Tarsal spinules and setae of vaejovid scorpions (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae)
Author
Mcwest, Kari J.
text
Zootaxa
2009
2009-02-04
2001
1
126
journal article
11755334
Genus
VEJOVOIDUS
Stahnke
n = 1/1
The monotypic genus
Vejovoidus
is a distinctive psammophilic taxon possessing hirsute telotarsi. It appears to be more closely related to
Smeringurus
than to any other genus (Sissom, pers. comm., 1996).
Vejovoidus longiunguis
(Williams)
(
Figs. 13
,
334
)
The male paratopotype was examined for setal and basitarsal counts. The specimen possesses a single minor seta located between the distal retroventral and distal ventral setae. Basitarsi I–III are distinctly laterally compressed. Basitarsi I and II completely lack ventral spinules; on other vaejovids these legs have complete ventral spinule rows. Unlike any other vaejovid examined, the telotarsal setae are quite numerous, variable in size and shape (
Fig. 13
), and are essentially aligned along the inferior and terminal setal territories on the retrolateral side and among the median, terminal, and inferior setal territories on the prolateral aspect. The prolateral setae form a brushlike array and the retrolateral aspect has a bristlecomb of retrosuperior and retrosuperior terminal setae. The ventral telotarsal setae are spatulate and may have a sensory function (
Fig. 334
).
FIGURES 335–339.
Brotheas granimanus
Pocock
male from Surinam (FSCA). Note the telotarsus has two rows of spiniform setae (stout, socketed setae) flanking ventromedian area devoid of all but one basal spinule. Basitarsus has retromedian row of setae. 335–337, aspects of telotarsus III. 335, retrolateral. 336, ventral. 337, prolateral. 338, 339, aspects of basitarsus III. 338, retrolateral. 339, superior.
Telotarsus
:
Setae (103):
ri–rmt
, 40;
rs
, 4;
rst
, 3 (2 on superoterminal lobe);
pi–pmt
, 53;
ps
, 0;
pst
, 3 (on superoterminal lobe). Spinules (20):
ds
, 3;
vms
, 9;
bs
, 8.
Specimens examined:
MEXICO
:
Baja California Sur
,
12 km
S
Guerrero
Negro
, (paratopotypes) 1 f,
1 m
(
FSCA
)
.