Grosphus intertidalis Lourenço, 1999

Lourenço, Wilson R., 2014, The genus Grosphus Simon, 1880 in South-Western Madagascar, with the description of a new species (Scorpiones, Buthidae), Zoosystema 36 (3), pp. 631-645 : 638

Grosphus intertidalis Lourenço, 1999

Grosphus intertidalis Lourenço, 1999: 135 .

TYPE MATERIAL. — Female holotype: Madagascar, South region, Toliara, 3.5 km N of Toliara (Coastal zone, on the beach sands), IV.1998 (N. Lutzmann), ZMH .

DIAGNOSIS. — Scorpion of medium size with a total length of 55 to 60 mm. General coloration pale yellow, without any spots. Carapace and tergites moderately to weakly granular. Pectines: pectinal teeth count 28-30 in females and 32-34 in males; basal middle lamellae of each pecten elongated and curved, widening only partially after the first internal tooth – this character is diagnostic of the species. Dorsal carinae on segments II to IV without any posterior spinoid granule. The telson vesicle is not globular in shape, but rather pear-like, particularly in males ( Fig. 3C, D ). Fixed and movable fingers with 10-10 oblique rows of granules.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — Grosphus intertidalis was described based on a single specimen collected in the coastal zone 3.5 km to the north of Tulear (Toliara). More recently, Lourenço (2004) described a male specimen collected in the Province of Toliara, Parc National de Tsimanampetsotsa, 21.5 km NE d’Efoetse (24°0.5’S, 43°53.9’E). The specimen was found at 100 m of altitude under a stone, in a slightly disturbed zone of spiny bush. This species remains poorly known and was not represented in most recent samples coming from field inventories.

Figures

FIG. 3. Ỏ Grophus ssp., Metasomal segment V and telson,lateral aspect:A, B, Grosphus annulatus Fage,1929:A, male paralectotype; B, female lectotype; C, D, Grosphus intertidalis LourenÁo, 1999, male (C) and female (D); E, F, Grosphus mahafaliensis LourenÁo, Goodman & Ramilijaona, 2004, male (E) and female (F). Scale bars: 2 mm.