Eremocosta nigrimana ( Pocock 1895 )

Cushing, Paula E., Channiago, Felix & Brookhart, Jack O., 2018, Revision of the camel spider genus Eremocosta Roewer and a description of the female Eremocosta gigas Roewer (Arachnida, Solifugae), Zootaxa 4402 (3), pp. 443-466 : 462

Eremocosta nigrimana ( Pocock 1895)

Gluvia nigrimanus Pocock 1895: 94 –95, fig. 10.

Eremobates nigrimanus ( Pocock 1895) : Kraepelin 1901: 128. Eremorhax magnus (Hancock 1888) : Muma 1970: 5 –6.

Eremorhax nigrimanus ( Pocock 1895) : Brookhart & Muma 1987: 1. Eremocosta nigrimana ( Pocock 1895) : Harvey 2002: 451.

Type material. Male holotype labeled “? Probably Meshed, Afghanistan, Afghan Delimitation commission” but the specimen may be mislabeled as suggested by the “?” on the label (also see Muma 1970, 1976). Recorded specimens: known from type only (BNHM #1952.10.17.20). We were able to view photographs of the type specimen.

Discussion. The status of this species remains uncertain since no eremobatids are known from the Old World. The type specimen has the VDC diagnostic for the genus Eremocosta . Therefore, the placement in this genus seems to be correct. From the photos of the type, the specimen appears to have a VDC extending more than half the length of the fixed finger. The movable finger dentition can be described as MP-no MSM-MM; distinct MPL. If we are correct that the species belongs to Eremocosta , then it would be the only species lacking a MSM. Because the type has the VDC diagnostic for the genus, we leave it in Eremocosta ; however, like Muma, we doubt the veracity of the locality. The “?” on the label also supports the uncertainty of the locale. It may represent a new species of Eremocosta . We leave the designation as is.