22832°, elev. 2493 m) VI-1-2006. Cols.: O. Francke, H. Montaño and A. Ballesteros. 1 ♀ ( CNAN-SC3619 ) .

Diagnosis. Adults 30 to 33 mm long (Fig: 23-a, b). Carapace (Fig: 13-e), on males shorter than metasomal segment V, but on females longer (Carapace L/MS-V 0.92 ±0.02 [1.27 ±0.2]) and longer than the pedipalp femur [Carapace L/Femur L 1.11 ±0.03 [1.18 ±0.03]); anterior margin of carapace concave, slightly bilobate. Mesosomal tergite VII presents two pairs of carinae, less than half the segment length; paramedian carinae reach posterior margin. Pectinal teeth 13–13 [11–12]; sternite V without a whitish patch on posterior margin; sternite VII with one pair of lateral carinae, feebly granular and undifferentiated in coloration, and 10 [10] setae. Metasomal segment I slightly wider than long, appearing almost square in dorsal view [MSI L/ W 0.78 ±0.03 [0.71 ±0.04]; intercarinal spaces on I–IV smooth; segment V twice longer than wide on males and females (MS-V L/ W 2.1 ±0.1 [2.16 ±0.03]), slightly wider than deep (W/D 1.13 ±0.06 [1.32 ±0.04]). Vesicle (Fig: 14-e) long, slender and thin (L/ W 1.64 ±0.12 [1.6 ±0.2]; W/D 1.25 ±0.09 [1.62 ±0.11]), ventral surface irregular, with some large, flat granules; on males dorsal surface flat with a large vesicular gland, present over two thirds of vesicle, tear-shaped and narrower at anterior margin. Pedipalp femur (Fig: 15-e) on males more than three times longer than wide, slightly shorter on females (L/ W 3.23 ±0.12 [3.06 ±0.16]), wider than deep (W/D 1.52 ±0.2 [1.47 ±0.1]); patella (Fig: 16-e) usually less than three times as long as wide (L/ W 2.93 ±0.2 [2.88 ±0.1]) and slightly wider than deep (W/D 1.28 ±0.12 [1.37 ±0.13]), with dorsointernal carina weak, composed of a line of short, pointed granules; dorsoexternal carina weak, smooth, may present some scattered, flat granules. Pedipalp chela (Fig: 17, 18-e) on males twice or less longer than wide, whereas on females, usually two times longer than wide (CM L/ W 1.95 ±0.05 [2.1 ±0.1], nearly as wide as deep (CM W/D 0.98 ±0.05 [1 ±0.01]; prolateral median and dorsal internal carinae conspicuously granular, composed of rows of pointed granules; ventral accessory, digital, dorsal secondary and dorsal marginal carinae feebly granular, all of them differentiated in coloration. Pedipalp chela fingers dentate margins straight, without scalloping.

Description adult male. Prosoma (Fig: 13-e): Anterior margin of carapace concave, slightly bilobate without median notch. Surface of carapace granular to minutely granular.

Mesosoma: Dorsal coloration yellowish, with fusco-piceus pattern throughout. Surfaces of tergites I–VI shagreened to minutely granular, becoming more densely granular at posterior margin of each segment; tergite VII shagreened to minutely granular with two pairs of carinae composed by a single line of rounded granules, posterior margin granular. Sternites III–VII with pale brown to yellowish coloration, with dark diffuse fuscous patterns laterally and black spots surrounding each seta. Surface of sternites III–VI smooth to shagreened; sternite V without a whitish patch on posterior margin; sternite VII shagreened, with one pair of lateral carinae, composed by a line of short, rounded granules. Pectinal tooth count 13–13.

Metasoma: Coloration pale brown to yellowish, with infuscations over each carina and more densely colored over ventral posterior parts of each segment. Intercarinal spaces on segments I–V smooth to shagreened. Dorsal lateral carinae on I–IV strong, composed by a single line of rounded granules, distal granule not enlarged. Lateral median carinae strong, composed by a single line of rounded granules, distally with a slightly larger granule on segments II–IV. Lateral inframedian carinae on segment I strong, composed by a single line of rounded granules; on segments II–III weak and diffuse, composed by a line of scattered granules only present on posterior half of each segment; on segment IV absent. Ventral lateral carinae strong, composed by a single line of pointed granules directed backguard. Ventral submedian carinae on segment I weak, barely rising from the cuticle, composed by flat, rounded granules; on segments II–IV strong, composed by a single line of pointed granules directed backguard. Segment V longer than carapace and femur; wider than deep. Dorsal lateral carinae strong, composed by several rows of unordered granules, not reaching posterior margin. Lateral median carinae weak, composed by a row of scattered granules present only on anterior half; ventral lateral carinae strong, composed by a single line of rounded granules; ventral median carina strong, composed by a single line of granules, disappearing on posterior fifth of segment. Setae counts over carinae of metasomal segments as follow: dorsal lateral 0-0/0-0/1-1/2-2; lateral median 1-1/1-1/1-1/2-2; lateral inframedian 1-1/0-0/0-0/0-0; ventral lateral 2-2/3-3/3-3/4-4; ventral submedian 3-3/3-3/3- 3/4-4. Segment V: dorsal lateral 3-3; lateral median 2-2; ventral lateral 4-4 and ventral median 3-3.

Telson (Fig: 14-e); Coloration pale brown to yellowish, with a diffuse fusco-piceus pattern; ventrally with two pale, longitudinal paramedian bands. Vesicle slender and thin; dorsal surface flat, on males with a large vesicular gland, present over two thirds of the vesicle, narrow at the anterior margin: ventral surface granular, with scattered, flat, rounded granules and setae.

Pedipalp: Coloration pale brown to yellowish, on femur and patella with diffuse fusco-piceus pattern, denser surrounding each trichobothria and macro-setae; on chela denser coloration on each carina, denser on the base of manus and on fingers. Orthobothriotaxia Type “C”. Femur (Fig: 15-e): wider than deep. Dorsal retrolateral carina strong, composed by an irregular line of large, rounded, scattered granules; dorsal prolateral carina strong, composed by a single line of large, rounded granules, all together; ventral prolateral carina weak, composed by a single line of large, rounded and flattened granules; ventral retrolateral carina weak, almost absent, composed by an irregular line of large rounded granules scattered along segment. Dorsal surface shagreened and flat, ventral surface minutely granular and several scattered large rounded granules. Patella (Fig: 16-e): dorsal retrolateral carina inconspicuous, not well differentiated in coloration, composed by an irregular line of flattened, rounded granules; dorsal prolateral carina strong, not well differentiated in coloration, composed by an irregular line of large, rounded and flattened granules; prolateral median carina weak, composed only by few pointed granules disposed in line; ventral retrosubmedian carina strong, composed by a line of large rounded granules; ventral median carina vestigial, only present by few small granules at basal margin; ventral retrolateral carina strong on basal half of segment, weakening at level of trichobothrium V 3, composed by an irregular line of large pointed granules; retrolateral median carina weak to vestigial, more developed on distal half, composed by a line of small aggregated granules. Chela (Fig: 17-e): dorsal median, dorsal prosubmedian and dorsal internal carinae strong, composed by several rows of aggregated granules and an elevation of the cuticle; prolateral median and ventral retrolateral carinae strong, granular, composed by several rows of small granules; ventral prolateral, retrolateral median and dorsal retrolateral carinae weak, composed by several rows of small granules and barely arising from cuticular level; all carinae differentiated in coloration. Fingers dentate margins straight, without scalloping.

Legs: Base coloration pale yellow, with large portions of segments with dark brown infuscations, denser on basitarsus. Basitarsi I–IV with two subrows of spinules divided by four pairs of asymmetrical, larger setae. Telotarsi I–IV with a single row of spinules ventrally, with two distal spinules on I–IV (Right/left side): 2/2:2/2:2/ 2:2/2; pi / ri setae count: 1/1:2/1:2/1:2/1.

Hemispermatophore (Fig: 19-e): Lamelliform (TL: 3.6; LL: 1.2; LW: 0.8 mm); lamella straight, as wide as capsule; hook short, basal, composed of a single lobe. Capsule entally with median lobe well sclerotized.

Variation ( Table 2 ): The presence of sexual dimorphism in this species is noticeable in the development of the vesicular gland on males, whereas in females this gland is inconspicuous or absent. Additionally the body size is larger on females (24–27 mm) than on males (usually 20–21 mm). Full morphometric variation is given in tables 13 and 14. Setae variation is given in tables 9–12.

Distribution. Guanajuato, México. This species is known from the type locality, in the city of Guanajuato and in the Área Natural Protegida Cuenca de la Esperanza which is a few kilometres north of the city, both in the Mexican state of Guanajuato ( Figure 4 ).

Natural history. A. Duges did not provide habitat data for this species, but in recent times this species has been collected under rocks and hiding among the fallen leaves of oak trees. One litter born in captivity consisted of 23 young scorpions.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Known distribution of all the species of Vaejovis, included in the “mexicanus” group.

FIGURE 13. Comparison in shapes on carapace in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 14. Comparison of the different shapes in the caudal gland on species within the “mexicanus” group (each caudal gland, if present, is highlighted in red): a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov.

FIGURE 15. Comparison in shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp femur, in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 16. Comparison in shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp patella, in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 17. Comparison in shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp chela of males in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 18. Comparison in the different shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp chela of females, that selected species within “mexicanus” group present: a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 19. Comparison on the shapes in the hemispermatophore in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. ceboruco sp. nov.; b—V. chiapas; c—V. coalcoman; d—V. darwini; e—V. dugesi; f—V. dzahui; g—V. franckei; h—V. granulatus; i—V. maculosus; j—V. mcwesti; k—V. mexicanus; l—V. montanus; m—V. monticola; n—V. morelia; o—V. nanchititla sp. nov. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 23. Habitus of Vaejovis dugesi (♂): a—dorsal view; b—ventral view. Scale bar = 1 cm.