Grosphus annulatus Fage, 1929

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 : 636

Grosphus annulatus Fage, 1929

Grosphus limbatus var. annulata Fage, 1929: 655 .

TYPE MATERIAL. — Syntypes, 5 males and 8 females: Madagascar, South region, S-SE of Toliara, Sarodrano , 11.VIII.1901 (G. Grandidier), MNHN. RS-1314 .

DIAGNOSIS. — Scorpion of small size with a total length of 35 to 45 mm. General coloration yellowish; metasomal segments IV and V almost blackish. Carapace and tergites weakly granular. Pectines: pectinal teeth count in average 32-34 in males and 24-29 in females; basal middle lamellae of each pecten not dilated in males; dilated and elongated in females; just after the base, to the apex, covering 4 to 5 most proximal teeth. Dorsal carinae on segments II to IV without any posterior spinoid granule. Fixed and movable fingers with 11-11 oblique rows of granules.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — Grosphus annulatus was originally described by Fage (1929) only as a variety, G. limbatus var. annulata Fage, 1929 . More detailed studies indicated that it was necessary to elevate this form to the rank of species ( Lourenço 1996). It can be easily distinguished from G. limbatus (Pocock, 1889) by a characteristic pigmentation pattern – the carapace and tergites are extensively yellowish, but the metasomal segments IV and V are markedly blackish. Based on pigmentation patterns, G. annulatus is probably closely related to G. olgae Lourenço, 2004 described from South-Western Madagascar (see below). These species can, however, be distinguished from one another based on the shape of basal middle lamellae of the female pectines, and distinct shape differences in the telson. In G. annulatus , the vesicle is strongly globular and longer than the aculeus, while in G. olgae , the vesicle is weakly globular and shorter than the aculeus ( Figs 3A, B ; 4A, B ). Given all of the fieldwork conducted in South-Western Madagascar, it is rather remarkable that G. annulatus is only known from the original type locality of “Province Toliara [Toliara], Sarodrano” ( Fage 1929). The coastal sand dune habitat surrounding the Sarodrano area has not been the subject of a recent inventory using pit-fall traps and perhaps this taxon has very specific ecological requirements. Fresh material will be needed for molecular studies to resolve the relationships of this species.

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.

FIG. 4. Ỏ Grophus ssp., Metasomal segment V and telson, lateral aspect: A, B, Grosphus olgae LourenÁo, 2004, male (A) and female (B) paratypes; C, Grosphus feti LourenÁo, 1996, male holotype; D, Grosphus rossii LourenÁo, 2013, male holotype; E, Grosphus magalieae n. sp., male holotype. Scale bars: 2 mm.