A new species of Vaejovis from Mexico

 

Gerardo A. Contreras Félix and José L. Navarrete Heredia have recently published a description of a new spcies of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from Michoacan in Mexico.

Vaejovis castanoae Contreras-Felix & Navarrete Heredia, 2024

Abstract:
A new species of Vaejovis is described for Michoacan, Mexico belonging to the nigrescens/nitidulus group, the less diverse group of species from the genus. This species has a preference for synanthropic environments and inhabits rock walls within the city limits. Additionally, the pictures of the hemispermatophore are presented and characters are named according to new terminology. This species is named honoring Dr. Gabriela Castaño Meneses for her great contributions to arthropods research in Mexico and the world.

Reference:
Félix GAC, Heredia JLN. Hidden in the cracks, a new species of Scorpion from Michoacan, Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Dugesiana. 2024;31(2):159-73. [Open Access]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for sending me this article!

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from mountains in west Mexico

 

Mexico has a very diverse scorpion fauna with many species from different habitats. New species are still being discovered, especially in habitats that may have been isolated for a long time due to geographical barriers. In a recent article, Gerardo A. Contreras-Félix and co-workers have described a new species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from mountains in west Mexico.

Vaejovis tilae Contreras-Felix, del-Pozo & Navarrete-Heredia, 2023

Abstract:
One new species of scorpion is described from the high lands of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt province in the Mexican state of Jalisco; this species inhabit the pine forest of the Sierra de Quila mountain range. It is assigned to the “mexicanus” group and compared with other species geographically closer or morphologically similar, besides biology. The species honors Dr. Tila María Pérez Ortiz for its great career in arachnology.

Reference:
Félix GAC, del-Pozo OG, Navarrete-Heredia JL. A new species of Vaejovis from the mountains of west Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Dugesiana. 2023;30(2):229-45. [Open Access]

Thanks to Oscar Del-Pozo for sending me their article!

Family Vaejovidae

Two new species of Vaejovis from Mexico

 

Fernanda Chavez-Samayoa and co-workers have recently described two new species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from Mexico.

Vaejovis aguazarca Diaz-Plascencia & Gonzalez-Santillan, 2022

Vaejovis aquascalentensis Chavez-Samayoa & Gonzalez-Santillan, 2022

Abstract:
Two new species of the genus Vaejovis (C L Koch 1836) belonging to the mexicanus group from Aguascalientes, Mexico, are described and compared to other species closely related to them geographically and morphologically. The species are compared based on the nomenclature and homology proposed by Gonzalez-Santillan and Prendini (2013). An extension of the homology, functionality, and nomenclature of the hemispermatophore proposed by Monod et al. (2017) is applied to vaejovid scorpions for the first time. We provide meristic evidence to support species delimitation and an identification key to the mexicanus species group (Soleglad, 1973) from Aguascalientes. We provide new records that broaden the distribution area, supplement its diagnosis, and expand the description, including details on the hemispermatophore and the telotarsi of Vaejovis tenamaztlei Contreras- Felix et al., 2015.

Reference:
Chávez-Samayoa F, Díaz-Plascencia JE, González-Santillán E. Two new species of Vaejovis (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) belonging to the mexicanus group from Aguascalientes, Mexico, with comments on the homology and function of the hemispermatophore. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 2022;298:148-69. [Subscritpion required for full text]

Thanks to Fernanda Chavez Samayoa and Luis Roque for sending me this article!

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from Arizona, USA

 

The isolated habitats of the "Sky Islands" mountain range in Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico have produced a new species recently described by Brandon Myers and Rich Ayrey. 

Vaejovis miscionei Myers & Ayrey, 2021

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Vaejovis miscionei sp. n. (Vaejovidae) is described from the Mule Mountains above Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona. The pedipalp fixed finger has 5 ID denticles and the movable finger has 6, like in most other southern Arizona Vaejovis.

Reference:
Myers B, Ayrey RF. A new species of Vaejovis from the Mule Mountains above Bisbee, Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2021(343):1-15. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for reminding med about this article!

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from Mexico

 

Gerardo Contreras-Félix and Oscar Francke have recently published a new species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from the State of Guerrero in Mexico.

Vaejovis mendozai Contreras-Félix & Francke, 2021

Abstract:
We describe a new species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch from a forest of pine (Pinus Linnaeus) and oak (Quercus Linnaeus) in the State of Guerrero in Mexico. In addition, the lateral aculear serration (LAS) was examined during the life of several specimens from the species, showing gradual deterioration, ending with complete loss of the structure before the adult stage. Phylogenetic and taxonomic implications of the new findings were discussed, both for the family and for the genus.

Reference:
Contreras-Félix GA, Francke O. New Species of Vaejovis CL Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) with Comments on Lateral Aculear Serrations. Southwestern Entomologist. 2021;46(1):197-210. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Gerard Dupre for informing me about this article!

Family Vaejovidae

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit

 

Jessica S. Azzinnari and co-workers have described a new species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from the Sierra Madre Occidental of Durango, Mexico. 

Vaejovis baggins Azzinnari, Bryson, Graham, Solis-Rojas & Sissom, 2021

If you didn't understand the title of this post, google it! ;)

Abstract:
A new montane species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) is described from the Sierra Madre Occidental of Durango, Mexico. Vaejovis baggins Azzinnari, Bryson, Graham, Solís-Rojas, and Sissom, new species, is similar to mexicanus group species in the mountain range, including V. montanus Graham and Bryson, V. sierrae Sissom, Graham, Donaldson, and Bryson, and V. mcwesti Sissom, Graham, Donaldson, and Bryson, but differs from these species based on aspects of body size, pedipalp carination, chelae granulation, morphometrics, and setal patterns on the metasoma. A molecular clock estimate indicates that the new species shared a common ancestor with V. mcwesti during the late Miocene or Pliocene.

Reference:
Azzinnari JS, Bryson Jr RW, Graham MR, Solís-Rojas C, Sissom WD. A new Vaejovis C. L. Koch from the Sierra Madre Occidental of Durango, Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Insecta Mundi. 2021(0852):1–12. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this paper!

Family Vaejovidae

An investigation of the defensive behaviors of the southern unstriped scorpion, Vaejovis carolinianus

 In the last decade there have been several studies looking into sting use and venom use in scorpions in relation to prey capture and defense. Venom metering in scorpions has been well documented, but few studies have focused on the other behavioral options a scorpion has in regard to prey capture or defense.

David Nelson and co-workers have now published a study on the defensive behaviors of Vaejovis carolinianus (Beauvois, 1805) (Vaejovidae) with regards to the scorpion's assessment of risk and refuge availability. The study concludes that V. carolinianus can assess risk and features of the local environment and, therefore, alter their defensive strategies accordingly.

Abstract:
Selection should favor individuals that acquire, process, and act on relevant environmental signals to avoid predation. Studies have found that scorpions control their use of venom: both when it is released and the total volume expelled. However, this research has not included how a scorpion’s awareness of environmental features influences these decisions. The current study tested 18 Vaejovis carolinianus scorpions (nine females and nine males) by placing them in circular arenas supplied with varying numbers (zero, two, or four) of square refuges and by tracking their movements overnight. The following morning, defensive behaviors were elicited by prodding scorpions on the chelae, prosoma, and metasoma once per second over 90 s. We recorded stings, venom use, chelae pinches, and flee duration. We found strong evidence that, across all behaviors measured, V. carolinianus perceived prods to the prosoma as more threatening than prods to the other locations. We found that stinging was a common behavior and became more dominant as the threat persisted. Though tenuous, we found evidence that scorpions’ defensive behaviors changed based on the number of refuges and that these dierences may be sex specific. Our findings suggest that V. carolinianus can assess risk and features of the local environment and, therefore, alter their defensive strategies accordingly.

Reference:
Nelsen DR, David EM, Harty CN, Hector JB, Corbit AG. Risk Assessment and the Effects of Refuge Availability on the Defensive Behaviors of the Southern Unstriped Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus). Toxins. 2020;12(9). [Open Access]

A new study on the Vaejovis in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona (US)

 

 Emma E. Jochim and co-workers recently published a phylogenetic analyses of the Vaejovis scorpions in the Santa Catalina Mountains (Vaejovidae). One of the main conclusions is that Vaejovis brysoni Ayrey & Webber, 2013 is synomized with Vaejovis deboerae Ayrey, 2009.

Abstract:
Scorpions belonging to the Vaejovis vorhiesi species complex are widely distributed throughout the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Most species are endemic to single mountain ranges but two species, Vaejovis deboerae Ayrey, 2009 and V. brysoni Ayrey & Webber, 2013, have been documented from the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona. We reevaluated the taxonomic diversity of these scorpions by integrating data from several different sources. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that scorpions in the Santa Catalina Mountains are monophyletic but comprise two divergent mitochondrial lineages that overlap at the type locality of V. deboerae. We failed to detect congruence between these lineages and the remaining datasets which suggests that there is a single species that we refer to as V. deboerae (=V. brysoni syn. nov.). Our inability to gather molecular data from the female holotype of V. deboerae could be the basis for future nomenclatural volatility if future studies find that the mitochondrial lineages are validated by other forms of data (e.g., male morphology). Results from this study underscore the importance of integrative methods for delimiting species in morphologically cryptic groups. Furthermore, we recommend generating DNA barcodes for holotypes as part of the description process to reduce future nomenclatural quagmires.

Reference:
Jochim EE, Broussard L-LM, Hendrixson BE. Integrative species delimitation and taxonomic status of the scorpion genus Vaejovis Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona. Euscorpius. 2020(316):1-11. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from Arizona, USA

I hope that everyone are safe in this difficult time and stay away from the Corona virus. At the moment Norway is partly in lock down and I have now had home office for more than 14 days and that will probably continue into April. Because of the situation I'm not able to update The Scorpion Files as often as usual, but the articles and taxonomical changes that I have on the waiting list will hopefully appear in the blog soon. Please take care of yourself!

Richard Ayrey has discovered yet another new Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from northern Arizona.

Vaejovis elii Ayrey, 2020

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Vaejovis elii sp. n., is described. This small, dark brown species is found on Mingus Mountain, Yavapai County, northern Arizona, USA. It is geographically closest to V. crumpi Ayrey & Soleglad. We compare it to that species and two other species found in northern Arizona. The pedipalp fixed finger has 6 ID denticles and the movable finger has 7, like in most, but not all, of the other northern Arizona Vaejovis. Carapace of female is longer than metasomal segment V.

Reference:
Ayrey RF. A new species of Vaejovis from Mingus Mountain, northern Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2020(303):1-13. [Open Acces]

A description of the hemispermatophore and mating plug of Vaejovis lapidicola

The hemispermatophore and mating plug have become important structures in scorpion taxonomy. Brandon Myers and Richard Ayrey have now published a description of these structures in the vaejovid Vaejovis lapidicola Stahnke, 1940.

Abstract:
While doing research on an undescribed scorpion species, we needed to examine the hemispermatophore and mating plug of Vaejovis lapidicola Stahnke, 1940. Included are photographs and a description of these structures from a topotype specimen collected in the same “red sandstone quarry” (Flagstaff, Arizona, USA), from which Herbert Stahnke collected the original specimens in 1938.

Reference:
Myers B, Ayrey RF. Vaejovis lapidicola Stahnke, 1940: hemispermatophore and mating plug from a topotype male (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2020(299):1-7. [Open Access]


Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from Arizona, USA

Richard Ayrey & Brandon Myers recently described a new species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from the Galiuro Mountains, southern Arizona, USA.

Vaejovis stetsoni Ayrey & Myers, 2019

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Vaejovis stetsoni sp. n. is described from Galiuro Mountains, Graham County, Arizona. This is the smallest species of the “vorhiesi” group discovered so far, most similar to V. brysoni Ayrey & Webber. The pedipalp fixed finger has five ID denticles and the movable finger has six, like in most other southern Arizona Vaejovis. The most unique characteristics of this species are its small size (18.35 mm) and a large subaculear tubercle.

Reference:
Ayrey RF, Myers B. A new “vorhiesi” group species of Vaejovis from the Galiuro Mountains, southern Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2019(284):1-14. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

Five new species of Vaejovis from Mexico

Gerard Contreras-Felix and Oscar Francke have recently published a taxonomic revision of the “mexicanus” group of the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from Mexico. Five new species are described:

Vaejovis ceboruco Contreras-Felix & Francke, 2019
Vaejovis nanchititla Contreras-Felix & Francke, 2019
Vaejovis santibagnezi Contreras-Felix & Francke, 2019
Vaejovis talpa Contreras-Felix & Francke, 2019
Vaejovis tapalpa Contreras-Felix & Francke, 2019

The paper have updated diagnosis for all species in the species group. Keys for identification of males and females are provided.

Abstract:
Within the scorpion genus Vaejovis C.L. Koch, the “mexicanus” group is composed of species distributed in the mountains of México. This group presents taxonomic problems, because its characterization and the species included in the group have varied through the years. In the present work, we redefine this group based on several morphological characters, and we differentiate it from the other two species groups within the genus: “vorhiesi” and “nit dulus+nigrescens”. Additionally, five new species are described: Vaejovis ceboruco sp. nov., Vaejovis nanchititla sp. nov., Vaejovis santibagnezi sp. nov., Vaejovis talpa sp. nov. and Vaejovis tapalpa sp. nov; the males of three species are described for the first time (V. dugesi, V. nigrofemoratus and V. tesselatus); and the updated diagnosis for all species is included. Keys for the identification of males and females of the 30 species included in this group are given. Lastly, notes on the natural history and distribution of some species are provided, with maps of known distribution for all the species.

Reference:
Contreras-Felix G, Francke OF. Taxonomic revision of the “mexicanus” group of the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Zootaxa. 2019;4596(1):1-100. [Subscritpion required for full text]

Thanks to Oscar Francke and Carlos Santibanez Lopez for sending me this article!

Family Vaejovidae

A new Vaejovis from Arizona, USA

Richard Ayrey has recently described a new species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from the Patagonia Mountains, Southern Arizona.

Vaejovis patagonia Ayrey, 2018

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Vaejovis patagonia sp. nov. is described and placed in the “vorhiesi” group. This small, dark brown species is found near Patagonia, Arizona. It is geographically closest to V. troupi Ayrey & Soleglad, V. grahami Ayrey & Soleglad and V. vorhiesi Stahnke. Those three species are found in a triangle surrounding the Patagonia Mountains, the locality of Vaejovis patagonia. The pedipalp fixed finger has 5 ID denticles and the movable finger has 6, like most, but not all, of the other southern Arizona Vaejovis. Carapace of female is shorter than metasomal segment V.

Reference:
Ayrey RF. A New Species of Vaejovis from the Patagonia Mountains, Southern Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2018(262):1-12. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from Sonora, Mexico

Diego A. Barrales-Alcalá and co-workers have recently published an article describing a new species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from Sonora, Mexico.

Vaejovis islaserrano Barrales-Alcalá, Francke, Van Devender & Contreras-Félix, 2018

Abstract:
Vaejovis islaserrano sp. n. is described from the Sierras Elenita and La Mariquita, Municipio de Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. This species belongs to the “vorhiesi” group of the genus Vaejovis and inhabits pine-oak forests in northern Mexico. This species is compared to its most similar species. This new species presents an interesting morphological difference from the rest of the species in the species-group: the absence of a subaculear tubercle or spine.

Reference:
Barrales-Alcalá DA, Francke OF, Van Devender TR, Contreras-Félix GA. A new Sky Island species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 from Sonora, Mexico (Scorpiones, Vaejovidae). ZooKeys. 2018(760):37-53. [Open Access]

Thanks to Oscar Francke for sending me this article!

Family Vaejovidae

Habitat selection in two Vaejovis species from Arizona

Some scorpions dig burrows, some hide in cracks and crevices in rock walls, other just hide under stones and other suitable surface objects. The reason for a species' retreat choice may be affected by temperature- or climatic preferences, predator pressure, prey availability and similar.

Becker and Brown published a study in December on the factors affecting retreat sites in two species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) (V. cashi Graham 2007 and V. electrum Hughes 2011) in Arizona, USA.

The main conclusion is that both Vaejovis cashi and V. electrum selected larger retreat sites that had more stable thermal profiles. Se abstract for more conclusions from this study.

Abstract:
Sky island scorpions shelter under rocks and other surface debris, but, as with other scorpions, it is unclear whether these species select retreat sites randomly. Furthermore, little is known about the thermal preferences of scorpions, and no research has been done to identify whether reproductive condition might influence retreat site selection. The objectives were to (1) identify physical or thermal characteristics for retreat sites occupied by two sky island scorpions (Vaejovis cashi Graham 2007 and V. electrum Hughes 2011) and those not occupied; (2) determine whether retreat site selection differs between the two study species; and (3) identify whether thermal selection differs between species and between gravid and non-gravid females of the same species. Within each scorpion's habitat, maximum dimensions of rocks along a transect line were measured and compared to occupied rocks to determine whether retreat site selection occurred randomly. Temperature loggers were placed under a subset of occupied and unoccupied rocks for 48 hours to compare the thermal characteristics of these rocks. Thermal gradient trials were conducted before parturition and after dispersal of young in order to identify whether gravidity influences thermal preference. Vaejovis cashi and V. electrum both selected larger retreat sites that had more stable thermal profiles. Neither species appeared to have thermal preferences influenced by reproductive condition. However, while thermal selection did not differ among non-gravid individuals, gravid V. electrum selected warmer temperatures than its gravid congener. Sky island scorpions appear to select large retreat sites to maintain thermal stability, although biotic factors (e.g., competition) could also be involved in this choice. Future studies should focus on identifying the various biotic or abiotic factors that could influence retreat site selection in scorpions, as well as determining whether reproductive condition affects thermal selection in other arachnids.

Reference:
Becker JE, Brown CA. Reliable Refuge: Two Sky Island Scorpion Species Select Larger, Thermally Stable Retreat Sites. PLoS One. 2016;11(12):e0168105. [Open Access]

Thanks to Matt Simon for informing me about this article!

Two new Vaejovis species from Mexico

David Sissom and co-workers have recently published two new species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from the highlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Durango, Mexico.

Vaejovis mcwesti Sissom, Graham, Donaldson & Bryson Jr, 2016

Vaejovis sierrae Sissom, Graham, Donaldson & Bryson Jr, 2016

Abstract:
Two new species of the mexicanus group of Vaejovis C.L. Koch are described from the Madrean pine-oak forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental in the state of Durango, Mexico. These species, Vaejovis sierrae sp. nov. and Vaejovis mcwesti sp. nov., are distinguished from each other and the only other species of the mexicanus group known from this mountain range, Vaejovis montanus Graham and Bryson, by morphometrics, carinal development of the pedipalps, granulation of the metasoma, and body size. A key to the species of the mexicanus group from the Sierra Madre Occidental is provided.

Reference:
Sissom WD, Graham MR, Donaldson TG, Bryson Jr RW. Two new Vaejovis C.L. Koch 1836 from highlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Durango, Mexico (Scorpiones, Vaejovidae). Insecta Mundi. 2016 (0477):1-14. [Open Access]

Editor's personal note:  Congratulations, Kari, and welcome in the club! ;)

Family Vaejovidae

Mexican scorpion found in Spain

Ronaldo Teruel and Gabriel de Biurrun Baquedano recently reported about the findings of a specimen of Vaejovis mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) in Bidaurreta, Northern Spain. Interestingly, this species was also found in Norway in 2009 (Teruel & Rein, 2009). The latter was a stowaway and the cause for its appearance in cold Norway was discovered. The finding of the Spanish specimen is more of a mystery and no explanation for its appearance has been found.

Abstract:
A live specimen of the North American scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) was found in Bidaurreta, a small town of Navarra, northern Iberian Peninsula. This is the first record of the species from Spain and the second from Europe.

Reference:
Teruel R, de Biurrun Baquedano G. Primer registro del escorpión Norteamericano Vaejovis Mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) en España. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2015 (27):124-6.

Thanks to Dr. Rolando Teruel for sending me his article!

A new species of Vaejovis from Mexico

Contreras-Felix and co-workers have described a new species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) from Mexico.

V. tenamaztlei Contreras-Félix, Francke & Bryson Jr., 2015

Abstract:
A new species of Vaejovis is described from the Mexican state of Aguascalientes. It is assigned to the “mexicanus” group and compared with similar species from Jalisco, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosí. A map with their known distributions is provided.

Reference:
Contreras-Felix GA, Francke OF, Bryson Jr RW. A new species of the “mexicanus” group of the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 from the Mexican state of Aguascalientes (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Zootaxa. 2015;3936(1):131-40. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Oscar Francke for sending me this article!

Family Vaejovidae

New Vaejovis species from Arizona, USA

Richard Ayrey and Michael Soleglad have described another new species of Vaejovis Thorell, 1876 (Vaejovidae) from southern Arizona, USA.

Vaejovis troupi Ayrey & Soleglad, 2015

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Vaejovis troupi sp. n., is described and placed in the “vorhiesi” group of the genus Vaejovis. Based on a recent molecular analysis of Bryson et al. (2013), this species is shown to be related to V. vorhiesi and V. grahami. Two of three diagnostic characters found in this new species are the presence of six inner denticles (ID) on the pedipalpal fixed and movable fingers, and a unique arrangement of trichobothria on the external surface of the pedipalp patella. This species was found in an isolated montane habitat in the Whetstone Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.

Reference:
Ayrey RF, Soleglad ME. New species of Vaejovis from the Whetstone Mountains, southern Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2015 (194):1-12. [Open Access]

Family Vaejovidae

A new species of Vaejovis from Arizona, USA

Richard Ayrey is continuing his studies of the scorpion fauna of Arizona and has now described a new species of Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1876 (Vaejovidae) from Arizona, USA.

Vaejovis grayae Ayrey, 2014

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Vaejovis grayae sp. nov. is described and placed in the “vorhiesi” group of the genus Vaejovis. This small brown species is found near Yarnell, Arizona, USA. It appears most similar to V. trinityae Ayrey and V. crumpi Ayrey et Soleglad. It can be distinguished from the other members of the “vorhiesi” group by a unique combination of non-overlapping morphological characters and multilocus DNA data (Bryson et al., 2013). The pedipalp fixed finger has 6 ID denticles and the movable finger has 7, like most other northern Arizona “vorhiesi” group species. Another characteristic of this species is its unique Arizona chaparral habitat.

Reference:
Ayrey RF. A new species of Vaejovis from chaparral habitat near Yarnell, Arizona (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Euscorpius. 2014 (188):1-13. [Free full text]

Family Vaejovidae