More or less obligatory, cave-dwelling scorpions are found in several areas. Some with distinct troglomorphic traits like reduced pigmentation and the lack of eyes. Jonas Eduardo Gallão and Deyvison Bonfim Ribeiro have recently described a new obligatory, subterranean species in the genus Troglorhopalurus Lourenço, Baptista & Giupponi, 2004 (Buthidae) from three caves in Ituaçu, State of Bahia in Brazil.
Troglorhopalurus araras Gallão & Ribeiro, 2026
The new species lack typical troglomorphic traits except for having thinner cuticle than normal. This may represent a troglomorphic trait.
An identification guide for the genus is presented. Please note that this guide (and article) is missing Troglorhopalurus iuiu Carvalho, Silva, Emanuela de Souza & Feirreira, 2025. I'm not sure why, as both species are described from Brazil.
Abstract:
We describe Troglorhopalurus araras sp. n. based only on females, as a new obligatory and exclusively subterranean scorpion occurring in three caves from Ituaçu, State of Bahia, Brazil. The caves of Ituaçu belong to an isolated portion of the Una geomorphological group. Troglorhopalurus araras is the third known species of Troglorhopalurus and differs from its congeners by size, carination mainly in chela hand and metasoma, teeth of pecten, shape of telson spine, and colour. This new species enhances the diversity of cave-dwelling species in Brazilian caves, as well as the knowledge of cave scorpions. Troglorhopalurus araras must be considered threatened due to its restricted endemism at caves in the Chapada Diamantina.
Reference:
Gallão JE, Ribeiro DB. Troglorhopalurus araras (Scorpiones: Buthidae) a new subterranean scorpion from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Journal of Natural History. 2026;60(9-12):557–72. [Subscription required for full text]
No comments:
Post a Comment