Superstitioniidae Stahnke, 1940

Soleglad, Michael E. & Fet, Victor, 2003, High-level systematics and phylogeny of the extant scorpions (Scorpiones: Orthosterni), Euscorpius 2003 (11), pp. 1-175 : 106-107

Family Superstitioniidae Stahnke, 1940

Type Genus. Superstitionia Stahnke, 1940 .

Synonyms.

Troglotayosicidae Lourenço, 1998 , new synonymy; type genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 .

Composition. This family includes two subfamilies ( Superstitioniinae and Typhlochactinae ) and five genera. The content of Superstitioniidae is changed here as we return the genus Troglotayosicus to this family, as suggested by Stockwell (1989, 1992). The family Troglotayosicidae is abolished here and synonymized with Superstitioniidae ; the genus Belisarius is transferred to Chactidae (subfamily Brotheinae ).

Distribution. North America ( Mexico, USA), South America ( Ecuador).

Taxonomic history. This taxon was created as a monotypic subfamily of Chactidae ( Stahnke, 1940) (incorrect original spelling Superstitioninae). Subfamily Superstitioniinae was formally elevated to the family rank by Stockwell (1992) who also included here genera Troglotayosicus and Belisarius . The unpublished division of Superstitionidae by Stockwell (1989) included four subfamilies: Superstitioninae, Troglotayosinae, Belisariinae , and Typhlochactinae . Later, Lourenço (1998a) placed Troglotayosicus and Belisarius in a separate family, Troglotayosicidae (incorrect original spelling Troglotayosidae). For the detailed taxonomic history see Sissom (2000b) and Fet & Sissom (2000b).

Biogeographic history. Presence of Troglotayosicus in Ecuador, and all other taxa of Superstitionidae in North America ( Mexico, USA) could indicate an ancient age of Superstitionidae ; see similar patterns in Chactidae and Caraboctonidae . Its taxa have a clearly expressed relict character: this family is notable for having cave and/or blind species (genera Alacran , Sotanochactas , Typhlochactas , Troglotayosicus ).

Diagnosis. Synapomorphies. Median denticle (MD) row groups of chelal finger aligned obliquely; chelal trichobothrium it positioned at extreme base of fixed finger; chelal trichobothria Db basal and Dt situated at base of fixed finger; lateral carinae of metasomal segment V absent. Important Symplesiomorphies. Chelal trichobothrium ib situated on extreme fixed finger base or on palm; chelal trichobothria series V 1 –V 4 does not extend entire length of palm, V 1 –V 2 –V 3 juncture usually angles towards internal aspect; sclerites of genital operculum of female loosely connected; overall shape of pedipalp chela rounded; stigma small and oval in shape; number of lateral eyes 0–2.

Discussion. The phylogenetic position of this family is interesting since we see it exhibiting intermediate characteristics between the vaejovids and the clade “ Euscorpiidae + Chactidae ”. It is a small family, but many of its members are quite unique, only the subfamily Typhlochactinae contains a genus, Typhlochactas , with multiple species—a group (along with Sotanochactas ) of closely related, highly derived scorpions. The trichobothrial pattern of the patella of this group is quite unusual where ventral trichobothrium v 2 is located on the external surface. The only other scorpion group with an externally located v 2 is the Old World iuroids. Alacran , the only member of this family exhibiting major neobothriotaxy, Su1, in many ways is quite unlike the other members of its family. Of course, it is the only large member of the family, exceeding 70 mm in length; this size along with its beautiful mahogany color and audacious appendage proportions make it a totally different looking scorpion. It is the only member of Superstitioniidae where all three patellar ventral trichobothria are located on the ventral surface. In subfamily Superstitioniinae , we have two monotypic genera, both with ventral trichobothrium v 3 located on the external surface. The somewhat distal position of v 3 is identical to that seen in the vaejovids, making these two groups the only Recent scorpions with this configuration. Except for Alacran , we see an unusual arrangement of the patellar external trichobothria series esb 1 –esb 2. This series is either horizontally parallel to the segment’s width ( Superstitionia ) or slants upward from esb 1 to esb 2. In Alacran , this series, as in most chactoid scorpions, slants downward. Except for Superstitionia , the members of this family lack at least the median eyes and pectinal fulcra, the latter all troglobitic. However, due to possible confusion caused by severe adaptation to troglobitic conditions, we have purposedly ignored the absence or presence of eyes in our cladistic analysis. Even the loss of pectinal fulcra, another character often associated with cave adaptation, is treated locally within groups in our analysis.

Characters used to distinguish the subfamilies and genera of family Superstitioniidae are: the position of the pedipalp patellar trichobothria, neobothriotaxy, leg tarsus armament, pedipalp chelal finger dentition, sternum construction, and the structure of the hemispermatophore.

Key to subfamilies and genera of family Supersti-