Vaejovis tenamaztlei Contreras-Félix, Francke & Bryson, 2015

A, Contreras-Félix Gerardo & Oscar, Francke B., 2019, Taxonomic revision of the “ mexicanus ” group of the genus Vaejovis C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Zootaxa 4596 (1), pp. 1-100 : 82-83

Vaejovis tenamaztlei Contreras-Félix, Francke & Bryson, 2015

Figures 4 , 35l , 36l , 3 hl, 38l, 39l, 40k, 41l, 52

Vaejovis tenamaztlei Contreras-Félix, Francke & Bryson, 2015: 133 –138, Figs: 2–14.

Type material. Holotype male. MEXICO: Aguascalientes: Municipio Calvillo, 3 km east of “Alamitos” dam, Sierra del Laurel (N 21.73531°, W 102. 69753°, elev. 2440 m), VII-24-2012. Cols.: O. Francke, G. Contreras, D. Barrales & A. Valdez. 1 ♂ ( CNAN–T0871 ). Examined .

Paratypes: MEXICO: Aguascalientes: Same data as the holotype. 1 ♂, 3 ♀ (CNANT–0872) . MEXICO: Aguascalientes, Municipio Calvillo, Los Alisos, Sierra del Laurel (N 21.725611° W 102.700389°, elev. 2415 m), I- 10-2011. Col.: J. C. Arenas. 1 ♂ ( AMNH). Examined .

Other specimens examined. MEXICO: Aguascalientes: Municipio Calvillo, Los Alisos, Sierra del Laurel (N 21.725611°, W 102.700389°, elev. 2415 m), VII-20-2010. Col.: R. W. Bryson Jr. 1 ♀ ( AMNH), 5 adult ♀, 3 subadult ♂ ( CNAN) . MEXICO: Aguascalientes: Municipio Calvillo, 3 km east of “Alamitos” dam, Sierra del Laurel (N 21.73531°, W 102.69753°, elev. 2440 m), VII-242012. Cols.: O. Francke, G. Contreras, D. Barrales & A. Valdez. 2 adult ♂, 9 juvenile ♀ (CNAN-Sc13775).

Diagnosis. Adult total length ranging from 19 mm to 26 mm (Fig: 52-a, b). Carapace (Fig: 35-l) on males shorter than metasomal segment V (Carapace L/MS-V 0.85 ±0.06), but as long or slightly longer on females [Carapace L/ MS-V 1.02±0.02], and longer than pedipalp femur in both males (Carapace L/Femur L 1.13±0.13) and females [Carapace L/Femur L [1.22±0.07]; anterior margin of carapace slightly concave, almost straight, without median notch. Tergite VII with median lateral and lateral carinae weak, composed of a discontinuous line of rounded granules, and both pairs of carinae not reaching posterior margin. Pectinal tooth count on males 16–17 (mode= 16), on females 13–14 (mode=14). Sternite V without a whitish spot on posterior edge; sternite VII with lateral carinae weak, composed of a cuticular ridge and some scattered granules. Metasomal segment I wider than long (MSI L/ W 0.7 ±0.01); intercarinal spaces on metasomal segments I–V shagreened; metasomal segment V wider than deep (MS-V W/D 1.15 ± 0.1). Vesicle (Fig: 36-l) long and slender (L/ W 2.16 ± 0.1; W/D 1.3 ± 0.03); dorsally with a conspicuous central depressed vesicular gland, deeper on adult males than on females and subadult males, on which it is almost absent. Pedipalp femur (Fig: 37-l) is less than three times longer than wide (L/ W 2.87 ± 0.13) [2.75 ± 0.15]. Patella (Fig: 38-l) less than three times longer than wide (L/ W 2.89 ± 0.11) [2.77 ± 0.13]; patellar prolateral carina weak, with few sharp scattered granules. Chela (Fig: 39, 40-l) rounded (CM L/W 2 ± 0.09 [2 ± 0.1]), as wide as deep (CM W/D 1 [1]); with prolateral median-ventro submedian carina feebly granular, but conspicuously more elevated than other carinae which are represented by low cuticular ridges. Pedipalp chela fingers dentate margins straight, without scalloping.

Hemispermatophore (Fig: 41-l): Lamelliform (TL: 3.6; LL: 2;LW: 0.5). Lamina wider at the base, with a median apical crest; laminar hooks with three rounded ridges. Capsular lobe present, well-sclerotized and may present some faint, small granules (updated from Contreras-Fèlix et al., 2015).

Full morphometric variation is given in tables 13 and 14. Setae variation is given in tables 9–12.

Distribution. Known only from the two localities within the higher elevations of the Sierra del Laurel in southwestern Aguascalientes. This species probably occurs in other regions within the Sierra del Laurel, including adjacent areas in northern Jalisco.

Natural history. found in winter during the dry season, as well as in the summer during the rainy season. Specimens were found underneath rocks in oak forest during the day. Specimens from Los Alisos were found along the base of a rock wall, which followed the crest of a hill. Among the specimens collected during July, three females had broods on their back, and the counts of newborns were 14, 18 and 22, respectively; the young were positioned randomly on the mother’s back.

Figures

FIGURE 3. a—Hemispermathophore of V. vorhiesi, included in the “vorhiesi” group, showing the sclerotized mating plug. b—Vesicle, dorsal view (V. crumpi), showing the Lateral Aculear Serrations at the base of the sting. c—Hemispermathophore of V. kochi, included on the “Franckeus+nigrescens” group, showing the sclerotized mating plug. d—Vesicle, dorsal view (V. kochi), showing the Lateral Aculear Serrations at the base of the sting.

FIGURE 4. Known distribution of all the species of Vaejovis, included in the “mexicanus” group.

FIGURE 35. Comparison in shapes on carapace in species within “mexicanus” group: a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 36. Comparison of the different shapes in the caudal gland on species within the “mexicanus” group (each caudal gland, if present, is highlighted in red): a—V. nigrofemoratus; b—V. prendinii; c—V. pusillus; d—V. rossmani; e—V. santibagnezi sp. nov.; f—V. setosus; g—V. sierrae; h—V. smithi; i—V. sprousei; j—V. talpa sp. nov.; k—V. tapalpa sp. nov.; l—V. tenamaztlei; m—V. tesselatus; n—V. trespicos; o—V. zapoteca.