Subgenus Archaeotityus Lourenço, 2006

Archaeotityus Lourenço 2006: 56–58, 60, figures 1, 2, 16, 17.

Type species. Tityus clathratus Koch, 1844, designated by Lourenço 2006.

Diagnosis (emended). The members of Tityus (Archaeotityus) can be easily recognized by the following character state combinations: (1) total length between 25–43 mm (Figures 4, 21, 24, 31, 41, Tables 4, 9, 10); (2) general body coloration with a dark yellow background slightly to densely covered with variegated brown or reddish-brown spots (Figures 4, 21, 24, 31, 41); (3) metasomal segments I–IV ventral carinae parallel (Figure 1A); (4) pectines with 11–20 teeth (Table 2); (5) females with pectinal basal middle lamellae not dilated; (6) dorsal margins of the movable fingers with 11–15 oblique rows of denticles (Table 3); and (7) telson with a medium-sized to large-sized pyramidal subaculear tubercle (Figures 19, 20).

Comparisons. Tityus (Archaeotityus) is more similar to Tityus (Caribetityus) and Tityus (Brazilotityus), sharing with them a small body size (18–43 mm) and a similar color pattern that is composed of a yellow background covered with brown or reddish-brown spots. Tityus (Archaeotityus) differs from Tityus (Caribetityus) and Tityus (Brazilotityus) by having a medium-sized to large-sized pyramidal subaculear tubercle, while, Tityus (Brazilotityus) has a well-developed acute tubercle, and Tityus (Caribetityus) exhibits an acute tubercle which can be well-developed, vestigial or absent. Also, Tityus (Archaeotityus) can be easily distinguished from Tityus (Brazilotityus) by the presence of well-developed pectinal fulcra, while in Tityus (Brazilotityus) pectinal fulcra are absent or vestigial.

Hemispermatophores of Tityus (Archaeotityus) . The male hemispermatophore of Tityus (Archaeotityus) has only been described for three species: T. paraguayensis (Ojanguren-Affilastro 2005: figures 43, 44); T. ocelote (Francke & Stockwell 1991: 24, figure 104); and T. wachtelii (Kovarik et al. 2015: 34, figures 142–145). Here we describe the hemispermatophore for T. bastosi (Figure 13), T. columbianus (Figure 23), T. guane sp. nov. (Figure 27), T. parvulus (Figure 36), and T. tayrona (Figure 43). All mentioned species share the following character states related to hemispermatophore morphology: (1) hemispermatophore thin and sclerotized; (2) stalk flagelliform, folded once over itself (Figures 13, 23, 27, 37); (3) pedicel narrow and flat (Figures 13, 23, 27, 36); (4) pedal flexure inconspicuous (Figures 13, 23, 27, 37, 44); (5) stem occupying 2/3 of the hemispermatophore total length (Figures 13, 23, 27, 37, 44); and (6) basal hook curved towards the posterior region (Figures 13B, 23B, 27B, 37B, 44B). While, these character states are homogeneous, interspecific variations in the capsule region and intraspecific variations in the shape of the basal hook can occur (see variability). Determination of the diagnostic value of hemispermatophore morphology at the specific level within Tityus (Archaeotityus) requires examination of additional species.

Included species. 23 species (Table 1).

Distribution. Costa Rica to Central Argentina.