Metachelifer macrotuberculatus ( Krumpal, 1987 ) Krumpal, 1987

Dashdamirov, Selvin, 2006, A new species of the false­scorpion family Cheliferidae from Thailand, with remarks on Ancistrochelifer and Metachelifer (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones), Zootaxa 1325, pp. 347-362 : 360

Metachelifer macrotuberculatus ( Krumpal, 1987) comb. n.

Figs 39–46

Material ( SMNS 444): Nepal, Kathmandu Pass, Godawari [Godãvari], 27°36´N, 85°24´E Phulchoki [10], 2600–2650 m, under bark ( Quercus semecarpifolia ), 3 males, 2 females, 1 tritonymph, 14 May 1980, leg. J. Martens (see Schawaller 1983).

Description. Colour of carapace, palps and tergites dark brown, remaining parts (legs, sternites and pleural membranes) yellowish brown. Carapace of usual facies, with a pair of well­developed eyes, slightly (1.05 times) broader than long, surface evenly and strongly granular. Dorsal setae of carapace, palps and tergites short and denticuloclavate. Coxa IV with an anterolateral process and ca 65 setae. Coxal sac taking up only 1/2 coxal length. Atrium well­developed. Last tergites with two tactile setae.

Genital area of male typically dactylocheliferine in facies ( Fig. 39 ): lateral rods fused anteriorly, at this point being strongly curved posteriad and creating a deep notch; dorsal apodeme large. Reversible sacs large; apodeme of reversible sac and lateral apodeme welldeveloped.

Female with an oblong median cribriform plate (with about 100 pores) and two lateral cribriform plates, latter with fewer pores than former plate. Two large membranous sacs present.

Palp (both sexes): all segments with well­developed granulation, except for chelal fingers, which are smooth; dorsal setae short and prominently denticulate. Proportions of male: trochanter 1.79 times as long as broad; femur 4.49 times as long as broad; patella 3.62 times as long as broad; chela with pedicel 4.24 times as long as broad; chela without pedicel 4.06 times as long as broad. Hand with pedicel 2.23 times, without pedicel 2.0 times, as long as broad. Chela with trichobothriotaxy, venom apparatus and dentition as illustrated ( Figs. 45, 46 ). Hand with pedicel 1.07 times as long as movable finger. Fixed finger of chela with 46 marginal teeth; movable finger with 38 marginal teeth. Movable finger 1.04 times as long as hand without pedicel. Lamina defensor of fixed finger with a subapical notch on anterior side.

Venom apparatus present in both chelal fingers, nodus ramosus in both fingers located somewhat proximally of IT.

Leg I of male: surface weakly scale­like sculptured; tibia 3.46 times as long as deep; tarsus without tactile seta, 4.55 times as long as deep. Subterminal seta simple. Claws modified and asymmetrical ( Figs 44 ): lateral claw noticeably shorter than mesal one.

Measurements of male (length/breadth, in mm).

Carapace 0.92/0.97. Palp: trochanter 0.50/0.28; femur 1.08/0.24; patella 0.94/0.26; chela with pedicel 1.69/0.40; length of chela without pedicel 1.62; length of hand with pedicel 0.89, without pedicel 0.80; length of movable finger 0.83. Leg I: tibia 0.45/0.13; tarsus 0.45/0.10.

Figures

FIGURES 39 – 46. Metachelifer macrotuberculatus (Krumpal, 1987), comb. n., SMNS 444, male (39 – 41, 43 – 46), female (42): 39 genitalia, dorsal view; 40 coxa IV, ventral view; 41 flagellum; 42 median and lateral cribriform plates, dorsal view, showing structural details of median plates; 43 tarsus and tibia of leg I, lateral view, showing lateral seta in anterior portion of tibia; 44 tip of tarsus I, lateral view; 45 chelal fingers, lateral view; 46 right palp, dorsal view. Scale: 0. 5 (43, 45 – 46), 0.2 (39 – 40, 42), 0.1 mm (41, 44).