A new vaejovid genus from USA and Mexico

Michael E. Soleglad and co-workers have recently published an article presenting a new genus in the family Vaejovidae from USA and Mexico. Four species have been included in the new genus.

Catalinia Soleglad, Ayrey, Graham & Fet, 2017 (New genus).

Catalinia andreas (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972) (Previously Pseudouroctonus andreas (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)).

Catalinia castanea (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972) (Raised from subspecies status. Previously Pseudouroctonus minimus castaneus (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)).

Catalinia minima (Kraepelin, 1911) (Previously Pseudouroctonus minimus minimus (Kraepelin, 1911)).

Catalinia thompsoni (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972) (Raised from subspecies status. Previously Pseudouroctonus minimus thompsoni (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)).

The habitat and biogeography of the new species is discussed. An identification key is also provided.

Abstract:
Genus Catalinia, gen. nov. (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) is described from southern California, USA and Baja California, Mexico. The genus is composed of four species formerly placed in Pseudouroctonus: Catalinia minima (Kraepelin, 1911), comb. nov. (type species), C. andreas (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov., C. castanea (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov., and C. thompsoni, comb. nov. (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972). Major diagnostic characters of Catalinia include a carapace with a very weak anterior indentation, a very stout metasoma with little or no tapering from segment I to V, and a mating plug with two partial bases. Evidence is presented suggesting that Catalinia is closely related to the “apacheanus” species group of Pseudouroctonus.

Reference:
Soleglad ME, Ayrey RF, Graham MR, Fet V. Catalinia, a new scorpion genus from southern California, USA and northern Baja California, Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2017(251):1-64. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae