26 July, 2010

Redescription of the enigmatic Troglotayosicus humiculum

Jose Ochoa, Ricardo Botero-Trujillo and Lorenzo Prendini have published a redescription of Troglotayosicus humiculum Botero-Trujillo & Francke, 2009 (Troglotayosicidae) after finding more specimens of this rare, troglomorphic species in Colombia.

The phylogenetic status of the genus Troglotayosicus Lourenco, 1981 and the family Troglotayosicidae Lourenco, 1998 is also discussed.

Abstract:
The endemic Colombian troglomorphic scorpion, Troglotayosicus humiculum Botero-Trujillo and Francke, 2009, previously known only from the juvenile holotype, is redescribed based on newly collected adults of both sexes. New data on basitarsal spination, telotarsal setation, and carination of the metasoma and pedipalps, together with the first description of the hemispermatophore and a revised interpretation of the trichobothria, are provided, along with brief discussions of the ecology and distribution of the species.

Reference:
Ochoa JA, Botero-Trujillo R, Prendini L. On the Troglomorphic Scorpion Troglotayosicus humiculum (Scorpiones, Troglotayosicidae), with First Description of the Adults. American Museum Novitates. 2010 Jun(3691):1-19. [free fulltext]

Family Troglotayosicidae

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