Rumikiru - a new genus from northern Chile

Andres Ojanguren-Affilastro and co-workers have recently published a paper describing a new genus in the family Bothriuridae from northern Chile. A new species is also presented. In addition, an existing species is transferred into the new genus.

Rumikiru Ojanguren-Affilastro, Mattoni, Ochoa & Prendini, 2012 (new genus)

Rumikiru atacama Ojanguren-Affilastro, Mattoni, Ochoa & Prendini, 2012 (new species)

Rumikiru lourencoi (Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2003) (new combination - transfered from Orobothriurus)

Rumikiru is formed from the language Quechua and means "Stone tooth" (refering to the large large denticles on the movable fingers of the pedipalp chela in this genus (an unique character in Bothriuridae), and to the habitat of the two species (they are restricted to rocky slopes)).

Abstract:
Rumikiru, n. gen., a new bothriurid scorpion genus from the coastal Atacama Desert, Chile, is described. This is the first scorpion genus endemic to northern Chile. It is most closely related to Pachakutej Ochoa, 2004, from the inter-Andean valleys of Peru. Orobothriurus lourencoi Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2003, is transferred to the new genus and redescribed, creating Rumikiru lourencoi (Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2003), n. comb., and a second species of the genus, Rumikiru atacama, n. sp., is described.

Reference:
Ojanguren Affilastro AA, Mattoni CI, Ochoa JA, Prendini L. Rumikiru, n. gen. (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae), a new scorpion genus from the Atacama Desert. American Museum Novitates. 2012(3731):1-43. [Free fultext]

Thanks to Rolando Teruel for informing me about this paper.

Family Bothriuridae