Cretaceousbuthus Lourenço, 2022

Genus Cretaceousbuthus Lourenço, 2022

The choice of the genus Cretaceousbuthus to place the new species

The generalmorphologyof the new scorpion isglobally similar to that of some genera of extant buthoid scorpions, but also with that of two genera of buthids previously found in Burmite, namely Archaeoananteroides Lourenço, 2016 and Cretaceousbuthus Lourenço, 2022 (Lourenço & Velten, 2016, 2022b). Even if a number of characters remain unknown for these two genera, such as the morphology of the telson, precise chela’s trichobothrial pattern, cheliceral structure etc, others are similar to what was observed for both these genera. In account of some similitudes and differences, it appears preferable to associate the new species to the genus Cretaceousbuthus instead of creating a further new genus. Some presently observed characters can however, be used to confirm and complete the diagnose of Cretaceousbuthus as follows: a possible large overal size with an estimated total length ranging from 40 to 60 mm (see measurements after the description). Specimens rather bulk with short pedipalps. Anterior margin of carapace with a deep concavity. Two large median eyes and three pairs of lateral eyes. Sternum sub-pentagonal to almost triangular. Tergites with one median carinae; lateral carinae inconspicuous. Metasomal segments rounded and with possibly 10 carinae on I to IV; at least confirmed on IV ( Fig. 5, 12). Telson pear-like shaped with a conical sub-aculear tooth ( Fig. 5), recalling the one observed for the extant genus Butheoloides, Hirst, 1925 (Lourenço, 2013). Chela fingers with 10-11 rows of small granules, separated by bigger central accessory granules.Trichobothrial pattern similar to that of extant buthid type A ( Vachon 1974); the dorsal trichobothria of femur presenting a beta disposition ( Vachon, 1975). Femur orthobothriotaxic with 4 internal, 5 dorsal and 2 external. Patella minorante neobothriotaxic with 1 internal, dorsal d 1 and d 2, but absence of d 3, d 4 and d 5 or only d 4; a number of external trichobothria can be observed; ventral trichobothria absent. Chela with at least four trichobothria on fixed finger, dt, db, esb and eb andoneinthe hand,possibly Esb. Chelicera with a similar dentition of that defined for buthids (Vachon, 1963); two small basal teeth on fixed and movable fingers.