Chaerilus herta, Tang, 2025

Tang, Victoria, 2025, Current challenges and preliminary morphological reassessment of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae), Euscorpius 406, pp. 1-89 : 65-73

Chaerilus herta sp. n.

( Figures 52–67 , 146–210 ; Table 3) http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2F4C89D9-

914B-487A-BDCD-3CDF125877F8

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE DEPOSITORY. China, Tibet Autonomous Region, Nyingchi City, Mêdog County, Drepung Township , from Dergong Village (29°10'45.0''N 95°08'28.6''E; 1702 m a. s. l.) to Gelin Village (29°10'57.7''N 95°08'50.7''E; 1668 m a. s. l.); VT .

TYPE MATERIAL. China, Tibet Autonomous Region, Nyingchi City, Mêdog County, Drepung Township , from Dergong Village (29°10'45.0''N 95°08'28.6''E; 1702 m a. s. l.) to Gelin Village (29°10'57.7''N 95°08'50.7''E; 1668 m a. s. l.), June 2024, 1♀ (holotype), 40♂ 8♀, 2 juv. ♀ (paratypes), leg . AC.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL. China, Tibet Autonomous Region, Nyingchi City, Mêdog County, Drepung Township , Dergong Village (29°10'45.0''N 95°08'28.6''E; 1702 m a. s. l.), June 2024, 1♂ ( PTC -/5) 1♀ ( PTC 4 /4), leg. AC [in 95% ethanol when received, now in 99% ethanol; not examined in detail due to rigidity, will be sent to Czech Republic ( FKCP) for molecular analysis]; Mêdog County , June 2024, 2♀, purchased dried specimens, allegedly from a recent expedition to this county, collector unknown ( Figs. 52–67 ) .

ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, referring to the extraordinary female scientist “Herta” from the game Honkai: Star Rail. The name is presumably derived from the German goddess “Nerþuz”, meaning “power, vitality, force”, herein alluding to the robustness in both sexes of the new species and the evolutionary tenacity of this genus. The transliterated name of Herta in Chinese (ª Ḅ; hēi tǎ) directly translates to “black tower”, denoting the dark coloration of the new species. Chinese equivalent: ª Ḅṅfflx.

DIAGNOSIS. TL ca. 41–53 mm for ♂ and 44–49 mm for ♀. General color dark reddish to brownish black, pectines yellowish brown. Two pairs of lateral ocelli and one pair of median ocelli. Carapace and tergites granular; CAM slightly concave, or straight, or slightly convex; sternite III – VI smooth, VII granular (except for the anteromedian region) and often bicarinate (coarser and barely tetracarinate in ♀). Metasoma I – V with complete carinae 10-8-8-8-7; median lateral carinae on II– IV restricted to the distal 1/2–1/3. Male telson not strongly elongated. PTC 5–6 in ♂ and 4–5 (rarely 5) in ♀. VADC of cheliceral movable/fixed fingers ca. 6–10/5–7 (pooled range of holotype ♀ and allotypic paratype ♂). Pedipalp chela typically sexually dimorphic, elongated in males (size-correlated), ChL/W (left-right averaged) ca. 3.21– 3.92 in ♂ and 2.85–3.22 in ♀; manus with D 1, D 3 – 5, and V 1 , 3 pronounced and granular, E obsolete, I distally incomplete; DSC of movable finger 9–10, dorsal edge of movable finger straight .

CURRENT ASSESSMENT OF TAXONOMIC VALIDITY. Inconclusive until female topotypes of C. tessellatus with a DSC of 11 and a PTC of 5 are available for morphological and molecular analyses; or, valid, if C. tessellatus truly lacks D 3 (whether conspecific with C. tricostatus or not). The holotype of the new species is designated as female to allow for direct comparison with the holotype of C. tessellatus if the latter is ever rediscovered.

DESCRIPTION. Based on the holotype ♀ ( Figs. 146–147 ), and the allotypic paratype male is illustrated in Figs. 148–149 , 152–153 , 157–159 , 169–177 , 182–185 , 190–192 , 198–201 . Description for the coloration is omitted as the specimen was preserved in ethanol, albeit lacking pronounced discoloration. All structures were photographed under white light as prolonged UV exposure would further decrease the relatively weak fluorescence in this species, but with additional UV fluorescence imaging applied to the pedipalp movable finger. Metasoma of the holotype female and allotypic paratype male were straightened by inserting a thin needle running through all segments to facilitate photography, which caused exudates at the anus in Figs. 191–192 . Detailed structures taken under white light were placed on a grey background to clearly reveal the numerous white, fluorescent setae.

Prosoma ( Figs. 150–151 , 154 , 178–179 ). One pair of median ocelli situated on a rounded ocular tubercle, lacking interocular sulcus; one pair of Type 2A lateral ocelli (each with a pair of MLMa and PLMa); an amber-colored eyespot present underneath PLMa. Carapace isosceles trapezoid in shape, with distinctly increased width posteriorly; anterior margin essentially straight; surface coarsely granular, moderate granules concentrated anteriorly, enlarged granules constitute a pair of oblique carinae extending medially to posteriorly; two pairs of symmetrical, agranular sulci present anterior and posterior to median ocelli; posterolateral surfaces with larger agranular patches. Coxapophyses I distolaterally expanded and angular; sternum pentagonal with a posterior depression. Chelicerae dorsally granular with dark reticulation, a cluster of thick, long setae present at the base of fixed finger; ventrally densely hirsute, setae thick, long, curved, covering the median area of manus and extending to both fingers; basal denticle absent on the left fixed finger but present on the right.

Mesosoma ( Figs. 150–151 , 155–156 ). Tergites densely adorned by fine granules, slightly enlarge posteriorly; symmetrical agranular patches present, variable in shape and coverage; all tergites lack discernable carinae. Genital operculum bipartite, genital papillae absent; pectinal plate with highly convex posterior margin; pectines small, with unpartitioned lamella, well-developed fulcra, and large teeth. Pleural membrane covered with infuscate, punctiform microsclerites. Sternites III– IV essentially smooth but matte, except for a few emergent subtle granules present medially to posteriorly, lateral and posterior margins covered by both fluorescent and non-fluorescent setae; sternite V posteriorly with a smooth, reflective, biconvex area; sternite VII granular except for the medial to anterior regions, with a pair of internal carinae formed by enlarged granules; spiracles small and circular.

Metasoma and telson ( Figs. 186–189 ). Metasoma: Sparsely hirsute and granular; segments I–V with 10-8-8-8-7 complete, serrated carinae, formed by enlarged, discrete granules; median lateral carinae partially present distally on II–IV; ventromedian carina distally bifurcate on V; lateral and ventral intercarinal surfaces granular, dorsal surface essentially smooth; anal arch strongly arcuate with extended and flared lateral lobes armed by large, sharp granules. Telson: Pyriform and subgranular, with fluorescent microsetae; lateral surfaces of vesicle with a shallow, wide sulcus; vesicle distinctly tappers distally; aculeus smooth and weakly curved.

Pedipalps ( Figs. 160–168 , 180–181 ). Femur: Essentially with 3 discernable carinae formed by large, discrete granules (retrodorsal, retroventral, proventral), prodorsal carina obscured by prolateral granules; retrodorsal and retroventral carinae proximally internal to a short articular carina; dorsal and ventral surfaces granular, retrolateral surface smooth; 5 and 4 trichobothria on dorsal and retrolateral surfaces. Patella: Essentially with 7 discernable carinae formed by large, discrete granules (prodorsal, dorsomedian, retrodorsal, retromedian, retroventral, proventral, promedian), granules larger on retroventral and proventral carinae; prodorsal and retrodorsal carinae distally incomplete, dorsomedian carina proximally incomplete; intercarinal surfaces finely and sparsely granular; dorsal surface with a pronounced distal depression; 3 (id, d 1–2), 7 (est 1–2, esb, eb 1–2, em, et) and 4 (v 1–3, iv) trichobothria on dorsal, retrolateral, and ventral surfaces, trichobothrium id anterior to prodorsal carina. Chela: All 7 carinae (D 1, D 3 – 5, E, V 1,3, I) present but vary in development degree; granules forming D 1, D 3 – 4, and V 1,3 larger, flatter, and more continuous; E obsolete, formed by small, random granules; I fades out distally; intercarinal surfaces finely granular dorsally, externally and internally, weaker ventrally; 3 (Eb 3, db, dt), 8 (Eb 1–2, Est, Et, eb, esb, est, et), 1 (V) and 2 (ib, it) trichobothria on dorsal, external, ventral, and internal surfaces; dorsal edge of movable finger without proximal lobe. Legs ( Figs. 194–197 ). All legs essentially acarinate, sparsely and finely granular; tibial spur absent; tarsomeres with sparse dorsal but dense ventral setae. Basitarsus: A retrolateral row of robust spinules present on I–II, reduced in number on III, absent on IV; a ventromedian row of thinner, denser spinules present I–II (flanked bilaterally by two rows of setae), reduced in number on III–IV; a pair of long pedal spurs present on all legs. Telotarsus: a ventromedian row of short spinules present on all legs, flanked bilaterally by two rows of setae. Apotele: Tarsal ungues stout and curved; dactyl weakly developed.

MEASUREMENTS. See Table 3. Measurements for the mesosoma are largely approximate.

ONTOGENETIC VARIATIONS.The larger immature female displayed a somewhat tetracarinate sternite VII, distinguishable by the stronger fluorescence of the enlarged granules and its relatively smooth surface ( Fig. 206 ). This observation likely suggests The PTC range in both sexes associates this species with C. that the bauplan of sternite VII in female C. herta sp. n. may assamensis (and C. dibangvalleycus ), C. pictus , C. tessellatus , inherently be tetracarinate, though in adults, the external pair and C. tricostatus . It can be distinguished from C. assamensis appears obscured by the more developed peripheral granules. (and C. dibangvalleycus ), C. pictus , and C. tessellatus by its consistently intermediate DSC. Between males, it can also AFFINITIES. Since this population has already been thoroughly be differentiated from C. pictus by its short telson. From C. examined and compared in the preceding sections, the tricostatus , it differs by its well-developed D 3. Distinctions in following discussion will be concise and based solely on the D 3 and CPM from C. tessellatus remain indeterminate.

summarized data in Table 1. Overall, a combination of PTC The lower bound in its DSC range associates it with C. 5–6 in ♂ and 4–5 in ♀, DSC 9–10, and well-developed D 3 pseudoconchiformus , from which it can be differentiated by is exclusive across the Chinese congeners. The macroscopic a notably larger body size, slightly higher female PTC, and morphology and dark coloration place it closely to C. carinate sternite VII in females. The upper bound associates it tricostatus (cf. Figs. 36–43 and Di et al., 2009: figs. 1–2). with C. tricostatus , which has been compared above.

The well-developed D 3 associates it with all Chinese congeners except C. mainlingensis and C. tricostatus (and possibly C. dibangvalleycus ). Among the remaining species not previously compared, namely C. conchiformus , C. tryznai , and C. wrzecionkoi , it can be most confidently distinguished by different chela morphology, consistently higher DSC, and carinate sternite VII in females, respectively.

DISTRIBUTION. Known only from the type locality, likely extends to Arunachal Pradesh. However, a recent observation by my friend Tongtong (iNaturalist obs. ID = 196900794; 29°19'30.8"N 95°19'58.9"E) suggests the presence of a presumably conspecific male—identified by its pronounced D 3 carina—just 1 km from the C. tricostatus population documented by Di et al. (2009: 133). Due to my friend’s busy schedule, I have not personally examined this specimen prior to the publication of this paper .

Figures

Figures 52–53.Adult female Chaerilus sp. (cf. herta sp. n.) from Mêdog (purchased), dried specimen (now preserved in 75% ethanol), habitus in dorsal (52) and ventral (53) views, under white light; record not included in the map.

Figures 54–59. Adult female Chaerilus sp. (cf. herta sp. n.) from Mêdog (purchased), carapace (54), pectines (55), sternite VII (56), and right chela in dorsoexternal view (57) under white light, and left (58) and right (59) pedipalp movable fingers under UV light.

Figures 60–61. Adult female Chaerilus sp. (cf. herta sp. n.) from Mêdog (purchased), dried specimen (now preserved in 75% ethanol), habitus in dorsal (60) and ventral (61) views, under white light; record not included in the map.

Figures 62–67. Adult female Chaerilus sp. (cf. herta sp. n.) from Mêdog (purchased), carapace (62), pectines (63), sternite VII (64), and right chela in dorsoexternal view (65) under white light, and left (66) and right (67) pedipalp movable fingers under UV light.

Figures 146–149. Chaerilus herta sp. n., habitus in dorsal (146, 148) and ventral (147, 149), under white light. Figures 146–147. Female holotype. Figures 148–149. Male allotypic paratype. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Figures 150–151. Chaerilus herta sp. n., female holotype, prosoma and mesosoma in dorsal (150) and ventral (151) views, under white light. Scale bar = 5 mm (Fig. 150).

Figures 152–153. Chaerilus herta sp. n., male allotypic paratype, prosoma and mesosoma in dorsal (152) and ventral (153) views, under white light. Scale bar = 5 mm (Fig. 152).

Figures 154–159. Chaerilus herta sp. n., carapace (154, 157), pectines (155, 158) and sternite VII (156, 159), under white light. Figures 154–156. Female holotype. Figures 157–159. Male allotypic paratype. Scale bars = 5 mm (Figs. 154, 157), 2 mm (Figs. 155–156, 158–159).

Figures 160–168. Chaerilus herta sp. n., female holotype, pedipalp chela in dorsal (160), external (161) and ventral (162) views, patella in dorsal (163), external (164) and ventral (165) views, femur in dorsal (166), external (167) and ventral (168) views, under white light. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Figures 169–177. Chaerilus herta sp. n., male allotypic paratype, pedipalp chela in dorsal (169), external (170) and ventral (171) views, patella in dorsal (172), external (173) and ventral (174) views, femur in dorsal (175), external (176) and ventral (177) views, under white light. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Figures 178–185. Chaerilus herta sp. n., chelicerae in dorsal (178, 182) and ventral (179, 183) views under white light, and left (180, 184) and right (181, 185) movable fingers under UV light. Figures 178–181. Female holotype. Figures 182–185. Male allotypic paratype. Denticle abbreviations: dd = dorsal distal, vd = ventral distal, d = distal, sd = subdistal, m = median, b = basal, va = ventral accessory (only several discernable ones in the figure are indicated). Scale bars = 2 mm (Figs. 178, 182).

Figures 186–193. Chaerilus herta sp. n., metasoma and telson in dorsal (186, 190), lateral (187, 191) and ventral (188, 192) views, telson in lateral view (189, 193). Figures 186–189. Female holotype. Figures 190–193. Male allotypic paratype; inset: metasoma II in dorsal view. Carina abbreviations: dsm = dorsosubmedian, dl = dorsolateral, ml = median lateral, vl = ventrolateral, vsm = ventrosubmedian, vm = ventromedian. Scale bars = 10 mm (Figs. 186–188, 190–192), 2 mm (Figs. 189, 193).

Figures 194–201. Chaerilus herta sp. n., left legs I–IV in retrolateral view. Figures 194–197. Female holotype. Figures 198–201. Male allotypic paratype. Scale bars = 5 mm.

Figures 202–210. Chaerilus herta sp. n., immature female paratypes. Figure 202. Dorsal habitus under white light; cross scale bar axis = 10 mm. Figures 203–204. Pectines of the smaller (203) and larger (204) females, under white light. Figures 205–206. Sternite VII of the larger female, under white (205) and UV (206) lights. Figures 207–210. Left and right pedipalp movable fingers of the smaller (207–208) and larger (209–210) females, under UV light.

Figures 36–37. Adult female Chaerilus tricostatus (=? C. tessellatus), dried specimen (now preserved in 75% ethanol), habitus in dorsal (36) and ventral (37) views, under white light; record not included in the map.

Figures 38–43. Adult female Chaerilus tricostatus (=? C. tessellatus), carapace (38), pectines (39), sternite VII (40), left chela (right chela fixed finger basally deformed) in dorsoexternal view (41), and left (42) and right (43) D 3 carinae under white light.