Several taxonomic changes after a reanalysis of Microcharmidae, Grosphus and Teruelius

 

 
Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik recently published an article where they did a morphometric analysis of the family Microcharmidae Lourenco, 1996 and the genera Grosphus Simon, 1880 and Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019. The following taxonomic decisions were made:

The family Microcharmidae Lourenco, 1996 with its two genera is synomymized with the family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837.

The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019 (22 species) is restored from synonymy with Grosphus Simon, 1880 (14 species).

Two new species are described:

Grosphus angulatus Lowe & Kovarik, 2022 (Madagascar)

Teruelius haeckeli Lowe & Kovarik, 2022 (Madagascar)

Abstract:
The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovařík, 2019, was created for a subset of species originally included under Grosphus Simon, 1880, but was subsequently synonymized with Grosphus. We reanalyze Teruelius and Grosphus by scoring 45 discrete characters, and 32 discrete + 17 continuous characters, for all 36 included species, plus 11 related buthids as outgroup taxa. Morphometric analyses are systematically applied to quantify variation in continuous characters, including: carapace length, carapace anterior concavity, carapace preocular length, hemispermatophore posterior lobe length, tibial spur length/ tibia distal depth ratio, metasoma I length/ width ratio, pectine tooth length/ width ratio, pedipalp femur petite ‘trichobothrium’ d2 position, pedipalp fixed finger relative position of trichobothria db vs. est, and pedipalp manus relative position of Eb trichobothria. Elliptic Fourier analyses and principal components analyses are applied to quantify variation in sternite IV spiracle aperture profiles, female basal pectinal tooth shapes and telson lateral profiles. Laser light scattering is applied to quantify differences in optical reflectance of sternite VII arising from cuticular lattice microstructures. Spectral image analysis is applied to quantify differences in granulation of metasoma I ventrosubmedian carinae. The use of UV fluorescence as a quantitative taxonomic character is critically reviewed. Six binary characters are proposed for differential diagnosis of Teruelius vs. Grosphus. Phylogenetic analyses rooting trees with 8 individual outgroup taxa, or with multiple outgroup taxa under morphological and molecular backbone constraints, all yield overwhelming support for the monophyly of Teruelius, and the genus is reinstated. The position of outgroup taxon Microcharmus in a separate family is not supported by any diagnostic characters or phylogenetic analysis, and Microcharmidae is synonymized with Buthidae. Two new species, Grosphus angulatus sp. n. and Teruelius haeckeli sp. n. are described.

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F. Reanalysis of Teruelius and Grosphus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with descriptions of two new species. Euscorpius. 2022(356):1-105. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Taxonomical changes in the genus Grosphus

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently published a study on the genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) were they critise the taxonomical decisions made in a 2019 study by Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik. Lourenco et al's conclusion is that they reject most decsisions made in the latter study and in addition they describe one new species.

These are the major taxonomical changes:

The genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019 is placed in synonymy with Grosphus Simon, 1880 and all species in Teruelius is also transferred back to Grosphus.

Grosphus makay Lourenço & Wilmé, 2015 is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus feti Lourenço, 1996.

Grosphus rossii Lourenço, 2013 is restored from synonymy of  with mahafaliensis Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004.

Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004, is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilmé, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017, is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus mandena Lourenço, 2005, is restored from synonymy of  with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus mavo Lourenco & Rossi, 2020 (New species from Madagascar)

The status according to Lowe & Kovarik, 2019 is summed up here.

There is a great disagreement between the "Lourenco-group" and the "Kovarik-group" when it comes to the taxonomy of several taxa. I do not know who has the correct answer for the genus Grosphus and other taxa as I'm no expert taxonomist. The Scorpion Files tries as far as possible to stay neutral and will publish the latest update for the different scorpion taxa. It is challenging though and a lot of work some times when researchers are correcting each other several times. [This paragraph was edited by the Editor 23.07.20]

Abstract:
The southwestern portion of Madagascar appears to have one of the highest levels of scorpion diversity on the island. In this contribution, the remarkable diversity of the genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 in this region is discussed. A particular attention is aimed to the area of the Cap Sainte Marie where microendemic geographic patterns are observed. These are tentatively explained in the light of some new biogeographic interpretations. A new species is also described from the Cap Sainte Marie and is characterized by a medium body size and a very pale yellow coloration. While this contribution was in preparation,  we learned about the publication of a “most controversial revision” of the genus Grosphus by authors who totally ignored a number of taxonomic particularities of this group and worse, who lack any experience on the ecological and biogeographic patterns observed for the Malagasy fauna. This calls for corrections in which their speculative decisions are refuted.

References:
Lourenco WR, Rossi A, Wilme L, Raherilalao MJ, Soarimalala V, Waeber PO. The remarkable diversity of the genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Southern Madagascar and in particular in the region of Cap Sainte Marie. Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2020;VI(XXVII):2-35.


Family Buthidae

A revision of the genus Grosphus and the creation of a new genus Teruelius

Madagascar has always been a hotspot for biodiversity and has many endemic taxa, also among scorpions. The genus with the largest number of endemic species is Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae). Many new species have been described in this genus in the last year, but no modern revision has been done.

Graeme Lowe and Frantisek Kovarik have now published a revision of the genus Grosphus on Madagascar. The most notable conclusion of this work is that they split the genus into two and establish the new genus Teruelius Lowe & Kovarik, 2019. Here is the content of the two genera after the split:

Grosphus Simon, 1880 (10)
G. ambre Lourenço, Wilmé & Waeber, 2018
G. darainensis Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004
G. goudoti Lourenço & Goodman, 2006
G. hirtus Kraepelin, 1900
G. madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843)
G. mayottensis Lourenço & Goodman, 2009
G. polskyi Lourenço, Qi & Goodman, 2007
G. rakotoariveloi Lourenço, Wilme, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017
G. tavaratra Lourenço, Soarimalala & Goodman, 2009
G. voahangyae Lourenço & Wilme 2015

Teruelius Lowe & Kovarík, 2019 (18)
T. ankarafantsika (Lourenço, 2003)
T. ankarana (Lourenço & Goodman, 2003)
T. annulatus (Fage, 1929)
T. bemaraha (Lourenço, Wilmé & Waeber, 2018)
T. bicolor (Lourenço, 2012)
T. bistriatus (Kraepelin, 1900)
T. eliseanneae (Lourenço & Wilme, 2016)
T. feti (Lourenço, 1996)
T. flavopiceus (Kraepelin, 1900)
T. ganzhorni (Lourenço, Wilme & Waeber, 2016)
T. grandidieri (Kraepelin, 1900)
T. intertidalis (Lourenço, 1999)
T. limbatus (Pocock, 1889)
T. magalieae (Lourenço, 2014)
T. mahafaliensis (Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004)
T. olgae (Lourenço, 2004)
T. sabineae (Lourenço & Wilme, 2016)
T. waeberi (Lourenço & Wilme, 2016)

The following species have been synonymized:

Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 is synonymized with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilmé, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017 is synonymized with Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus mandena Lourenço, 2005 is synonymized with  Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843).

Grosphus makay Lourenço & Wilmé, 2015 is synonymized with Teruelius feti (Lourenço, 1996).

Grosphus rossii Lourenço, 2013 is synonymized with Teruelius mahafaliensis (Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004).

See article for further details and descriptions.

Abstract:
We review the taxonomy of the Madagascar endemic buthid genus Grosphus Simon, 1880. We split the genus and describe Teruelius gen. n. on the basis of nine morphological characters, six of them new for Grosphus: positions of trichobothria d2 on pedipalp femur and Eb3 on chela manus, number of pectine teeth, shape of female basal pectinal tooth, form of hemispermatophore capsule posterior lobe, spiracle shape, metasoma I ventromedian carination, telotarsal setation and UV fluorescence. We discuss functional and taxonomic aspects of these characters, and propose that Teruelius gen. n. is monophyletic, while Grosphus (sensu stricto) is paraphyletic. Some characters of Teruelius gen. n. suggest adaptations to xeric environments, some of Grosphus to humid environments. Neogrosphus Lourenço, 1995 shares characters with both Grosphus and Teruelius gen. n.Scenarios for origins of these genera by vicariance or dispersal are discussed. New synonymies proposed are: Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 = Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843), syn. n.; Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilmé, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017 = Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843), syn. n.; Grosphus mandena Lourenço, 2005 = Grosphus madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843), syn. n.; Grosphus hirtus garciai Lourenço, 2001 = Grosphus hirtus Kraepelin, 1900, syn. n.; Grosphus makay Lourenço & Wilmé, 2015 = Teruelius feti (Lourenço, 1996) comb. n., syn.n.; Grosphus rossii Lourenço, 2013 = Teruelius mahafaliensis (Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004) comb. n., syn. n.

Reference:
Lowe G, Kovarik F. Review of Grosphus Simon, 1880, with description of Teruelius gen. n., a new buthid genus from Madagascar (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius. 2019(281):1-128. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently published an article describing two new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) from Madagascar.

Grosphus halleuxi Lourenço, Wilme, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017

Grosphus rakotoariveloi Lourenço, Wilme, Soarimalala & Waeber, 2017

Grosphus simoni Lourenco, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 is redescribed. The biogeography of the mentioned species is also discussed.

Abstract:
A reanalysis of the type material of Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004, associated with new material of this species from the northeast of Madagascar, has led to the conclusion that the male paratype of G. simoni belongs to a new, undescribed species. A large series of specimens collected in the Ambatovy-Analamay-Torotorofotsy humid forests, at around 1000 m, revealed the presence of another new species, also associated to G. simoni. Thanks to the supplementary material, with males and females, a new diagnosis is proposed for G. simoni and two new species are here described. Some general comments on the biogeography of the two new species and G. simoni are also provided.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Soarimalala V, Waeber PO. Species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 associated to Grosphus simoni Lourenço, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004 with description of two new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2017(30):61-9.

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have recently described a new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 from northern Madagascar.

Grosphus ganzhorni Lourenco, Wilme & Waeber, 2016

Abstract:
A new species, associated with Grosphus annulatus Fage, 1929, is described from the Akarana Massif in the north of Madagascar. Some comments on biogeographical aspects linking the new species with its possible vicariant are also included.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L, Waeber PO. One more vicariant new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Madagascar. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2016(29):45-50. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae

Three new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Madagascar is a hotspot for scorpion diversity and endemism. Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have recently described three new species of Grosphus Simon 1880 (Buthidae) from the island.

Grosphus eliseanneae Lourenco & Wilme, 2016

Grosphus sabineae Lourenco & Wilme, 2016

Grosphus waeberi Lourenco & Wilme, 2016

In addition, Grosphus bistriatus Kraepelin 1900 is redescribed in the article.

Abstract:
A revised redescription is proposed for Grosphus bistriatus Kraepelin 1900. Three new species, associated with both G. bistriatus and G. ankarafantsika Lourenço 2003 are described. Some comments on biogeographic aspects linking the new species with both G. bistriatus and G. ankarafantsika are also provided.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Three new species of Grosphus Simon 1880, (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Madagascar; possible vicariant cases within the Grosphus bistriatus group of species. Madagascar Conservation & Development. 2016;11(2):1-14. [Open Access]

Thanks to Carlos Turiel for informing me about this new article!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Late last year, Lourenco & Wilme published a new species in the endemic genus Grosphus Simon, 1880  (Buthidae) from the Ambatovy-Analamay humid forest in Madagascar.

Grosphus voahangyae Lourenço & Wilme 2015

Abstract:
Uplands areas of the central eastern Madagascar are not considered amongst the regions of the island that show high levels of scorpion diversity. Previous surveys conducted in the Ambatovy-Analamay-Torotorofotsy humid forests at around 1000 m, revealed the presence of different species of Grosphus. The detailed study of several individuals of one of these populations indicates the presence of a new species associated with Grosphus hirtus Kraepelin, 1900. This new species, G. voahangyae sp. n., is described in the paper. Some comments on biogeographic aspects linking the new species with both G. madagascariensis (Gervais, 1843) and G. hirtus are also provided.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Species of Grosphus Simon, 1880, associated to the group madagascariensis / hirtus (Scorpiones: Buthidae); description of a peculiar new species from the humid eastern forests of Madagascar. Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg. 2015;17(194):207-23.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco and Lucienne Wilme have investigated scorpion materials collected in the Makay Mountain range in Madagascar. One new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) has been described.

Grosphus makay Lourenco & Wilme, 2015

The taxonomic history of Grosphus limbatus (Pocock, 1889) is also discussed.

Abstract:
New considerations regarding Grosphus limbatus (Pocock, 1889), described from an undefined locality in Madagascar, are proposed. One new species, Grosphus makay sp. n., closely allied to G. limbatus, is described from the Makay sandstone mountain range, Atsimo-Andrefana Region (ex Province of Toliara) in south-western Madagascar. The description of the new species brings further evidence of the existence of micro-endemic and vicariant populations within the Malagasy scorpion fauna.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Wilme L. Scorpions collected in the Makay mountain range, Madagascar (Scorpiones: Hormuridae, Buthidae) and with description of a new species. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2015 (26):55-61. [Subscription required for full text]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Grosphus from Southwestern Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco is the leading expert on the scorpion fauna of Madagascar, which he has studied for several decades. Madagascar has a high scorpion diversity with a majority of the species being endemic for the island. In a recent paper, professor Lourenco has described a new species of the endemic genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) from Southwestern Madagascar.

Grosphus magalieae Lourenco, 2014

The article also has description, habitat information and an identification key for the other species of Grosphus found in Southwestern Madagascar.

Abstract:
The South-Western portion of Madagascar appears to have one of the highest levels of scorpion diversity on the island. In this paper is presented an analysis of the known species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 from this region. Information on ecological aspects of the species is also given. A new species is also described from the region of Cap Sainte Marie, an area where micro-endemic patterns can be observed. The new species is characterized by a medium size with a total length of 50.3 mm. General coloration yellow to pale yellow without dark zones on body and appendages. Carapace yellow with an anterior reddish-orange zone, approximately forming an inverted triangle. Anterior margin of carapace strongly granular. Male pectines with 36-36 teeth. Fixed and movable fingers of pedipalps with 12-13 oblique rows of granules.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. The genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 in South-Western Madagascar, with the description of a new species (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Zoosystema. 2014;36(3):631-45. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Family Buthidae

New species of Grosphus from Madagascar

Wilson Lourenco has discovered a new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) from Central Madagascar.

Grosphus rossii Lourenco, 2013

Abstract:
A new species of scorpion belonging to the genus Grosphus (Buthidae) is described from the Central region of Madagascar. By its general morphology and pattern of coloration it shows clear affinities with species found in the Southwest portion of the island. The discovery of one more new species of Grosphus in the island brings further evidence to the existence of patterns of micro-endemism among Malagasy scorpions.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. A new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Central Madagascar. Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg. 2013;16(189):57-62.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his paper!

Family Buthidae

A new Grosphus from Madagascar

Madagascar is a gold mine for scorpion diversity and professor Wilson Lourenco has now described a new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Buthidae) from the island.

Grosphus bicolor Lourenco, 2012

Abstract:
The southwestern portion of Madagascar appears to have one of the highest levels of scorpion diversity on the island and in two previous publications an analysis of the known species of Grosphus from this region was presented. One more new species, Grosphus bicolor sp. n. is described from dry spiny bush in inland region, between Ranohira and Llakaka.

References:
Lourenco WR. A new species of Grosphus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from the Southwest of Madagascar. entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg. 2012;16(188):33-40.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his paper!

Family Buthidae

New species biography in SF - Grosphus grandidieri

Michiel Cozijn has again written a very informative species biography for The Scorpion Files:

Grosphus grandidieri (Kraepelin, 1900) (Buthidae) species biography

A big thanks to Michiel for another great contribution to The Scorpion Files!

Species biographies in The Scorpion Files

A new species of Grosphus from the Comoros Archipelago

Lourenco & Goodman have recently described a new species of Grosphus (Buthidae) from the island of Mayotte (Maore), which is a part of the Comoros Archipelago (but under the administration of France):

Grosphus mayottensis Lourenco & Goodman, 2009 (Buthidae)

This is the first reccord of Grosphus outside Madagascar and the existence of this genus on the island is probably due to introductions from Madagascar through water rafting on vegetation etc. Human introduction is not likely due to late human colonization of the island (there have not been enought time for speciation).

Abstract:
A new species, Grosphus mayottensis sp. n., is described from the isolated volcanic island of Mayotte (Maore) in the Comoros archipelago. With this description, the total number of species in this genus, which previously was known only from Madagascar, is 20. Some ideas are presented on the possible means of dispersion of Grosphus from Madagascar to Mayotte, which is best explained by rafting on floating vegetation.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Goodman SM. Scorpions from the Comoros Archipelago: Description of a new species of Grosphus Simon (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Mayotte (Maore). Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2009; (44):35-8.

Family Buthidae

New species biography in SF - Grosphus madagascarensis

Michiel Cozijn has kindly written a new species biography for The Scorpion Files. This time he has looked into Grosphus madagascarensis from Madagascar. In addition to information about systematics and biology, the biography also has a small section on captive care. Thanks to Michiel for this contribution!

Grosphus madagascarensis biography

Family Buthidae