Pseudouroctonus, Stahnke, 1974

Mcwest, Kari J., 2009, Tarsal spinules and setae of vaejovid scorpions (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Zootaxa 2001, pp. 1-126 : 34-41

Genus PSEUDOUROCTONUS Stahnke

n = 6/13

The genus Pseudouroctonus is enigmatic, and certain tarsal features within the genus are described below. An important character to note among other members of the Vaejovidae is the possession of 3–6 (usually 4) distal spinules on the telotarsus, but only 2 on P. iviei (Gertsch & Soleglad) . The tarsal setation covers the range of the Vaejovidae outside of the paruroctonoids. Pseudouroctonus differs from certain other vaejovid taxa in the following setal characters: (a) lack of a telotarsal retromedial seta (except for P. reddelli [Gertsch & Soleglad] with 2 and P. apacheanus [Gertsch & Soleglad] rarely with 1), which it shares with Paravaejovis pumilis , Paruroctonus baergi , P. boquillas , Uroctonites montereus (Gertsch & Soleglad) , Uroctonus mordax pluridens Hjelle (with 0–1), Vaejovis rossmani Sissom , V. mexicanus mexicanus C.L. Koch (with 0–1), V. vorhiesi Stahnke (with 0–2), and V. globosus (with 0–1); and (b) possession of a single basitarsal superior seta (except for P. apacheanus and P. reddelli , which have 2), which it shares with the smaller species of Serradigitus , Uroctonites , Uroctonus mordax mordax Thorell , Vaejovis occidentalis Hoffmann (1–2), and V. granulatus Pocock , V. jonesi Stahnke , and V. carolinianus (Beauvois) ( mexicanus group, with 1–2).

spinules, 0–8 (21–32 in P.reddelli ); V spinules, 0–14 (14–27 in P.reddelli ).

Telotarsus: Total setal complement ranges 11–21: ri, 1–2; rid, 1 (1–2 in P.reddelli ); rit, 1–2; rsub, 0–1 (1 in P. angelenus [Gertsch & Soleglad] and P. apacheanus ); rm, 0–2; rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; pi, 1–2 (2–3 in P. reddelli ); pid, 1 (1–2 in P. reddelli ); pit, 0–2; pm, 0–1 (2–3 in P. reddelli ); pmt, 1; ps, 0 (1 in P. apacheanus ); pst, 1. Spinule series (18–27: mean = 22.58; var = 5.99; sd = 2.45: d s, 2–6 (2 only in P. iviei ) (mean = 4.00; var = 0.65; sd = 0.80); vms, 9–19 (mean = 13.42; var = 4.50; sd = 2.12); bs, 2–7 (mean = 5.16; var = 1.88; sd = 1.37).

Pseudouroctonus angelenus (Gertsch & Soleglad) ( Figs. 60–64)

Members of this species exhibit a distinct prosuperior carina along the length of the basitarsus. The specimen illustrated happens to be the only one in the sample that possesses 3 distal spinules on the telotarsus distal margin; the other specimens each had 4–5 distal spinules. Pseudouroctonus angelenus differs from all other Pseudouroctonus examined in having 3 retrosuperior setae and no retrosuperior spinules in combination with a few spinules on the other carinae. It differs further in having a retrosubterminal seta in combination with 2 retroinferior terminals, 2 proinferiors, 2 proinferior terminals, and 1 promedial on the telotarsus. The possession of a retroinferior subterminal seta (rsub) sets P. angelenus , P. apacheanus , and P. minimus thompsoni apart from all other vaejovids thus far examined.

Basitarsus: Setae (18): S, 1; DSM, 1; DPS, 1; DRS, 1; RS, 3; RV, 3; DRV, 2; V, 5; DV, 1. Spinules (12): RS, 0; RV, 4; V, 8.

Telotarsus: Setae (17): ri, 2; rid, 1; rit, 2; rsub, 1; rm, 0; rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; pi, 2; pid, 1; pit, 2; pm, 1; pmt, 1; ps, 0; pst, 1. Spinules (24–28): ds, 3–5; vms, 15–16; bs (linear), 6–7.

Specimens examined: CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles County: In planter in museum, 1 m ( UCR); Ventura County : Yerba Buena Road, 2 m ( WDS) .

Pseudouroctonus apacheanus (Gertsch & Soleglad)

( Figs. 12, 65–70)

Pseudouroctonus apacheanus differs from other Pseudouroctonus in having 2 superior basitarsal setae (2 also in P. reddelli ; 1 in others) and no spinules on the basitarsal carinae (others ranged from 1–80). Telotarsal differences include a total of 12–14 setae (11 in P. iviei [Gertsch & Soleglad], 13 in P. minimus thompsoni [Gertsch & Soleglad], and 15–21 on others), possession of a retroinferior subterminal seta (which it shares with P. angelenus and P. minimus thompsoni ), and 1 prosuperior seta, which it shares with P. minimus thompsoni (0 in others).

Although telotarsal setal counts between Pseudouroctonus apacheanus and P. minimus thompsoni are similar, differences in basitarsal setal patterns are significant. They differ in superior, retroventral, and ventral setal counts, with P. apacheanus having the higher counts. Pseudouroctonus minimus thompsoni has more accessory setae on the segment.

Basitarsus: Setae (16): S, 2; DSM, 1; DPS, 1; DRS, 1; RS, 1; RV, 3–4; DRV, 2; V, 3; DV, 1. Spinules (0): RS, 0; RV, 0; V, 0.

Telotarsus: Setae (12–14): ri, 1; rid, 1; rit, 1; rsub, 0–1; rm, 0–1 (0); rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; pi, 1; pid, 1; pit, 0–1 (1); pm, 0; pmt, 1; ps, 1; pst, 1. Spinules (21–26: mean = 23.00; var = 2.91; sd = 1.71): ds, 4; vms, 12–16 (mean = 13.64; var = 2.23; sd = 1.49); bs, 4–7 (mean = 5.36; var = 0.78; sd = 0.88).

Specimens examined: ARIZONA: Cochise County: Chiricahua National Monument , 2 f, 4 m ( WDS) ;

Southwestern Research Station , 2 f ( AMNH) ; Santa Cruz County: Peña Blanca Lake , 1 f ( KJM) ; Continental , 1 subadult f, 1 f ( FMNH) . TEXAS: Jeff Davis County: Fort Davis , 1 subadult m ( KJM) .

Pseudouroctonus bogerti (Gertsch & Soleglad) ( Fig. 27)

Pseudouroctonus bogerti differs from other Pseudouroctonus in having on the basitarsus a single distal retroventral seta (which it shares with P. minimus thompsoni , but rare among the Vaejovidae ) in combination with 16 total basitarsal setae. There are 15 setae on the telotarsus, with 2 retroinferior setae and 2 retroinferior terminal setae, both of which it shares with P. angelenus and P.reddelli , and lacks a promedial seta ( P. angelenus with 1, P. reddelli with 2–3).

Basitarsus: Setae (16): S, 1; DSM, 1; DPS, 1; DRS, 1; RS, 2; RV, 4; DRV, 1; V, 5; DRV, 0. Spinules (1): RS, 0; RV, 0; V, 1.

Telotarsus: Setae (15): ri, 2; rid, 1; rit, 2; rm, 0; rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; pi, 2; pid, 1; pit, 2; pm, 0; pmt, 1; ps, 0; pst, 1. Spinules (21): ds, 4; vms, 14; bs (linear), 3.

Specimens examined: CALIFORNIA: Riverside County: Whitewater Canyon , 1 m ( WDS) .

Pseudouroctonus iviei (Gertsch & Soleglad)

( Figs. 76–80)

nus: a single pair of distal spinules on telotarsi I–IV. It further differs in having a total of 15 basitarsal setae (12–13 in P. minimus thompsoni , 16–18 in the others), with 4 ventral setae (2 in P. minimus thompsoni and 3 or 5 in the others). There are 6 spinules each on the retrosuperior and ventral carinae of the basitarsus of this small species, comparable only with P. minimus thompsoni , also among the smaller species. It also shares the possession of a single retrosuperior seta on the basitarsus with the smaller species P. apacheanus and P. minimus thompsoni , (the other three larger species had 2–3), but lacked a distal ventral seta. Telotarsal setae total 11 (12–21 on others) with singular proinferior terminals and retroinferior terminals (similar to P. apacheanus ). Pseudouroctonus iviei lacks the retroinferior subterminal seta and prosuperior seta that are present in P. apacheanus and P. minimus thompsoni .

Basitarsus: Setae (15): S, 1; DSM, 1; DPS, 1; DRS, 1; RS, 1; RV, 4; DRV, 2; V, 4; DV, 0. Spinules (20): RS, 6; RV, 8; V, 6.

aspects of basitarsus III. 68, retrolateral. 69, superior.

Telotarsus: Setae (11): ri, 1; rid, 1; rit, 1; rm, 0; rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; pi, 1; pid, 1; pit, 1; pm, 0; pmt, 1; ps, 0; pst, 1. Spinules (22–27): ds, 2; vms, 15–19; bs, 4–6.

Specimens examined: CALIFORNIA: Shasta County: Potter, 1 m (WES; WDS); Shasta Lake Cavern, 1 f, 1 m (WDS).

Pseudouroctonus minimus thompsoni (Gertsch & Soleglad)

This small species possesses the fewest basitarsal setae (12–13) with diagnostic differences primarily in having 2 retroventrals (usually with 1–2 slender minors) and 2 ventrals (usually with 1 short, stout minor). It also possesses a retromedial accessory seta located between the DRV and DRS setae on the basitarsus and usually a small retroinferior subterminal seta on the telotarsus. Immatures often lack the accessory setae, whereas subadults possess the full complement of major and minor setae.

Basitarsus: Setae (12–13): S, 1, 1+ 1 m; DSM, 1; DPS, 1; DRS, 1, 1+ 1 m; RS, 1; retromedial accessory (distal), 1 m; RV, 2+ 1 m –2+ 2 m; DRV, 2–3; V, 2+1; DV, 1. Spinules (6–15): RS, 3–8; RV, 0–5; V, 0–2.

Telotarsus: Setae (13): ri, 1+ 1 m; rid, 1; rit, 1; rsub, 0–1 m; rm, 1; rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; pi, 1; pid, 1; pit, 1; pm, 0; pmt, 1; ps, 1; pst, 1. Spinules (23–28: mean = 23.67; var = 3.56; sd = 1.89): ds, 4–6 (mean = 4.33; var = 0.56; sd = 0.75); vms, 10–15 (mean = 13.00; var = 2.33; sd = 1.53); bs, 5–7 (mean = 6.33; var = 0.56; sd = 0.75).

Pseudouroctonus reddelli (Gertsch & Soleglad)

( Figs. 81–85)

The leg III telotarsi on the Janet Cave specimen are damaged and telotarsal setal positions and numbers could not be determined. Spinule counts do not include scattered spinules on the basitarsal superior surface.

Pseudouroctonus reddelli , the type species of this once monotypic genus, differs greatly from the other members of Pseudouroctonus in having several minor setae among the setal series and on the retrolateral surface (retromedial accessories), not unlike those of the nitidulus group of Vaejovis . It differs from that group on several other important characters, however, including the number of distal spinules on the telotarsus (4–5 in P. reddelli , 2 in nitidulus group). There are also numerous spinules on the basitarsus carinae (56–80 compared to 0–31 in other Pseudouroctonus ). The telotarsal setae are numerous, with 17–21 total setae (as many as 17 only on P. angelenus ) including 2 retromedials and 2 promedials. Accessory and minor setae are not included in the total counts.

Basitarsus: Setae (17–18): S, 2–2+ 1 m (mode 2+ 1 m); DSM, 1; DPS, 1; DRS, 1–1+ 1 m (1+ 1 m); RS, 2+ 2 m; retromedial accessories, 0–3 (3); RV, 3+ 4 m –4+ 2 m (4+ 2 m); DRV, 3; V, 3+ 1 m –3+ 2 m; DV, 1. Spinules (56–80): RS, 16–28 (21); RV, 21–32; V, 14–27.

Telotarsus: Setae (17–21): ri, 1–2 (2); rid, 1–2 (1); rit, 2; rm, 2; rmt, 1; rs, 1; rst, 1; proinferiors, 2+ 1m –3; pid, 1–2 (2); pit, 1; pm, 2–3 (2); pmt, 1; ps, 0–1m (0); pst, 1. Spinules (18–21: mean = 19.57; var = 0.82; sd =

Specimens examined: TEXAS: Bandera County: Janet Cave , 1 m ( WDS) , 9 mi E Pipe Creek , 1 f ( WDS) ; Bexar County: Twin Pits , 1 m ( WDS) ; Hays County: near Hays City , 1 f, 1 m ( KJM) ; Kerr County: Kerrville , 3 f ( WDS) ; Travis County: Austin, Pease Park , 2 f, 1 m ( KJM) ; Williamson County: North Fork San Gabriel River, Georgetown , 1 subadult f, 1 f ( KJM) .