Franckeus Soleglad & Fet, 2005

Soleglad, Michael E. & Fet, Victor, 2005, A new scorpion genus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) from Mexico, Euscorpius 24 (24), pp. 1-13 : 7

Franckeus Soleglad & Fet , gen. nov.

Diagnosis. Closely related to the “nigrescens” group of Vaejovis from which it can be distinguished by the following two synapomorphic characters: pedipalp

patella external surface exhibiting neobothriotaxy, one accessory trichobothrium located near the esb series, closest to esb 2; patellar trichobothrial series em 1 -em 2 angles towards the distal aspect of the segment.

Etymology. This genus is named after our colleague Oscar F. Francke whose many varied contributions to scorpion systematics have advanced considerably the knowledge in this area. In particular, Oscar was the first to point out the diagnostic characters defining this genus and, as well, recognized their importance.

Type species. Vaejovis nitidulus C. L. Koch, 1843 [= Franckeus nitidulus (C. L. Koch, 1843) ].

Distribution. Mexico (northeastern and centraleastern states; Baja California Sur).

Species list. The following six species comprise this genus (general locality data based on Williams, 1980; Sissom & Francke, 1985; Sissom, 1991; Sissom & González, 2004. See map in Fig. 9 ):

F. kochi (Sissom, 1991) , comb. nov. Distrito Federal,

Hidalgo, México.

F. minckleyi ( Williams, 1968) , comb. nov. Coahuila.

F. nitidulus (C. L. Koch, 1843) , comb. nov. Hidalgo,

México, Querétaro.

F. peninsularis ( Williams, 1980) , comb. nov. Baja

California Sur ( Figs. 10-19 ).

F. platnicki (Sissom, 1991) , comb. nov. San Luis Po-

tosí, Tamaulipas.

F. rubrimanus (Sissom, 1991) , comb. nov. Nuevo

León.

Figures

Figure 9: Map of Mexico (partial) showing general distribution of genus Franckeus. Locality data based on Williams (1980), Sissom &

Figures 10-19: Franckeus peninsularis, male. 10-16. Pedipalp showing trichobothrial pattern and carinal development. 17. Telson and metasomal segments IV-V, lateral view. 18-19. Chelal fixed and movable fingers, showing denticle organization.