A new species of Lychas from Indonesia

 

Frantisek Kovarik has recently published a new species of Lychas C.L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae) from Indonesia.

Lychas jakli Kovarik, 2023 

The author also synonymize Lychas kotao Lourenço, 2020 with Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798).

Abstract:
A new species Lychas jakli sp. n. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from Indonesia, fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology and habitus. A new synonymy is proposed: Lychas kotao Lourenço, 2020 = Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798), syn. n.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Lychas jakli sp. n. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Indonesia. Euscorpius. 2023(367):1-8. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Liocheles from Sumatra, Indonesia

 

Eric Ythier and Thomas Richard have recently published a new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hormuridae) from Sumatra, Indonesia. The new species was found 200 meters inside cave and seems to be a cave dwelling species, but doesn's possess any troglobitic characteristics. 

Liocheles oranghutan Ythier & Richard, 2020

Abstract:
A new scorpion species belonging to the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae Laurie 1896) is described on the basis of one adult male collected in a cave near Bukit Lawang, Sumatra, Indonesia. The specimens was collected approximately 200 m from the cave entrance, in complete darkness. This new scorpion represents the fifth known species of the genus Liocheles and the third reported from Sumatra.

Reference:
Ythier E, Richard T. Description of a new species of cave-dwelling species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Sumatra. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2020(37):159-64. [No full text available]

Thanks to Eric for sending me their article!

Family Hormuridae

Five new species of Chaerilus from Asia

Frantisek Kovarik have recently published five new species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Chaerilidae) from Asia.

Chaerilus cimrmani Kovarik, 2012 (Thailand)
Chaerilus seiteri Kovarik, 2012 (Philippines)
Chaerilus solegladi Kovarik, 2012 (Malaysia and Borneo, Indonesia)
Chaerilus terueli Kovarik, 2012 (Vietnam)
Chaerilus wrzecionkoi Kovarik, 2012 (Tibet, China)

A identification key for the genus is supplied.

Abstract:
Chaerilus cimrmani sp. n. from Thailand, C. seiteri sp. n. from Philippines (Negros Island), C. solegladi sp. n. from Indonesia and Malaysia (Borneo Island), C. terueli sp. n. from Vietnam (Côn Son Island), and C. wrzecionkoi sp. n. from China (Tibet) are described. A key to all species of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 is also presented.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Five New Species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Euscorpius. 2012 (149):1-14.[Free full text]

Family Chaerilidae

Taxonomic emendations in Liocheles - Three new species

Lionel Monod has recently published an article on the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hemiscorpiidae). Two species are revalidated and one species is restored from synonymy.

Liocheles boholiensis (Kraepelin, 1914) - Philippines
Liocheles longimanus (Werner, 1939) - Indonesia (north-western Sumatra)
Liocheles neocaledonicus (Simon, 1877) - New Caledonia

In addition, Liocheles australasiae brevidigitatus Werner, 1936 is synonymized with Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775).

The new species are redescribed and illustrated.

Abstract:
Examination of an extensive material that includes the type series and recently collected specimens enable a precise reassessment of the status of several taxa belonging to the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones, Liochelidae). Two species previously in synonymy, i. e. Liocheles boholiensis (Kraepelin, 1914) and Liocheles neocaledonicus (Simon, 1877), are revalidated. Liocheles australasiae longimanus (Werner, 1939) is elevated to species rank and Liocheles australasiae brevidigitatus Werner, 1936 is synonymized with Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775). L. boholiensis (Kraepelin, 1914), L. neocaledonicus (Simon, 1877) and L. longimanus (Werner, 1939) are thoroughly redescribed, diagnosed and illustrated, and their distribution ranges are accurately mapped.

Reference:
Monod L. Taxonomic emendations in the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Scorpiones, Liochelidae). Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 2011;118(4):723-58.

Family Hemiscorpiidae

New Lychas from Indonesia

Wilson Lourenco has recently described a new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Buthidae) from West Papua, Indonesia.

Lychas kaimana Lourenco, 2011

The scorpion fauna of West Papua is discussed.

Abstract:
Scorpions collected during the field expedition organized by Dr. Dimitry Telnov in West Papua, Indonesia are studied in the present note. Very few reports are available on the scorpions of the occidental side of the island. Three species were collected during this field expedition: Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775) and Liocheles karschii (Keyserling, 1885) family Liochelidae Fet & Bechly, 2001 and, Lychas kaimana sp. n., family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837, described here.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Scorpions from West Papua, Indonesia and description of a new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Entomol Mitt Zool Mus Hamburg. 2011;15(186):317-26.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

Two new Lychas and new status for to buthid genera

Wilson Lourenco has looked into the "Ananteris phylogenetic group" (Buthidae) in his recent paper and published the following conclusions:

New species:
Lychas eliseanneae Lourenco, 2011 (Indonesia).
Lychas inexpectatus Lourenco, 2011 (Laos).

New status:
Ananteroides Borelli, 1911 (from synonymy with Ananteris Thorell, 1891).
Microananteris Lourenco, 2003 (from synonymy with Ananteris Thorell, 1891).

New combination:
Ananteroides feae Borelli, 1911 (previously Ananteris feae (Borelli, 1911)).
Microananteris minor Lourenco, 2003 (previously Ananteris minor (Lourenco, 2003)).

See paper for details.

Abstract:
The composition of the “Ananteris group” (sense Fet et al., 2005) is tentatively proposed. The worldwide geographical pattern of distribution of the elements associated to this “phylogenentic group” is discussed. The biogeographic patterns presented by extant and fossil elements of this group confirm a model of panbiogeographic distribution which clearly corresponds with old Pangaean patterns. Two new species are described in the genus Lychas C. L. Koch. These suggest possible links between elements of the most basal “Ananteris group” and other buthids.

References:
Lourenco WR. The "Ananteris group" (Scorpiones: Buthidae); suggested composition and possible links with other buthids. Boletin de la SEA. 2011(48):105-13.

Thanks to Professor Lourenco for sending me this paper!

Family Buthidae

A new Chaerilus from Indonesia

Lourenco and Duhem are continuing their investigations into the Chaerilus fauna of Asia. In a recent paper they describe a new species from the island of Halmahera in Indonesia:

Chaerilus spinatus Lourenco & Duhem, 2010 (Chaerilidae)

Abstract:
A new species belonging to the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877, Chaerilus spinatus sp. n. is described from the island of Halmahera, Indonesia. Chaerilus celebensis Pocock, 1894, originally described from Luwu, Celebes (Sulawesi) Island, is confirmed as a distinct species and as a possible endemic element to the Celebes. Two species of Chaerilus are at present known to Halmahera, the second one being Chaerilus telnovi Lourenco, 2009.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Duhem B. One more new species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Scorpiones, Chaerilidae) from the island of Halmahera, Indonesia. Acta Arachnologica. 2010;59(1):25-30. [Free fultext]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this paper!

Family Chaerilidae

Chaerilus borneensis restored as species

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have looked into the Chaerilus species described by Eugene Simon from Indonesia. One of the main conclusions of the paper is that Chaerilus borneensis Simon, 1880 (Chaerilidae) is restored from previous synonymy and given species status.

Abstract:
Two species of Chaerilus, C. variegatus Simon, 1877 and C. borneensis Simon, 1880 are confirmed for the Indonesian islands of Java and Borneo (Kalimanian). ln the present note, revised diagnoses are proposed for both species in the light of the type material and several specimens collected in these two islands. These two species are confirmed as valid and distinct and are most certainly endemic elements respectively to Java and Borneo. Some comments are also given on the other species of Chaerilus distributed in the Indonesian islands and nearby geographic regions.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Duhem B, Leguin E-A. About the species of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Scorpiones, Chaerilidae) described by Eugene Simon. Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2010(46):335-40.

Family Chaerilidae

A new eyeless forest litter scorpion from Indonesia

Pale and eyeless scorpions are a fascinating phenomena that is usually associated with cave adapted species (troglobites). Eyeless scorpions living outside caves and among leaf litter are rare, but are found in Belisarius, Typhlochactas and Troglotayosicus. Such scorpions are said to have troglomorphic adaptions. The origin of such characteristics are under debate. One theory is that the ancestors of eyeless leaf litter species were true troglobites (cave dwellers) that moved outside again, but this theory has not been confirmed.

Wilson Lourenco has now described the first eyeless rain forest litter species in the genus Chaerilus from the island of Halmahera (Moluccas), Indonesia.

Chaerlius telnovi Lourenco, 2009 (Chaerilidae)

The theories about the origin of troglomorphic characters among leaf litter scorpions are also discussed.

Abstract:
A new species belonging to the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877, Chaerilus telnovi sp. n., is described from the south of the island of Halmahera (Moluccas) in Indonesia. The new species is the first eyeless scorpion of the genus Chaerilus to be found in leaf litter. A short discussion about the evolutionary meaning of eyeless scorpions living in leaf litter or soil is also attempted.

Reference:
Lourenco WR. Eyeless forest litter scorpions; A new species from the island of Halmahera (Moluccas), Indonesia (Scorpiones, Chaerilidae). Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2009; (44):93-7.

Family Chaerilidae