Zookeys 495: 53-6| (20 | 5) A peer-rev iewed open-access journa 1]
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.495.9085 RESEARCH ARTICLE #ZooKey

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Scorpiops ingens sp.n.and an updated
key to the Scorpiops from China
(Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae, Scorpiopinae)

Shijin Yin', Yunfeng Zhang’, Zhaohui Pan’, Shaobin Li*, Zhiyong Di?

| College of pharmacy, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, PR. China 2 Department
of Life Science, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, PR. China 3 Institute of Plateau Ecology,
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College of Tibet University, Linzhi 860000, RR. China 4 College of Life
Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, PR. China § School of Life Sciences, University of Science and
Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR. China

Corresponding authors: Shaobin Li (shaobinli@yangtzeu.edu.cn); Zhiyong Di (zydi@ustc.edu.cn)

Academic editor: W Lourenco | Received 8 December 2014 | Accepted 5 March 2015 | Published 8 April 2015
http://zoobank. ore/CCE9E535-87F4-42F 4-A6A2-33 B4A4F9IOSE7

Citation: Yin S, Zhang Y, Pan Z, Li S, Di Z (2015) Scorpiops ingens sp. n. and an updated key to the Scorpiops from China
(Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae, Scorpiopinae). ZooKeys 495: 53-61. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.495.9085

Abstract

A new species, Scorpiops ingens sp. n., from Xizang, is described and illustrated. Scorpiops ingens sp. n. is
characterized by yellow-brown color, large size (length of adults above 70.0 mm), small and dense granules
on tegument, a pair of small median eyes, 17 external trichobothria (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 4 est, 4 et), and 7 or
8 (usually 7) ventral trichobothria in the pedipalp patella, chela with a length/width ratio average of 2.2 in
males and females, pedipalp chela fingers on adult females and males scalloped, pectinal teeth count 6-8,
pectinal fulcra absent. With the description of this new species, the number of known species of Scorpiops

from China is raised to 12. An updated identification key to Scorpiops from China is presented.

Keywords

China, Euscorpiidae, scorpion, Scorpiops, Xizang

Introduction

Recently, the diversity of Scorpiops species from China was highlighted (Qi et al. 2005; Di
and Zhu 2009; Di et al. 2011, 2014). Kovatik and Ahmed (2009) referred to an unre-

Copyright Shijin Yin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

54 Shijin Yin et al. | ZooKeys 495: 53-61 (2015)

solved, widespread S. hardwickii “complex” (12 species) which, in their opinion, included
five species known from China (S. atomatus, S. hardwickii, S. langxian, S. pococki, and S.
tibetanus). Di et al. (2011) suggested that S. atomatus and S. tibetanus should be excluded
from S. hardwickii “complex” by morphological analysis results, and provided unifying
features of S. hardwickii “complex” base on the species from China: (1) color red-brown to
dark brown; (2) total length approximately 45-80 mm in adults; (3) fingers of pedipalps
very strongly flexed (curved) in males, slightly flexed (undulated) in females; (4) ventral
trichobothria on patella number 6-8; (5) pectinal teeth number 4-9; (6) length/width
ratio of chela about 1.8—2.1; (7) fulcra absent; (8) patella with two small spinoid granules
on the internal aspect. There are three species from China belonging to S. hardwickii
“complex” after the revision provided by Di et al. (2011): S. hardwickii, S. langxian, and
S. pococki. In fact, Qi et al. (2005: 29) pointed out the differences among S. hardwickii,
S. langxian, and S. pococki: pedipalp chela manus almost as long as wide in S. hardwickii,
while the pedipalp chela manus usually longer than its width in S. dangxian and S. pococki;
distance between median eyes much more than their diameter in S. dangxian, while the
distance between median eyes only slightly more than their diameter in S. pococki. Di et
al. (2014) recorded 11 species in the updated checklist of scorpions from China based
mainly on the literature: S. atomatus (Xizang), S. hardwickii (Xizang), S. jendeki (Yun-
nan), S. langxian (Xizang), S. leptochirus (Xizang), S. lhasa (Xizang), S. luridus (Xizang), S.
margerisonae (Xizang), S. petersii (Xizang), S. pococki (Xizang), and S. tibetanus (Xizang).

Material and methods

Identification and measurements were made using a Motic K700 stereomicroscope
with an ocular micrometer. The photos were taken with a Canon (650D) camera.
Measurements follow Sissom et al. (1990) and are given in mm. Trichobothrial no-
tations follow Vachon (1974) and morphological terminology mostly follows Hjelle
(1990). Research materials have been deposited in the Specimen Room of University
of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China (USTC).

Taxonomy

Family Euscorpiidae Laurie, 1896
Subfamily Scorpiopinae Kraepelin, 1905
Genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861

Scorpiops ingens sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/D662B45 D-687 1-419F-9D3A-3 1EE4C53559D
Figs 1-18

Type material. Holotype male (USTC), China: Xizang, Lhasa banlieue, 26/VII/2014,
Zhiyong Di leg. (Ar.-USTC-XZLS1401); paratypes: 1 adult female, 1 immature fe-

Scorpiops ingens sp. 2. and an updated key to the Scorpiops from China... 56)

Figures 1-4. Habitus of Scorpiops ingens sp. n. Dorsal and ventral habitus: 1-2 Male holotype
(Ar.-USTC-XZLS 1401) 3-4 Female paratype (Ar.-USTC-XZLS1402). Scale bar = 10.0 mm.

male, and 1 juvenile male, same data as holotype (Ar.-USTC-XZLS 1402-1404) (kept
Mavs.

Diagnosis. In accordance with the grouping of species proposed by Kovarik
(2000) for the genus Scorpiops, the new species, which has 7 (rarely 8) trichobo-
thria on the ventral surface of the patella, has to be placed in the S. hardwickii
“complex” group. The new species differs from other members of the group in
having yellow-brown color, larger size (length of adults above 70.0 mm), small and
dense granules on the tegument, a pair of small median eyes and a lofty median
ocular tubercle.

Comments. There are four close relatives from China distributed near to S. ingens
sp. n.: S. hardwickii, S. langxian, S. petersii, and S. pococki. But S. hardwickii, S. langx-
ian, and S. pococki with red-brown to black-brown color, body length no longer than
65 mm. Although S. petersii also above 75.0 mm, its carapace is not densely granu-
lated, granules on its mesosoma are widely spaced, with the distance between them
far greater than their size (Kovartik 2000: 193), while the granules are dense on the
carapace and mesosoma of S. ingens sp. n.

Etymology. ‘The specific name refers to the size of the morphology of the new
species.

Description. Based on male holotype and female paratype.

Coloration. Mostly yellow to yellow-brown (Figs 1-4). Carapace yellow-brown
with unconspicuous dark stripe (Figs 5, 7), median and lateral ocular tubercles black.
Tergites and metasoma segments yellow-brown. Vesicle yellow-brown with a dark
brown aculeus. Chelicerae yellow-brown, with fingers black-brown and gradually
lighter toward the tip. Pedipalp yellow-brown, with the carinae black-brown. Legs
yellow-brown. Claws yellow-brown with brown tips. Sternum and sternites yellow-
brown (Figs 6, 8). Genital operculum, basil piece and pectines yellow (Figs 6, 8).

Morphology. Prosoma: Carapace coarse, with sparse and large granules in the area of
the front of the eye region, with dense and minute granules in the area of the behind of
the eye region; lateral furrow broad and flat; anterior median furrow broad and deep;
posterior median furrow deep; anterior margin nearly smooth; posterior and lateral mar-

56 Shijin Yin et al. | ZooKeys 495: 53-61 (2015)

at — a ies a oa

am i a {tre a ; ;

Figures 5-8. Scorpiops ingens sp. n. Male holotype: 5, 6. 5 Carapace and tergite I- I. 6 Ventral aspect
of prosoma. Female paratype (Ar.-USTC-XZLS1402): 7, 8. 7 Carapace and tergite I 8 Ventral aspect

of prosoma.

gins and other parts with dense, minute granules (Figs 5, 7). Median eyes small and same
as the first lateral eye, situated anterior to the center of the carapace; three pairs of lateral
eyes, the third smallest. Median ocular tubercle high and smooth, with a median furrow,
which having some granules. Lateral ocular tubercle with some big smooth granules.
Mesosoma: Tergites are almost completely densely covered with equal minute gran-
ules in male holotype, posterior part with some bigger granules in female paratypes;

Scorpiops ingens sp. n. and an updated key to the Scorpiops from China... 57

15 “Se (16g. 3 6170 (getee. 18
Figures 9-18. Scorpiops ingens sp. n. Male holotype: 9-11, 15-16. 9-11 Chela (right) dorsal and exter-
nal, ventral and internal, and external aspects. 15—16 Patella (right) ventral and external aspects. Female
paratype (Ar.-USTC-XZLS1402): 12-14, 17-18. 12-14 Chela (left) dorsal and external, ventral and
internal, and external aspects. 17-18 Patella (left) ventral and external aspects. The red dots and rings

denote trichobothrial patterns of pedipalps, the red ring meaning vestigial.

58 Shijin Yin et al. | ZooKeys 495: 53-61 (2015)

Table |. Measurements (in mm) of holotype (male, Ar-USTC-XZLS1401) and paratype (female, Ar.-
USTC-XZLS1402) of Scorpiops ingens sp. n.

Scorpiops ingens sp. n.

Paratype
Total length: 75.9
Carapace:
-Length 9.6
-Anterior width 3
-Posterior width 9:8
Mesosomal segments:
-Length 24.7
Metasomal segment I:
-Length 4.5
-Width 4.1
-Depth 3.2
Metasomal segment II:
-Length Bre:
-Width 3:7
-Depth 2:9)
Metasomal segment III :
-Length 6.3 5.5
-Width 5.3 se
-Depth 3.0 3.0
Metasomal segment IV:
-Length 6.2
-Width He:
-Depth 3.0
Metasomal segment V:
-Length 10.6
-Width 3.0
-Depth hed
Telson:
-Length 9.6
-Width 3.6
-Depth 3.6
Pedipalp femur:
-Length 8.1
-Width 5:3.
-Depth 2.9
Pedipalp patella:
-Length 7.6
-Width 315
-Depth 3 6
Chela:
-Length 14.3 14.8
-Width (manus) 6.3 6.4

-Depth (manus) 5.0

4.8
-Length 9.0 9.4

Pectinal teeth (left/right) 6/6

Scorpiops ingens sp. 2. and an updated key to the Scorpiops from China... 59

from tergite II to VI the trace of a median carina first appears and gradually becomes
distinct; on tergite VII with a distinct apophysis and two pairs of lateral carinae. Ster-
num pentagonal (Figs 6, 8). Pectinal teeth count 6-8 (rarely 8), fulcra absent (Figs 6,
8). Genital opercula subtriangular (Figs 6, 8). Sternites smooth and shiny (Figs 2, 4);
segment VII ventrally with four weak carinae.

Metasoma: Tegument coarse. Segments I to V are longer than wide; segments I to
V have 10-8-8-8-7 carinae, segments II-IV with a pair of vestigial lateral carinae; all
carinae granular; on segment V, ventral carinae with larger serration. Vesicle smooth,
with some granules and few setae.

Chelicerae: Tibiae smooth. Movable finger with 4 denticles on dorsal edge and 6
denticles on ventral edge (smaller in female). Fixed finger with 3 denticles on dorsal edge.

Pedipalps: Tegument of femur and patella coarse, tegument of chelae and ventral
aspects of femur and patella smooth. Femur with dorsointernal, dorsoexternal,
external, ventroexternal, ventrointernal carinae granulated, and internal carinae
crenulated. Patella with dorsoexternal, dorsointernal, external, ventrointernal,
ventroexternal carinae with large, smooth granules; two small spinoid granules
present on the internal aspect. Trichobothrial pattern C, neobothriotaxic; patella
with 17 external trichobothria (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 4 est, 4 et) and 7 or 8 (usually 7)
ventral trichobothria (Figs 15-18). Chela with 4 ventral trichobothria, with dorsal
marginal, external secondary, and ventral internal carinae, all smooth; internal
carina vestigial only with few large granules (Figs 9-14). Male pedipalp chela fingers
stronger curved than females.

Legs: Tegument coarse except coxa and trochanter. Trochanter with few granules
and setae. Femur dorsal surface densely granular and ventrally smooth, internally with
2 granular carinae. Patella dorsal surface densely granular and ventrally smooth, with
dorsoexternal, dorsal and ventroexternal granular carinae. Tibiae with few setae, with-
out spurs. Basitarsus with more setae, and two lateral pedal spurs. Tarsus ventrally with
row of spinules. Ungues falcate.

Variation. Female and male: coloration and morphology are very similar. Number
(left/right) of ventral trichobothria on the pedipalp patellae: two females with 8/7 and
7/7, two males with 7/7. Number of pectinal teeth: two females with 6/6, two males
with 7/7 and 7/8. Measurements in Table 1.

Habitat. Under stones on a hillside with ruderal vegetation.

Distribution. China (Xizang).

Updated key to species of Scorpiops from China

1 Fingers of pedipalps are straight or only slightly curved in both sexes ......... 2
- Fifngers.ob pedipalps-are: curved in Doth Sexest 4. 11...0a1a.c-sussisrcetasndosenaser a Macnts 3
2 Ventral trichobothria on patella number 6 (7 rarely), total length 30.0-

42.1 mm, pectinal teeth number 4—5, chela length to width ratio about 2.2.
Te tat ees frat Rel Oe eco fee i ee ce ea Pace DY. S. jendeki

60 Shijin Yin et al. | ZooKeys 495: 53-61 (2015)
- Ventral trichobothria on patella number 7, total length 40.0-58.0 mm, pectinal
teeth number 7—9, chela length to width ratio about 3.3-3.5......S. leptochirus
3 Manus length to width ratio visibly higher than Lo... eee ceeeeeeeeeeee 4
— errus -watheinaila lem ethan, WAGE As tach, shee soutose tod counstaresh hts ebagatapecctuleekon 9
= Li dtallen pth more: ThaneO sO V1 ag.) v5 svete vn venasnnleases sareabtyacasd ys eabboncagan 5
-- Rota) beng chivkess thas) (Ogi seco. cact sb e spree c o, Ppa cede tataanc sh pesnouat uta: 6
b) Ventral patella of pedipalps with 9 trichobothria ......... ee eee S. luridus
- Ventral patella of pedipalps with 7 (rarely 6 or 8) trichobothria....S. petersii
6 Dorsally flat manus of pedipalps and chela of both sexes, with length/width
ratio: 2.1—2.2 (about 2.1 in males and 2.2 in females), total length 40.0-
DOO a tanetiy- AAU LESPsetaee ies dias Aopen sages eset ease aes ace tsia abel: S. margerisonae
— Dorsally round manus of pedipalps or at least the chela of one sex, with length
to width ratio higher than 2.2 or total length higher than 50.0 mm.............. 7
7 Hocaleben oenbess- than HOLO AMP scdeahdestsenPtstoasadowsn stato ae tesoden ets Shngletsd 8
— Totallleneth 45, 0-61 07am ff Securgeveeannsbaedteceneavanuss deena S. tibetanus
8 Chela of pedipalp length to width ratio about 2.6—3.0, dorsal surface of chela
Gis PERL ANP COAUSE 5 ui fen dunia Asan ha cursext Ak eee srt Aone eras eens ene aie S. lhasa
- Chela of pedipalp length to width ratio lower than 2.5, dorsal surface of chela
of pedipalp-smootin-with: luster: vis. ten ect tanga S. atomatus
9 Yellow-brown color, length of adults above 70.0 mm........... S. ingens sp. n.
Ee Red-brown color, length of adults under 65.0 mm... eee eeeereeeees 10
10 Pedipalp chela manus almost as long as wide ..........eeeeseseeeee S. hardwickii
= Pedipalp chela manus usually longer than its width oie eeeeeeeeeee 11
iB Distance between median eyes much more than their diameter... S. langxian
- Distance between median eyes only slightly more than their diameter ..........
sass ec tants ood reas eon tet aed aaasieuath eivan ante ee tpdee Me seas catha aoe S. pococki
Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Profs. Victor Fet and Wilson R. Lourenco for providing references.

Sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Tao Li for the help to collect specimens. This work

was supported in part by grants from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central
Universities (WK2070000056), the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China
(30900239 and 81373379) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s
Republic of China (MOST grant no. 2014FY210200).

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