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ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

ANNALE VAN DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE MUSEUM

Volume 72 +#2Band

April 1977 April

Part 11 Deel

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE

PART |

DESCRIPTION OF NEOTYPE OF OPISTHOPHTHALMUS

CAPENSIS (HERBST) AND REMARKS ON THE

O. CAPENSIS and O. GRANIFRONS

POCOCK SPECIES-GROUPS (ARACHNIDA, SCORPIONIDA,

SCORPIONIDAE)

E. B. EASTWOOD

Cape Town Kaapstad

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NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE

PART 1

DESCRIPTION OF NEOTYPE OF OPISTHOPHTHALMUS CAPENSIS

(HERBST) AND REMARKS ON THE O. CAPENSIS and O. GRANIFRONS

POCOCK SPECIES-GROUPS (ARACHNIDA, SCORPIONIDA,

SCORPIONIDAE)

E. B. EAsTwooD

South African Museum, Cape Town

(With 5 figures and | table)

[MS. accepted 9 December 1976]

ABSTRACT

The neotype of Opisthophthalmus capensis (Herbst) is designated and described. The

neotype is deposited at the South African Museum, and toponeotypes at the Natal Museum

and the Zoologisches Museum, Berlin. Trichobothriotaxy of the capensis—granifrons species

complex is examined as a possible diagnostic character, but is found not to be significant.

In the light of new data and collections, the taxonomy of this species complex is discussed and

evidence given to support the hypothesis that O. capensis and its subspecies, and O. granifrons

and allied species are, in fact, a single variable species. New locality data is recorded.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction 3 : : : ; ; 5 F ; : 5 ZAI

Description of neotypes . : : : : : 3 : Pall?

Notes on trichobothriotaxy as a diagnostic character ; ae 216

Taxonomy of the capensis—granifrons species complex ; Be, Aw)

History . ; ; j : : : ; 3 5 ; 5 PAY)

Variation ; : : : : : ; : s : . 220

Ecological and geographical considerations . 5 : en Nes a2p

Taxonomic reflections . ; : P ; P : 3 Bay pape

Material examined . 3 ; ; : : ; : : e223

Acknowledgements . : ‘ ; : F : : : yo) PPS)

References . : : : : 5 : : ; : : 226

INTRODUCTION

This is the first of a series of papers correlating previous work on Cape

scorpions with new data on distribution and taxanomic interrelationships.

It will serve as a foundation for more detailed studies as new material becomes

available.

Herbst (1800) described Scorpio capensis from three specimens, two from

his own collection, and one from the collection of Ludwig-Heinrich Freiher

All

Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 72 (11), 1977: 211-226, 5 figs, 1 table.

DA ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

von Block. Enquiries at the Vienna Museum indicated that none of this material

is deposited there. J. Gruber of the Vienna Museum states that all or most of

Herbst’s original material may be lost. Likewise, the specimen of Block is not

in their collection (pers. comm.).

Primarily it appeared that one type specimen may have been among the

seven specimens deposited at the Zoologisches Museum, Berlin, collected by

Lichtenstein (1811), some of which were examined later by Thorell. However,

this cannot be assumed since at some point this material dried out and the

original labels were lost (pers. comm. M. Moritz); Herbst described Scorpio

capensis in 1800, while Lichtenstein collected in the Cape of Good Hope between

1803 and 1806. Perusal of literature and further enquiries have revealed nothing

more. Thus it has been decided to designate neotypes from the South African

Museum collection, and redescribe Opisthophthalmus capensis (Herbst).

The taxonomic history and variation of the capensis—granifrons species

complex are discussed. It is the intention of the author to illustrate the inherent

difficulties of coming to any absolute taxonomic decision on this group before

adequate collections are made, and to set forth evidence which complements

the hypothesis that O. capensis and its subspecies, and O. granifrons and its

allied species are likely to be a single variable species.

DESCRIPTION OF NEOTYPES

Opisthophthalmus capensis (Herbst)

Scorpio capensis Herbst, 1800: 62, fig. 2.

Opisthophthalmus capensis Koch, 1838: 89, fig. 308. Peters, 1861: 512. Thorell, 1877: 227.

Kraeplin, 1894: 97, figs 33-34. Pocock 1896: 234. Purcell, 1899: 148.

Opisthophthalmus maxillosus Koch, 1838: 93, fig. 310.

Opisthophthalmus pilosus Koch, 1838: 91, fig. 309. Kraeplin, 1894: 100.

Opisthophthalmus latro Thorell, 1877: 225.

Opisthophthalmus chaperi Simon, 1880: 387.

NEOTYPE MALE (Fig. 1)

Measurements are given in Table 1.

Colour

Interocular area of carapace, cauda, pedipalps and legs yellow to reddish

yellow; granular areas and ridges dark brown to black; tergum dark reddish

brown; vesicle yellow; sternum yellow anteriorly, becoming dark brown

posteriorly.

Carapace

Slightly longer than wide; longer than caudal segments I and II; inter-

ocular area almost smooth, very finely punctate; lateral margins granular,

a strip of coarser granules borders the interocular area; median eyes far behind

the middle of the carapace; anterior median furrow distinctly forked anteriorly.

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE 213

25mm

Fig. 1. Opisthophthalmus capensis (Herbst).

Dorsal view of neotype male.

Tergites

Granular throughout, becoming more coarsely granular posteriorly;

segments II to VI with a smooth, weak median elevation; segment VII with two

coarsely granular keels postero-laterally; rows of 3-8 microtrichia extend along

the postero-lateral margins of each segment.

Sternites

Anterior segments almost smooth, becoming progressively more coarsely

granular posteriorly; rows of microtrichia extend along lateral and postero-

lateral margins.

Cauda

Segment I: ventrally and laterally granular, dorsally sparsely granular;

pair of ventral keels indistinct, ventrolaterals, dorsolaterals and dorsal keels

granular and well defined.

214 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

TABLE |

Measurements in millimetres of neotype and toponeotypes of Opisthophthalmus capensis

(Herbst)

Neotype 6 Toponeotype2 Toponeotype 3S

Total length . : ; : é ; : 116,0 131,0 106,0-110,0

Carapace length . 3 ; : : : 11,0 13,0 11,5-12,0

width (max) . ; : : : 10,2 13,0 10,2

(min) . Q ; : ; 7,0 8,5 7,0

Median ocelli—anterior edge . : ; 8,0 : 9,0 8,0

Mesomoma length 5 : . : Z 24,5 27,5 19,5-22,0

Metasoma length ; : : : : 44,0 47,0 42,0-44,0

Caudal segment I

length . 5 4 ; : ByS) 5,6 5,2-5,5

width . ; 4 ; F 4,5 5,0 4,5

Caudal segment II

length . : : ; ; 6,0 6,0 6,0

width . : : F : 4,5 4,6 4,5

Caudal segment III

length . ; Bune : 6,0 6,3 6,0

width . ; 5 ; 5 4,0 4,5 4,0

Caudal segment IV

length . : ; 5 ‘ 7,0 2 7,0

width . : é ; ; 347. 4,0 3,5

Caudal segment V

length . . ; ; : 11,0 11,2 10,0-11,0

width . 5 2 : : 3,2 4,0 3,0-3,2

Pedipalp

Femur length . : : : : ; 9,0 10,0 9,0

Tibia length . : : ‘ : : 8,5 9,8 8,0-8,5

Chela length . ; : : 5 : : 17,8 20,0 16,5-17,0

width . : : : ; F ; 6,0 10,0 6,0-6,5

movable finger length ; : : ‘ 11,0 13,2 11,0-11,2

Segments II to IV: ventrally and laterally granular; dorsally sparsely

granular; pair of lateral keels, ventrolaterals, dorsolaterals distinct and consist

of rounded granules; dorsal keels terminate distally with a sharp spine.

Segment V: ventrally granular, laterally sparsely granular, dorsally smooth;

single ventral keel, ventrolaterals well developed, dorsolaterals obsolete distally;

dorsals and accessory keels weakly developed. Vesicle smooth.

Pedipalps

Keels of femur coarsely granular; dorsal and ventral surface with large

rounded granules, external surface smooth with a few rounded granules dorsally;

dorsal keel of patella consists of contiguous granules, almost smooth; internally

smooth, external surface almost smooth; chelae dorsally slightly wrinkled,

almost smooth, ventrally and internally smooth; internal edge of chela coarsely

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE 215

granular; digital keel smooth along entire length; inner secondary, subdigital

and exterior secondary keels weakly developed.

Trichobothriotaxy

Chela and femur orthobothriotaxic, with 26 and 3 trichobothria respec-

tively; patella neobothriotaxic, with 20 trichobothria, the external subterminal

(est) being the accessory trichobothrium.

Legs

Inner (anterior) edge of femora I-III with sparse comb-like rows of setae;

outer edge of femur I with scattered setae; outer edge of femora II and III with

sparse rows of setae; femur IV with a few sparse setae internally and externally;

patellae I and II with sparse rows of setae internally, ventrally and externally;

patellae III and IV with sparse rows of setae internally and externally; second

tarsomere of leg I to III with 10 external spine-like setae, 5 internal spine-like

setae, second tarsomere of leg IV with 8-9 external spine-like setae, 4 internal

spine-like setae; dorsal process flush with lateral lobes.

Operculum

Subcordiform; cleft longitudinally with a pair of genital papillae below

the operculum.

Pectines

13-14 teeth.

TOPONEOTYPE FEMALE (Fig. 2)

Measurements are given in Table 1.

Colour

As in neotype male, except last sternite darker.

Sternites

All segments smooth and polished, except the last which is sparsely and

finely granular.

Legs

The second tarsomere with 9-10 external spine-like setae; 5 internal spine-

like setae. Ventral rows of setae on patella of legs III to IV absent.

Operculum

Subcordiform; fused medially.

Pectines

10-11 teeth.

216 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Fig. 2. Opisthophthalmus capensis (Herbst).

Dorsal view of toponeotype female.

TOPONEOTYPE MALES

Measurements are given in Table 1.

Pectines

13-16 teeth.

NEOTYPE MATERIAL

Neotype male

Cape Town (34°5’S 18°25’E), June 1975, E. Eastwood legit, SA M-—C2/1,

deposited at the South African Museum.

Toponeotypes

1 2: Table View, Cape Town, June 1975, Van den Heever legit, SAM-—C35,

deposited at the South African Museum.

3 Sd: data as for neotype (SAM-C2/2, C2/3, C2/4). 1 specimen deposited

at the South African Museum; | specimen at the Natal Museum; | specimen

at the Zoologisches Museum, Berlin, DDR.

NOTES ON TRICHOBOTHRIOTAXY AS A DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTER

Vachon (1973) proposed a system of nomenclature for trichobothria on

the pedipalpal segments, and made a study of their arrangement in several

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE DAG

families and genera. In a study of the genus Euscorpius Thorell (Chactidae)

Vachon (1975) points out the importance of trichobothrial diagrams for the

external surface of the patella for subgeneric determination. The difficulties

of such a study were demonstrated. According to this system the Scorpionidae

fall into the group where the chela and femur are orthobothriotaxic (i.e. having

the basic number of trichobothria in their respective territories, a total of 26

on the chela and 3 on the femur). The tibia (brachium or patella) is usually

neobothriotaxic (i.e. with accessory trichobothria in addition to the basic

arrangement), having a total of 20 or more trichobothria.

Specimens of Opisthophthalmus from the Cape show the basic arrangement

for the Scorpionidae as indicated by Vachon (1973). Usually the second external

suprabasal is the accessory trichobothrium on the patella (Figs 3, 4a).

Throughout the O. capensis and O. granifrons species groups the chela

is orthobothriotaxic. There is no significant variation in trichobothrial position.

The femur also shows no variation. However, the external surface of the patella

shows variation in position of trichobothria, and occasionally in number.

In specimens of O. capensis from the Cape Peninsula the three terminal

trichobothria (et) on the external surface of the patella, show variations in

their position, either ef, or ef; move proximally. There appears to be no par-

ticular pattern in this variation, all three arrangements being found in the same

population (Fig. 4b-d). The subterminals (est) are usually two in number,

but in one specimen that was examined both patellae possessed only one each

(orthobothriotaxic), and in another specimen one patella had one est, and the

other two. The medials (em), suprabasals (esb), and basals (eb) are arranged

as in Figure 4a.

- terminals (et)

i subterminals (est )

-- medials(em)

5mm

; Suprabasals (esb)

(ys. Screed

6°00} - -- basals (eb)

Fig. 3. External surface of pedipalpal patella

of Opisthophthalmus showing trichobothrial

arrangement.

218 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Specimens from the Vredenburg district (Paternoster and St Helena Bay)

have the trichobothria on the external surface of the patella arranged as in

Figure 4a, except that the position of the first subterminal (est,) may vary as

in Figure 4f-g.

One male specimen collected near Mossel Bay showed asymmetric varia-

tions of the first subterminal trichobothrium (es¢,) as in Figure 4f-g.

The single male specimen in our collection from Namaqualand identified

as O. capensis had trichobothrial arrangement as in Figure 4d.

Examination of the subspecies /Jeipoldti (sensu Hewitt) showed that the

terminal trichobothria (et, ef; and ef;) of the pedipalpal patella are usually

in a straight line (Fig 2b); ef, may move slightly proximally (Fig. 4d). Two

specimens had only one suprabasal on both patellae, the rest had the usual

two. It was only possible to determine the trichobothriotaxy of the specimens

collected by R. Pattison and C. L. Leipoldt in 1897 (SAM-1724, SAM-1732);

those collected by Pattison (SAM-1759) were difficult to determine due to poor

preservation.

Because of poor preservation it was not possible to discern clearly the

trichobothrial arrangement in most specimens of the subspecies fuscipes Purcell

but where the territories were clearly visible the external surface of the pedi-

palpal patella showed the arrangement as in Figure 4a.

The terminal trichobothria of the external surface of the pedipalpal patella

of O. granifrons Pocock lie in a straight line (Fig. 4b), but in a few specimens

either ef, or ef; move proximally (Fig. 4c—d). The third basal (eb) moves distally

in some specimens (Fig. 4e). The position of the first subterminal est, is not

constant and varies from a proximal to a more distal position (Fig. 4f-g).

abc de f Sh J

000 et

° ° °o.6°8

Us Ps est

ie} ° em

° esb

oj 2

1° oo [

Fig. 4. (a-j) Diagrammatic representation of the external surface of pedipalpal patellae of

Opisthophthalmus, showing variation in position of basal, suprabasal, terminal and subterminal

trichobothria.

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE 219

Types of O. ater Purcell have either one or two suprabasals (esb). In Klein-

zee specimens (Lawrence’s determination) the first suprabasal (esb,) moves

proximally or distally (Fig. 4h-1) otherwise there is no variation from the basic

arrangement as in Figure 4a.

In O. granicauda Purcell the first terminal lies proximally to et, and ef.;

this position is constant (Fig. 4c).

For comparative purposes 5 specimens each of the following other Cape

species were examined: O. /aticauda Purcell, O. pallidipes Koch, O. peringueyi

Purcell, O. karrooensis Purcell, OQ. longicauda Purcell, O. wahlbergi nigro-

vesicalis Purcell, O. crassimanus Purcell, O. gigas Purcell, O. macer Thorell,

O. austerus Karsch, O. latimanus Koch and O. pictus Kraeplin. These were all

found to have the same basic arrangement as the O. capensis and O. granifrons

species groups. O. pattisoni Purcell and O. chaperi Simon were exceptions,

having either two or three suprabasals.

Instances where the second trichobothrium was absent on the external

surface of the patella and was thus orthobothriotaxic, the author considers

atypical and of no particular significance, since it occurs asymmetrically in some

specimens, or if on both patellae, other specimens from the same population

are neobothriotaxic.

In the more detailed examination of the capensis—granifrons group, the

inconstancy of the positions of each trichobothrium in its respective territory

on the external surface of the patella, indicates that it is not a useful diagnostic

character at the specific level. No particular patterns of arrangement could be

clearly discerned, due to the variation of position within a single specimen or

in members of the same population.

THE TAXONOMY OF THE CAPENSIS-GRANIFRONS SPECIES

COMPLEX

History

Purcell (1898) described two species associated with O. capensis, viz.

O. leipoldti and O. fuscipes. The status of O. fuscipes was later changed to a

subspecies of O. capensis (Purcell 1899). Purcell considered that O. /eipoldti

was morphologically intermediate between O. capensis and O. granifrons.

Hewitt (1918) regarded O. J/eipoldti as a subspecies of O. capensis, as he con-

sidered the external surface of the pedipalpal tibia to be too variable in

O. capensis to justify specific separation.

Associated with O. granifrons were the species O. schlechteri, O. ater and

O. granicauda described by Purcell (1898). These three species were distinguished

from O. granifrons chiefly by the degree of granulation, or absence of granula-

tion on the ventral surface of the caudal segments and sternites. Purcell divided

O. granifrons into a northern and southern ‘race’ distinguished chiefly by the

degree of granulation of the last sternite of the males.

In a study of the morphology in the genus Opisthophthalmus, Purcell (1899)

220 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

found that the only significant diagnostic characters for this group were the

structure of the digital keel and the posterior surface of the pedipalpal patella.

Variation

In the present study, all of Purcell’s collection was examined, plus new

additions, as well as specimens of O. capensis collected by Lichtenstein (between

1803 and 1806).

The colour of fresh specimens of O. capensis from the Cape Peninsula

varies from yellow to reddish-yellow on the interocular area, and intercarinal

spaces on the cauda, and the terga and sterna may be light yellowish-brown to

almost black. One specimen collected was light green in these areas. Other

structures show very little variation from the types.

Generally the specimens from Paternoster (Vredenburg district) are darker

in colour than in the Cape Peninsula specimens. The secondary keels of the

Fig. 5. Map showing approximate distribution of Opisthophthalmus capensis (@) and its

subspecies (4. O. c. leipoldti, 5. O. c. fuscipes), and O. granifrons (©) and allied species (1. O.

granicauda, 2. O. ater, 3. O schlechteri).

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE 221

chela are more distinct and represented by a black line or row of fine granules,

extending to the proximal edge. The dorsal surface of the chela is lightly granular.

The dorsal surface of the femur of the pedipalp is slightly more granular, and

the external surface of the pedipalpal patella is almost smooth or slightly

ridged. The last sternal segment of females is generally less granular than Cape

Peninsula samples.

Female specimens from St Helena Bay (Vredenburg district) are indis-

tinguishable from those of the Cape Peninsula, whereas the males have the

last sternal segments and caudal segments very sparsely and finely granular.

The secondary keels of the chela are almost obsolete.

A single male specimen of O. capensis was found associated with O. grani-

frons in Namaqualand. This specimen differs from Cape Peninsula specimens

as follows: darker colour, dorsal, ventral and internal surfaces of pedipalpal

femur very heavily granular; the strip of granules bordering the interocular

area more coarsely granular; external surface of pedipalpal patella distinctly

ridged; accessory keels of the chela well developed, consisting of rows of raised

granules. This was identified as O. capensis because of the well-developed and

smooth digital keel, and the smooth interocular area.

A detailed re-examination of O. leipoldti showed that of the specimens in

the Pattison collection, all of which were from a single population found in

Clanwilliam village (Purcell 1899), ten adult males were very close to O. capensis.

The strip of granules bordering the interocular area was less coarse; the caudal

keels were less distinct; the last sternite and caudal segment I were ventrally

less granular than O. capensis. Two of these specimens have the digital keels

granular in the proximal half to five-eighths. One male specimen with a com-

pletely granular digital keel, was very close to O. schlechteri Purcell, except for

the granulation of the last sternite and ventral side of caudal segment I.

In those specimens collected by Pattison and Leipoldt, sixteen adult

females had the finger keel granular in the proximal third, one adult female

had a completely granular digital keel. The last sternite and ventral surface of

caudal segment I was very lightly and sparsely granular. The single specimen

with the completely granular digital keel had the last sternite and ventral

surface of caudal segment I almost smooth, with the keels represented by black

lines. This specimen was not easily distinguishable from either O. ater Purcell

or O. granicauda Purcell, being intermediate. Five male specimens had smooth

digital keels, which were slightly broken proximally; three specimens had

granules in the proximal third. Granulation of last sternite and ventral surface

of caudal segment I ranges from finely to coarsely granular.

The larger and more coarsely granular female specimens of O. Jeipoldti

are not easily distinguishable from specimens of O. granifrons.

The colour of fresh specimens of O. granifrons does not vary much, and

no record of colour variation was found in Purcell’s work. O. ater is distinguished

by being purplish-black (Purcell 1898), but specimens later determined by

Lawrence (SAM-B8234) show a coloration similar to O. granifrons. As far as

22D ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

can be determined from preserved material, O. granicauda and O. schlechteri

have a coloration similar to O. granifrons.

A study of the available specimens of O. granicauda and O. ater showed

that there were no characters by which the females of the two species could be

separated. The males, however, are easily distinguished by the structure of the

first three caudal segments, which are smooth in O. ater and granular in

O. granicauda.

Ecological and geographical considerations

Present locality data would suggest that the O. capensis—granifrons species

complex is confined to the coastal strip of the Cape, stretching from Mossel Bay

in the east and extending northwards to Namaqualand. Those forms in the

south-western Cape found on the western approaches to the Swartruggens,

Kouebokkeveld, Hex River Mountains and the Cedarberg, viz. O. leipoldti

and QO. fuscipes, show a wider and more complex pattern of variation than

O. capensis from the lower altitude of the coastal plains. These forms from the

mountainous regions were found in hard, clayey, loamy soils while O. capensis

is found in sandy soils and at lower altitudes. The Mossel Bay material (one

specimen) falls within the morphological variation of the Cape Peninsula and

Vredenburg district samples, as well as occurring at the same altitude on similar

soft sandy soils.

Newlands (1972) has illustrated the close relationship between habitat

and morphology in the genus Opisthophthalmus, relating median eye position

to the nature of the substrata. No such relationship could be determined in

the group under study.

In studies of burrow morphology of O. capensis in the Cape Peninsula,

it was found that their construction was related to the nature of the substratum

as well as the availability of ground cover. In areas of shallow, stony soil many

burrows extended only from 10 to 20 cm, and where the soil was sandy and

deep they generally entered the ground at an angle of about 30°, proceeding

about 10 cm and then dipping down, winding between roots or stones to about

20-30 cm below the surface. The burrow entrances always opened under rock

debris, logs or any suitable cover. In Namaqualand, specimens were usually

collected from burrows opening under stones, but in sandy areas with minimal

ground cover burrow entrances opened on to unprotected patches between the

sparse vegetation. More detailed data on burrow morphology of O. capensis

is being accumulated for a subsequent paper.

Taxonomic reflections

On examining type specimens of O. granifrons and O. capensis there is no

doubt as to their specificity, but once the subsequently described subspecies,

related species and new forms are included, the picture becomes far more

complex. This situation has led to a search for new taxonomic characters

including trichobothriotaxy and relative lengths of certain morphological

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE D223

structures, and a detailed re-examination of previously applied diagnostic

characters.

In the present study trichobothriotaxy is shown to have no diagnostic

significance and as Vachon (1975) points out, a large number of specimens

should be examined before patterns of trichobothrial arrangement can be

discerned. Relative lengths of chela and movable finger, length and breadth of

chela, length of carapace and distance of median eyes to anterior edge of cara-

pace show no particular significance. Other characters such as granulation of

chela, interocular area, sides of carapace, last sternite and the first two caudal

segments, the structure of the digital keel and external surface of the pedi-

palpal patella all show some degree of constancy in samples from a given

geographical area, e.g. O. capensis from the Cape Peninsula, and inconstancy

in samples from another area, e.g. O. c. /eipoldti from Clanwilliam. The detailed

re-examination of O. c. leipoldti shows that the variation overlaps with that of

O. granifrons, O. granicauda, O. ater and O. schlechteri from Namaqualand,

as well as O. capensis and O. c. fuscipes.

Taking this information into consideration it does not seem appropriate

at this stage to come to any definite taxonomic conclusion. Thus the author has

retained the status of species and subspecies in these two groups until more

material becomes available, although the present study strongly suggests that

O. capensis and O. granifrons and its allied species are conspecific. The case of

the Namaqualand specimen of O. capensis found in association with O. grani-

frons, was first considered to belong to a subspecies of O. capensis, but the

likely conspecificity of these two groups makes this an unreasonable assumption.

Therefore it is also not possible to consider that the capensis—granifrons group

is a polytypic species, since sympatry occurs, and to give each geographical

sample subspecific status would lead ultimately to more confusion. It is the

opinion of the author that this capensis—granifrons group is a single variable

species.

MATERIAL EXAMINED

ZMB refers to reference numbers of the Zoologisches Museum, Berlin;

all other material is from the South African Museum collection.

O. c. capensis (Herbst)

Cape of Good Hope

45g, 322 (ZMB Sila, 51b, 52/1m, 52/2m, 52/3)

(Lichtenstein collection 1803-1806)

Cape Peninsula

Cape Town (34°5’S 18°25’E)

93g, 599 (C1, C4, C9, C10, C11, C12, C14, C64)

2533. 3192 (no reference numbers)

224 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Vredenburg district

St Helena Bay, Jacobsbaai and Paternoster (32°45’S 18°0’E)

3434, 3299 (CS, C26, C31, 10001, 10002, 10008, 10011, 10014, 11495,

11496, 12740, 14372)

Mossel Bay district

Mossel Bay—Herbertsdale road (34°S 22°5’E)

1g (C23)

Namaqualand

Gamoep, Platbakkies road (30°5’S 18°30’E)

1g (C58)

O. c. leipoldti Purcell

Clanwilliam district

Clanwilliam (32°10’S 18°52’E)

3493, 4029 (1724, 1732, 1759)

O. c. fuscipes Purcell

Paarl—Wellington districts

Paarl (33°45’S 19°0’E)

1g, 4299 (2984)

Wellington (33°40’S 19°0’E)

13, 12 (3770)

Tulbagh district

ee Road Station (33°15’S 19°5’E)

33d, 629 (481.82)

O. granifrons Pocock

Namaqualand

Steinkopf (29°5’S 17°40’E)

4235, 89° (565.38, 570.38, 1707, 1708, 1710)

Kleinsee (29°40’S 17°5’E)

12 (B8238)

Concordia, Okiep (29°30’S 17°55’E)

LOSS; 1222 (B82175 12714. 12715; 12717)

Garies (30°30’S 18°0’E)

2929 (B7294, 1204)

Kamieskroon (30°10’S 17°55’E)

Noto e le(E38)

Gamoep-—Platbakkies road (30°5’S 18°30’E)

12 (C40)

NOTES ON THE SCORPION FAUNA OF THE CAPE 225

The following samples were either labelled ‘Namaqualand’ or place names

could not be located:

T3d, 2492 (569.38, 470.38, 1720, 2129, 2191, 2200, 3768, 5069)

O. ater Purcell

Namaqualand

Steinkopf (29°5’S 17°40’E)

13 (Type)

Kleinsee (29°40’S 17°5’E)

12 (B8234)

O’Grabies (?)

12 (13564)

O. granicauda Purcell

Namaqualand

Port Nolloth (29°15’S 16°55’E)

733, 12 (Types) (572.5)

Steinkopf—Port Nolloth road (29°15’S 17°30’E)

12 (C39)

O. schlechteri Purcell

Namaqualand

Sabies, Wolftoon, Hunitsamas, Henkries (approx. 29°0’S 18°10’E)

433, 1599 (1715, 2183, 2185, 2188, 2201, 2212)

Also examined were specimens of the following species: O. laticauda

(Nieuwoudtville), O. pallipides (Piketberg), O. peringueyi (Pt Nolloth),

O. karrooensis (Montagu), O. longicauda (Kenhardt), O. wahlbergi nigrovesi-

calis (Naroep), O. gigas (Naroep), O. macer (Ceres), O. austerus (Hanover),

O. latimanus (King Williams Town), O. pictus (Uitenhage), O. pattisoni (Cedar-

berg), O. chaperi (Worcester).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank Dr V. Whitehead (Head, Department of Entomology, South

African Museum) and Mr A. Prins for help and advice in the preparation of

this paper, and the Director of the South African Museum for providing

research facilities.

Thanks are also due to Dr M. Moritz (Zoologisches Museum, Berlin) for

the loan of material, and Dr J. Gruber (Vienna Museum) for supplying informa-

tion on type material.

226 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

REFERENCES

Hersst, J. F. H. 1800. Naturgeschichte der Skorpionen. Berlin.

Hewitt, J. 1918. A survey of the scorpion fauna of South Africa. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. 6:

89-192.

Kocu, C. L. 1838. Die Arachniden. 4: 1-140. Niirnberg: in der C. H. Zeh’schen Buchhandlung.

KRAEPLIN, K. 1894. Revision der Skorpione. 2. Scorpionidae und Bothruridae. Jahrb. Ham-

burg Wiss. Anst. 8: 1-144.

LICHTENSTEIN, H. 1811. Reisen im siidlichen Africa in den Jahren 1803, 1804, 1805, und 1806.

Berlin: C. Salfeld.

NEWLANDS, G. 1972. Notes on psammophilous scorpions and a description of a new species

(Arachnida: Scorpionides). Ann. Transy. Mus. 27: 241-254.

Peters, W. 1861. Ueber eine neue Eintheiling der Skorpione. Deutsche K. Akademie Wiss

zu Berlin, Monatsber: 507-516.

Pocock, R. I. 1896. On the species of the South African scorpion genus Opisthophthalmus

contained in the collection of the British Museum. Ann. mag. nat. Hist. (6) 17: 233-248.

PurRcELL, W. F. 1898. Description of new South African scorpions in the collection of the

South African Museum. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 1: 1-32.

PurceLL, W. F. 1899. On the species of Opisthophthalmus in the collections of the South

African Museum, with descriptions of some new forms. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 1: 131-180.

Sivon, E. 1880. Etude sur les Arachnides du Congo. Bull. Soc. zool. Fr. 1: 12-15, 215-224.

THORELL, T. 1877. Etudes Scorpiologiques. Arti. Soc. ital. Sci. nat. 19: 75-272.

VACHON, M. 1973. Etude des caractéres utilisés pour classer les familles et les genres de

Scorpions (Arachnides).1. La trichobotriotaxie en Archnologie. Sigles trichobotriaux et

types de trichobothriotaxie chez les Scorpions. Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat Paris 3¢ ser.

140 (Zool. 104): 857-958.

VACHON, M. 1975. Recherches sur les scorpions appartenent ou déposés au Muséum d’Histoire

naturelle de Genéve. I. Contribution 4 une meilleure connaissance des espéces et des

sous-espéces de scorpions du genre Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Fam. des Chactidae).

Revue suisse Zool. 82 (3): 629-645.

6. SYSTEMATIC papers must conform with the International code of zoological nomenclature

(particularly Articles 22 and 51).

Names of new taxa, combinations, synonyms, etc., when used for the first time, must be

followed by the appropriate Latin (not English) abbreviation, e.g. gen. nov., sp. nov., comb.

Nnoy., syn. nov., etc.

An author’s name when cited must follow the name of the taxon without intervening

punctuation and not be abbreviated; if the year is added, a comma must separate author’s

name and year. The author’s name (and date, if cited) must be placed in parentheses if a

species or subspecies is transferred from its original genus. The name of a subsequent user of

a scientific name must be separated from the scientific name by a colon.

Synonymy arrangement should be according to chronology of names, i.e. all published

scientific names by which the species previously has been designated are listed in chronological

order, with all references to that name following in chronological order, e.g.:

Family Nuculanidae

Nuculana (Lembulus) bicuspidata (Gould, 1845)

Figs 14-15A

Nucula (Leda) bicuspidata Gould, 1845: 37.

Leda plicifera A. Adams, 1856: 50.

Laeda bicuspidata Hanley, 1859: 118, pl. 228 (fig. 73). Sowerby, 1871: pl. 2 (figs 8a—b).

Nucula largillierti Philippi, 1861: 87.

Leda bicuspidata: Nicklés, 1950: 163, fig. 301; 1955: 110. Barnard, 1964: 234, figs 8-9.

Note punctuation in the above example:

comma separates author’s name and year

semicolon separates more than one reference by the same author

full stop separates references by different authors

figures of plates are enclosed in parentheses to distinguish them from text-figures

dash, not comma, separates consecutive numbers

Synonymy arrangement according to chronology of bibliographic references, whereby

the year is placed in front of each entry, and the synonym repeated in full for each entry, is

not acceptable.

In describing new species, one specimen must be designated as the holotype; other speci-

mens mentioned in the original description are to be designated paratypes; additional material

not regarded as paratypes should be listed separately. The complete data (registration number,

depository, description of specimen, locality, collector, date) of the holotype and paratypes

must be recorded, e.g.:

Holotype

SAM-A13535 in the South African Museum, Cape Town. Adult female from mid-tide region, King’s Beach,

Port Elizabeth (33°51’S 25°39’E), collected by A. Smith, 15 January 1973.

Note standard form of writing South African Museum registration numbers and date.

7. SPECIAL HOUSE RULES

Capital initial letters

(a) The Figures, Maps and Tables of the paper when referred to in the text _

e.g. ‘... the Figure depicting C. namacolus ...’; ‘. . . in C. namacolus (Fig. 10)...’

(b) The prefixes of prefixed surnames in all languages, when used in the text, if not preceded

by initials or full names

e.g. DuToit but A.L.du Toit; Von Huene but F. von Huene

e.g. Therocephalia, but therocephalian

Punctuation should be loose, omitting all not strictly necessary

Reference to the author should be expressed in the third person

Roman numerals should be converted to arabic, except when forming part of the title of a

book or article, such as

‘Revision of the Crustacea. Part VIII. The Amphipoda.’

Specific name must not stand alone, but be preceded by the generic name or its abbreviation

to initial capital letter, provided the same generic name is used consecutively.

Name of new genus or species is not to be included in the title: it should be included in the

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