Vaejovis santibagnezi, A & Oscar, 2019

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 : 66-69

Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. n.

Figures 4 , 35e , 36e , 37e , 38e , 39e , 40e , 41e , 45

Type material. Holotype male. MEXICO; Jalisco, Autlan de Navarro, Ejido Ahuachapán, Reserva de la Biosfera de Manantlán (N 19.60469°, W 104.29994°, elev. 1967 m). IV-2 - 2012. Cols.: L. Olguín, C. Santibáñez, J. Mendoza, D. Ortíz and G. Contreras ( CNAN-T0830 ).

Paratypes: same data as holotype, 2 ♂ and 2 ♀ ( CNAN-T0831 ); 1 ♂ and 2 ♀ ( AMNH) .

Other specimens examined. Vaejovis santibagnezi : MEXICO; Jalisco, Autlan de Navarro, Ejido Ahuachapán, Reserva de la Biosfera de Manantlán (N 19.62993°, W 104.30436°, elev. 2052 m), IV-2-2012. Cols.: L. Olguín, C. Santibáñez, J. Mendoza, D. Ortíz and G. Contreras. 6 ♀ ( CNAN-SC3694 ) ; MEXICO; Jalisco, Autlan de Navarro, On the entrance to Las Joyas , Reserva de la Biosfera de Manantlán (N 19.60067°, W 104.29827°, elev. 1949 m). IV-2-2012. Cols.: L. Olguín, C. Santibáñez, J. Mendoza, D. Ortíz and G. Contreras. 7 ♀ (CNAN- SC3695).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Dr. Carlos Santibáñez López for his contributions to scorpion systematics in general and for his collecting efforts with this species in particular.

Diagnosis. Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. n. (Fig: 45-a, d) is a large species within the mexicanus group, holotype total length 35.3 (range of adults 32.2–37.5). Carapace (Fig: 35-e) shorter than metasomal segment V (Carapace L/ MS-V 0.88 ±0.06 [0.95 ±0.1]) and almost as long as the pedipalp femur (Carapace L/Femur L 1.08 ±0.03 [1.11 ± 0.03]); anterior margin of the carapace concave, with a well-developed “U” shaped median notch and bilobate. Pectinal counts: 13–15 [12–14] teeth; sternite V with whitish patch on posterior margin, semi-circular in shape; sternite VII with two lateral carinae formed by a few rounded granules, and 10 [10–12] setae. Metasomal segment I almost square in dorsal view (MSI L/ W 0.82 ±0.02 [0.76 ± 0.1]); intercarinal spaces on segments I–IV smooth to minutely granular; metasomal segment V more than twice longer than wide (MS-V L/ W 2.42 ±0.3 [2.05 ± 0.2]; W/ D: 1 ±0.05 [1.19 ± 0.01]); lateral media carinae granular, not reaching middle of segment. Vesicle (Fig: 36-e) rounded and broad (L/ W 1.79 ±0.2 [1.71 ± 0.15]; W/D: 1.28 ±0.31 [1.31 ± 0.02]), with two lighter, submedian longitudinal bands ventrally and two depressed bands on the sides; ventral surface smooth, with vestigial granules sparsely distributed, with scattered setae; dorsal face flat and smooth, with a circular white vesicular gland distally; additionally, presents two characteristic distal lateral well-differentiated lobes. Pedipalp femur (Fig: 37-e) and patella (Fig: 38-e) on males more than three times longer than wide (Femur L/W: 3.21 ±0.2 [2.93 ± 0.2]; Patella L/ W: 3.11 ±0.24 [2.84 ± 0.2]) and both wider than deep (F W/D: 1.5 ±0.25 [1.68 ± 0.3]; PW/D: 1.13 ±0.1 [1.19 ± 0.1]); patella with prolateral median carina vestigial, composed of some large, pointed scattered granules and retrolateral carina diffuse, present only by scattered granules. Chela (Fig: 39, 40-e) globular (CM L/W: 1.66 ±0.1 [1.75 ± 0.09]; W/D: 1.04 ±0.04 [1.01 ± 0.04]) with dorsal retrolateral and dorsal median carinae strong, crenulated; dorsal prosubmedian carina weak, crenulated; dorsal internal carinae weak to absent, formed by few pointed granules; ventral prolateral, ventral median and ventral retrolateral carinae weak, crenulated. Pedipalp chela fingers dentate margins straight.

Hemispermatophore (Fig: 41-e): Lamelliform (TL: 2.8 mm; LL: 1.6 mm; LW: 0.6 mm); lamella slightly curved, almost half as wide as the capsule and without distal crest; hooks short, basal, with one large pointed denticle, and a notch. Capsule entally with a small, well sclerotized median lobe.

Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. n. is similar and geographically close to V. monticola , but differs as follows: V. santibagnezi sp. n. is twice the size of V. monticola ; on the metasoma the lateral and ventral intercarinal spaces are shagreened on V. santibagnezi sp. n., whereas on V. monticola they are densely granular; on the pedipalp chela V. santibagnezi sp. n. has all manus carinae strong, granular, whereas on V. monticola the only developed carinae are the dorsal marginal, dorsal internal and internomedian, that are feebly granular, the other carinae are weak to absent. Another species similar in coloration and morphologically is V. mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 , but differs from this species as follows: the frontal margin of the carapace in V. santibagnezi sp. n. has a well-developed “U” shaped notch medially, whereas in V. mexicanus it has a concave margin, without median notch; the telson vesicle in V. santibagnezi sp. n. has characteristic distal lateral well-differentiated lobes, whereas in V. mexicanus the vesicle is not distinctly lobed. Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. n. is also somewhat similar to V. dugesi , and they differ as follows: most conspicuous difference between these two species is in coloration, pale brown to dark brown in V. santibagnezi sp. n., whereas in V. dugesi is a yellowish-brown to pale yellow coloration; the pedipalp manus in V. dugesi is slender and has a fixed finger as long or longer than the pedipalp manus, whereas in V. santibagnezi sp. n. the manus is broader and the fixed finger is always shorter than the manus; and the shape of the telson is clearly different. The pectinal tooth count in V. santibagnezi sp. n. in males is 13–15 (N= 4, mode= 15), and in females it is 11–14 (N= 18, mode= 12); in V. monticola in males it is 13–15 (N= 4, mode= 15) and in females it is 10–13 (N= 4, mode= 12); in V. dugesi in males is 13–13 (N= 4, mode= 13), in females is 11–12 (N= 19, mode= 12); in V. mexicanus in males it is 17–20 (N= 10, mode= 18), in females is 15–17 (N= 10, mode= 16).

Description holotype male: Prosoma (Fig: 35-e): Coloration pale brown with underlying fusco-piceous pattern; anterior margin of the carapace concave, with a well-developed “U” shaped median notch and bilobate; surface shagreened and minutely granular on anterior part.

Mesosoma: Tergites I–VI with fusco-piceous coloration, surface shagreened on tergites III to VI, with posteromedian area minutely granular. Tergite VII shagreened, with paramedian carinae well-developed, with welldifferentiated, pointed granules from middle but not reaching posterior edge; lateral carinae well developed, with well-differentiated pointed granules, not reaching posterior margin. Sternites with pale brown coloration and surface smooth; sternite V with whitish patch along posterior margin, semi-circular in shape; sternite VII darkened on the sides, with two lateral carinae formed by a few rounded granules; posterior margin with sparse, pointed granules. Sternite VII with 8 setae. Pectinal tooth count 15–13.

Metasoma: Coloration brown. Dorsal lateral carinae on I–IV formed by a single line of sparse granules, ending distally with a large pointed granule. Lateral median carinae strong on I–IV, formed by large pointed granules directed backwards, on I–III ending with a larger granule distally. Lateral inframedian carinae on I well developed, formed by large, pointed granules; on II not well developed, present only on posterior third; on III vestigial, a few sparse granules distally; on IV absent. Ventral lateral carinae on I–IV well-developed, formed by well differentiated, pointed granules directed backwards. Ventral submedian carinae on I–IV strong, with welldifferentiated, pointed granules directed backwards. Segment V longer than pedipalp patella and femur; dorsal lateral carinae weak, composed of small, round, sparsely distributed granules; lateral median carinae weak, present only on anterior half, formed by small granules sparsely distributed; ventral lateral carinae strong, with large pointed granules; ventral median carina strong, formed by large pointed granules directed backwards, becoming more sparsely distributed on posterior half, not reaching posterior margin. Setae counts over carinae of metasomal segments I–IV as follows: dorsal lateral 0-0/1-1/1-1/2-2; lateral median 0-0/2-1/2-2/2-2; lateral inframedian 2-2/1- 1/1-1/0-0; ventral lateral 3-2/4-3/4-3/4-4; ventral submedian 3-3/3-4/3-3/4-4. Segment V: dorsal lateral 4-4; lateral median 3-3; ventral lateral 6-6 and ventral median 3-3.

Telson (Fig: 36-e): Vesicle rounded (V L/W: 1.6) and broad, wider than deep (V W/D: 1.2), sides bulging posterolaterally giving lobed aspect in dorsal view; medium brown, with two lighter, submedian longitudinal bands ventrally and with two depressed bands on sides; vesicle ventrally smooth, with vestigial granules sparsely distributed, with scattered setae; dorsal face flat, smooth, without any setae or tubercles, with a circular white vesicular gland distally.

Pedipalps: Brown to dark brown. Orthobothriotaxia type “C”. Femur (Fig: 37-e): wider than deep. Dorsal retrolateral carina weak, with poorly-developed pointed granules and not differentiated in coloration from rest of femur; dorsal prolateral carina strong, with large pointed granules becoming rounded and flattened on distal fourth; ventral retrolateral carina strong, composed of a line of pointed granules well differentiated from each other; ventral prolateral carina strong, composed by a single row of pointed granules well differentiated from each other. Dorsal face flat, rough, with many small granules all over; ventral face brown to dark brown, concave, shagreened to minutely granular. Patella (Fig: 38-e): dorsal retrolateral carina strong, moderately granular, with flat, rounded granules; dorsal prolateral carina minutely granular, but may present large pointed granules on distal half, and rounded and flattened granules on proximal half; prolateral median carina vestigial, composed of some large, pointed, scattered granules; ventral retrolateral carina crenulated, with flattened granules; ventral median carina vestigial, present only at basal portion of segment and composed of a short line of rounded granules; ventral prolateral carina crenulated, with large well-differentiated granules. Chela ( Figs. 39-e ): dorsal retrolateral and dorsal median carinae strong, crenulated; dorsal prosubmedian carina weak, crenulated; dorsal internal carinae weak to absent, formed by few pointed granules; ventral prolateral, ventral median and ventral retrolateral carinae weak, crenulated; all other carinae obsolete. Pedipalp chela fingers dentate margins straight.

Legs: Color pale brown to brown. Basitarsus I with two ventrosubmedian rows of spinules, divided by three pairs of larger asymmetrical setae; basitarsi II–III with two ventrosubmedian rows of spinules, divided by four pairs of larger asymmetrical setae; basitarsus IV with two rows of spinules, divided by four pairs of larger asymmetrical setae. Telotarsi I–IV with a single median row of spinules; ventrally with 2 distal spinules, except on one telotarsus I with 1 spinule (left side): 2/1:2/2:2/2: 2/X; pi / ri setae count: 1/1:2/2:3/2:3/2.

Hemispermatophore ( Figs. 41-e ): Lamelliform (TL: 2.8 mm; LL: 1.6 mm; LW: 0.6 mm); lamella slightly curved, almost half as wide as capsule and without distal crest; hooks short, basal, with one large pointed denticle, and a notch. Capsule entally with a small, sclerotized median lobe.

Measurements: Table 5. Full morphometric variation is given in tables 13 and 14.

Variation: Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. n. shows sexual dimorphism (Fig: 45-a–d): the males are slightly darker than females, the shape of the chela differs between males and females, slightly bulkier on males (CM L/W: 1.66), whereas in females they are slenderer (CM L/W: 1.75); the manus carinae on males are more densely granulose than on females; females are larger than males; males have a whitish patch on posterior margin of mesosomal sternite V and a dorsal vesicular gland. Pectinal tooth count variation as follows: Males—1 comb with 13 teeth, 2 combs with 14 teeth and 5 combs with 15; Females—1 comb with 11 teeth, 17 combs with 12 teeth, 11 with 13 and 3 combs with 14. Setae variation is given in tables 9–12.

Distribution. This species in only known from the type locality and two nearby localities in the Reserva de la Biosfera of Manantlán, Jalisco ( Figure 4 ).

Natural history. The known males of V. santibagnezi sp. n. were collected at night with portable U. V. lights on the walls along road cuts, in a pine forest; females were also collected during the day under bark and they tended to rest at the base of pine tree stumps or inside them.

Figures

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

FIGURE 35. Comparison in shapes on carapace in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 36. 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. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca.

FIGURE 37. Comparison in shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp femur, in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 38. Comparison in shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp patella, in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 39. Comparison in shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp chela of males in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 40. Comparison in the different shapes and trichobothrial patterns in the pedipalp chela of females, that selected species within “mexicanus” group present a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. talpa sp. nov; j—V. tapalpa sp. nov; k—V. tenamaztlei; l—V. tesselatus; m—V. trespicos; n—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 41. Comparison on the shapes in the hemispermatophore in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 45. Habitus of Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. nov. holotype (♂): a—dorsal view; b—ventral view; habitus of V. santibagnezi sp. nov. paratype (♀): c—dorsal view; d—ventral view. Scale bar = 1 cm.