Brachistosternus, Pocock, 1893

OJANGUREN AFFILASTRO, ANDRÉS A., MATTONI, CAMILO I. & PRENDINI, LORENZO, 2007, The genus Brachistosternus (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) in Chile, with Descriptions of Two New Species, American Museum Novitates 3564 (1), pp. 1-44 : 41

Brachistosternus (L.) sp. 2

figures 44 , 55 , 76

MATERIAL EXAMINED: CHILE: Region V (Valparaiso): Los Andes Province: between Río Blanco and Juncal [32 ° 54 9 S 70 ° 11 9 W], 6.i.1984, A. Roig Alsina, 1950 m, 13 (MACN-Ar 10767); Guardia Vieja [32 ° 54 9 S 70 ° 17 9 W], 19.i.1984, E. Maury, 1600 m, 1♀, 1 juv. (MACN-Ar 10768); Juncal [32 ° 52 9 S 70 ° 10 9 W], 5.i.1984, E. Maury, 1950 m, 3♀, 3 juv. (MACN-Ar 10769); 20 km from Portezuelo [32 ° 53 9 S 70 ° 13 9 W], 13.ii.2005, Ojanguren and Korob, 2100 m, 1 juv. (MACN-Ar 10770) .

DIAGNOSIS: Brachistosternus sp. 2 is closely related to B. chilensis . Both species possess similar hemispermatophores, in which the distal lamina is shorter than or equal to the basal portion, the internal spines are absent, the basal spines well developed, the row of spines unbranched, and the basal triangle medium-sized. The pigmentation pattern of the tergites is also similar, displaying two welldeveloped spots laterally and a small spot medially that is often absent. Telson glands are absent in both species.

The two species may be separated by means of pigmentation pattern. In B. chilensis , the VM stripe on metasomal segments I–IV is narrow and does not join the VL stripes ( fig. 56 ), whereas in Brachistosternus sp. 2 , it is broad and joins the VL stripes ( fig. 55 ). Additionally, B. chilensis exhibits a well-developed VM carina on metasomal segment V, which is absent in Brachistosternus sp. 2 ( fig. 44 ).

DISTRIBUTION: Brachistosternus sp. 2 is the southernmost Andean species in Chile. It has been collected at intermediate altitudes (1600– 2100 m) in the central Andes of the Valparaiso region ( fig. 76 ). These localities belong to the Andes Mediterraneos botanical subregion, of the Estepa altoandina botanical region ( Gajardo, 1993) .

NOTES: A description of this species is in preparation by the first author and Cristina Scioscia.

Figures

Figs. 44–49. Diagnostic characters of Chilean Brachistosternus Pocock, 1893. 44. Brachistosternus (L.) sp. 2. Metasomal segment V, ventral aspect. 45. Brachistosternus (L.) cekalovici Ojanguren Affilastro, 2005. Metasomal segment V, ventral aspect. 46. Brachistosternus (L.) artigasi Cekalovic, 1974. Metasomal segment V, male, dorsal aspect. 47. Brachistosternus (L.) ochoai Ojanguren Affilastro, 2004. Metasomal segment IV, male, ventral aspect. 48. Brachistosternus (L.) donosoi Cekalovic, 1974. Metasomal segment IV, male, ventral aspect. 49. Brachistosternus (L.) mattonii Ojanguren Affilastro, 2005. Metasomal segment V, male, dorsal aspect. Scale bars 5 1 mm.

Figs. 50–56. Diagnostic characters of Chilean Brachistosternus Pocock, 1893. 50. Brachistosternus (L.) perettii Ojanguren Affilastro and Mattoni, 2006. Telson, male, dorsal aspect. 51. Brachistosternus (L.) sp. 3. Telson, male, dorsal aspect. 52. Brachistosternus (L.) sp. 1. Telotarsus I, dextral leg, internal aspect. 53. Brachistosternus (L.) chango, n.sp. Telotarsus I, dextral leg, internal aspect. 54. Brachistosternus (L.) negrei Cekalovic, 1975. Metasoma, pigmentation pattern, ventral aspect. 55. Brachistosternus (L.) sp. 2. Metasoma, pigmentation pattern, ventral aspect. 56. Brachistosternus (L.) chilensis Kraepelin, 1911. Metasoma, pigmentation pattern, ventral aspect. Scale bars 5 1 mm.

Figs. 75–77. The known distributions of Brachistosternus Pocock, 1893 in central-northern Chile (contour interval 500 m). 75. Brachistosternus sp. 1. 76. Brachistosternus sp. 2. 77. Brachistosternus sp. 3.