Systematics of Vaejovis dugesi Pocock, with Descriptions of Two New Related Species (Scorpiones, Vaejovidae)

Abstract

Vaejovis dugesi Pocock, previously recognized as a subspecies of Vaejovis mexicanus Koch, is redescribed and elevated to specific status. Two new species are described: Vaejovis chisos, from the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, Texas, and Vaejovis sprousei, from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Le6n. RESUMEN--Vaejovis dugesi Pocock, reconocido previamente como una subespecie de Vaejovis mexicanus Koch, es redescrito y elevado a estado especifico. Se describen dos nuevas especies: Vaejovis chisos, de Chisos Mountains en el Parque National Big Bend, Texas, y Vaejovis sprousei, de los estados mexicanos de Tamaulipas y Nuevo Le6n. The scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus dugesi Pocock was described from the mountains of Guanajuato (Pocock, 1902), and the type remains the single known specimen referable to this taxon. Vaejovis m. dugesi has rarely been mentioned in subsequent systematic works, and its identity has remained enigmatic. Hoffmann (1931) listed the taxon but indicated he had not seen any material referable to it. He suggested that it was similar to Vaejovis granulatus, especially in color pattern, but did not propose a synonymy. Diaz Naijera (1975) did not mention V. m. dugesi in a revised list of Mexican scorpions. I had the opportunity to study the type of V. m. dugesi. It is clear that its closest relative is not V. mexicanus and that it should be regarded as a valid species. Examination of considerable vaejovid material collected throughout mainland Mexico has uncovered only one additional specimen of this species, but new related species from northeastern M6exico and the Chisos Mountains in the Big Bend area in Texas have been found. These species have obvious affinities with certain members of the V. mexicanus group. They have dusky markings on the dorsum (faint in the species from Big Bend), are similar in metasomal carinal structure, have weak dorsointernal carinae on the pedipalp chelae, and have trichobothrium et of the chela fixed finger situated very close to the third enlarged primary row denticle. They differ from other species in the V. mexicanus group as follows: (1) the pedipalps are relatively long and slender, with chela length: width ratios exc eding 4.0, (2) the chela fingers end in moderately to distinctly enlarged, clawlike terminal denticles. These latter features are suggestive of pecies of the Vaejovis nitidulus group. However, e species of that group have trichobothrium et situated at the level of or distal to the second enlarged primary row denticle and a well developed, crenulate to serrate dorsointernal chela carina. Because Vaejovis dugesi and the new species lack these characters, it seems best to retain them in the V. mexicanus group. Vaejovis dugesi Pocock, new combination