Heterometrus xanthopus ( Pocock, 1897 )

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 : 49

Heterometrus xanthopus ( Pocock, 1897)

( Fig. 32 )

Palamnaeus xanthopus Pocock, 1897: 116 ; Pocock, 1900: 92.

Heterometrus xanthopus : Kraepelin, 1899: 115; Takashima, 1945: 93; Khatavkar & More, 1990: 79.

Heterometrus (Chersonesometrus) xanthopus : Couzijn, 1981: 136; Tikader & Bastawade, 1983: 609; Kovařík, 1998: 137; Fet, 2000: 441; Bastawade, 2002: 296.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Kadas Tal, Satara, S. Dekhan; BMNH.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. India, S. Dekhan, Bombay , Kadas Tal (Satara), 1♂ (lectotype hereby designated) 1♀ 2juvs. (paralectotypes), leg. A.D.Wilkins, BMNH No. 1896.9.26.88-981 .

DIAGNOSIS. Adults 60–80 mm long. Color of adults uniformly reddish brown, legs and telson yellow to yellowish or reddish brown, always lighter colored than body. Pectinal teeth number 13–16 in both sexes. Male has longer femur and patella of pedipalp. Chela lobiform, in male narrower, its length to width ratio 2.1 in males and 1.6 in females. Entire manus covered by rounded minute granules that may merge but are devoid of carinae. Patella of pedipalp without pronouced internal tubercle. Carapace in juveniles with disc smooth, margins granulate and anterior portion tuberculate; in adults entire carapace sparsely granulated. Vesicle of telson as long as or longer than aculeus.

COMMENTS. Couzijn (1981: 136) stated that the type series consists of the holotype, allotype and three juveniles. However, he did not designate them, and they had not been designated by the original describer ( Pocock, 1897: 116) either. Consequently, in order to stabilize the nomenclature of the species, I hereby designate one of the examined syntypes as the lectotype.

DISTRIBUTION. India: Maharashtra ( Pocock, 1897: 116).

Following is a key to the species of genus Heterometrus . Consult Tables 2-3 for a synopsis of the geographical distribution of these species.

Figures

Figure 32: Heterometrus xanthopus, dorsal view, female paralectotype.