Birabenella kamanchaca Piacentini & Grismado & Ramírez 2017, new species

Birabenella kamanchaca, new species Figures 1C, E, F; 2; 4; 5; 10A, B; 11

TYPE MATERIAL: Male holotype from Chile: Región de Antofagasta (II); Antofagasta: 8.1 km NNW Paposo, 60 km (air) N. Taltal, desert scrub, 114 m, -24.93944°, -70.49250°, Oct. 27-29, 2011, M.J. Ramírez, A. Ojanguren, J. Pizarro et al., (MHNS PBI _OON 42098); paratypes: same data, 1♀ (MACN 37254 PBI _OON 42083), 1♂ (MACN 37256 PBI _OON 42432), 1♀ (MACN 37253 PBI _OON 42433).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to the natural phenomenon known as “Kamanchaca” or “Camanchaca,” the fog that comes from the Pacific Ocean providing humidity to the coastal desert environments of north-central Chile, especially evident in Paposo. The name was inspired by Brachistosternus kamanchaca Ojanguren-Affilastro et al., a scorpion species that inhabits the region (Ojanguren-Affilastro et al., 2007).

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of B. chincha in the relatively simple (only two) flattened terminal projections of the bulb, but differ in their size and orientation (especially the forwarddirected, pointed, retrolateral projection, fig. 10A); females are similar to those of B. elqui Grismado in having copulatory duct convoluted before reaching the posterior receptacle, but differ by having a droplike anterior sclerite, and a more convoluted copulatory duct (fig. 10B). MALE (PBI_OON 42098). CEPHALOTHORAX: Eyes on dark area, all subequal; posterior eye row recurved from above, straight from front; PLE-PME separated by less than PME radius. Sternum (fig. 5F) as long as wide, without radial furrows between coxae I–II, II–III, III–IV, surface smooth; setae light, evenly scattered. Mouthparts: Labium subpentagonal; with 3–5 setae on anterior margin. Endites with two darkened, curved setae at tip. ABDOMEN: Setae dark, needlelike. LEGS: Spines absent. Tarsi I to IV superior claws tooth not examined in detail. Trichobothria not examined. GENITALIA (fig. 10A): Palpal femur two or more times as long as trochanter; bulb, middle part of membranous fundus nearly spherical, ventral, from where arises weakly sclerotized seminal duct, gently curved to dorsal at its origin, it turns almost straight along almost all its length, running parallel to tendon; embolus opening presumably located between two flattened distal projections of bulb, one on prolateral side, slightly darkened, bent to ventral and prolateral, another forwardly directed, translucent, with acute tip. Curved, digitiform projection on ventral part of bulb located near distal part.

FEMALE (PBI_OON 42083). As in male except as noted. Palp spines absent. ABDOMEN: Dorsum soft portions slightly darker than in male. Tarsal organ I with inconspicuous proximal ridge and at least one visible sensilla; there is apparently one additional, small, very low projection, but probably not a true receptor (fig. 1C). Leg II with similar pattern of receptors, but opening narrower (fig. 1E). Leg III with oval tarsal organ, with proximal ridge and two sensilla, one large and another small (fig. 1F). GENITALIA (fig. 10B): Dorsal view: anterior sclerite small, drop shaped, apparently with lumen; two thin consecutive transverse sclerotized bars separate it from posterior part of genitalia, which has wide transverse sclerotized bar with lateral muscle insertions; copulatory opening apparently leading to thick-walled anterior copulatory duct, describing several tight turns before connecting with posterior receptacle. The latter has anterodorsal, thick walls, with reticulate surface, apparently with irregular lumen (not a definite tube).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: CHILE: Same data as the types, 1♀ (MACN 37255 PBI _ OON 42434). Region III (Atacama): Copiapó: Quebrada El León, ca. Ruta 5, 10.5 km NNE Caldera, desert scrub, 50m, -26.97715°, -70.78150°, Oct. 25, 2011, M.J. Ramírez, A. Ojanguren, J. Pizarro et al., 1♀ (MHNS PBI _OON 42429); 1♀ (MACN 37257 PBI _OON 42430). Huasco: Carretera Costera, near Caleta de los Burros, 5.4 km NNE Carrizal Bajo, desert scrub, 50m, -28.03727°, -71.12570°, Oct. 25, 2011, M.J. Ramírez, A. Ojanguren, J. Pizarro et al., 1♀ (MACN 37258 PBI _OON 42084).

DISTRIBUTION: Coastal deserts in Antofagasta and Atacama regions, northern Chile.

NATURAL HISTORY: The specimens were collected under stones and in accumulated leaf litter between stones, and under shrubs.