A new species of Pseudouroctonus from Arizona, USA

 

Richard Ayrey and co-workers are continuing their investigations into US vaejovids. This time they have published a descritpion of a new species of  Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) from Arizona, USA.

Pseudouroctonus moyeri Ayrey, Kovarik & Myers, 2021

In their paper they also synonymize Ruberhieronymus Rossi, 2018 with Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974. The former taxa was never included in The Scorpion Files so change have been done regarding this decision.

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Pseudouroctonus moyeri sp. n. (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) is described. This large, dark, reddish brown species is found in the Pinaleño Mountains, Arizona. This is the largest species of Pseudouroctonus found in Arizona. Ruberhieronymus Rossi, 2018 is synonymized with Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974

Reference:
Ayrey RF, Kovarik F, Myers BT. A new species of Pseudouroctonus from the Pinaleño Mountains, southern Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2021(338):1-12. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

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

A new species of Pseudouroctonus from Texas, USA

Richard Ayrey and Michael Soleglad have recently described a new species of Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) from Western Texas, USA.

Pseudouroctonus brysoni Ayrey & Soleglad, 2017

Abstract:
A new species of the “apacheanus” group of genus Pseudouroctonus is described from western Texas, USA, Pseudouroctonus brysoni, sp. nov. This new species is closely related to P. apacheanus (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972) and two other species recently described from southern Arizona. A combination of morphological differences in the hemispermatophore, the mating plug, and several morphometric-based characters are identified as diagnostic.

Reference:
Ayrey RF, Soleglad ME. A New Species of the “apacheanus” Group of Genus Pseudouroctonus from Western Texas (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2017(237):1-23. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

A new vaejovid genus from Northern California, USA

Michael Soleglad recently published an article presenting the new genus Graemeloweus Soleglad, Fet, Graham & Ayrey, 2016 (Vaejovidae) from Northern California. The following species are transferred from the genus Pseudouroctonus Stanke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) to the new genus:

Graemeloweus glimmei (Hjelle, 1972)
Graemeloweus ivei (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)
Graemeloweus maidu (Savary et Bryson, 2016)

An identification key for the new genus is included.

Abstract:
Genus Graemeloweus, gen. nov. (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) is described from northern California, USA. The genus is composed of three species formerly placed in Pseudouroctonus: Graemeloweus iviei (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. (type species), G. glimmei (Hjelle, 1972), comb. nov., and G. maidu (Savary et Bryson, 2016), comb. nov. Major diagnostic characters of Graemeloweus include a non-bifurcated primary lamellar hook, the presence of a secondary lamellar hook, a complex mating plug with a two part base and an asymmetric crescent-shape barb, and the presence of a well-developed ventromedian (V2) carina on the pedipalp chela. Evidence is presented suggesting that Graemeloweus is more closely related to Kovarikia than Pseudouroctonus.

Reference:
Soleglad ME, Fet V, Graham MR, Ayrey RF. Graemeloweus, a New Scorpion Genus from Northern California, USA (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2016(227):1-38. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Pseudouroctonus from northern California, USA

Warren E. Savary and Robert W. Bryson Jr have recently published a new species of Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) from northern California.

Pseudouroctonus maidu Savary & Bryson Jr, 2016

Abstract:
A new species of vaejovid scorpion from northern California, Pseudouroctonus maidu sp. n., is named and described. This new species appears to be most similar to Pseudouroctonus iviei (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972) and Pseudouroctonus glimmei (Hjelle, 1972).

Reference:
Savary WE, Bryson Jr RW. Pseudouroctonus maidu, a new species of scorpion from northern California (Scorpiones, Vaejovidae). ZooKeys. 2016 (584):49-59. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

The vaejovid Pseudouroctonus peccatum is rediscovered after habitat destruction

Richard Ayrey have recently published the result of several field trips to Spring Mountains, Nevada (USA) where the aim was to check the population status of the scorpion Pseudouroctonus peccatum Tate, Riddle, Soleglad & Graham, 2013. In spite of several fires that have destroyed much of the habitat of the species, several specimens were found indicating that Pseudouroctonus peccatum is still an extant species.

Abstract:
Shortly after the discovery of Pseudouroctonus peccatum Tate, Riddle, Soleglad et Graham, 2013 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) there was a large wildfire in the Spring Mountains of Nevada. At the time the species description was published, it was noted that the only known population of this species may have been extirpated by the fire and subsequent flooding of the type locality habitat (Tate et al. 2013). Today it is certain that the species has survived after the collection of 12 new specimens. Additional data on males are also presented.

Reference:
Ayrey RF. Pseudouroctonus peccatum Tate et al., 2013, Rediscovered. Euscorpius. 2016 (214):1-5. [Open Access]

Two new species of Pseudouroctonus from Arizona, USA

Richard Ayrey and Michael Soleglad have published an analysis of the genus Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) and described two new species from southeastern USA.

Pseudouroctonus kremani Ayrey & Soleglad, 2015

Pseudouroctonus santarita Ayrey & Soleglad, 2015

Abstract:
Two new species of Pseudouroctonus are described from southeastern Arizona, USA, Pseudouroctonus santarita, sp. nov. from the Santa Rita Mountains and P. kremani, sp. nov. from the Santa Catalina Mountains. These new species are closely related to P. apacheanus (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972). A combination of morphological differences in the hemispermatophore, the mating plug, and several morphometric-based characters are identified as diagnostic. New substructures are identified for the mating plug.

Reference:
Ayrey RF, Soleglad ME. New Analysis of the Genus Pseudouroctonus with the Description of Two New Species (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2015 (211):1-53. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

Caves as microrefugia and impact on phylogeography

Pseudouroctonus reddelli can be found both inside caves and outside on rocky hillsides.

Robert Bryson and co-workers have recently published an extensive study on the Pleistocene phylogeography on the troglophylic (cave loving) North American scorpion Pseudouroctonus reddelli (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972) (Vaejovidae) and the impact of caves as microrefugia.

The main conclusion of this study support a hypothesis that caves served as microrefugia for this species and a history of Pleistocene diversification. See abstract and article for more details.

Abstract:
Background: Survival in microrefugia represents an important paradigm in phylogeography for explaining rapid postglacial re-colonization by species in temperate regions. Microrefugia may allow populations to persist in areas where the climatic conditions on the surface have become unfavourable. Caves generally contain stable microclimates and may represent microrefugia for species capable of exploiting both cave and surface habitats (troglophiles). We examine the phylogeography of the troglophilic North American vaejovid scorpion Pseudouroctonus reddelli using 1,993 base pairs of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data generated from 12 populations. We use (i) descriptive measures of genetic diversity and population genetics statistics, (ii) reconstructions of phylogeographical structure, spatial diffusion during diversification, and population sizes through time, and (iii) species distribution modelling to test predictions of the hypothesis that caves serve as microrefugia. We compare phylogeographical patterns in P. reddelli with other troglophilic species across the Edwards Plateau karst region of Texas.
Results: Results revealed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity and substantial phylogeographical structure, probably generated during the Pleistocene. Spatial diffusion occurred along the southern edge of the Edwards Plateau from multiple refugia along the Balcones Escarpment. There was little evidence for population and geographical expansion. Species distribution models predicted substantial reductions in suitable epigean habitat for P. reddelli at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).
Conclusions: High genetic diversity, strong phylogeographical structure, diffusion from multiple refugia, and unfavourable climatic conditions at the LGM collectively support the hypothesis that caves served as microrefugia for P. reddelli. Similar patterns of genetic structure in P. reddelli and other troglophilic species across the Edwards Plateau karst region of Texas suggest that caves serving as microrefugia are important for the formation, maintenance, and future survival of troglophilic species in temperate karst regions.

Reference:
Bryson Jr RW, Prendini L, Savary WE, Pearman PB. Caves as microrefugia: Pleistocene phylogeography of the troglophilic North American scorpion Pseudouroctonus reddelli. BMC Evol Biol. 2014;14(9):1-16. [Free full text]

Thanks to Dr. Bryson Jr for sending me their paper!

A new genus in Vaejovidae from California, USA

The new genus Kovarikia is related to Pseudouroctonus and Uroctonites.

Michael Soleglad, Victor Fet and Matthew Graham recently published a new genus from southern California, USA in the family Vaejovidae.

Kovarikia Soleglad, Fet & Graham, 2014

The new genus was created to cover three species previously belonging til Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974 that shared unique characteristics justifying the creation of a new genus.The new members of the genus are (transferred from Pseudouroctonus):

 Kovarikia angelena (Gertsch & Soleglad, 197)
 Kovarikia bogerti (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)
 Kovarikia williamsi (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)

The paper has an identification key for the new genus.

Abstract:
Genus Kovarikia, gen. nov. (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) is described from southern California, USA. The genus is composed of three species previously placed in Pseudouroctonus: Kovarikia williamsi (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. (type species), K. bogerti (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov., and K. angelena (Gertsch et Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. Major diagnostic characters of Kovarikia are its unique neobothriotaxy found on the ventral surface of the pedipalp chelae, the occurrence of a secondary lamellar hook on the hemispermatophore, a crescent-shaped mating plug barb, the presence of a secondary exteromedian (EMc) carina on the pedipalp patella, and a swollen telson vesicle with anterior vesicular ridges.

Reference:
Soleglad ME, Fet V, Graham M. Kovarikia, a new scorpion genus from California, USA (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2014 (185):1-22. [Free full text]

Family Vaejovidae

A new Pseudouroctonus from Nevada, USA

A new species of Pseudouroctonus has been found in Spring Mountains in Nevada, USA.

In the last years there have been published several new species from isolated mountain areas in the USA. Amanda Tate and co-workers have now published a new species of Pseudouroctonus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) from the Spring Mountains in Nevada, USA.

Pseudouroctonus peccatum Tate, Riddle, Soleglad & Graham, 2013

Abstract:
A new scorpion species is described from the Spring Mountain Range near Las Vegas, Nevada. The new species appears to be geographically isolated from other closely related species of Uroctonites Williams & Savary and Pseudouroctonus Stahnke. We tentatively place the new species in Pseudouroctonus and provide detailed descriptions and illustrations of type material. We compare the new species to 17 congeneric taxa, briefly discuss the taxonomic history of Pseudouroctonus, and provide DNA barcodes for two paratypes to assist ongoing research on the systematics of family Vaejovidae.


Reference:
Tate A, Riddle R, Soleglad M, Graham M. Pseudouroctonus peccatum, a new scorpion from the Spring Mountains near "Sin City," Nevada (Scorpiones, Vaejovidae). ZooKeys. 2013;364:29-45. [Free full text]

Thanks to Matthew Graham for sending me this article!

Family Vaejovidae

Biogeography of scorpions in the Pseudouroctonus minimus complex in North America

Bryson Jr, Savary and Prendini have recently published a study on the biogeography of scorpions in the Pseudouroctonus minimus complex in North America, and the impact of ecological specialization on species diversification of this group.

Abstract:
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pre-Quaternary tectonics and orogeny relative to that of Pleistocene climate change on diversification within the Pseudouroctonus minimus complex, a group of vaejovid scorpions with stenotopic habitat requirements. Location South-western North America (United States and Mexico).
Methods: Multilocus sequence data (1899 base pairs from two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes) were generated from 65 samples of scorpions in the minimus complex. Phylogeographical structure within the minimus complex was explored using model-based phylogenetic methods and a general mixed Yule coalescent model to identify independent geographical clusters. A timecalibrated multilocus species tree was reconstructed using a multispecies coalescent approach. Ancestral areas were estimated at divergence events across the tree using a probabilistic Bayesian approach.
Results: Extensive geographical structure was evident within two wellsupported clades. These clades probably diverged over 25 million years ago (Ma), based on estimated mean divergence dates, followed by 14 divergences in the Miocene (25–5 Ma) and 4 divergences in the Pliocene and Pleistocene (< 5 Ma). The ancestral origin of the minimus complex was reconstructed to be across California and the Mexican Highlands. The Chihuahuan Desert was colonized twice from the Mexican Highlands, and one dispersal event occurred from the Mexican Highlands back to California.
Main conclusions: Spatial and temporal patterns of evolution in the minimus complex support predictions that stenotopy promoted pre-Quaternary diversification. Miocene and Pliocene geomorphology, perhaps in concert with climate change, induced allopatric divergence across the heterogeneous landscape of south-western North America. Stenotopic scorpions such as the minimus complex provide a model for exploring correlations between Earth history and biological diversification.

Reference:
Bryson Jr RW, Savary WE, Prendini L. Biogeography of scorpions in the Pseudouroctonus minimus complex (Vaejovidae) from south-western North America: implications of ecological specialization for pre-Quaternary diversification. Journal of Biogeography. 2013:Early view. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Robert Bryson Jr for sending me this paper!

New data on larval orientation in Vaejovis

It is well known that female scorpions carry first instar and pre-dispersal second instars scorplings on their back. The orientation of the instar on the female's back vary. In the genus Vaejovis, scorplings have been arranged in a longitudinal pattern of orientation.

Luc Ross now reports of a random larval orientation in Vaejovis confusus (Vaejovidae), which is the first in the genus. The paper also presents previously unreported cases of dorsal orientation in Vaejovidae.

A table with all data on larval orientation of Vaejovidae is presented.

Abstract:


Reference:
Ross LK. First report of random larval orientation in the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Boletin Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 2009 (45):531-2.

Family Vaejovidae

New cave dwelling scorpion from Mexico

Oscar Francke has described a new cave dwelling scorpion in the genus Pseudouroctonus from two separate caves in Coahuila, Mexico:

Pseudouroctonus saavasi Francke, 2009 (Vaejovidae)

It is interesting to note that even though this scorpion is a troglophile it has no marked troglomorphies (like reduced eyes or lack of pigmentation).

Abstract:
Pseudouroctonus savvasi, n.sp., is described from specimens
collected in two separate caves in the state of Coahuila, México,
though it does not exhibit any marked troglomorphies. It is most
closely related to Pseudouroctonus apacheanus (Gertsch and
Soleglad), from which it is clearly differentiated by size, the number
of teeth on the movable finger of the chelicerae, hemispermatophore
morphology and pedipalp chela morphometrics.

References:
Francke OF. Description of a new species of troglophile Pseudouroctonus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) from Coahuila, Mexico. Texas Memorial Museum Speleological Monographs, 7 Studies on the cave and endogean fauna of North America, V. 2009:11-8. [Free fulltext]

Thanks to Oscar for sending me the paper!

Family Vaejovidae

A major review of the tarsal spinules and setae of vaejovid scorpions

Tarsal characters has been used in identification and classification of scorpions. Kari McWest has now done a major mapping of the tarsal spinules and setae of more than 400 vaejovid specimens representing over half of the species in the family. The result of this impressive work can be used in understanding vaejovid systematics and creating ID keys for the family.

Abstract:
The relative importance of tarsal characters in vaejovid scorpions has long been neglected. The spinules and setae of the third leg basitarsus and telotarsus of the North American scorpion family Vaejovidae are illustrated, described, and compared. Nomenclature for tarsal spinules and setae is included. Variation in setal numbers and patterns within taxonomic groups, including some species, is addressed. Certain tarsal setal and spinule patterns are found to provide good characters at the genus, species group, and species levels. Over 400 specimens representing over half of the species in the family Vaejovidae were examined for setal and spinule characters. The majority of these specimens were involved in ananalysis of telotarsal spinule counts of each leg. The most consistent characters that have taxonomic value were found on the telotarsus, including the relative numbers of the retroinferior and proinferior setae, the retroinferior terminal and proinferior terminal setae, and the numbers of the distal spinules of the ventromedian telotarsus surface. Other characters involving the basitarsus and additional telotarsus characters are addressed.

Reference:
McWest KJ. Tarsal spinules and setae of vaejovid scorpions (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Zootaxa. 2009(2001):1-126 [Subscription required for fulltext]

Family Vaejovidae