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

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.


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 notations follow Vachon (1974) and morphological terminology mostly follows Hjelle (1990 Diagnosis. In accordance with the grouping of species proposed by Kovařík (2000) for the genus Scorpiops, the new species, which has 7 (rarely 8) trichobothria 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. langxian, 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 granulated, granules on its mesosoma are widely spaced, with the distance between them far greater than their size (Kovařík 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.
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- 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 granules in male holotype, posterior part with some bigger granules in female paratypes;   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. Sternum 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.
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, without spurs. Basitarsus with more setae, and two lateral pedal spurs. Tarsus ventrally with row of spinules. Ungues falcate.
Habitat. Under stones on a hillside with ruderal vegetation.

Distribution. China (Xizang).
Updated key to species of Scorpiops from China