Two new species of Calchas from Turkey and a new genus

In 2009, Fet et al studied the rare genus Calchas Birula, 1899 (Iuridae) from Greece and Turkey and described two new species. Ersen Yagmur has now sampled specimens from many new populations in Turkey, especially from locations in southeastern Turkey. In Yagmur et al., 2013, the new material is described and a new genus and two new species are presented.

Neocalchas Yagmur, Soleglad, Fet & Kovarik, 2013: New genus distributed in Antalya and Mersin provinces in Turkey and on the islands of Megisti and Samos in Greece.

Neocalchas gruberi (Fet, Soleglad & Kovarik, 2009): New combination. Previous name Calchas gruberi  Fet, Soleglad & Kovarik, 2009. Distributed in Antalya and Mersin provinces in Turkey and on the islands of Megisti and Samos in Greece.

Calchas anlasi  Yagmur, Soleglad, Fet & Kovarik, 2013: Turkey: Hakkari Province; Iraq: Arbil Prov-ince (not verified).

Calchas kosswigi  Yagmur, Soleglad, Fet & Kovarik, 2013:Turkey: Siirt and Şırnak Provinces.

The paper has an updated identification key for Neocalchas and Calchas.

This paper is a feast for the eye having some beautiful color pictures showing the described taxas natural habitats, which are stunning!

Abstract:
Several new Calchas populations are studied from Turkey, including specimens from Hakkari Province, which borders the northern edge of Iraq. A new genus, Neocalchas, gen. nov., and two new species, Calchas anlasi, sp. nov. and C. kosswigi, sp. nov., are described. The two genera, Calchas and Neocalchas, are diagnosed by their hemispermatophore structure, chelal finger dentition, telson morphometrics and setation, and trichobothrial topology of the pedipalp chela. Genus Calchas Birula, 1899 includes four species: C. anlasi, sp. nov., C. birulai, C. kosswigi, sp. nov., and C. nordmanni; genus Neocalchas, gen. nov., includes one species, N. gruberi, comb. nov. New diagnoses for genera Calchas and Neocalchas are provided as well as a key to the species of Calchas.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Soleglad ME, Fet V, Kovarik F. Etudes on iurids, vi. Further revision of Calchas birula, 1899 (Scorpiones: Iuridae), with a description of a new genus and two new species. Euscorpius. 2013 (159):1-37. [Free full text]

Family Iuridae