Orthochirus iranus, Kovařík & 1996, 2004

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 : 13-14

Orthochirus iranus sp. n.

( Table 1)

Orthochirus sp. n.?: Kovařík, 1997: 47 (in part).

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Iran, prov. Chamak , cca 17km NW. Bandar-e Gonárer, 10 m, 29°38'32"N 50°26'56"E ; FKCP.

TYPE MATERIAL. Iran, prov. Chamak, cca 17km NW. Bandar-e Gonárer , 10 m, 29°38'32"N 50°26'56"E, 1♂ 1♀ E 2♂ 1♀ A (holotype and paratypes), 13– 14.X.1998, leg. P. Kabátek ; prov. Bushehr, Chahak 15 km NW Bandar-e-Gonaveh by road, 29°40’N, 50°25’E, 20m, 3–5.V.1996 (loc No. 19 in Frynta et al, 1997: 4), 1♀ A (allotype), leg. D. Král , 1♂ 1♀ A (paratypes), leg. M. Kaftan; prov. Khuzestan, Choqa-Zanbil ( Zikkurat ), 32°00’N, 48°31’E, 100 m, 5–6.V.1996 (loc No. 20 in Frynta et al., 1997: 4), 1im. ♂ A (paratype), leg. M. Kaftan. All types are in FKCP.

ETYMOLOGY. Named after the country of occurrence.

DIAGNOSIS: Fourth and fifth metasomal segments ventrally punctate and without carinae. Dorsal surface of metasomal segments smooth except for fifth segment which bears median row of minute granules that widens in posterior half. Spaces among punctae on ventral surface smooth, only fourth metasomal segment may be sparsely granulated. Entire metasoma glabrous (very short, thin setae may issue from some punctae). Mesosoma and metasoma black. Telson reddish brown. Femur and patella of legs and pedipalps black, chela of pedipalps and tibiae of legs pale yellow to yellowish brown. Movable fingers of pedipalps bear 8 or 9 rows of granules with internal and external granules and four or five distal granules. Tarsomere I of first to third legs usually with bristlecombs composed of only 5 or 6 bristles, which may be irregular and not always form bristlecombs.

DESCRIPTION: Adult males are about 32 mm and females up to 38.5 mm long. Measurements of the carapace, telson, segments of the metasoma and segments of the pedipalps, and numbers of pectinal teeth are given in Table 1.

COLORATION: The mesosoma and metasoma are black and the telson is reddish brown. The femur and patella of legs and pedipalps are black (patella of legs may be more lightly colored); the chela of pedipalp and tibiae of legs are pale yellow to yellowish brown.

MESOSOMA AND CARAPACE: The mesosoma bears a median carina. Both the mesosoma and carapace are densely granulated, only the interocular area is smooth. The seventh sternite is usually granulated and bears four granulated carinae. The other sternites are smooth, with four smooth carinae. Pectinal teeth number 17 or 18 in the females and 19 to 21 in the males.

METASOMA AND TELSON: The first to third segments bear 10 granulated carinae; lateral carinae may be poorly develped on the second and third segments. Ventral and lateral surfaces of these segments are granulated and weakly punctate. The fourth and fifth segments have two dorsolateral carinae and two ventrolateral carinae, which on the fourth segment may appear only as rows of granules. The fourth and fifth segments are ventrally punctate. Spaces among punctae are smooth exept for the fourth segment which may be sparsely granulated, especially in males. The dorsal surface of the first four segments is mesially smooth, but a few solitary granules may be present, especially on the first segment. The dorsal surface of the fifth segment bears a median row of minute granules, which widens in posterior half. The entire metasoma is glabrous, but short, thin setae may issue from some punctae. The telson is punctate, lacks granules, and has several isolated hairs issuing from the punctae.

PEDIPALPS: The femur has four granulose to crenulate carinae. The patella has seven smooth carinae, and the chela has smooth carinae which may be discernible throughout the length of the fixed fingers. The movable fingers bear 8 or 9 rows of granules with internal and external granules and four or five distal granules.

LEGS: The femur has four granulated carinae, the patella has five smooth carinae, and smooth carinae may be present also on the tibia. The tibiae and tarsomeres bear several spines, namely on the outer side where they form two rows. Tarsomere I of first to third legs bears 5 or 6 bristles which usually form bristlecombs.

AFFINITIES. The described features distinguish Orthochirus iranus sp. n. from all other species of the genus. They are recounted in the key below. O. iranus sp. n. is close to O. zagrosensis sp. n., from which it differs in granulation of the metasomal segments and a more lightly colored manus of pedipalp.