Heterometrus spinifer (Ehrenberg, 1828)

Kovařík, František, 2004, A review of the genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828, with descriptions of seven new species (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae), Euscorpius 15 (15), pp. 1-60 : 40-42

Heterometrus spinifer (Ehrenberg, 1828)

( Fig. 27 )

Buthus (Heterometrus) spinifer Ehrenberg in Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828: pl.1, fig. 2; Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1829: 352; Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1831: 3; Moritz & Fischer, 1980: 324; Braunwalder & Fet, 1998: 32.

Buthus spinifer : C. L. Koch, 1837: 36.

Scorpio (Buthus) spinifer : Gervais, 1844a: 210; Gervais, 1844b: 60.

Palamnaeus spinifer : Pocock, 1892: 40;? Pocock, 1894: 96; Pocock, 1894: 316.

Heterometrus longimanus : Kraepelin, 1895: 34 (in part); Kraepelin, 1899: 111(in part);? Kopstein, 1921: 129; Takashima, 1945: 90 (in part).

Heterometrus longimanus longimanus : Giltay, 1931: 3 (in part).

Heterometrus spinifer : Karsch, 1879: 16; Ausserer, 1880: 466; Mahsberg, 1990: 271; Pointer, 1991: 24; Delfosse, 1998: 30; Dupré, Lambert & Gérard, 1998: 63; Robert, 1999: 19.

Heterometrus (Heterometrus) spinifer : Couzijn, 1978: 330; Kovařík, 1998: 137 (in part); Fet, 2000: 438 (in part); Prendini, 2000: 44.

Heterometrus (Heterometrus) spinifer spinifer (in part): Couzijn, 1981: 89; Kovařík, 1995: 203; Le Xuan Hue et al., 1998: 7; Fet, 2000: 438.

Heterometrus (Heterometrus) spinifer solitarius Couzijn, 1981: 93 ; Vachon, 1982: 78; Kovařík, 1998: 137; Fet, 2000: 438.

= Palamnaeus laevigatus Thorell, 1876b: 221 ; Keyserling, 1885: 39 (syn. by Kraepelin, 1895: 34).

= Palamnaeus oatesii Pocock, 1900: 98 ; Flower, 1901: 34; Schultze, 1927: 375 (syn. by Couzijn, 1981: 89).

Heterometrus oatesi : Kraepelin, 1913: 167; Giltay, 1931: 4; Takashima, 1945: 94.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. India (probably incorrect) ; ZMHB.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. India, 1♂ (im.) (holotype), ZMHB No. 67.?, 3♂ 2♀ 1 juv. without locality labels, probably syntypes of Palamnaeus oatesii Pocock, 1900 , BMNH .

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. Malaysia, Malay Penninsula, Pulo Aov, Endan River , Johare , 30.VI.1902, 1im., CASC ; Pahang, 400 ft., 1F, leg. Nevnay, BMNH No. 1932.6.14.2 and No. 79; 1.X.1936, 1♂, Terry Taylor, CASC ; Perak, 10–20 km Ne of Tapah , 152–610 m, 1983, 1♂, CASC ; Pahang, Hutan Lipur Menchali , 16 km S of Merchang, 1VI.1983, 1♀, leg. E. S. Ross, CASC ; 16 km A of Kuala Rompin , cca 50 m., 16.VII.1989, 2juvs., leg. E. S. Ross, CASC ; Pulo Kundur, Rhio archipelago (S.E. end of Malay Penninsula), 19.VI., 1im., CASC ; Gulf, Goh Samui Island, w. side, coconut groves w. and s. of Aangtong Village , 9º31'15 N – 99º56'22E to 9º31'15 N – 99º56'37E, 8.XI.1957, 1♂ 1♀ 1im., leg. H. A. Fehlman and R. R. Rofen, CASC ; Tung Song , 75 m., 4.VII.1962, 2juvs., leg. E. S. Ross & D. Cavagnaro, CASC ; Genting Highland , 1100–1700 m, II–X.1990, 1♂, leg. P. Butti, MZUF ; Cameron Highlands , 1992, 2♀ 1juv., FKCP ; Pahang, Johor Endau-Rompin n. park, 100 m, Salendang , 28.II–12.III.1995, 1♀, leg. M. Štrba & R. Hergovits, FKCP ; NE, Jelawang Jungle, near Dabong , 29.VI.1995, 1♀, leg. S. Bečvář, FKCP ; Cameron Highlands, Ringlet , 1000 mnm, VII.2000, 1♂, leg. A. Burda, FKCP . Thailand, 50 miles N. Bangkok (? error locality), 1.XII.1968, 1♂, CASC ; Phang Nga, 18.XI.1984, 1juv. after 3 rd ecdysis, leg. P. Beron & St. Andreev , SOFM No. 102; Phang Nga, 19.XI.1984, 2juvs. after 2 nd ecdysis, leg. P. Beron & St. Andreev , SOFM No. 100; south, Betong , IV.1993, 1♂, leg. J. Strnad, FKCP .

DIAGNOSIS. Adults 100–135 mm long. Base color of adults uniformly black, only manus and telson may be reddish brown. In juveniles base color reddish brown, telson may be yellow. Pectinal teeth number 15–19 in both sexes. Sexual dimorphism in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela slightly lobiform, its adult length to width ratio 2.4–2.6 in both sexes. Much of manus smooth, with smooth carinae forming irregular reticulation. Patella of pedipalp with pronounced internal tubercle. Carapace with disc smooth and margins granulate. Telson hirsute, elongate, vesicle longer than aculeus.

COMMENTS. Couzijn (1981: 91) stated that the holotype could not be found and had apparently been destroyed during WW2. For that reason he designated a neotype. However, the holotype was not destroyed, it is preserved at ZMHB and I have been able to borrow it for study. It is an immature male. In accordance with ICZN Article 75.8, Couzijn’s neotype designation is invalid.

Since it is impossible to ascertain that the BMNH specimens of Palamnaeus oatesii Pocock, 1900 really are syntypes, I do not designate a lectotype. The specimens were apparently first kept dry and then transferred to alcohol with the determination label Palamnaeus oatesii , but without any other data. No other specimens so labeled could found at BMNH.

The distribution of this species can be verified only for Malaysia and southern Thailand. Other records are misidentifications that concern primarily H. cimrmani sp. n. and H. petersii .

DISTRIBUTION.? Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand,? Vietnam ( Couzijn , 1981: 89–90). The type locality „ India “ must be regarded as erroneous. Couzijn (1981: 93) lists one female (the holotype of H. spinifer solitarius Couzijn, 1981 ) from Sri Lanka, but also that record should be regarded as doubtful .

Figures

Figure 27: Heterometrus spinifer, dorsal view, male, syntype of Palamnaeus (= Heterometrus) oatesii.