Scorpio jordanensis, Afifeh & Yağmur & Al-Saraireh & Amr, 2024

Afifeh, Bassam Abu, Yağmur, Ersen Aydın, Al-Saraireh, Mohammad & Amr, Zuhair, 2024, Revision of the genus Scorpio in Jordan, with a description of a new genus and three new species (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae), Euscorpius 391, pp. 1-66 : 24-36

Scorpio jordanensis sp. n.

( Figures 2 , 8 , 145–214 , 216, 218, 220, 222 , 362, 368 , 371 ; Table 3) http: //zoobank. org/urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 169D83E6-

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Scorpio maurus palmatus : Amr & Al-Oran, 1994: 189; Amr et al., 2004: 241, fig. 3.

Scorpio kruglovi : Amr et al., 2015: 36, fig. 2E.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE DEPOSITORY. Jordan, Balqa Governorate, Um Al-Dananeer , 32°05'34.6”N 35°49'02.8”E, 773 m a. s. l. , AZMM.

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Jordan: Ma’an Governorate, near Al-Shawback Castle , 30°31'35.6''N 35°33'57.2''E, 1335 m a. s.

l., 2♂, 8 September 2013, leg. L. Prendini, Z. Amr, O. Abed, T. Al Share & L. Al-Azam ( RSCN); Aqaba Governorate, Al- Barrah, Wadi Rum , 29°32'47.7''N 35°19'36.3''E, 1100 m a. s. l. , 1♂, 10 September 2013, leg. Z. Amr, N. Hamidan & L.Al-Azam ( RSCN); Aqaba Governorate, Al-Khoshakhashe, Wadi Rum , 29°29'52.1''N 35°25'54.4''E, 1109 m a. s. l. , 1♂, 11 September 2013, leg. Z. Amr, N. Hamidan & T. Al Share ( RSCN); Zarqa Governorate, Abu-Al Zighan , 32°08'49.3''N 36°02'56.6''E, 457 m a. s. l, 1♂, 6 July 2018, leg. M. Al-Saraireh and A. Gayada ( BAPC); Zarqa Governorate, Alook , 32°09'29.3''N 35°55'32.4''E , 608, m a. s. l., 1♂ 1♀, 23 March 2019, leg. M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Amman Governorate, Sahab , 31°49'14.0''N 36°01'34.7''E, 773 m a. s. l. , 2♂, 13 August 2019, leg. M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Ghor Ira , 5 km W of Ira town, 31°59'13.3''N 35°36'43.7''E, 25 m a. s. l. , 2♂, 3 November 2019, leg. B. Abu Afifeh & M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Amman Governorate, Ghor Sweimeh near Dead Sea , 31°46'13.3''N 35°35'21.2''E, 365 m a. s. l. , 2♂, 5 July 2020, leg. M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Irbid Governorate, Kufrabeel , 32°24'53.9''N 35°39'19.6''E, 370 m a. s. l. , 1♀, 26 September 2020, leg. Omar Aldhoon ( BAPC); Ma’an Governorate, Ayn Al-Baydah , 5 km N of Petra, 30°23'10.3''N 35°26'02.3''E, 1075 m a. s. l. , 1 subadult ♀, 18 June 2021, leg. B. Abu Afifeh & M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Um Al-Dananeer , 32°05'34.6''N 35°49'02.8''E, 773 m a. s. l. , 1♂ (holotype) ( AZMM /Sco- 2021:39) , 4 ♂, 2 juvs. ♂, 12 August 2021, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Ghor Ira , 5 km W of Ira town, 31°58'57.9''N 35°36'44.0''E, 16 m a. s. l. , 1♀, 13 April 2022, leg. B. Abu Afifeh & R. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Um Al-Dananeer , 32°06'07.7''N 35°50'09.1''E, 827 m a. s. l. , 1♀ ( AZMM /Sco-2021:40), 21 April 2022, leg. B. Abu Afifeh; Tafilah Governorate, Dana Biosphere Reserve , 30°41'32.2''N 35°36'09.8''E, 1500 m a. s. l. , 11♂ 8♀, 25-26 May 2022, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Amman Governorate, Al-Baydah , 31°56'32.6''N 36°02'29.9''E, 768 m a. s. l. , 7 subadults ♂, 6 June 2022, leg. M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Um Al-Dananeer , 32°06'27.1''N 35°49'26.2''E, 855 m a. s. l. , 5♂ 1♀, 28 July 2022, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Tafilah Governorate, KhirbatAl-Ghuwaiba , 14 km NW of Dana village, 30°41'34.2''N 35°28'31.3''E, 162 m a. s. l. , 4♀, 20 January 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, 6.3 km E of Karameh Dam , 32°01'16.8''N 35°37'42.1''E, 2 m a. s. l. , 3♀, 17 February 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Um Kharrouba , 32°03'23.0''N 35°39'43.8''E, 402 m a. s. l. , 1♂ 2♀, 18 March 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, Homrat Al Sahn , 32°06'47.7''N 35°40'41.3''E, 452 m a. s. l. , 2♀, 18 March 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Balqa Governorate, 2.5 km SW of Maysara town , 32°07'31.4''N 35°40'27.0''E, 509 m a. s. l. , 1♂ 1♀, 18 March 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Tafilah Governorate, Dana Biosphere Reserve , 30°41'32.2''N 35°36'09.8''E, 1500 m a. s. l. , 8♀, 8 July 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Tafilah Governorate, Ein Lahda groundwater, 3.1 km NW of Dana village, 30°42'02.6''N 35°35'51.6''E, 1430 m a. s. l. , 4♂ 1♀, 8 July 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh ( BAPC); Ma’an Governorate, Basta , 30°14'49.5''N 35°31'42.2''E, 1538 m a. s. l. , 1♂, 7 September 2023, leg. B. Abu Afifeh & M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC); Aqaba Governorate, 9.5 km SW of Titin village , 29°24'43.0''N 35°06'39.1''E, 1115 m a. s. l. , 14♂ 1♀, 9 May 2024, leg. B. Abu Afifeh, R. Abu Afifeh & H. Bdareen ( BAPC); Zarqa Governorate, As-Sukhnah , 32°08'02.8''N 36°03'33.0''E, 480 m a. s. l. , 1♂, 17 May 2024, leg. B. Abu Afifeh & M. Al-Saraireh ( BAPC) .

ETYMOLOGY. The specific name refers to Jordan, the country in which the new species is endemic and widely distributed.

DIAGNOSIS. Medium sized species compared with its congeners. Adults are about 42.50- 53.54 mm in males and 45.70- 56.90 mm in females in length. General coloration light reddish yellow. Carapace is slightly longer than its wide; almost trapezoid in shape. Carapace anterior margin distinctly bilobed with a deep median indentation. Carapace lacks carinae, only posteriomedian carinae slightly visible. Carapace shagreened but a triangular region between median eyes and anterior margin smooth. Median ocular tubercle not distinct and located in the center of the carapace. Tergites IVII acarinate. Tergites I–VII matt and shagreened; posttergits of segments I–IV with scattered flattened granules; tergite VII moderately covered with dense coarse and pointed granules in male, while in females tergites I-VII smooth, lustrous; posttergits of segments I-IV with flattened moderate granules, tergite VII moderately covered with dense coarse and pointed granules. Pectines short; teeth numbers 10–13 in males and 9–13 in females. Metasoma I with 10, II–IV with 8, and V with 5 carinae. Metasoma I–II wider than long, segments III–V longer than wide. Ventral submedian carinae and ventrolateral carinae strong with moderate, rounded and fused granules on segments I–II, strong and obsolete granules on segments III–IV in male; strong with large lobate and spaced granules on segments I–II in females. Between ventral submedian carinae of segment I 10–20 small to medium granules exist. Dorsolateral carinae moderate and rounded with moderate spinoid granules, less distinct granules in females on segment V. Vesicle globular and smooth. Pedipalp femur with three carinae, patella with two carinae. The external surface of chela manus with very large and very flattened granules, more distinct and rounded in anterior area, posterior part with smaller granules; interior part nearly smooth in females. Posterior margin of external surface, and internal margin with large and conical granules. Digital carina not distinct but with larger and more distinct granules than other granules and not fused; external secondary carina distinct with large and fused granules; that get denser anteriorly. Chela manus flattened, slightly longer than wide. Fixed and movable fingers with 4 or 5 strong accessory denticles. Intercarinal surface with few distinct setae on manus. Trichobothriotaxy of type C; orthobothriotaxic (Vachon, 1974).

DESCRIPTION (♂ holotype, unless otherwise specified). Coloration ( Figs. 8 , 145–148 , 211-214 ). General coloration light reddish yellow. Carapace: light reddish yellow, black between median eyes, and light reddish brown around median eyes, posterior area of median eyes with reddish brown reticulation; posterior margin with a yellow band in overlap area of first mesosoma segment in male; yellowish olive brown in females. Mesosoma: Tergites I-VII light reddish yellow; posterior margins of segments I-VI with yellow bands in overlap area in males; lustrous, olive brown with reticulation and yellowish olive patches in females. Coxae and sternum lustrous and reddish yellow. Genital operculum and pectines shiny yellow. Sternites III-VII reddish yellow in male; olive brown in females. Pedipalp: Femur and patella reddish yellow; carinae and granules red. Chela manus reddish yellow, granules darker, ventroexternal, ventrointernal, digital carina, external secondary carina and fingers dark yellowish red in males, manus darker, fingers lighter in females. Dental margin and condyles reddish black. Metasoma: metasomal segments I-IV uniformly light reddish yellow, segment V dark reddish yellow with reticulation in males; metasomal segments I-V uniformly reddish yellow in females. Telson dark yellow; aculeus reddish at the base and black at the tip. Legs: Tarsi and basitarsus light yellow; pretarsus, femur and tibia dark yellow. Spinules and condyles reddish brown. Chelicerae: Chelicera manus dark yellowish brown with reticulations posteriorly. Fingers brown, tips of fingers and teeth reddish.

Carapace ( Figs. 157–164 ). Carapace is slightly longer than its wide; almost trapezoid in shape. Carapace anterior margin distinctly bilobed, with 8 medium to large setae and a deep median indentation. Carapace lacks carinae, only posteriomedian carinae slightly visible. Carapace shagreened but a triangular region between median eyes and anterior margin smooth, anterior of carapace and along anteriomedian furrow with moderately dense small granules in males; carapace smooth and lustrous with small granules laterally in females. Median ocular tubercle not distinct and located in the center of the carapace. A pair of median eyes and three pairs of lateral eyes exist; the third located separately and slightly smaller. Median eyes separated by one ocular diameter. The anteromedian furrow is narrow, shallow and more distinct in males. The posteromedian furrow is wide and deep and bifurcated as an inverted T-shaped at posterior edge and located in arrow-shaped depressions between posteriomedian carinae and posterior margin. Posterior lateral furrows wide and distinct. A few setae exist on the anterior area of carapace. Chelicerae ( Figs. 149–156 ). Cheliceral dentition characteristic for the family Scorpionidae (Vachon, 1963) ; subdistal tooth and basal teeth conspicuous rather than on the movable finger. Manus lustrous, no longitudinal ridges present anteriorly.

Mesosoma ( Figs. 149–156 ). Tergites I–VII acarinate. Tergites I–VII matt and shagreened; posttergites of segment I–IV with scattered flattened granules; tergite VII moderately covered with dense coarse and pointed granules in male; tergites I–VII smooth, lustrous; posttergits of segment I–IV with flattened moderate granules, tergite VII moderately covered with dense coarse and pointed granules in females. Sternites III–VI with scattered setae; wrinkled mideally in male; smooth and lustrous in females. Sternite VII granular between submedian carinae with four granular carinae, granules fused, granular between lateral and submedian carinae in females. Genital operculum ovoid; a small posterior indentation exists in males, while cordate in shape; anterior margin slightly convex; posterior area slightly elongated, and a small posterior indentation exist in females. Pectines short: teeth numbers 10–13 in males, and 9–13 in females. Three marginal and three to five median lamellae. Stigmas linear, angled 45° and conspicuous.

Metasoma and telson ( Figs. 189–208 ). Metasoma I with 10, II–IV with 8, and V with 5 carinae. Metasoma I–II wider than long, III–V longer than wide. Lateral inframedian carinae and on segment I indistinct, composed by a few spaced rounded granules on anterior. Ventral submedian carinae and ventrolateral carinae strong with moderate, rounded and fused granules on metasoma I–II, strong and obsolete granules on metasoma III–IV in male; strong with large lobate and spaced granules on segments I–II in females. Dorsolateral carinae strong and crenulate with small, spaced granules on merasoma I–IV. Lateral supramedian carinae strong and obsolete on segments I–IV. Intercarinal area on segments I–IV smooth covered with scattered small sized granules at ventral and lateral surfaces, between ventral submedian carinae of segment I 10–20 small to medium granules exist; segment I–II with moderately fine granules, III–IV with scattered fine granules and without granules medially in males; segments I–IV smooth with scattered fine granules and without granules medially in females. Segment V: Ventromedian carina moderate with large, spinoid and pointed granules, bifurcated anteriorly; ventrolateral carinae strong and serrated with spaced large and conical granules, gradually increase posteriorly, continues in lateral of anal arch; dorsolateral carinae moderate and rounded with moderate spinoid granules, granules less distinct in females; segment V with a row of granules laterally at posterior half, granules less distinct in females. Lateral surfaces smooth with scattered fine granules. Ventral surface densely covered with large granules. Dorsal surface smooth covered with fine granules, without granules medially. Ventral of anal arch serrated with pointed denticles. Ventral and lateral surfaces covered with moderately variable sized setae on segments I–V. Vesicle globular and smooth; with spinoid granules ventrally, more distinct in males. Vesicle with numerous macrosetae reaching the base of aculeus. Aculeus strongly curved and shorter than vesicle.

Pedipalp ( Figs. 165–188 ). Pedipalp femur with three carinae; dorsointernal and ventrointernal carinae moderate with spaced rounded granules; dorsoexternal carinae strong with separate large and rounded granules. Intercarinal area smooth with small sized granules dorsally and medium sized granules ventrally. Intercarinal surface with a few distinct setae. Patella with two carinae; dorsomedian carina strong with so flattened and fused granules; ventrointernal carinae moderate with rounded coarse granules. Intercarinal area of dorsal, ventral and external surfaces smooth and lustrous, external surface with moderate rounded granules; internal surface shagreened. Intercarinal surface with a few distinct setae. The external surface of chela manus with very large and very flattened granules, more distinct and rounded in anterior area, posterior part with smaller granules; interior part nearly smooth in females. Posterior margin of external surface and internal margin with large and conical granules. Internal surface of chela manus smooth with moderate pointed granules in anterior area. Ventroexternal carina strong, obsolete without granules; ventrointernal carina smooth, rounded without granules. Digital carina not distinct with granules larger and more distinct than other granules and not fused; external secondary carina distinct with large and fused granules that become denser anteriorly. Chela manus flattened, slightly longer than wide. Chela fingers are relatively short and without granules, slightly longer in females. Fixed and movable fingers with 4-5 strong accessory denticles. Intercarinal surface with few distinct setae on manus. Trichobothriotaxy of type C; orthobothriotaxic (Vachon, 1974).

Legs ( Figs. 209–210 ). Coxa and trochanters smooth. Tarsi of right legs I to IV with 4-6/8–5-6/8-9– 6-7/8-9–6-7/9 internal and external spines arranged in series. Basitarsus of legs I with 2–3 retrolateral spines (generally with 3 spines) and on legs II with 3–4 retrolateral spines (generally with 3 spines).

Measurements. See Table 4.

AFFINITIES. S. jordanensis sp. n. shows similarities with S. palmatus regarding to several morphological characters; both are medium sized yellow species, external surface of chela manus with reduced granulation, and chela fingers are short. That led several previous authors to assign specimens of the widespread Scorpio from Jordan to S. palmatus (Wahbeh, 1976; El-Hennawy, 1988; Amr & Al-Oran 1994; Amr & Abu Baker, 2004). The two species can be distinguished by the following characters: (a) pedipalp chela fingers of S. jordanensis sp. n. is shorter than in S. palmatus (see table 6); (b) seventh sternite and ventral surface of segment I moderately granular in S. jordanensis sp. n. ( Figs. 220, 222 ) whereas in S. palmatus it has a few scattered granules ( Figs. 219, 221 ); (c) ventrolateral and ventral submedian carinae of segments I and II with spaced distinct rounded granules in S. jordanensis sp. n. ( Figs. 216, 218 ), whereas indistinct and fused granules are present in S. palmatus ( Figs. 215, 217 ); (d) lateral inframedian carina of segment I visible and present on posterior part in S. jordanensis sp. n. ( Figs. 216, 218 ) whereas it is not visible and composed of 2–3 granules on posterior of segment I in S. palmatus ( Figs. 215, 217 ).

S. jordanensis sp. n. can be distinguished from S. fuscus by several characters shown in table 6;

a) general coloration light reddish yellow in S. jordanensis sp. n. ( Figs. 8 , 145–148 ), whereas it is dark reddish brown to brownish black in S. fuscus ( Figs. 3–4 , 79–82 );

b) S. jordanensis sp. n. is smaller in size (adults 53–56 mm in total length), than S. fuscus (adults 61–67 mm in total length); c) pectines is longer in males of S. jordanensis sp. n. than in males of S. fuscus ; pectines extending well beyond coxa-trochanter articulation of leg IV in male of S. jordanensis sp. n. ( Fig. 163 ), whereas extending approximately to the coxa-trochanter articulation of leg IV in male of S. fuscus ( Fig. 97 ); d) external surface of pedipalp chela with isolated rounded and separated granules in male of S. jordanensis sp. n. ( Figs. 171, 175 ), whereas male of S. fuscus has reticular fused and flattened granulation ( Figs. 105, 109 );

e) pectinal teeth numbers in S. jordanensis sp. n. (10–13 in males and 9–13 in females) is higher than in S. fuscus (9–10 in males and 8–11 in females);

f) metasomal segment II is always wider than long in S. jordanensis sp. n., whereas it is longer than wide or as long as wide in S. fuscus .

Figures

Figures 371. Variation in the shape of genital opercula in females of Scorpio jordanensis sp. n.

Figures 1–2: External view of chela under UV light showing variation in shape, slenderness, and pattern of granulation between Jordanius, gen. n. and Scorpio. Figure 1. Jordanius granulomanus comb. n., female paratype. Figure 2. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., female paratype. Abbreviations: Manus Length (ML), Chela Depth (CD).

Figures 3–8: In vivo habitus. Figure 3. Scorpio fuscus, male from Bader Al Jadeedah, Balqa Governorate. Figure 4. Scorpio fuscus, female from Birqish Forest, northwestern Jordan, Irbid Governorate. Figure 5. Jordanius maysaraensis gen. et sp. n., female paratype. Figure 6. Jordanius granulomanus comb. n., female paratype. Figure 7. Scorpio wahbehi sp. n., female paratype. Figure 8. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male paratype.

Figures 145–148: Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., habitus under white light. Figures 145–146. Male holotype, in dorsal (145) and ventral (146) views. Figures 147–148. Female paratype, in dorsal (147) and ventral (148) views. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Figures 149–156: Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype (149, 151, 153, 155) and female paratype (150, 152, 154, 156). Figures 149–150, 153–154. Carapace and mesosoma. Figures 151–152, 155–156. Coxal and sternopectinal regions and sternites. Figures 149–152 under white light. Figures 153–156 under UV light. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Figures 157–164: Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype (157, 159, 161, 163) and female paratype (158, 160, 162, 164), under white light (157–160), and under UV light (161–164). Figures 157, 158, 161, 162. Carapace.Figures 159, 160, 163, 164. Coxal and sternopectinal region.

Figures 165–176. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype, pedipalp segments under white light (165–170), and under UV light (171–176). Chela ventral (165, 172) and dorsal (166, 171). Movable (167, 173) and fixed (168, 174) fingers dentition. Pedipalp dorsal (169, 175) and ventral (170, 176).

Figures 177–188. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., female paratype, pedipalp segments under white light (177–182), and under UV light (183–188). Chela ventral (177, 183) and dorsal (178, 184). Movable (179, 185) and fixed (180, 186) fingers dentition. Pedipalp dorsal (181, 187) and ventral (182, 188).

Figures 189–194. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype (189, 191, 193), and female paratype (190, 192, 194). Metasoma and telson under white light, in lateral (189–190), ventral (191–192) and dorsal (193–194) views. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Figures 195–200. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype (195, 197, 199), and female paratype (196, 198, 200). Metasoma and telson under UV light, in lateral (195–196), dorsal (197–198) and ventral (199–200) views. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Figures 201–208: Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype (201, 202, 205, 206), and female paratype (203, 204, 207, 208). Metasoma V and telson under white light (201–204) and under UV light (205–208), in lateral (201, 203, 205, 207), and ventral (202, 204, 206, 208) views.

Figures 209–210: Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., right legs I–IV, male holotype (209) and female paratype (210).

Figures 211–214: Scorpio jordanensis sp. n. from Dana Biosphere Reserve, southwestern of Jordan, habitus under white light. Figures 211–212. Male paratype, in dorsal (211) and ventral (212) views. Figures 213–214. Female paratype, in dorsal (213) and ventral (214) views. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Figures 215–222: Metasoma I-II in lateral views, under UV light (215–218). Figures 215, 217. Scorpio palmatus from Egypt, male (215), and female (217). Figures 216, 218. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., male holotype (216), and female paratype (218). Sternite VII and metasoma I–II in ventral views, under UV light (219–222). Figures 219, 221. Scorpio palmatus from Egypt, female (219), and male (221). Figures 220, 222. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n., female paratype (220), and male holotype (222).

Figures 359–370: Genital operculum and sternum in males (359–364) and in females (365–370) under UV light. Figure 359, 365. Scorpio wahbehi sp. n. Figure 360, 366. Scorpio fuscus. Figure 361, 367. Scorpio palmatus. Figure 362, 368. Scorpio jordanensis sp. n. Figure 363, 369. Jordanius maysaraensis gen. et sp. n. Figure 364, 370. Jordanius granulomanus comb. n.

Figures 79–82: Scorpio fuscus, habitus under white light. Figures 79–80. Male from Birqish Forest, northwestern Jordan, in dorsal (79) and ventral (80) views. Figures 81–82. Female from Birqish Forest, northwestern of Jordan, in dorsal (81) and ventral (82) views. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Figures 91–98: Scorpio fuscus from Birqish Forest, northwestern Jordan, male (91, 95, 93, 97) and female (92, 96, 94, 98), under white light (91–94), and under UV light (95–98). Figures 91, 92, 95, 96. Carapace and tergites I–II. Figures 93, 94, 97, 98. Coxal and sternopectinal region.

Figures 99–110. Scorpio fuscus male from Birqish Forest, northwestern Jordan, pedipalp segments under white light (99–104), and under UV light (105–110). Chela dorsal (99, 105) and ventral (100, 106). Movable (101, 107) and fixed (102, 108) fingers dentition. Pedipalp ventral (103, 110) and dorsal (104, 109).