Tarsoporosus macuira Teruel et Roncallo, 2007

Teruel, Rolando & Roncallo, César A., 2010, Rare or poorly known scorpions from Colombia. IV. Additions, synonymies and new records (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Scorpionidae), Euscorpius 105 (105), pp. 1-15 : 9-13

Tarsoporosus macuira Teruel et Roncallo, 2007

Figs. 8–9 , 13 ; Tab. 2

Tarsoporosus macuira Teruel & Roncallo, 2007: 1–8 , figs. 1–4, tab. 1; Rojas-Runjaic & Becerra, 2008: 461, 473–474, fig. 4.

Diagnosis (emended): species of medium size (males 40–41 mm, female 39 mm) for the genus. Body yellowish to dark brown, with pedipalps and metasoma distally darker; chelicerae, carapace and tergites densely but diffusely patterned with dark brown to blackish reticulations; legs immaculate, conspicuously paler than the body; pedipalps and metasoma with carinae and fingers darkened. Carapace and tergites smooth, with coriaceous to finely granulose areas symmetrically scattered. Metasoma with intercarinal tegument smooth and totally devoid of granulation on segments I–IV. Pedipalp chela robust, strongly carinated and covered by granulose reticulations on dorsoexternal surfaces. Pectinal tooth count 12–14 in males, 11–12 in females. Modal tarsal spine formula 4/5: 5/5: 6/6: 6/6.

Adult Female: the specimen examined herein differs from the holotype in the following characters: (1) genital operculum completely fused by a membranous connection ( Fig. 9e ); (2) genital papillae absent ( Fig. 9e ); (3) pectines comparatively smaller, with 12/11 teeth ( Fig. 9e ); (4) pedipalp chela less incrassate, with fingers longer and more slender ( Figs. 9c–d , Tab. 2 ); (5) metasomal segments shorter but wider ( Figs. 8a–b , 9f–g , Tab. 2 ); (6) mesosoma wider and with convex sides ( Figs. 8a–b , Tab. 2 ); (7) overall size slightly smaller ( Tab. 2 ); (8) color pattern somewhat darker ( Figs. 8–9 ).

New Record: COLOMBIA: La Guajira Department, Riohacha, 7 km beyond Colegio Sagrado Corazón, path to Rancherías river , 11 February 2009, leg. C. A. Roncallo, 1♀ (Sco-0412) .

Remarks: this species was described only from two adult males captured in the Colombian side of La Guajira Peninsula, but the authors hypothesized that this species was likely present also in neighboring Venezuela (Teruel & Roncallo, 2007). This prediction was soon confirmed by Rojas-Runjaic & Becerra (2008), who recorded this scorpion from a small island in the Maracaibo Gulf ( Isla de Toas, Zulia Department).

Figures

Figure 8: Adult female of Tarsoporosus macuira: a) entire dorsal view; b) entire ventral view.

Figure 9: Adult female of Tarsoporosus macuira: a) carapace and tergite I; b) tergites II–VI; c) pedipalp, dorsal view; d) pedipalp, ventral view; e) sternopectinal region; f) metasomal segments I–III, lateral view; g) metasomal segments IV–V and telson, lateral view.

Figures 12–13: 12 (top). Geographical distribution of Tityus tayrona: previous records (black squares), new record (white square), records previously assigned to T. erikae (white squares with black dot). Abbreviations for Departments: Atl. = Atlántico, Magd. = Magdalena. 13 (bottom). Geographical distribution of Tarsoporosus macuira: previous records (black squares), new record (white square).