Orthochirus pallidus (Pocock, 1897)

Kovařík, Baloorthochirus becvari & 1996, 2004, Revision and taxonomic position of genera Afghanorthochirus Lourenço & Vachon, Baloorthochirus Kova ík, Butheolus Simon, Nanobuthus Pocock, Orthochiroides Kova ík, Pakistanorthochirus Lourenço, and Asian Orthochirus Karsch, with descriptions of twelve new species (Scorpiones, Buthidae), Euscorpius 16, pp. 1-33 : 17-18

Orthochirus pallidus (Pocock, 1897)

Butheolus pallidus Pocock, 1897: 109 ; Kraepelin, 1899: 36; Pocock, 1900: 30; Kraepelin, 1903: 565; Kraepelin, 1908: 187; Kraepelin, 1913: 131; Takashima, 1945: 77; Pérez Minnocci, 1974: 20.

Orthochirus pallidus: Birula, 1917: 215 ; Roewer, 1943: 208; Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 119; Fet, 1989: 116; Kovařík, 1993: 203; Fet & Lowe, 2000: 196.

Orthochirus pallidus pallidus: Birula, 1917: 241 . Orthochirus bicolor pallidus: Levy & Amitai, 1980: 94 ; Kovařík, 1998: 116.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Upper Scinde , Khelat Frontier ; BMNH.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Pakistan, Upper Scinde , Khelat Frontier, 1♀ A (lectotype hereby designated), BMNH No. 1896.10.20.24 .

DIAGNOSIS: Fourth and fifth metasomal segments only shallowly punctate ventrally. Spaces among punctae granulated, with largest and most closely spaced granules on fourth segment. Fifth metasomal segment with one median ventral granulated carina, fourth segment with two less granulated median ventral carinae. Entire metasoma glabrous (very short, thin setae may issue from punctae). Dorsal surface of all metasomal segments mesially nearly smooth, sparse granules not arranged in distinct strip. Metasoma, mesosoma, and legs pale yellow to green. Movable fingers of pedipalps bear 8 rows of granules with internal and external granules and 3 distal granules.

COMMENTS. Fet & Lowe (2000: 196) regard the female that I have examined as the holotype, but Pocock did not label it as such. Stahnke subsequently labeled this female as “type“. In order to stabilize the nomenclature, I hereby designate this specimen the lectotype. The above diagnosis lacks information on the presence of bristlecombs on the legs, because the lectotype is damaged and this feature cannot be adequately discerned. Also, due to long years in alcohol the original color of femur and patella of legs and pedipalps cannot be reliably determined.

DISTRIBUTION. Afghanistan (Fet & Lowe, 2000: 196), India (Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 124), Pakistan (Pocock, 1897: 110).