Hadruroides vichayitos, Ochoa & Prendini, 2010

Ochoa, José A. & Prendini, Lorenzo, 2010, The Genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Iuridae), in Peru: New Records and Descriptions of Six New Species, American Museum Novitates 2010 (3687), pp. 1-56 : 48-52

Hadruroides vichayitos , n. sp.

Figures 1 , 3F , 5D , 12G, 20H, 26–28 ; table 2

TYPE MATERIAL: PERU: Piura Department: Talara Province: Holotype ♂, 2 ♂, 1 ♀ paratypes ( MHNC), 2 ♂, 1 ♀ paratypes ( AMNH), Playa Vichayitos , 5 km N Los Órganos, near Mancora , 04 ° 08 ' 29 " W 81 ° 05 ' 30 " W, 20–28 m, 24.xi.2004, J.C. Chaparro and J.A. Ochoa.

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: Hadruroides vichayitos may be distinguished from other species of the genus by means of the pigmentation pattern. This species is almost completely depigmented, except for very small, faint spots on the carapace and tergites ( fig. 12G ). It may be related to H. carinatus , H. chinchaysuyu , and H. geckoi based on the similar development of the ventral carinae on sternite VII and the metasomal segments in these species. It differs from them based on the weaker lobe on the fixed finger on the pedipalp chela of the adult male and smaller proximal gap created when the fixed and movable fingers are closed (fig. 27H). The proximal gap is well developed in H. geckoi ( fig. 11H ) and H. carinatus and, although not as pronounced as in H. chinchaysuyu , is always more so than in H. vichayitos ( figs. 8C , 27H). Hadruroides vichayitos differs further from H. geckoi in the following respects: lower count of accessory denticles on the pedipalp chela fingers ( fig. 20G, H ); shorter metasomal segments: the length:width ratio of segment V is 1.91–2.26 in H. vichayitos , compared with 2.40–2.89 in H. geckoi ; less granular metasomal segment V ( figs. 11B , 27D); patella DI carina comprising only a few distal granules (fig. 27E), compared with H. geckoi , in which it is complete and granular ( fig. 11C ); deeper telson. Hadruroides vichayitos may be further distinguished from H. carinatus by means of the less-developed VSM carinae on sternite VII. Additional characters separating H. vichayitos from H. carinatus , H. chinchaysuyu , and H. geckoi , are as follows: the VSM carinae are present on metasomal segments I–III in H. carinatus and H. chinchaysuyu , but obsolete on segment I and absent on segments II and III in H. vichayitos ; the lamina of the hemispermatophore is strongly curved in H. carinatus and H. geckoi , but shorter and slightly curved in H. vichayitos ; the apex of the lamina is acuminate in H. chinchaysuyu and H. geckoi , but rounded in H. vichayitos .

DESCRIPTION: Based on the holotype and paratypes. Measurements of the holotype ♂ and a paratype ♀ are recorded in table 2 .

Color: Base color yellowish with small, faint spots. Carapace faintly spotted laterally and posterolaterally; ocular tubercle blackish. Tergites I–VI with six small, faint spots, four situated near posterior margin, and two situated on anterior margin; VII with faint spots along carinae only ( fig. 12G ). Metasomal segments depigmented dorsally; ventral surfaces occasionally with very faint pigmentation along anterior third of VL carinae; other surfaces depigmented. Sternites, chelicerae, pedipalps, and legs depigmented.

Chelicerae: Typical of genus; surfaces smooth; dorsal surface with two macrosetae situated near base of fingers.

Carapace: Anterior margin with weak median projection and eight macrosetae; surfaces granular, densely so laterally, except for anterior third which is smooth; anteromedian longitudinal sulcus obsolete, with few fine granules bordering posterior half; posteromedian longitudinal sulcus obsolete in anterior half, becoming more developed in posterior half; posterolateral sulci well developed; median ocular sulcus obsolete; ocular tubercle well developed.

Pedipalps: Femur with VI, DI, and DE carinae complete, granular; VM vestigial; dorsal surface with few scattered granules (fig. 27F); internal surface with few granules medially; ventral surface smooth. Patella with DI carinae complete but obsolete, comprising only three or four granules distally; DPP and VPP with prominent spiniform granules; VI carinae complete, granular (fig. 27E); all other surfaces smooth. Chela robust; fingers relatively elongated; fixed finger lobed and weakly curved, creating shallow proximal gap with movable finger when fingers closed (fig. 27G, H); movable finger, median denticle row comprising six subrows, internal and external accessory denticles flanking first subrow only, subrows II–VI without external accessory denticles ( fig. 20H ).

Trichobothrial pattern: Typical of genus; femur with three trichobothria, patella with 20, chela with 26; chelal trichobothium dst situated slightly distal to est (absent in two specimens); chelal trichobothrium eb situated slightly distal to proximal gap between fixed and movable fingers (fig. 27H).

Legs: Prolateral surfaces granular; retrolateral surfaces smooth and markedly setose on patella, tibia, and tarsus. Leg III, femur tetracarinate with DI, DE, VI, and EM carinae complete, VI and EM more strongly developed; patella, dorsal surface with few fine granules medially, DM carinae present in proximal half of segment, DI comprising few small granules in distal third, IM and VI well developed, DE restricted to proximal twothirds of segment, EM complete. Telotarsus with 7–11 ventromedian spinule clusters (setaceous tufts).

Tergites: Pretergites smooth. Post-tergites I–VI, surfaces finely granular, becoming more coarsely granular laterally and posteriorly; VII coarsely granular, with four well-developed longitudinal carinae.

Sternum: Subpentagonal; surface granular medially, with six macrosetae; posterolateral surfaces granular; median sulcus well developed.

Pectines: Pectinal tooth count: 17–19 (♂), 15–17 (♀).

Sternites: Sternites III – VI, surfaces finely granular (♂) or smooth (♀); spiracles narrow, situated in posterior half of segment; VII, surface granular, VL carinae well developed, VSM present but obsolete (fig. 27C) .

Metasoma: Segments I–IV, DL and ML carinae complete, granular on segments I–III, with posterior granule slightly larger; dorsal surface and surfaces between DL and ML carinae granular near DL carinae, more so on segment I, granulation decreasing towards segment IV; LIM carinae well developed on segment I, present in posterior half of II and III, but less granular on III, absent or obsolete on IV (fig. 27B); surfaces between ML and LIM carinae granular on segment I, sparsely granular on II and III, smooth on IV; VL carinae complete, granular on segment I, obsolete, comprising and three or four small granules posteriorly on II–IV; surfaces between LIM and VL carinae finely granular on segment I, all other segments smooth; VSM carinae obsolete on segment I, absent on II– IV. Segment V, dorsal surface finely granular; DL carinae complete, granular medially; lateral surfaces with scattered granulation; VL and VM carinae complete, granular; VSM carinae present in anterior third of segment only, posterior two-thirds obscured by granulation of ventral surface (fig. 27B, D). Segment I with two pairs of ventral setae; II and III each with three pairs, occasionally with additional setae along posteromedian margin of III; IV with five pairs and additional setae along posteromedian margin; V with 16–18 ventral setae and 5–6 additional setae along posterior margin.

Telson: Vesicle, surfaces sparsely setose, ventral surface sparsely granular anteriorly, smooth (♂) or densely granular (♀) posteriorly; aculeus short (fig. 27A).

Hemispermatophore: Distal lamina short, slightly curved in distal half; crest more than half lamina length; basal portion more than twice lamina length ( fig. 28 ).

Variation: Total length: ♂, 34.4–43.7 (mean = 40.5, n = 5); ♀, 40.3–40.8 (n = 2). Pedipalp chela, length:width ratio: ♂, 3.68–4.00 (mean = 3.81, n = 5); ♀, 4.11–4.38 (mean = 4.25, n = 2); length:height ratio: ♂, 3.42–3.67 (mean = 3.54, n = 5); ♀, 3.90–3.95 (mean = 3.92, n = 2). Pedipalp femur, length:width ratio: ♂, 3.16–3.31 (mean = 3.21, n = 5); ♀, 3.10–3.22 (mean = 3.16, n = 2). Pectinal tooth count: ♂ (n = 10), 17 (n = 1), 18 (6), 19 (3); ♀ (n = 4), 15 (n = 1), 16 (1), 17 (2). Metasomal segment V, length:width ratio: ♂, 1.91–2.26 (mean = 2.15, n = 5) ; ♀, 2.07–2.14 (mean = 2.11, n = 2); length:height ratio: ♂, 2.10–2.44 (mean = 2.30, n = 5); ♀, 2.14–2.22 (mean = 2.18, n = 2); number of setae: dorsolateral (n = 12): 5 (n = 2), 6 (5), 7 (3), 8 (2); lateral (n = 12): 6 (7), 7 (4), 8 (1); ventrolateral (n = 12): 6 (1), 7 (1), 8 (3), 9 (3), 10 (4); ventral (n = 6): 15 (1), 16 (1), 17 (2), 18 (2). Telson, length:height ratio: ♂, 2.92–3.14 (mean = 3.04, n = 5); ♀, 3.14–3.19 (mean = 3.16, n = 2). Telotarsus, number of ventromedian spinule clusters (setaceous tufts): III (n = 12) , 7 (n = 1), 8 (4), 9 (6), 10 (1); IV (n = 9) , 9 (2), 10 (4), 11 (5).

DISTRIBUTION: This species in known only from the type locality, an area representing the last remnant of Pacific Desert in northern Peru (fig. 1) .

ECOLOGY: All specimens were collected at night with UV light detection, under shrubs near a sand dune formation, surrounded by equatorial dry forest (fig. 3F).

Figures

Fig. 1. Map of Peru, plotting known locality records of Hadruroides Pocock, 1893. Hadruroides aguilari Francke and Soleglad, 1980, solid circle. Hadruroides bustamantei Ochoa and Chaparro, 2008, squares. Hadruroides geckoi, n. sp., open triangle. Hadruroides graceae, n. sp., open circle. Hadruroides leopardus Pocock, 1900, diamonds. Hadruroides tishqu, n. sp., solid triangles. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., star.

Fig. 3. Hadruroides Pocock, 1893, habitats in Peru. A. Puchaca Alto (Lambayeque Department), habitat of Hadruroides leopardus Pocock, 1900. B. Balsas (Cajamarca Department), habitat of Hadruroides geckoi, n. sp. C. Cerro Campana (La Libertad Department), habitat of Hadruroides juanchaparroi, n. sp. D. Wari (Ayacucho Department), habitat of Hadruroides bustamantei Ochoa and Chaparro, 2008. E. Isla Santa (Ancash Department), habitat of Hadruroides tishqu, n. sp. F. Playa Vichayitos (Piura Department), habitat of Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp. G. Lomas de Lachay (Lima Department), habitat of Hadruroides lunatus (L. Koch, 1867).

Fig. 5. Hadruroides Pocock, 1893, habitus in life. A. Hadruroides juanchaparroi, n. sp., ♂. B. Hadruroides leopardus Pocock, 1900, ♂. C. Hadruroides lunatus (L. Koch, 1867), ♀. D. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., ♂. E. Hadruroides tishqu, n. sp., ♂.

Fig. 26. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., habitus. A, B. Paratype ³ (AMNH). C, D. Paratype ♀ (AMNH). A, C. Dorsal aspect. B, D. Ventral aspect. Scale bars 5 1 cm.

Fig. 27. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., holotype ³ (MHNC). A. Telson, lateral aspect. B. Metasomal segments IV and V, lateral aspect. C. Sternite VII, ventral aspect. D. Metasomal segment V, ventral aspect. E. Dextral pedipalp patella, dorsal aspect. F. Dextral pedipalp femur, dorsal aspect. G. Dextral pedipalp chela, ventrointernal aspect. H. Dextral pedipalp chela, external aspect. Scale bars 5 1 mm.

Fig. 28. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., paratype ♂ (MHNC), dextral hemispermatophore. A. Ental aspect. B. Dorsal aspect. C. Ectal aspect. D. Ventral aspect. Scale bar 5 0.5 mm.

Fig. 12. Hadruroides Pocock, 1893, diagnostic characters. A–C. Hadruroides geckoi, n. sp., paratype ♀ (MHNC). A. Metasomal segment V and telson, lateral aspect. B. Dextral pedipalp chela, ventrointernal aspect. C. Dextral pedipalp chela, external aspect. D. H. geckoi, paratype ♂ (MHNC), sternite VII and metasomal segments I–V, ventral aspect showing pigmentation pattern. E. Hadruroides carinatus Pocock, 1900, ♂ (MHNC), dextral pedipalp chela, ventral aspect. F. H. geckoi, paratype ♂ (MHNC), tergite IV, dorsal aspect showing pigmentation pattern. G. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., paratype ♂ (MHNC), tergite IV, dorsal aspect showing pigmentation pattern. H. H. carinatus, ♂ (MHNC), tergite IV, dorsal aspect showing pigmentation pattern. Scale bars 5 1 mm.

Fig. 11. Hadruroides geckoi, n. sp., holotype ♂ (MHNC). A. Metasomal segments IV, V and telson, lateral aspect. B. Metasomal segment V, ventral aspect. C. Dextral pedipalp patella, dorsal aspect. D. Dextral pedipalp patella, ventral aspect. E. Dextral pedipalp chela, ventral aspect. F. Dextral pedipalp femur, dorsal aspect. G. Dextral pedipalp chela, ventrointernal aspect. H. Dextral pedipalp chela, external aspect. Scale bars 5 1 mm

Fig. 8. Hadruroides chinchaysuyu, n. sp., diagnostic characters. A, B. Paratype ♀ (MHNC). A. Metasomal segment V, lateral aspect. B. Telson, lateral aspect. C–I. Paratype ♂ (MHNC). C. Dextral pedipalp chela, external aspect. D. Metasomal segments IV, V and telson, lateral aspect. E. Dextral pedipalp chela, ventral aspect. F. Metasomal segment IV, ventral aspect. G. Dextral pedipalp femur, dorsal aspect. H. Dextral pedipalp patella, dorsal aspect. I. Tergite V, dorsal aspect showing pigmentation pattern. Scale bars 5 1 mm.

Fig. 20. Hadruroides Pocock, 1893, diagnostic characters. A, B. Hadruroides juanchaparroi, n. sp., paratype ♀ (MHNC). A. Telson, lateral aspect. B. Metasomal segment V, lateral aspect. C. Hadruroides lunatus (L. Koch, 1867), ♀ (AMNH), tergite V, dorsal aspect showing pigmentation pattern. D–F. H. juanchaparroi, paratype ♂ (MHNC). D. Tergite IV, dorsal aspect showing pigmentation pattern. E. Sternite VII and metasomal segments I–V, ventral aspect showing pigmentation pattern. F. Dextral pedipalp chela, movable finger, dorsal aspect showing dentition. G. Hadruroides geckoi, n. sp., paratype ♂ (MHNC), dextral pedipalp chela, movable finger, dorsal aspect showing dentition. H. Hadruroides vichayitos, n. sp., paratype ♂ (MHNC), dextral pedipalp chela, movable finger, dorsal aspect showing dentition. Scale bars 5 1 mm.