New Vaejovis from the Hualapai Mountains in Arizona

Davis Sissom and co-workers have described a new species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from the Hualapai Mountains in Arizona (USA).

Vaejovis tenuipalpus Sissom, Hughes, Bryson Jr. & Prendini, 2012

Photo: Rich Ayrey (C)

Abstract:
A new species in the vorhiesi group of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae Thorell, 1876), which appears to be endemic to the Hualapai Mountains near Kingman, Arizona, is described and illustrated. Vaejovis tenuipalpus, n. sp., the 11th species in the vorhiesi group, is compared to morphologically similar species, including V. jonesi Stahnke, 1940, V. lapidicola Stahnke, 1940, V. vorhiesi Stahnke, 1940, and V. deboerae Ayrey, 2009. The new species possesses the most slender pedipalp chelae in the vorhiesi group. New distribution records and a comprehensive distribution map are provided for all Arizona members of the group.

Reference:
Sissom WD, Hughes GB, Bryson Jr RW, Prendini L. The vorhiesi group of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), in Arizona, with description of a new species from the Hualapai Mountains. American Museum Novitates. 2012(3742):1-19. [Free full text]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this paper!Thanks to Rich Ayrey for sharing a picture of the new species with us!

Family Vaejovidae