Heterometrus barberi ( Pocock, 1900 )

Kovařík, František, 2004, A review of the genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828, with descriptions of seven new species (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae), Euscorpius 15 (15), pp. 1-60 : 4

Heterometrus barberi ( Pocock, 1900)

( Fig. 8 )

Palamnaeus barberi Pocock, 1900: 95 .

Heterometrus barberi : Takashima, 1945: 94.

Heterometrus (Chersonesometrus) barberi : Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 614; Fet, 2000: 441.

Heterometrus (Chersonesometrus) phipsoni phipsoni : Couzijn, 1981: 149 (in part).

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Tinnevelly in S. India ; BMNH.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. India, Tinnevelly District , in the western Gháts, Kannikatti evergreen forest, 2500 ft., 1♀, holotype, leg. C. A. Barber, BMNH No. 1899.9.24.1. No other material .

DIAGNOSIS. Adult holotype female 124 mm long. Base color uniformly black, only manus of pedipalps orangish yellow. Pectinal teeth number 11–12. Chela not lobiform, its length to width ratio equals 2.2. Entire manus rugate (merging blunt granules) and without carinae. Patella of pedipalps without pronouced internal tubercle. Carapace with disc smooth, at margins granulate. Spine formula of third legs 4:6, of fourth legs 4:6–7. Telson bulbous, vesicle longer than aculeus.

COMMENTS. Couzijn (1981: 149) considered Palamnaeus barberi Pocock, 1900 a synonym of H. phipsoni (Pocock, 1893) . However, these two species are very different (see diagnosis and key), which was pointed out already by Tikader & Bastawade (1983: 614) who regarded Heterometrus (Chersonesometrus) barberi ( Pocock, 1900) as a valid species. The BMNH register lists the holotype of Palamnaeus barberi Pocock, 1900 as Palamnaeus flavimanus Pocock, 1900 .

DISTRIBUTION. India: Tamil Nadu ( Pocock, 1900: 96).

Figures

Figure 8: Heterometrus barberi, dorsal view, female holotype.