Ixchela santibanezi new species

Figures 173–185

Type data. MEXICO: Chiapas: 1 3 holotype (CNAN T0075), 1 Ƥ paratype (CNAN T0076) [19 June 2011; A. Valdez, O. Francke, C. Santibáñez, J. Cruz, R. Monjaraz, G. Contreras, K. Zárate] from outside of Cueva de las Abejas (lat 16.8487°, lon -93.2432°; 1190 m), Municipio San Fernando.

Etymology. This species is dedicated to the scorpionologist and friend Carlos E. Santibáñez López (“La Tortuga ”), for his contribution to the knowledge of arachnids from Mexico, and his participation in collecting the type series.

Diagnosis. Resembles to I. furcula, distinguished by the FAC with SAC apically, long and hook-shaped (Figs 175, 176); by the PAB smaller, inconspicuous (Figs 178, 181); by the epigynum pear-shaped in ventral view (Fig. 183), with posterior concavity in lateral view (arrow, Fig. 185).

Description. Male (Holotype). Prosoma: Carapace orange, paler near the ocular region, without spots, only a dark region on each side on posterior part, and a grey triangular pattern behind the fovea (Fig. 174). Fovea with irregular pattern thin and grey surrounding it, with a reddish pattern U-shaped on posterior part of ocular region (Fig. 174). Ocular region brown, without lines (Fig. 174). Clypeus with a longitudinal region wide and brown (Fig. 177).

In frontal view, chelicerae brown, paler frontally, pale basally above FAC and with a small pale region below FAC (Fig. 175). Chelicerae with SAC (Figs 175, 176). Sternum olive, without lines or spots. Labium and endites olive, pale distally, endites with pale retrolateral apophysis. Legs: Coxae and trochanters orange. Femora brown, paler basally; without rings, only one inconspicuous ring distally. Tibiae pale brown, with two inconspicuous rings, one basal and another subdistal. Metatarsi and tarsi pale brown. Opisthosoma: Subconical, dark blue, as long as high (Fig. 173). Plate of genital gonopore pale green, wider than long. Palp: Femur conical and curved, olive dorsally becoming paler ventrally, with conical VAF (Figs 180, 181). Basal apophysis on retrolateral position of the femur long and square-shaped (Fig. 180). Patella and tibia olive. Procursus brown, becoming olive basally, slightly curved distally; with wide and curved spine (Figs 179–181). Embolus with large spine dorsal-distal, ventrally with projection thin (Figs 180, 181). Embolus with a basal protuberance ending in round tip, forming a concavity between it and the PAB (arrow, Fig. 178). Measurements: Total length 5.40. Carapace 2.25 long, 2.20 wide. Clypeus 0.85 long. Diameter AME 0.10, ALE 0.24, PME 0.17, PLE 0.22. Distance ALE-PME 0.10, PME-PME 0.18. Leg I: 41.14 (11.37+0.90+11.00+14.37+3.50). tibia II: 8.20, tibia III: 6.62, tibia IV: 8.37; tibia I l/d 29.66.

Female (Paratype). Similar to the male, differences: Prosoma: Carapace pale orange, with marginal pattern and triangular pattern behind the fovea more visible than on male. Irregular grey pattern around the fovea darker than on male. Ocular region and longitudinal region of clypeus darker brown than on male. Chelicerae paler brown than on male. Sternum, labium and endites darker olive than on male. Legs: Femora, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi paler brown than on male. Epigynum: Larger than wide (Figs 183, 185), with square-shaped in frontal view (Fig. 182). PP triangular, without the two concavities sac-shaped between MSE and PP; MSE with V-shaped upside down (Fig. 184). Measurements: Total length 5.10. Carapace 2.15 long, 1.97 wide. Clypeus 0.77 long. Diameter AME 0.08, ALE 0.22, PME 0.16, PLE 0.20. Distance ALE-PME 0.10. PME-PME 0.18. Leg I: missing, tibia II: 6.35, tibia III: 5.30, tibia IV: 6.65; tibia I l/d missing.

Natural History. The specimens were collected outside of the Cueva de las Abejas under fallen logs, in a tropical rain forest, with humidity ca 80%.

Distribution. MEXICO: Chiapas (Fig. 214).