Uroplectes malawicus, Prendini, 2015

Prendini, Lorenzo, 2015, Three new Uroplectes (Scorpiones: Buthidae) with punctate metasomal segments from tropical central Africa, American Museum Novitates 2015 (3840), pp. 1-32 : 8-18

Uroplectes malawicus , sp. nov.

Figures 1 , 2B , 3A, B , 4C, D , 5 , 6 , 7A, C , 8A, C , 9A, C ; table 1

HOLOTYPE: MALAWI: Southern (Blantyre) Region: Mangochi District: Monkey Bay , ca. 1 km S on road S128 to Mangochi, 14°06′25″S 34°55′01″E, 485 m, 13.xii.2007, L. Prendini and W.R. Schmidt, mesic savanna (miombo woodland) on flat plain with low granite/dolerite koppies (plains in between), coarse sandy-loam soils, UV light detection on warm and humid, dark (overcast) night after rain, on palm leaf near base of plant, 1 ♂ ( AMNH).

PARATYPES: MALAWI: Southern (Blantyre) Region: Mangochi District: Monkey Bay [14°05′S 34°55′E], 23.xii.1993, C.R. Owen, 2 ♂ ( AMNH); Monkey Bay , ca. 1 km S on road S128 to Mangochi, 14°06′25″S 34°55′01″E, 485 m, 13.xii.2007, L. Prendini and W.R. Schmidt, mesic savanna (miombo woodland) on flat plain with low granite/dolerite koppies (plains in between), coarse sandy-loam soils, UV light detection on warm and humid, dark (overcast) night after rain, taken in woodpile (dead, decayed bush) on ground, by sifting manually and scanning with UV, sympatric with Opistophthalmus glabrifrons Peters, 1861 , Pandinurus viatoris , Uroplectes flavoviridis Peters, 1861 , and Uroplectes xanthogrammus Pocock, 1897 , 8 ♂, 11 ♀, 1 subad. ♂, 1 subad. ♀ ( AMNH), 1 subad. ♂ ( AMCC [ LP 8228 ]).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet is derived from Lake Malawi, which is near the known localities of the new species.

DIAGNOSIS: Uroplectes malawicus , sp. nov., appears to be most closely related to U. zambezicus , sp. nov., based on the lower pectinal tooth count (15–17) and enlarged basal pectinal tooth of the female in both species, by means of which they may be separated from U. katangensis , sp. nov., in which the pectinal tooth count is higher (18–19) and the basal pectinal tooth unmodified in the female. Uroplectes malawicus , sp. nov., resembles U. katangensis , sp. nov., and differs from U. zambezicus , sp. nov., in possessing a slightly narrower chela manus and longer, narrower metasoma (more so in the adult male) as well as more uniform coloration. The tergites are almost entirely infuscate in U. malawicus , sp. nov., and U. katangensis , sp. nov., but exhibit a narrow immaculate stripe medially and sometimes a pair of narrow immaculate stripes laterally in U. zambezicus , sp. nov. The dorsal surfaces of the chelicerae, lateral surfaces of the pedipalp patella, and often dorsal and prodorsal surfaces of the pedipalp femur and trochanter, as well as dorsal and retrolateral surfaces of the leg femora, patellae, and tibia are partially infuscate in U. malawicus , sp. nov., whereas the chelicerae, pedipalp trochanter, femur, patella, and legs are entirely immaculate in U. zambezicus , sp. nov. Metasomal segment IV is often darker in U. malawicus , sp. nov., than in U. zambezicus , sp. nov. Uroplectes malawicus , sp. nov., differs further from U. katangensis , sp. nov., in the lower counts of median denticle subrows on the fixed and movable fingers of the pedipalp chela (11 or 12 vs. 13, respectively), and from U. zambezicus , sp. nov., in the more numerous and pronounced spiniform granules in the distal half of the chela manus prodorsal surface in the adult male.

DESCRIPTION: The following account is based on the type material.

Total length: Adult: small, maximum length, measured from anterior margin of carapace to tip of aculeus, 24 mm (22–29 mm, n = 6) (♂), 26 mm (25–28 mm, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ).

Color: Bicolored (figs. 2B, 5); carapace, tergites I–VI and pedipalp chela manus mostly infuscate, dark blackish brown and contrasting with immaculate, pale yellow or orange to reddish-orange chelicerae, legs, and pedipalp trochanter, femur, patella, and chela fingers. Tergite VII and, in some specimens, dorsal surfaces of cheliceral manus and pedipalp femur, lateral surfaces of pedipalp patella, and often dorsal and prodorsal surfaces of pedipalp femur and trochanter, as well as dorsal and retrolateral surfaces of leg femora, patellae, and tibia and/or ventral surfaces of metasomal segments IV and V, partially infuscate. Metasomal segments, base coloration progressively darkening posteriorly, with segment IV, and to a greater extent, segment V and telson, darker than preceding segments.

Chelicerae: Movable finger, ventral surface with two subdistal teeth; distal external (dorsal) and distal internal (ventral) teeth subequal, opposable. Fixed finger, ventral surface without denticles. Fingers and manus, proventral surfaces, with long, dense vestiture of macrosetae.

Carapace: Anterior width of posterior width, 53% (51%–56%, n = 6) (♂), 52% (49%–56%, n = 6) (♀); posterior width of length, 99% (98%–102%, n = 6) (♂), 107% (100%–116%, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ). Anterior and posterior carapace margins procurved (fig. 3A, B); anterior margin with median projection (epistome) and without median notch. Five pairs of lateral ocelli; each lateral ocular tubercle with three major ocelli, similar in size, situated anterolaterally, and two minor ocelli, situated posterodorsal and dorsal to posterolateral major ocellus (Type 5 pattern). Median ocelli considerably larger than lateral ocelli, distance between ocelli less than width of ocellus. Median ocular tubercle situated anteromedially, distance from anterior carapace margin 36% (34%–38%, n = 6) (♂), 38% (35%–50%, n = 6) (♀) of carapace length ( table 1 ). Superciliary carinae obsolete, granular, not protruding above median ocelli. Other carinae absent. Anteromedian sulcus shallow, ovate; posteromedian sulcus narrow, shallow anteriorly, deep posteriorly; posterolateral sulci shallow, wide, curved; posteromarginal sulcus deep, narrow. Carapace surfaces entirely and finely granular, except in sulci, which are smooth.

Pedipalps: Femur width of length, 31% (29%–33%, n = 6) (♂), 33% (32%–35%, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ). Prodorsal, promedian, proventral, retrodorsal, and retromedian carinae obsolete, granular, complete (fig. 6A). Promedian carina additionally with scattered subspiniform granules. Other carinae absent. All intercarinal surfaces finely and densely granular, slightly less so ventrally. Patella width of length, 36% (34%–37%, n = 6) (♂), 39% (37%–42%, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ). Promedian and proventral carinae obsolete, comprising discontinuous rows of spiniform granules, and demarcated with prominent macrosetae, proximally (fig. 6B–D). Other carinae absent. Prolateral intercarinal surfaces finely and densely granular. Chela manus slightly incrassate (♂, fig. 6E–G) or slender (♀, fig. 6H); width of height, 101% (100%–104%, n = 6) (♂), 105% (100%–110%, n = 6) (♀); width of length along ventroexternal carina, 57% (53%–60%, n = 6) (♂), 62% (59%–64%, n = 6) (♀); length along ventroexternal carina of length movable finger, 66% (61%–70%, n = 6) (♂), 57% (52%–70%, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ). Manus almost asetose, except prodorsal surface with scattered macrosetae, becoming more numerous distally (♂); surfaces smooth except prodorsal surface with scattered spiniform granules, more numerous and pronounced in distal half (♂) (fig. 6E–H), smooth or with few small scattered spiniform granules (♀). Movable finger sublinear. Fixed finger slightly curved dorsally in proximal half, creating shallow gap with movable finger, proximally, when fingers closed (♂, fig. 6F) or sublinear, such that little or no gap present between fingers proximally, when closed (♀, fig. 6H). Fixed and movable fingers, surfaces smooth; median denticle rows respectively comprising 11 (11–12, n = 12) and 12 (12–13, n = 12) oblique denticle subrows, each subrow terminating in large median denticle proximally, and flanked proximally by large retrolateral denticle, and distally by larger prolateral denticle, prolateral denticles separated from median subrows by approximately one denticle width; fingers each with enlarged terminal denticle.

Trichobothria: Orthobothriotaxic, Type A, α configuration (fig. 6) with the following segment totals: 11 femur: 5 dorsal (d 1 – d 5), 4 internal (i 1 – i 4), 2 external (e 1, e 2); 13 patella: 5 dorsal d 1 – d 5, 1 internal (i), 7 external (et, est, em, esb 1, esb 2, eb 1, eb 2); 8 chela manus: 2 ventral (V 1, V 2), 6 external (Eb 1 – Eb 3, Esb, Est, Et); 7 chela fixed finger: dt, db, it, et, est, esb, eb. The following trichobothria are noticeably smaller (“petite”): femur: d 2, d 3, d 4, i 4, e 2; patella: d 2, eb 2; chela manus: V 1, Et, Eb 3, Esb; chela fixed finger: esb.

Legs: Femora I–IV, each with four obsolete granular carinae and retrolateral surfaces finely and densely granular. Patellae I–IV each with five obsolete granular carinae and retrolateral surfaces finely and densely granular. Other segments acarinate, smooth. Tibiae I–IV, retrolateral and ventral surfaces with scattered macrosetae; III and IV with spurs. Basitarsi I–IV, each with pro- and retroventral rows of fine, acuminate macrosetae; macrosetal combs absent; pro- and retrolateral pedal spurs present. Telotarsi I–IV, each with pro- and retroventral rows of fine, acuminate macrosetae; laterodistal lobes truncated; median dorsal lobes extending to ungues; ungues short, distinctly curved, equal in length.

Sternum: Subtriangular (fig. 4C, D). Median longitudinal furrow Y-shaped, shallow anteriorly, becoming deeper posteriorly.

Genital operculum: Genital opercula suboval, completely divided longitudinally; genital papillae present (♂, fig. 4C), absent (♀, fig. 4D).

Hemispermatophore: Flagelliform.

Pectines: Distal edge reaching past distal edge of coxa IV but not reaching to distal edge of trochanter IV (♂, fig. 4C) or to distal edge of coxa IV (♀, fig. 4D). Three marginal lamellae and five (♂) or three (♀) median lamellae; first proximal median lamella (scape) of each pecten unmodified, mesial margin angular, approximately 90º, teeth present along entire posterior margin. Fulcra present. Pectinal teeth curved, all similar in size (♂) or basal pectinal tooth enlarged, approximately twice the size of other teeth (♀); tooth count, 17/17 (16–17/16–17, n = 12) (♂), 16/15 (15–16/15–17, n = 12) (♀) ( table 1 ).

Mesosoma: Tergites I –VI unicarinate, each bearing obsolete costate to costate-granular median carinae in posterior half to two-thirds of segment, and pair of submedian depressions. Tergite VII pentacarinate, with obsolete costate median carina, restricted to anterior half of segment, distinct costate-granular submedian carinae in posterior three-quarters, and obsolete granular lateral carinae in posterior two-thirds. Pretergites smooth, with fine granulation along posterior margins. Posttergites, intercarinal surfaces entirely and finely granular, becoming more coarsely granular posteriorly. Sternites III–VII, acarinate, smooth, except for sternite VII, which is finely and sparsely granular posterolaterally; IV–VI, each with paired longitudinal depressions prolateral to spiracles, absent on VII. Sternite VII, length of width, 63% (59%–67%, n = 6) (♂), 46% (42%–52%, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ).

Metasoma and telson: Metasomal segments I–V progressively increasing in length and width (fig. 5); segment V, width of segment I, width, 111% (109%–113%, n = 6) (♂), 109% (104%–113%, n = 6) (♀) ( table 1 ). Metasoma relatively slender in ♂, robust, especially posteriorly, in ♀; width of length, segment I, 87% (84%–91%, n = 6) (♂), 104% (100%–105%, n = 6) (♀); II, 76% (73%–80%, n = 6) (♂), 91% (85%–98%, n = 6) (♀); III, 75% (71%–79%, n = 6) (♂), 87% (82%–90%, n = 6) (♀); IV, 69% (65%–71%, n = 6) (♂), 81% (75%–87%, n = 6) (♀); V, 69% (67%–72%, n = 6) (♂), 79% (71%–84%, n = 6) (♀). Telson vesicle, width of metasomal segment V, 65% (61%–68%, n = 6) (♂), 65% (64%–65%, n = 6) (♀); globose, height of length, 63% (60%–67%, n = 6) (♂), 65% (63%–70%, n = 6) (♀); dorsal surface slightly curved, concave basally, ventral surface markedly curved. Aculeus relatively short and abruptly curved, length of vesicle length, 60% (56%–66%, n = 6) (♂), 57% (40%–67%, n = 6) (♀). Length metasoma and telson, of total length, 59% (58%–60%, n = 6) (♂), 57% (55%–59%, n = 6) (♀). Dorsosubmedian carinae, segments I–V, obsolete, granular, incomplete, restricted to few granules in anterior third to anterior half of segment (fig. 7A, C). Dorsolateral carinae, segments I–V, distinct, granular to costate-granular, vestigial, restricted to anterior third of segment (fig. 8A, C); all other carinae absent. Segment I, dorsolateral intercarinal surfaces finely and densely granular; segments I–V, dorsomedian intercarinal surfaces, coarsely and densely shagreened; all other metasomal surfaces smooth. Segments I–V, lateral and ventral surfaces markedly punctate, becoming more so on posterior segments (figs. 7A, C, 8A, C, 9A, C). Metasomal segments sparsely setose, segments IV and V more setose than preceding segments, especially on dorsosubmedian and dorsolateral carinae. Telson vesicle acarinate, with small, blunt subaculear tubercle ventrally; dorsal, lateral, and ventral surfaces smooth or nearly so; lateral and ventral surfaces markedly punctate; ventral surfaces moderately setose, becoming more so distally at base of aculeus and around subaculear tubercle.

DISTRIBUTION: Presently known from only two nearby localities on Cape Maclear, south of Lake Malawi, in Malawi (fig. 1).

ECOLOGY: Most of the known material was collected in mesic savanna (miombo woodland) on flat, sparsely vegetated plains of coarse sandy-loam soil, between low granite/dolerite hills at an elevation of 485 m (fig. 2A). All specimens were found by UV light detection on a warm, moonless (overcast), humid night after rain. One specimen was found on a palm leaf near the base of the plant. The rest were taken in a woodpile (a dead, decayed acacia bush) on the ground, by sifting through the pile manually and scanning with UV. The habitat and habitus (figs. 2B, 5) of U. malawicus , sp. nov., are consistent with the lapidicolous and corticolous ecomorphotypes ( Prendini, 2001). Two buthids, Uroplectes flavoviridis and U. xanthogrammus , and two scorpionids, Opistophthalmus glabrifrons and Pandinurus viatoris , were collected in sympatry.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Map plotting the known distribution of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov. (circles), Uroplectes katangensis, sp. nov. (star), and Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov. (squares), in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

FIGURE 2. Savanna habitat and live habitus of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov. (A, B), and Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov. (C–F). A. Monkey Bay, Southern (Blantyre) Region, Malawi. B. U. malawicus, sp. nov., ♂, Monkey Bay.C, E. Tete, Tete Province, Mozambique. D. U. zambezicus, sp. nov., ♂, Tete. F. U. zambezicus, sp. nov., ♀, Chiawa, Lusaka Province, Zambia. Photographs courtesy W.R. Schmidt (A–E) and W. Conradie (F).

FIGURE 3. Carapace, dorsal aspect of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov. (A, B), and Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov. (C, D). A. Paratype ♂ (AMNH), Monkey Bay, Malawi. B. Paratype ♀ (AMNH), same locality. C. Paratype ♂ (AMNH), Zambezi River, Mozambique. D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH), same locality. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Carapace, dorsal aspect (A), sternum, genital opercula and pectines, ventral aspect (B–F) of Uroplectes katangensis, sp. nov. (A, B), Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov. (C, D), and Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov. (E, F). A, B. Holotype ♀ (MRAC 24.290), Mwema, Democratic Republic of Congo. C. Paratype ♂ (AMNH), Monkey Bay, Malawi. D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH), same locality. E. Paratype ♂ (AMNH), Zambezi River, Mozambique. F. Paratype ♀ (AMNH), same locality. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 5. Habitus, dorsal aspect (A, C) and ventral aspect (B, D) of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov. A, B. Holotype ♂ (AMNH), Monkey Bay, Malawi. C, D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH), same locality. Scale bars = 5 mm.

FIGURE 6. Dextral pedipalp segments of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov., paratype ♂ (AMNH), Monkey Bay, Malawi (A–G) and paratype ♀ (AMNH), same locality. (H). A. Femur, dorsal aspect. B–D. Patella, dorsal (B), retrolateral (C) and ventral (D) aspects. E–H. Chela, dorsal (E), retrolateral (F,H) and ventral (G) aspects. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 7. Metasoma and telson, dorsal aspects of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov., Monkey Bay, Malawi (A, C), Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov., Zambezi River, Mozambique (B, D), and Uroplectes katangensis, sp. nov., Mwema, Democratic Republic of Congo (E). A, B. Paratype ♂ (AMNH). C, D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH). E. Holotype ♀ (MRAC 24.290).Scale bar = 2.5 mm.

FIGURE 8. Metasoma and telson, lateral aspects of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov., Monkey Bay, Malawi (A, C), Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov., Zambezi River, Mozambique (B, D), and Uroplectes katangensis, sp. nov., Mwema, Democratic Republic of Congo (E). A, B. Paratype ♂ (AMNH). C, D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH). E. Holotype ♀ (MRAC 24.290). Scale bar = 2.5 mm.

FIGURE 9. Metasoma and telson, ventral aspects of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov., Monkey Bay, Malawi (A, C), Uroplectes zambezicus, sp. nov., Zambezi River, Mozambique (B, D), and Uroplectes katangensis, sp. nov., Mwema, Democratic Republic of Congo (E). A, B. Paratype ♂ (AMNH). C, D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH). E. Holotype ♀ (MRAC 24.290). Scale bar = 2.5 mm.

Tables

TABLE 1. Meristic data for six males and six females of Uroplectes malawicus, sp. nov., in the collections of the American Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH) and the holotype of Uroplectes katangensis, sp. nov. (last column), in the collection of the Museé Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium (MRAC 24.290). Measurements (mm) follow Prendini (2004a, 2004b, 2004c, 2005b). 1Sum of carapace, tergites I–VII, metasomal segments I–V, and telson; 2distance from anterior carapace margin; 3sum of metasomal segments I–V and telson; 4distance from base of condyle to tip of fixed finger.

Specimen	sex	♂	♂	♂	♂	♂	♂	♀	♀	♀	♀	♀	♀	♀
	type	Holo.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Para.	Holo.
Total length 1		23.3	28.8	23.6	22.9	24.1	22.5	26.8	28.2	26.1	25.0	26.4	26.5	26.5
Carapace	median ocelli 2	0.9	1.0	0.9	0.9	1.0	0.9	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.5	1.1	1.1	1.0
	length	2.5	2.9	2.5	2.5	2.6	2.3	2.9	3.2	2.9	2.9	3.0	3.0	2.5
	anterior width	1.3	1.6	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.3	1.7	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.8
	posterior width	2.4	2.9	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.4	3.3	3.2	3.2	3.2	3.2	3.1	3.2
Tergite I	length	0.4	0.7	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5
Tergite II	length	0.7	0.9	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.9	1.0	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.8	0.7
Tergite III	length	0.9	1.2	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1.2	1.2	1.0	1.1	1.1	1.0	0.9
Tergite IV	length	1.0	1.4	1.1	1.0	1.1	1.0	1.4	1.3	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2
Tergite V	length	1.2	1.5	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.7	1.5	0.9	1.5	1.4	1.5
Tergite VI	length	1.2	1.5	1.4	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.7	1.5	1.0	1.5	1.5	1.5
Tergite VII	length	1.8	2.0	1.8	1.7	1.8	1.7	1.8	2.0	1.9	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8
Sternite VII	length	1.5	1.8	1.6	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.6	1.4	1.4	1.6
	width	2.3	2.8	2.4	2.3	2.5	2.3	3.1	3.4	3.3	3.2	3.2	3.3	3.4
Mesosoma	total length	7.0	9.1	7.5	7.0	7.2	7.1	8.7	9.4	8.7	7.4	8.3	8.2	8.0
Metasoma I	length	1.9	2.2	1.8	1.8	2.0	1.8	1.9	2.2	1.9	1.9	2.0	2.0	2.0
	width	1.6	1.9	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.6	1.9	2.3	2.0	2.0	2.1	2.1	2.2
	height	1.4	1.5	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.4	1.6	1.7	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.7
Metasoma II	length	2.2	2.6	2.2	2.1	2.3	2.0	2.4	2.4	2.2	2.3	2.4	2.4	2.4
	width	1.7	1.9	1.7	1.6	1.7	1.6	2.0	2.3	2.1	2.1	2.2	2.2	2.3
	height	1.4	1.7	1.4	1.4	1.6	1.4	1.7	1.8	1.8	1.7	1.7	1.8	2.0
Metasoma III	length	2.3	2.8	2.3	2.3	2.4	2.1	2.5	2.7	2.5	2.4	2.5	2.5	2.6
	width	1.8	2.0	1.8	1.7	1.8	1.7	2.1	2.3	2.2	2.1	2.3	2.3	2.3
	height	1.5	1.8	1.5	1.5	1.6	1.4	1.7	1.8	2.0	1.7	1.8	1.8	2.0