23 June, 2014

Redescription and corrected distribution of Chactas rubrolineatus


Lourenco & Leguin have recently confirmed the species status of Chactas rubrolineatus Simon, 1880 (Chactidae) after rediscovering the type specimen. A redescription is presented and the species' confirmed distribution is corrected to Brazil.

Abstract:
The type specimen of Chactas rubrolineatus, described by Simon in 1880, was considered lost, or at least mislaid, for long time. After several months of research in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, the female type specimen was located in the vial labelled RS-0778. A precise diagnosis of this species and also of several personal notes of E. Simon leads to two new conclusions: (i) Chactas rubrolineatus is a valid species and not a synonym of Chactas vanbenedenii Gervais, 1843, neither of Chactas brevicaudatus (Karsch, 1879); (ii) Chactas rubrolineatus was described by Simon from Rio Içá, which is not located in Ecuador but rather in Brazil. The presence of this species in Ecuador has yet to be proved.

Reference:
Lourenco WR, Leguin E-A. Le véritable statut de l’espèce Chactas rubrolineatus Simon, 1880 (Scorpiones: Chactidae). Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2014 (24):87-9.

Thanks to professor Lourenco for sending me his article!

Family Chactidae

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