Content uploaded by Tomas Mazuch
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Tomas Mazuch on Jun 21, 2015
Content may be subject to copyright.
Scorpions of Ethiopia (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part III.
Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Buthidae), with
Description of Three New Species
František Kovařík & Tomáš Mazuch
June 2015 — No. 202
Euscorpius
Occasional Publications in Scorpiology
EDITOR: Victor Fet, Marshall University, ‘fet@marshall.edu’
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Michael E. Soleglad, ‘soleglad@znet.com’
Euscorpius is the first research publication completely devoted to scorpions (Arachnida:
Scorpiones). Euscorpius takes advantage of the rapidly evolving medium of quick online
publication, at the same time maintaining high research standards for the burgeoning field of
scorpion science (scorpiology). Euscorpius is an expedient and viable medium for the publication
of serious papers in scorpiology, including (but not limited to): systematics, evolution, ecology,
biogeography, and general biology of scorpions. Review papers, descriptions of new taxa, faunistic
surveys, lists of museum collections, and book reviews are welcome.
Derivatio Nominis
The name Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 refers to the most common genus of scorpions in the
Mediterranean region and southern Europe (family Euscorpiidae).
Euscorpius is located at: http://www.science.marshall.edu/fet/Euscorpius
(Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia 25755-2510, USA)
ICZN COMPLIANCE OF ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS:
Electronic (“e-only”) publications are fully compliant with ICZN (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature)
(i.e. for the purposes of new names and new nomenclatural acts) when properly archived and registered. All
Euscorpius issues starting from No. 156 (2013) are archived in two electronic archives:
Biotaxa, http://biotaxa.org/Euscorpius (ICZN-approved and ZooBank-enabled)
Marshall Digital Scholar, http://mds.marshall.edu/euscorpius/. (This website also archives all Euscorpius
issues previously published on CD-ROMs.)
Between 2000 and 2013, ICZN did not accept online texts as "published work" (Article 9.8). At this time,
Euscorpius was produced in two identical versions: online (ISSN 1536-9307) and CD-ROM (ISSN 1536-9293)
(laser disk) in archive-quality, read-only format. Both versions had the identical date of publication, as well as
identical page and figure numbers. Only copies distributed on a CD-ROM from Euscorpius in 2001-2012
represent published work in compliance with the ICZN, i.e. for the purposes of new names and new nomenclatural
acts.
In September 2012, ICZN Article 8. What constitutes published work, has been amended and allowed for electronic
publications, disallowing publication on optical discs. From January 2013, Euscorpius discontinued CD-ROM
production; only online electronic version (ISSN 1536-9307) is published. For further details on the new ICZN
amendment, see http://www.pensoft.net/journals/zookeys/article/3944/.
Publication date: 2 June 2015
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DE247D19-0844-42B5-9C05-96DFB733DE86
Euscorpius — Occasional Publications in Scorpiology. 2015, No. 202
Scorpions of Ethiopia (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part III.
Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Buthidae), with
description of three new species
František Kovařík 1 & Tomáš Mazuch 2
1 P. O. Box 27, CZ-145 01 Praha 45, Czech Republic; email: kovarik.scorpio@gmail.com;
website: www.scorpio.cz
2 Dříteč 65, 533 05 Dříteč, Czech Republic
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DE247D19-0844-42B5-9C05-96DFB733DE86
Summary
Three new species H. gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n., H. gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n. and H. novaki Kovařík, sp. n. from
Ethiopia are described, compared with other species and fully illustrated with color photos of habitus and localities.
Data about the distribution of Hottentotta in Ethiopia including photos of all seven known species and their
Ethiopian localities are summarized.
Introduction
In 2011-2015, the authors have had an opportunity
to participate in expeditions to the Horn of Africa, study
scorpions at 69 Ethiopian localities and publish several
articles (Kovařík, 2011a, 2011b, 2012, 2013, 2015;
Kovařík & Lowe, 2012; Kovařík & Mazuch, 2011; and
Kovařík et al., 2013, 2015). This paper is the third in a
series of articles concerning the distribution of a parti-
cular genus in Ethiopia.
Hottentotta is one of the most widely distributed
genera of the family Buthidae, with species present
throughout Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and in Asia to
Pakistan and India. Scorpions of the genus Hottentotta
are relatively common in Ethiopia. 42 of 69 examined
localities yielded a total of 7 species of this genus. In
these localities, specimens of the genus Hottentotta were
relatively the most frequently collected scorpions, adapt-
ed to different habitats.
Methods, Material & Abbreviations
Nomenclature and measurements follow Stahnke
(1971), Kovařík (2009), and Kovařík & Ojanguren
Affilastro (2013), except for trichobothriotaxy (Vachon,
1974), and sternum (Soleglad & Fet, 2003).
Specimens studied herein are preserved in 80%
ethanol. Depositories: BMNH (The Natural History
Museum, London, United Kingdom); FKCP (František
Kovařík, private collection, Prague, Czech Republic);
ZMHB (Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-
Universität, Berlin, Germany).
Systematics
Family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837
Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908
DIAGNOSIS. Medium to large buthids (Sissom, 1990),
adults 30–130 mm. Sternum type 1 (Soleglad & Fet,
2003), triangular in shape. Pedipalps orthobothriotaxic,
type Aβ (Vachon, 1974, 1975), femur trichobothrium d2
dorsal, patella d3 dorsal of dorsomedian carina. Chelal
trichobothrium db usually located between est and et, or
may be on level with trichobothrium est, rarely between
est and esb. Trichobothrium eb clearly on fixed finger of
pedipalp. Pectines with fulcra. Dentate margin of ped-
ipalp chela movable finger with distinct denticles form-
ing 11–16 linear rows and (4)5–7 terminal denticles.
Chelicerae with typical buthid dentition (Vachon, 1963),
fixed finger armed with two denticles on ventral surface.
Tergites I–VI granular, with three carinae, tergite VII
with 5 carinae. Carapace with distinct carinae, entire
dorsal surface nearly planate. First sternite with two
granulated lateral stridulatory areas, which however may
be reduced in some species (e. g. in H. pachyurus and H.
trilineatus). Metasoma elongate, segment I with 10
carinae, segments II-IV with 8–10 carinae. Ventrolateral
carinae of fifth metasomal segment with all granules
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
2
Figures 1–2: Hottentotta gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n., holotype, immature female, dorsal (1) and ventral (2) views.
more or less equal in size and never lobate. Telson bul-
bous, lumpy and granulated, without subaculear tooth.
Legs III and IV with well-developed tibial spurs, first
and second tarsomeres with paired ventral setae.
Hottentotta gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n.
(Figs. 1–18, Table 2)
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6CAD2E10-
2BC3-46C7-91A2-03B0D3756419
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Ethiopia,
Gambela State, Gambela Baro Hotel, 08°14'42"N 34°35'
31"E, 383 m a.s.l.; FKCP.
TYPE MATERIAL. Ethiopia, Gambela State, Gambela
Baro Hotel, 08°14'42"N 34°35'31"E, 383 m a.s.l., 11.-
12.XI.2014 (Fig. 17, Locality No. 14EA), 1♀im. (holo-
type), (UV detection), leg. F. Kovařík.
ETYMOLOGY. Named after the type locality.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length of female immature 41.6 mm.
Adults unknown.Trichobothrium db on fixed finger of
pedipalp situated between trichobothria et and est.
Pectinal teeth number 21–22. Chelicerae yellow, with
reticulation. Pedipalps and metasoma sparsely hirsute.
Carapace and tergites yellowish brown, strongly pig-
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
3
Figures 3–8: Hottentotta gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n., holotype, immature female, sternopectinal region and sternites III–IV
(3), telson (4), lateral view, chelicerae, carapace and tergites I–III (5), and metasoma and telson, lateral (6), ventral (7), and dorsal
(8) views.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
4
Figures 9–16: Hottentotta gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n., holotype female immature. Pedipalp chela, dorsal (9), external (10),
and ventral (11) views. Pedipalp patella, dorsal (12) and external (13) views. Pedipalp femur, internal (14) and femur and
trochanter dorsal (15) views. The trichobothrial pattern is indicated in Figures 10–15. Pedipalp movable finger (16).
mented with black; metasoma, telson, dorsal surfaces of
femur and patella of pedipalps and legs yellowish brown
to black. Carapace and tergites black; metasoma, telson,
dorsal surfaces of femur and patella of pedipalps and
legs brownish to black. Chela of pedipalps yellowish
grey. Pedipalps sparsely hirsute and weakly granulated.
Femur of pedipalp with 4 granulate carinae. Patella with
8 carinae, some of them smooth, without granules and
obsolete. Chela lacks carinae. Movable fingers of pedi-
palps with 13 rows of denticles and 5 terminal denticles.
Seventh sternite bears 4 well marked granulate carinae.
First to fourth metasomal segments with 10 carinae; fifth
with 5 carinae. All carinae granulated, dorsal carinae
bear slightly larger terminal granules. Telson rather bul-
bous.
DESCRIPTION. The total length of female immature 41.6
mm. Adults unknown.Trichobothrium db on fixed finger
of pedipalp is situated between trichobothria et and est.
Chelicerae yellow, with reticulation, the tips of teeth on
cheliceral fingers are black. For the position and distri-
bution of trichobothria see Figs. 10–15.
COLORATION (Figs. 1–2). The carapace and tergites are
yellowish brown, strongly pigmented with black; the
metasoma, telson, dorsal surfaces of pedipalps and legs
yellowish grey to black. The tarsomeres of legs are
yellow. The ventral surfaces of femur and patella of
pedipalps and legs are yellowish.
MESOSOMA AND CARAPACE (Fig. 5). The carapace is
carinate and unevenly covered by granules of varying
size; much of the granulation is fine, but some granules
are larger and distinctly rounded. Tergites I–VI bear
three carinae and are granulated, with some intercarinal
granules small and others larger and rounded. Tergite
VII is pentacarinate. The pectinal tooth count is 21–22.
The pectinal marginal tips extend to near to the end of
the fourth sternite in immature female. The pectines
have three marginal lamellae and eight middle lamellae.
The lamellae bear numerous dark long setae, each ful-
crum with two to four setae. All sternites are smooth and
sparsely hirsute. The seventh sternite bears four gran-
ulate carinae. The other sternites bear two furrows.
PEDIPALPS (Figs. 9–16). The pedipalps are sparsely
hirsute and weakly granulated. The femur bears four
granulated carinae. The patella bears eight granulate
carinae. The chela is without carinae. The movable fin-
gers of pedipalps bear 13 rows of denticles and five
terminal denticles.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
5
Figures 17–18: Hottentotta gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n., the type locality (17) and holotype, immature female (18) at the type
locality.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
6
LEGS (Figs. 1–2). The tarsomeres bear two rows of mac-
rosetae on the ventral surface and numerous macrosetae
on the other surfaces; bristle combs absent. Femur bears
only several macrosetae. Femur coarsely granulose, fe-
mur and patella with carinae well developed. Tibial
spurs present and long on third and fourth legs and
absent in the other legs.
METASOMA AND TELSON (Figs. 4, 6–8). All metasomal
segments are only very sparsely hirsute. The first meta-
somal segment is wider than long, other segments are
longer then wide. Segments I–IV bear 10 carinae and
segment V bears five carinae, three or five ventral and
two dorsal. All carinae are granulated and black colored.
The dorsal surface of all segments is smooth in the
middle and finely granulated on margins. Other surfaces
are granulated. The telson is only sparsely hirsute, bul-
bous, lumpy and strongly granulated.
AFFINITIES. The described features distinguish H. gam-
belaensis sp. n. from all other species of the genus. They
are reiterated in the key. Unfortunately only the
immature female is known but the strong reticulation of
chelicerae and the occurrence distinguish H. gam-
belaensis sp. n. from all other species of the genus.
Among all Ethiopian species only H. trailini has che-
licerae with reticulation. However, H. trailini is ex-
tremely dark and morphologically very different from H.
gambelaensis sp. n., which is morphologically much
closer to H. trilineatus.
COMMENTS ON LOCALITIES AND LIFE STRATEGY. The
holotype was only one scorpion specimen collected
during night collecting on 11–12 November 2014 (UV
detection). In the locality (Fig. 17) we recorded a tem-
perature of 30.4 ºC shortly after sunset, which gradually
dropped to 25.4 ºC (minimum temperature) before sun-
rise. Humidity during the night varied between 94% and
76%.
Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n.
(Figs. 19–52, 54–56, 152–152, Tables 1, 3, 4)
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E83D17
F4-FE97-40CE-A030-DB5100784014
Hottentotta trilineatus (in part): Kovařík & Ojanguren,
2013: 342, fig. 1232.
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Ethiopia, South-
ern Nationalities and Peoples Region Federal State
(SNNPS), Dawro region, Giba Valley, 06°54'16.8"N 37°
24'56.1"E, 1115 m a.s.l.; FKCP.
TYPE MATERIAL. Ethiopia, SNNPS, Dawro region, Giba
Valley, 06°54'16.8"N 37°24'56.1"E, 1115 m a.s.l. (Figs.
48–49, Locality No. 14EC), 17.-18.XI.2014, 1♂ (holo-
type) 8♂11♀7juvs. (paratypes), (UV detection), leg. F.
Kovařík; SNNPS, Gemu Gofa, Arba Minch, 2-3.V.1997,
2♀ (paratypes), leg. C. Werner, Arba Minch, 06°00'
31.3"N 37°31'59"E, 1451 m a.s.l. (figs. 44–45 in
Kovařík et al., 2015: 11, Locality No. 13EX), 6.VII.
2013, 1im. (paratype), (UV detection), leg. F. Kovařík,
J. Plíšková, V. Socha; SNNPS, Konso, Dabub, 05°20'
33"N 37°26'57"E, 1381 m a.s.l., 30.VI.2013, 2♂4♀ (fig.
1232 in Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 342, paratypes),
leg. F. Kovařík & J. Plíšková.
ETYMOLOGY. Named after the type locality.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length of adult males 47–55 mm, 58–
66 females. Trichobothrium db on fixed finger of pedi-
palp situated between trichobothria et and est. Male with
fingers proximally little more twisted than female. Fe-
male has longer and narrower chela of pedipalps. Pec-
tinal teeth number 22–25 in males, 19–23 in females.
Chelicerae yellow, without reticulation. Pedipalps and
metasoma sparsely hirsute. Carapace and tergites yel-
lowish brown, strongly pigmented with black; meta-
soma, telson, dorsal surfaces of femur and patella of
pedipalps and legs yellowish brown to black. Chela of
pedipalps yellowish to reddish brown. Pedipalps sparse-
ly hirsute and weakly granulated. Femur of pedipalp
with 4 granulate carinae. Patella with 8 granulate cari-
nae. Chela lacks carinae. Movable fingers of pedipalps
with 12–13 rows of denticles and 5 terminal denticles.
Seventh sternite bears 4 well marked granulate carinae.
First to fourth metasomal segments with 10 carinae; fifth
with 5 carinae. All carinae granulated, dorsal carinae
bear slightly larger terminal granules. Metasoma wide.
Length to width ratio of fourth metasomal segment
1.30–1.39 in males, 1.44–1.45 in females. Telson rather
bulbous.
DESCRIPTION. The total length of adult males 47–55
mm, 58–66 females. Trichobothrium db on fixed finger
of pedipalp is situated between trichobothria et and est.
Male has the fingers proximally a little more twisted
than female. Female has longer and slightly narrower
chela of pedipalps. Chelicerae yellow, without reticu-
lation, the tips of teeth on cheliceral fingers are black.
For the position and distribution of trichobothria see
Figs. 34–39.
COLORATION (Figs. 19–24). The carapace and tergites
are yellowish brown, strongly pigmented with black; the
metasoma, telson, dorsal surfaces of femur and patella of
pedipalps and legs yellowish brown to black. Chela of
pedipalps yellowish to reddish brown. The tarsomeres of
legs are yellow. The chela and ventral surfaces of femur
and patella of pedipalps and legs are yellowish to red-
dish brown.
MESOSOMA AND CARAPACE (Figs. 23–24). The carapace
is carinate and unevenly covered by granules of varying
size; much of the granulation is fine, but some granules
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
7
Figures 19–22: Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n. Figures 19–20. Holotype male, dorsal (19) and ventral (20) views.
Figures 21–22. Paratype female, dorsal (21) and ventral (22) views.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
8
Figures 23–26: Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n. Figures 23, 25. Holotype male, chelicerae, carapace and tergites I–III
(23), and sternopectinal region and sternite III (25). Figures 24, 26: Paratype female, chelicerae, carapace and tergites I–III (24),
and sternopectinal region and sternite III (26).
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
9
Figures 27–32: Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n. Figures 27–29. Holotype male, metasoma and telson, lateral (27),
ventral (28), and dorsal (29) views. Figures 30–32. Paratype female, metasoma and telson, lateral (30), ventral (31), and dorsal
(32) views.
are larger and distinctly rounded. Tergites I–VI bear
three carinae and are granulated, with some intercarinal
granules small and others larger and rounded. Tergite
VII is pentacarinate. The pectinal tooth count is 22–25
(1x22, 6x23, 9x24, 9x25) in males and 19–23 (2x19,
5x20, 4x21, 13x22, 4x23) in females. The pectinal mar-
ginal tips extend to about midlength of the fourth sternite
in males and near to the end of the fourth sternite in
females. The pectines have three marginal lamellae and
eight to nine middle lamellae. The lamellae bear num-
erous dark long setae, each fulcrum with three to five
setae. All sternites are smooth and sparsely hirsute. The
seventh sternite bears four granulate carinae. The other
sternites bear two furrows.
PEDIPALPS (Figs. 33–41). The pedipalps are sparsely hir-
sute and weakly granulated. The femur bears four gran-
ulated carinae. The patella bears eight granulate carinae.
The chela is without carinae. The movable fingers of
pedipalps bear 12–13 rows of denticles and five terminal
denticles.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
10
Figures 33–47: Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n. Figures 33–46. Holotype male. Pedipalp chela, dorsal (33), external
(34), and ventral (35) views. Pedipalp patella, dorsal (36) and external (37) views. Pedipalp femur and trochanter, internal (38)
and dorsal (39) views. The trichobothrial pattern is indicated in Figures 34–39. Pedipalp movable (40) and fixed (41) fingers.
Distal segments of legs I–IV (42–45), retrolateral view. Telson (46), lateral view. Figure 47. Paratype female, telson, lateral
view.
LEGS (Figs. 42–45). The tarsomeres bear two rows of
macrosetae on the ventral surface and numerous
macrosetae on the other surfaces; bristle combs absent.
Femur bears only several macrosetae. Femur coarsely
granulose, femur and patella with carinae well deve-
loped. Tibial spurs present and long on third and fourth
legs and absent in the other legs.
METASOMA AND TELSON (Figs. 27–32, 46–47). All meta-
somal segments are only very sparsely hirsute. The first
metasomal segment is wider than long, other segments
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
11
Figures 48–52: Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n. Figures 48–49. The type locality. Figures 50–52. Juvenile (50), female
(51), and male (52) paratypes at the type locality.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
12
Hottentotta gibaensis sp. n.
Dimensions (mm)
♂ holotype
♂ paratype
♀ paratype
♀ paratype
Carapace
L / W
6.3 / 6.55
5.7 / 6.0
7.15 / 7.95
6.85 / 7.1
Mesosoma
L
16.5
12.7
22.9
19.2
Tergite VII
L / W
4.2 / 6.15
3.7 / 5.75
5.0 / 8.3
3.75 / 7.15
Metasoma
L
32.7
28.6
35.13
31.95
Segment I
L / W / H
3.8 / 4.45 / 4.05
3.4 / 3.85 / 3.35
4.1 / 4.55 / 3.96
3.7 / 4.2 / 3.7
Segment II
L / W / H
4.6 / 4.15 / 3.85
4.1 / 3.55 / 3.45
4.93 / 4.35 / 3.85
4.3 / 3.93 / 3.75
Segment III
L / W / H
5.05 / 4.1 / 4.1
4.2 / 3.5 / 3.6
5.25 / 4.3 / 3.8
4.7 / 3.85 / 3.85
Segment IV
L / W / H
5.8 / 3.9 / 4.43
5.1 / 3.35 / 3.65
6.1 / 4.1 / 4.2
5.65 / 3.65 / 3.9
Segment V
L / W / H
6.9 / 4.2 / 3.6
6.0 / 3.5 / 3.23
7.35 / 4.0 / 3.75
6.7 / 3.56 / 3.55
Telson
L / W / H
6.55 / 3.2 / 2.95
5.8 / 2.55 / 2.43
7.4 / 3.7 / 3.35
6.9 / 3.25 / 3.05
Pedipalp
L
23.1
20.3
24.6
23.7
Femur
L / W
5.7 / 1.82
4.8 / 1.6
5.9 / 2.2
5.6 / 2.0
Patela
L / W
6.55 / 2,45
5.8 / 2.1
7.1 / 2.9
6.75 / 2.6
Chela
L
10.85
9.7
11.6
11.35
Manus
L / W / H
4.25 / 3.3 / 2.93
4 / 2.85 / 2.5
4.2 / 3.0 / 2.8
4.1 / 2.8 / 2.65
Movable finger
L
6.6
5.7
7.4
7.25
Total
L
55.5
47
65.18
58
Table 1: Comparative measurements of adults of Hottentotta gibaensis sp. n. Abbreviations: length (L), width (W, in carapace
it corresponds to posterior width), depth (H).
are longer then wide. Segments I–IV bear 10 carinae and
segment V bears five carinae, three or five ventral and
two dorsal. All carinae are granulated. The dorsal sur-
face of all segments is smooth in the middle and finely
granulated on margins. Other surfaces are granulated.
The telson is only sparsely hirsute, bulbous, lumpy and
granulated.
AFFINITIES. The described features distinguish H. giba-
ensis sp. n. from all other species of the genus. They are
recounted in the key. The morphology make the new
species close to H. minax. H. gibaensis sp. n. also differs
from H. minax in having 1) lateral surface of metasoma
granulated in both sexes (in males of H. minax bumpy
usually without granules); 2) lateral carinae on meta-
somal segments I-IV complete in both sexes (usually
incomplete or absent in males of H. minax); 3) ventral
metasomal carinae in the same color as metasoma
(ventral metasomal carinae in both sexes black, darker
than metasoma in H. minax).
COMMENTS ON LOCALITIES AND LIFE STRATEGY. We
visited the type locality on 17 November 2014. During
night collecting on 17–18 November 2014 (UV detec-
tion), in the type locality (Figs. 48–49) the unique
scorpion species H. gibaensis sp. n. was relatively com-
mon, found immediately after sunset (19:45 h, temper-
ature 28.4 ºC). On the locality we recorded that tem-
perature gradually dropped to 18.3 ºC (minimum
temperature) before sunrise. Humidity during the night
varied between 48% (evening) and 88% (morning).
Hottentotta minax (L. Koch, 1875)
(Figs. 57–58, 65–66, 69–70, 76–88, 154–155,
Tables 3–4)
Buthus minax L. Koch, 1875: 4.
Hottentotta minax: Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 168–
169, 320–321, 335–337, figs. 1089–1092, 1101–1106,
1185–1205 (complete reference list until 2013).
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Egypt, Cairo;
ZMHB.
ETHIOPIAN MATERIAL EXAMINED. Ethiopia, Adirkay,
13°23'56"N 37°59'53.1"E, 1553 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
12ED, fig. 1192 in Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 335),
16.XI.2012, 2♀4juvs., leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; 13°36'
05"N 38°08'46"E, 1412 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 12EE, fig.
1191 in Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 335), 8juvs.,
16.XI.2012, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Adwa village,
Abagarima Mt., 14°11'08"N 38°53'01"E, 1910 m a.s.l.
(Locality No. 12EF, fig. 1201 in Kovařík & Ojanguren,
2013: 337), 16.XI.2012, 28♂8♀24juvs. (UV detection),
leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; 14°15'30"N 39°02'06"E, 1921 m
a.s.l. (Locality No. 12EG, figs. 1194 and 1202 in Ko-
vařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 336 and 337), 17.XI.2012,
1♂1juv., leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Mekele, 13°33'04"N
39°30'56"E, 2143 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 12EH, fig. 1203
in Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 337), 17.XI.2012, 1♂
1♀1juv. (UV detection), leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; 13°43'
10"N 39°55'34"E, 879 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 12EI),
18.XI.2012, 1juv., leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; 12°13'33.9"N
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
13
Figures 53–64: Figure 53. Hottentotta gambelaensis Kovařík, sp. n., holotype female immature, chela dorsal. Figures 54–56.
H. gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n., holotype male, chela dorsal (54), paratype female, chela dorsal (55) and external (56). Figures 57–
58. H. minax, male from locality 12EG, chela dorsal (57), female from locality 12EJ, chela dorsal (58). Figures 59–60. H. novaki
Kovařík, sp. n., holotype female, chela dorsal (59), and movable finger (60). Figures 61–62. H. trailini, paratype male chela
dorsal (61) and paratype female chela dorsal (62). Figures 63–64. H. trilineatus, male (63) and female (64) from locality 14EO,
chela dorsal.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
14
Dimensions (MM)
H. novaki sp. n.
♀ holotype
H. gambelaensis sp. n.
♀im. holotype
Carapace
L / W
6.0 / 6.7
4.85 / 5.25
Mesosoma
L
17
14.35
Tergite VII
L / W
4.1 / 7.05
2.65 / 5.0
Metasoma
L
29.33
22.43
Segment I
L / W / H
3.7 / 4.13 / 3.43
2.75 / 2.9 / 2.5
Segment II
L / W / H
4.25 / 4.03 / 3.5
3.3 / 2.75 / 2.6
Segment III
L / W / H
4.63 / 4.0 / 3.43
3.35 / 2.7 / 2.5
Segment IV
L / W / H
5.2 / 3.75 / 3.4
3.9 / 2.63 / 2.43
Segment V
L / W / H
6.15 / 3.56 / 3.15
4.73 / 2.5 / 2.3
Telson
L / W / H
5.4 / 2.73 / 2.55
4.4 / 2.15 / 1.9
Pedipalp
L
20.7
15.6
Femur
L / W
4.9 / 1.53
3.75 / 1.25
Patela
L / W
5.7 / 2.55
4.4 / 1.73
Chela
L
10.1
7.45
Hand
L / W / H
4.0 / 2.5 / 2.6
2.25 / 1.75 / 1.6
Movable finger
L
6.1
5.2
Total
L
52.3
41.6
Table 2: Comparative measurements of adults of Hottentotta novaki sp. n. and H. gambelaensis sp.n. Abbreviations: length (L),
width (W, in carapace it corresponds to posterior width), depth (H).
39°36'45"E, 1491 m a.s.l. (Fig. 86, Locality No. 12EJ,
fig. 1204–1205 in Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 337),
19.XI.2012, 1♂5♀3juvs., leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length 45–70 mm. Trichobothrium db
on fixed finger of pedipalp situated between tricho-
bothria et and est, may be on level with est. Manus of
pedipalp usually of same width in both sexes, but males
have fingers twisted whereas females have them straight.
Pectinal teeth number 19–28. Chelicerae yellow, without
reticulation, only tips of teeth on cheliceral fingers are
black. Pedipalps sparsely hirsute. Metasoma bears only a
few hairs. Color usually uniformly yellowish brown,
only ventral carinae of metasoma black; mesosoma and
carapace may be black in some specimens. Femur of
pedipalps with 5 carinae that may be incomplete. Patella
with 8 carinae, of which some are smooth, without gran-
ules and obsolete. Chela lacks carinae. Movable fingers
of pedipalps with 12–13 rows of denticles and 5 terminal
denticles. Seventh sternite with 4 well marked carinae.
First to third metasomal segments with 10 carinae;
fourth with 8 or 10 carinae; fifth segment with 5 carinae.
Lateral carinae may not be discernible in some males.
All carinae granulated, dorsal carinae bear larger term-
inal granules. Metasoma strongly granulated, accessory
rows of granules present on dorsal surfaces of segments
as well as on ventral surface of fifth segment. First meta-
somal segment of adults always wider than long; second
metasomal segment usually also wider than long, but in
smaller, less developed specimens of both sexes may be
longer than wide. Second to fourth metasomal segment
width ratio less than 1.2.
DISTRIBUTION. In addition to Ethiopia cited also from
Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan (Kovařík
& Ojanguren, 2013: 168).
Hottentotta novaki Kovařík, sp. n.
(Figs. 59–60, 75, 89–107, 110–111, Tables 2, 4)
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5BFCA
6CF-4C8B-42A8-9071-E4AF8D0EB098
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Ethiopia, near
Abai bridge, 10°04'37.4"N 38°11'25.5"E, 1077 m a.s.l.;
FKCP.
TYPE MATERIAL. Ethiopia, near Abai bridge, 10°04'
37.4"N 38°11'25.5"E, 1077 m a.s.l. (Fig. 110, Locality
No. 12EA), 12.XI.2012, 1♀ (holotype), leg. F. Kovařík
and P. Novák.
ETYMOLOGY. Named after Pavel Novák, who collected
the holotype together with F.K.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length of adult female 52.3 mm. Male
unknown. Trichobothrium db on fixed finger of pedipalp
situated between trichobothria et and est. Female has
long and narrow chela of pedipalps. Pectinal teeth num-
ber 19–20 in female. Chelicerae yellow, without reticu-
lation. Pedipalps and metasoma sparsely hirsute. Cara-
pace and tergites black; metasoma, telson, dorsal sur-
faces of pedipalps and legs reddish brown. Pedipalps
sparsely hirsute and weakly granulated. Femur of ped-
ipalp with 4 granulate carinae. Patella with 8 carinae,
some of them smooth, without granules and obsolete.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
15
Figures 65–75: Figures 65–68. Chelicerae, carapace and tergites I–III. Hottentotta minax, male from locality 12EG (65). H.
minax, female from locality 12EJ (66). H. trailini, holotype male (67). H. trilineatus, male from locality 14EE (68). Figures 69–
75. Telson, lateral views. H. minax, male from locality 12EG (69). H. minax, female from locality 12EJ (70). H. trailini, holotype
male (71). H. trailini, paratype female (72). H. trilineatus, male (73) and female (74) from locality 14EO. H. novaki Kovařík, sp.
n., holotype female (75).
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
16
Figures 76–79: Hottentotta minax. Figures 76–77. Male from locality 12EG, dorsal (76) and ventral (77) views. Figures 78–
79. Female from locality 12EJ, dorsal (78) and ventral (79) views.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
17
Figures 80–85: Hottentotta minax. Figures 80–82. Male from locality 12EG, metasoma and telson, lateral (80), ventral (81),
and dorsal (82) views. Figures 83–85. Female from locality 12EJ, metasoma and telson, lateral (83), ventral (84), and dorsal (85)
views.
Chela lacks carinae. Movable fingers of pedipalps with
13 rows of denticles and 5 terminal denticles. Seventh
sternite bears 4 well marked granulate carinae. First to
fourth metasomal segments with 10 carinae; fifth with 5
carinae. All carinae granulated, dorsal carinae bear
slightly larger terminal granules. Metasoma robust in fe-
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
18
Figures 86–88: Hottentotta minax, female with juveniles after first ecdysis (87) and male (88) at the locality 12EJ (86),
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
19
Figures 89–90: Hottentotta novaki Kovařík, sp. n., holotype female, dorsal (89) and ventral (90) views.
male. Fourth metasomal segment length/width ratio
1.38; fifth metasomal segment length/width ratio 1.72.
Telson bulbous.
DESCRIPTION. The total length of adult female 52.3 mm.
Male unknown. Trichobothrium db on fixed finger of
pedipalp is situated between trichobothria et and est.
Female has long and narrow chela of pedipalps. Chelic-
erae are yellow, without reticulation, the tips of teeth on
cheliceral fingers are black. For the position and dis-
tribution of trichobothria see Figs. 97–102.
COLORATION (Figs. 89–90). The carapace and tergites
are black; the metasoma, telson, pedipalps and legs are
reddish brown. The tarsomeres of legs are yellowish
brown.
MESOSOMA AND CARAPACE (Fig. 92). The carapace is
carinate and unevenly covered by granules of varying
size; much of the granulation is fine, but some granules
are larger and distinctly rounded. Tergites I–VI bear
three carinae and are granulated, with some intercarinal
granules small and others larger and rounded. Tergite
VII is pentacarinate. The pectinal tooth count is 19–20 in
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
20
Figures 91–95: Hottentotta novaki Kovařík, sp. n., holotype female, sternopectinal region and sternites III–IV (91), chelicerae,
carapace and tergites I–III (92), and metasoma and telson, lateral (93), ventral (94), and dorsal (95) views.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
21
Figures 96–109: Figures 96–107. Hottentotta novaki Kovařík, sp. n., holotype female. Pedipalp chela, dorsal (96), external
(97), and ventral (98) views. Pedipalp patella, dorsal (99) and external (100) views. Pedipalp femur and trochanter, internal (101)
and dorsal (102) views. The trichobothrial pattern is indicated in Figures 97–102. Pedipalp movable finger (103). Distal segments
of legs I–IV (104–107), retrolateral view. Figures 108–109. H. trilineatus, male from locality 14EO, metasoma and telson, lateral
(108), and dorsal (109) views.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
22
Figures 110–111: Hottentotta novaki Kovařík, sp. n., the type locality (110) and holotype female (111) at the type locality.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
23
female. The pectinal marginal tips extend to near to the
end of the fourth sternite in female. The pectines have
three marginal lamellae and seven middle lamellae. The
lamellae bear numerous dark long setae, each fulcrum
with three to five setae. All sternites are smooth and
sparsely hirsute. The seventh sternite bears four gran-
ulate carinae. The other sternites bear two furrows.
PEDIPALPS (Figs. 96–103). The pedipalps are sparsely
hirsute and weakly granulated. The femur bears four
granulated carinae. The patella bears eight carinae, some
of them smooth, without granules and obsolete. The
chela is without carinae. The movable fingers of ped-
ipalps bear 13 rows of denticles and five terminal den-
ticles.
LEGS (Figs. 104–107). The tarsomeres bear two rows of
macrosetae on the ventral surface and numerous macro-
setae on the other surfaces; bristle combs absent. Femur
bears only several macrosetae. Femur coarsely gran-
ulose, femur and patella with carinae well developed.
Tibial spurs present and long on third and fourth legs
and absent in the other legs.
METASOMA AND TELSON (Figs. 75, 93–95). All meta-
somal segments are only very sparsely hirsute. The first
metasomal segment is wider than long, other segments
are longer then wide. Segments I–IV bear 10 carinae and
segment V bears five or seven carinae, three or five
ventral and two dorsal. All carinae are granulated and
dark colored. The dorsal surface of all segments is
smooth in the middle and finely granulated on margins.
Other surfaces are granulated. The telson is only spars-
ely hirsute, bulbous, lumpy and finely granulated.
AFFINITIES. The described features distinguish H. novaki
sp. n. from all other species of the genus. They are
recounted in the key. The morphology (metasoma wide)
make the new species very close to H. minax. H. novaki
sp. n. could be distinguished from H. minax mainly in
morphometry (see Table 4) according to female 1) ped-
ipalp chela length/width ratio 4.05 in H. novaki sp. n.
(3.49–3.75 in H. minax); 2) metasomal segment IV
length/width ratio 1.38 in H. novaki sp. n. (1.31–1.36 in
H. minax); 3) metasomal segment V length/ width ratio
1.72 in H. novaki sp. n. (1.62–1.64 in H. minax).
Hottentotta polystictus (Pocock, 1896)
(Figs. 112–131, Table 4)
Buthus polystictus Pocock, 1896: 178.
Hottentotta polystictus: Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013:
171–172, 318, 338–339, figs. 1069–1072, 1206–1216
(complete reference list until 2013).
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Somaliland,
Goolis Mts., inland of Berbera; BMNH.
ETHIOPIAN MATERIAL EXAMINED. Ethiopia, NE of Dire
Dawa, on road to Djibouti, 09°37'59"N 41°52'43"E,
1124 m a.s.l. (Fig. 131), 30.I.2015, 1♀, leg. T. Mazuch.
SOMALILAND MATERIAL EXAMINED. Somaliland, Hamas,
between Hargeisa and Berbera, 10°02.267'N 44°47.
299'E, 650 m a.s.l., XI.2010, 1♂1♀, leg. T. Mazuch; 70
km from Berbera to Hargeysa, XI.2010, 1♂, leg. T.
Mazuch; Laas Gel, 50 km NE Hargeisa, 09°46'16.6"N
44°27'07.2"E, 1090 m a.s.l., 7.VII.2011, 1♂2♀3juvs.,
leg. F. Kovařík; beetwen Berbera and Sheikh, 10°05'
49.9"N 45°11'40.1"E, 628 m a.s.l., 10.VII.2011, 1♀im.,
leg. F. Kovařík; Sheikh, Goolis Mts., 09°56'23"N 45°11'
14.2"E, 1439 m a.s.l., 11.VII.2011, 2♀2juvs., leg. F.
Kovařík; beetween Burao and Laas Caanood, 09°11'
18.4"N 45°54'24"E, 871 m a.s.l., 11.VII.2011, 1♀2juvs.,
leg. F. Kovařík; Sheikh, 09°57'25.9"N 45°09'52.2"E,
1492 m a.s.l., 12.VII.2011, 1♂7♀, leg. F. Kovařík.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length 40–60 mm, some males may be
only 35 mm long. Trichobothrium db on fixed finger of
pedipalp situated between trichobothria et and est.
Sexual dimorphism not pronounced; manus of pedipalp
of approximately same width in both sexes, but males
have fingers of pedipalps slightly twisted. Pectinal teeth
number 23–27 in males, 18–22 in females. Chelicerae
yellow, anterior part could be reticulated in darker
specimens. Pedipalps sparsely hirsute. Metasoma with
only a few hairs. Color uniformly yellowish brown.
Dorsal surfaces of pedipalps and ventral surfaces of
metasoma with numerous dark spots. Mesosoma yel-
lowish to reddish brown, with black spots. Femur of
pedipalp with 5 carinae that may be incomplete. Patella
with 8 carinae, of which some are smooth, without
granules and obsolete. Chela lacks carinae but is usually
granulate. Movable fingers of pedipalps with 12–14
rows of denticles and 5 or 6 terminal denticles. Seventh
sternite bears 4 well marked carinae, usually granulated.
First to third metasomal segments with 10 carinae;
fourth with 8 or 10 carinae; fifth with 5 carinae. All
carinae granulated, dorsal carinae bear larger terminal
granules. Metasoma very narrow. First metasomal seg-
ment of adults usually longer than wide or as long as
wide, second metasomal segment always longer than
wide. Fourth metasomal segment length/width ratio
1.70–1.73 in both sexes. Telson very bulbous. Telson
length/depth ratio 2.45–2.48 in females.
DISTRIBUTION. In addition to Ethiopia cited also from
Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Somaliland, ? Tanzania (Ko-
vařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 172).
Hottentotta trailini Kovařík, 2013
(Figs. 61–62, 67, 71–72, 132–144, 156–157, Tables 3, 4)
Hottentotta trailini Kovařík in Kovařík & Ojanguren,
2013: 176–178, 321, 343–344, figs. 1107–1113, 1235–
1243.
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Ethiopia, W of
Aykel, 12°33'05.5"N 36°55'05.4"E, 1262 m a. s. l.;
FKCP.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
24
Figures 112–115: Hottentotta polystictus. Figures 112–113. Male from Somaliland, Sheikh, 09°57'25.9"N 45°09'52.2"E, 1492
m a.s.l., dorsal (112) and ventral (113) views. Figures 114–115. Female from Ethiopia, NE of Dire Dawa, on road to Djibouti,
09°37'59"N 41°52'43"E, 1124 m a.s.l., dorsal (114) and ventral (115) views.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
25
Figures 116–121: Hottentotta polystictus. Figures 116–118. Male from Somaliland, Sheikh, 09°57'25.9"N 45°09'52.2"E, 1492
m a.s.l., metasoma and telson, lateral (116), ventral (117), and dorsal (118) views. Figures 119–121. Female from Ethiopia, NE
of Dire Dawa, on road to Djibouti, 09°37'59"N 41°52'43"E, 1124 m a.s.l., metasoma and telson, lateral (119), ventral (120), and
dorsal (121) views.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
26
Figures 122–129: Hottentotta polystictus. Figures 122, 124–126. Male from Somaliland, Sheikh, 09°57'25.9"N 45°09'52.2"E,
1492 m a.s.l., chelicerae, carapace and tergites I–III (122), pedipalp chela, dorsal (124), and external (125) views, and telson
(126), lateral view. Figures 123, 127–129. Female from Ethiopia, NE of Dire Dawa, on road to Djibouti, 09°37'59"N
41°52'43"E, 1124 m a.s.l., chelicerae, carapace and tergites I–III (123), telson (127), lateral view, and pedipalp chela, dorsal
(128), and external (129) views.
TYPE MATERIAL. Ethiopia, W of Aykel, 12°33'05.5"N
36°55'05.4"E, 1262 m a.s.l., (Fig. 142, Locality No.
12EB), 14.XI.2012, 3♂ (holotype and paratypes) 3♀
2ims. (paratypes), leg. F. Kovařík, V. Trailin, P. Novák
and T. Mazuch, FKCP; Ethiopia, 12°42'17"N 36°29'
35"E, 793 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 12EC), 7♂(paratypes)
4♀3juvs.(paratypes), 14.XI.2012, leg. F. Kovařík (UV
detection), FKCP.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length of adults 40–65 mm. Tri-
chobothrium db on fixed finger of pedipalp situated be-
tween trichobothria et and est. Male with fingers prox-
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
27
Figures 130–131: Hottentotta polystictus, female from Ethiopia, NE of Dire Dawa, on road to Djibouti, 09°37'59"N
41°52'43"E, 1124 m a.s.l. (130), and the locality (131).
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
28
Figures 132–135: Hottentotta trailini. Figures 132–133. Holotype male, dorsal (132) and ventral (133) views. Figures 134–
135. Paratype female, dorsal (134) and ventral (135) views.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
29
Figures 136–141: Hottentotta trailini. Figures 136–138. Holotype male, metasoma and telson, lateral (136), ventral (137), and
dorsal (138) views. Figures 139–141. Paratype female, metasoma and telson, lateral (139), ventral (140), and dorsal (141) views.
imally more twisted than female. Female has longer and
very slightly narrower chela of pedipalps. Pectinal teeth
number 23–27 in males, 21–24 in females. Chelicerae
yellowish brown, with reticulation, tips of teeth on
cheliceral fingers black. Pedipalps and metasoma sparse-
ly hirsute. Carapace and tergites black; metasoma, tel-
son, dorsal surfaces of femur and patella of pedipalps
and legs brownish to black. Chela of pedipalps yellowish
to reddish brown. Pedipalps sparsely hirsute and weakly
granulated. Femur of pedipalp with 4 granulate carinae.
Patella with 8 carinae, some of them smooth, without
granules and obsolete. Chela lacks carinae. Movable
fingers of pedipalps with 13 rows of denticles and 5
terminal denticles. Seventh sternite bears 4 well marked
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
30
Figures 142–144: Hottentotta trailini. Figure 142. The type locality. Figures 143–144. Male at the type locality (143), and
female with newborns.
obsolete carinae. First to fourth metasomal segments
with 10 carinae; fifth with 5 or 7 carinae. All carinae
granulated, dorsal carinae bear slightly larger terminal
granules. Metasoma wide. Length to width ratio of
fourth metasomal segment 1.2–1.4. Telson rather bul-
bous.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
31
Figures 145–148: Hottentotta trilineatus. Figures 145–146. Male from Ethiopia, Oromia State, Borena region, between
Negele and Filtu, 05°13'12.2"N 39°52'29.3"E, 1406 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 14EE), dorsal (145) and ventral (146) views. Figures
147–148. Female from Ethiopia, Oromia State, Bale region, Negele env., 05°56'33"N 39°40'20.3"E, 1514 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14EL), dorsal (147) and ventral (148) views.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
32
Figures 149–151: Hottentotta trilineatus. Figure 149. Locality No. 14EQ, Ethiopia, Oromia State, West Harerge,
07°45'42.1"N 40°32'30.9"E, 1425 m a.s.l.. Figure 150. Male at the locality No. 14EI, Ethiopia, Somali State, Liben region,
between Filtu and Dolo Odo, 04°50'07.5"N 40°55'13.5"E, 912 m a.s.l. Figure 151. Female at the locality No.14EG, Ethiopia,
Somali State, Liben region, Filtu, 05°06'48.7"N 40°39'18.3"E, 1229 m a.s.l.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
33
Figures 152–157: Chelicerae. Figures 152–153. Hottentotta gibaensis Kovařík, sp. n., female paratype ventral (152) and
dorsal (153) views. Figures 154–155. Hottentotta minax, female from locality 12EF ventral (154) and dorsal (155) views.
Figures 156–157. Hottentotta trailini, female paratype from type locality ventral (156) and dorsal (157) views.
DISTRIBUTION. Ethiopia.
Hottentotta trilineatus (Peters, 1861)
(Figs. 63–64, 68, 73–74, 108–109, 145–151, Tables 3, 4)
Centrurus trilineatus Peters, 1861: 515.
Hottentotta trilineatus (in part): Kovařík & Ojanguren,
2013: 178–179, 318, 341–342, 373, figs. 1073–1076,
1221–1231, 1233–1234, 1563–1564 (complete reference
list until 2013).
TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE REPOSITORY. Mozambique,
Tette; ZMHB.
ETHIOPIAN MATERIAL EXAMINED. Ethiopia, Oromia
State, Arsi Province, 06°56'06"N 40°41'23"E, 1693 m
a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EA, fig. 1227 in Kovařík & Ojan-
guren, 2013: 342), 24.VI.2013, 2♂9♀2ims., leg. F.
Kovařík, J. Plíšková, P. Novák, FKCP; Oromia State,
Arsi Province, Sof Omar, 06°54'19"N 40°51'04"E, 1200
m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EC), 24.-25.VI.2013, 7♂9♀
3ims.2juvs. (UV detection), 23.-24.XI.2014, 1♂12♀
4juvs., leg. F. Kovařík, J. Plíšková, P. Novák, FKCP;
Oromia State, Bale Province, Negele env., 05°57'14"N
39°40'30"E, 1343 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13ED), 25.
VI.2013, 1♀1♀im., 19.XI.2014, 1♂4♀, leg. F. Kovařík,
FKCP; Oromia State, Borana Province, Negele env.,
05°13'20"N 39°38'10"E, 1538 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
13EEB), 26.VI.2013, 4♂8♀2♀ims., leg. F. Kovařík, J.
Plíšková, P. Novák, FKCP; Oromia State, Borana
Province, Negele env., 05°11'01"N 39°36'37"E, 1513 m
a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EEC, fig. 1231 in Kovařík &
Ojanguren, 2013: 342), 26.VI.2013, 1♂, leg. F. Kovařík,
FKCP; Oromia State, Borana Province, 05°04'01"N
39°28'47.7"E, 1044 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EG), 27.
VI.2013, 1♂3♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Oromia State,
Borana Province, Wachille, 04°50'50"N 39°18'25.3"E,
808 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EH, fig. 1234 in Kovařík &
Ojanguren, 2013: 342), 27.VI.2013, 1im., leg. F. Ko-
vařík, FKCP; Oromia State, Borana Province, 04°25'
31.5"N 38°58'14"E, 1171 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EI),
27.-28.VI.2013, 5♂5♀4juvs. (UV detection), leg. F.
Kovařík, FKCP; Oromia State, Borana Province, S of
Yabello, 04°27'16"N 38°15'30"E, 1587 m a.s.l. (Locality
No. 13EK), 29.VI.2013, 1♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP;
Oromia State, 04°58'05"N 37°53'13.2"E, 1327 m a.s.l.
(Locality No. 13EM, fig. 1564 in Kovařík & Ojanguren,
2013: 373), 30.VI.2013, 1juv., leg. F. Kovařík, J. Plíš-
ková, FKCP; Southern Nationalities and Peoples Region
Federal State (SNNPR), Woito, 05°22'23.7"N 36°59'
37.3"E, 598 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EO), 1.VII.2013,
1♂2♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; SNNPR, Tsamai, Luqua,
05°27'20"N 36°49'50"E, 660 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
13EP), 1.-2.VII.2013, 2♀, leg. F. Kovařík , FKCP;
SNNPR, Hammar, 05°27'29"N 36°39'42"E, 1398 m
a.s.l. (Fig. 149, Locality No. 13EQ), 3.VII.2013, 1♂, leg.
F. Kovařík, FKCP; SNNPR, Hammar, near Turmi,
04°59'17.4"N 36°28'35.9"E, 1136 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
13ES), 4.VII.2013, 1♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; SNNPR,
near Omorate, 04°48'20.4"N 36°25'32.3"E, 761 m a.s.l.
(Locality No. 13ET), 4.VII.2013, 2♀1juv., leg. F. Ko-
vařík, FKCP; SNNPR, Omorate (Kelem), 04°48'42"N
36°03'16.7"E, 373 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EU), 4.-
5.VII.2013, 3♂1♀, leg. F. Kovařík, J. Plíšková, FKCP;
SNNPR, Hammar, E of Turmi, 04°52'17"N 36°38'44"E,
385 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EV, fig. 1563 in Kovařík &
Ojanguren, 2013: 373), 5.VII.2013, 1♂1♀2juvs., leg. F.
Kovařík, P. Novák, FKCP; SNNPR, "lower valley of the
Omo river", Chew Bahr, 04°50'38.5"N 36°44'11.4"E,
625 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 13EW), 5.-6.VII.2013, 9♂8♀
6juvs. (UV detection), leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Oromia
State, Borena region, between Negele and Filtu, 05°
13'33.1"N 39°50'04"E, 1541 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14ED), 19.XI.2014, photos only, F. Kovařík; Oromia
State, Borena region, between Negele and Filtu, 05°
13'12.2"N 39°52'29.3"E, 1406 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
34
Ratios of adult males
H. gibaensis sp. n.
(n = 11)
H. minax
(n = 15)
H. trailini
(n = 10)
H. trilineatus
(n = 15)
Metasomal segment I (L/W)
0.85–0.88
0.84–0.89
0.90–0.93
0.89–1.05
Metasomal segment II (L/W)
1.10–1.15
1.02–1.15
1.05–1.10
1.10–1.18
Metasomal segment IV (L/W)
1.48–1.52
1.35–1.44
1.37–1.40
1.40–1.51
Metasomal segment IV (L/H)
1.30–1.39
1.45–1.53
1.46–1.49
1.49–1.52
Metasomal segment V (L/W)
1.64–1.71
1.53–1.60
1.55–1.66
1.81–1.85
Metasomal segment V (L/H)
1.85–1.91
1.79–1.85
1.92–1.93
2.05–2.13
Telson (L/H)
2.22–2.38
2.07–2.24
2.21–2.33
2.29–2.32
Pedipalp chela (L/W)
3.28–3.40
3.00–3.35
3.15–3.22
2.98–3.24
Pedipalp chela (L) / MF (L)
1.64–1.70
1.57–1.67
1.67–1.72
1.64–1.70
Total (L)
47–55.5
45–56
43–64
35–48.2
Table 3: Comparison among Ethiopian Hottentota species (specimens), based upon selected morphometric ratios of adult males.
Abbreviations: length (L), width (W), depth (H), movable finger (MF).
Ratios of adult females
H. gibaensis
sp. n. (n = 15)
H. minax
(n = 12)
H. novaki
sp. n. (n = 1)
H. polystictus
(n = 1)
H. trailini
(n = 7)
H. trilineatus
(n = 15)
Metasomal segment I (L/W)
0.88–0.90
0.86–0.88
0.89
1.00
0.82–0.88
0.89–0.92
Metasomal segment II (L/W)
1.09–1.13
1.04–1.08
1.05
1.27
1.00–1.02
1.12–1.18
Metasomal segment IV (L/W)
1.48–1.54
1.31–1.36
1.38
1.70
1.26–1.28
1.50–1.61
Metasomal segment IV (L/H)
1.44–1.45
1.50–1.55
1.52
1.71
1.52–1.31
1.51–1.61
Metasomal segment V (L/W)
1.83–1.88
1.62–1.64
1.72
2.29
1.57–1.63
1.87–1.92
Metasomal segment V (L/H)
1.88–1.96
1.83–1.93
1.95
2.12
1.85–1.90
2.05–2.09
Telson (L/H)
2.20–2.26
2.16–2.34
2.11
2.46
2.06–2.26
2.30–2.36
Pedipalp chela (L/W)
3.86–4.05
3.49–3.75
4.04
4.72
3.02–3.25
3.60–3.82
Pedipalp chela (L) / MF (L)
1.56–1.57
1.59–1.62
1.65
1.63
1.59–1.67
1.56–1.60
Total (L)
58–65.18
50–64
52.3
51
55–73
40–52
Table 4: Comparison among Ethiopian Hottentota species (specimens), based upon selected morphometric ratios of adult
females. Abbreviations: length (L), width (W), depth (H), movable finger (MF).
14EE), 19.XI.2014, 3♂1♀1juv., leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP;
Somali State, Liben region, Filtu, 05°06'48.7"N 40°39'
18.3"E, 1229 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 14EG), 19.-21.
XI.2014, 1♂1♀(Fig. 151), leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; So-
mali State, Liben region, between Filtu and Dolo Odo,
04°50'18.1"N 40°56'23.5"E, 885 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14EH), 20.XI.2014, 4♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Somali
State, Liben region, between Filtu and Dolo Odo, 04°
50'07.5"N 40°55'13.5"E, 912 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14EI), 20.XI.2014, photos only, Fig. 150, F. Kovařík;
Somali State, Liben region, between Filtu and Negele,
05°10'22.9"N 40°19'16.9"E, 1209 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14EJ), 21.XI.2014, photos only, F. Kovařík; Somali
State, Liben region, between Filtu and Negele, 05°
11'29.4"N 40°07'19.9"E, 1168 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14EK), 21.XI.2014, photos only, F. Kovařík; Oromia
State, Bale region, Negele env., 05°56'33"N 39°40'
20.3"E, 1514 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 14EL), 22.XI.2014,
1♂5♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Oromia State, Bale
region, 05°59'49.7"N 39°42'23"E, 1513 m a.s.l. (Lo-
cality No. 14EM), 22.XI.2014, photos only, F. Kovařík;
Oromia State, West Harerge, 07°44'37"N 40°42'39.5"E,
1234 m a.s.l. (Locality No. 14E0), 24.-25.XI.2014, 1♂
6♀, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP; Oromia State, West Hare-
rge, 07°46'39.7"N 40°37'12.4"E, 800 m a.s.l. (Locality
No. 14EP), 25.XI.2014, photos only, F. Kovařík; Oro-
mia State, West Harerge, 07°45'42.1"N 40°32'30.9"E,
1425 m a.s.l. (Fig. 149, Locality No. 14EQ), 25.XI.2014,
photos only, F. Kovařík; Oromia State, West Harerge,
07°49'12.6"N 40°31'54"E, 918 m a.s.l. (Locality No.
14ER), 25.XI.2014, 3♂5♀4juvs, leg. F. Kovařík, FKCP.
DIAGNOSIS. Total length 35–65 mm. Trichobothrium db
on fixed finger of pedipalp situated between tricho-
bothria et and est, may be level with est, or rarely
between est and esb. Male with fingers proximally twis-
ted and manus and metasomal segments wider than
female. Pectinal teeth number 22–28 in males, 17–25 in
females. Chelicerae yellow, without reticulation. Nearly
entire body hirsute, but not densely. Color uniformly
yellow to reddish brown, mesosomal segments and cara-
pace usually with orange spots and longitudinal black
stripes. Metasomal carinae may be black as well. Femur
of pedipalp with 3 complete and 2 incomplete carinae.
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
35
Figure 158: Map showing the distribution of Hottentotta in Ethiopia and Somaliland checked during 2011–2015 expeditions.
Patella with 8 carinae, of which some are smooth,
without granules and obsolete. Chela lacks carinae.
Movable fingers of pedipalps with 11–13 rows of den-
ticles and 5 terminal denticles. Seventh sternite with 4
well marked carinae. First to third metasomal segments
with 10 carinae; fourth with 8 or 10 carinae; fifth with 5
carinae and two ventral rows of granules. All carinae
granulated, dorsal carinae bear larger terminal granules.
In males granules usually larger and more pronounced
than in females. First metasomal segment of adults lon-
ger than wide or as wide as long; second metasomal
segment longer than wide. Length to width ratio of
fourth metasomal segment less than 1.6.
DISTRIBUTION. In addition to Ethiopia cited also from
Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mo-
zambique, ?Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia,
Zimbabwe (Kovařík & Ojanguren, 2013: 178).
KEY TO SPECIES OF HOTTENTOTTA
OCCURRING IN ETHIOPIA
1. Metasoma very narrow. Fourth metasomal segment
length/width ratio 1.70–1.73 in both sexes. Telson very
bulbous. Telson length/depth ratio 2.45–2.48 in females.
………………………..… H. polystictus (Pocock, 1896)
– Fourth metasomal segment length/width ratio 1.31–
1.61 in both sexes. Telson length/depth ratio 2.06–2.36
in females. ......................………................................... 2
2. Chelicerae yellow, usually without reticulation (Figs.
153, 155). …….....………………….............................. 4
– Chelicerae yellowish to brown, with strong reticulation
(Figs. 5, 157). ...........……………………………......... 3
3. Carapace and tergites black with yellow spots (Fig. 5);
metasoma and telson yellow to yellowish brown (Figs.
Euscorpius — 2015, No. 202
36
6–8); fingers of pedipalp yellow and manus almost black
(Fig. 9). .....................….............. H. gambelaensis sp. n.
– Carapace and tergites black without yellow spots (Fig.
67); metasoma and telson brownish to black (Figs. 136–
141); chela of pedipalps uniformly yellowish to reddish
brown (Figs. 61–62). ..…......... H. trailini Kovařík, 2013
4. Metasoma narrow. First metasomal segment length
/width ratio 0.89–1.05; fifth metasomal segment length
/width ratio 1.81–1.92 in both sexes. ...……………....
………………………...…. H. trilineatus (Peters, 1861)
– First metasomal segment length/width ratio 0.84–0.89
in males; fifth metasomal segment length/width ratio
1.53–1.71 in males. ..........……………......................... 5
5. Pedipalp chela length/width ratio 3.49–3.75 in fe-
males. ....…………................ H. minax (L. Koch, 1875)
– Pedipalp chela length/width ratio 3.86–4.05 in fe-
males. .......…………………………............................. 6
6. Metasoma narrow in females. Fourth metasomal
segment length/width ratio 1.44–1.45; fifth metasomal
segment length/width ratio 1.83–1.88. ........……........
……………………………………... H. gibaensis sp. n.
– Metasoma robust in females. Fourth metasomal
segment length/width ratio 1.38; fifth metasomal seg-
ment length/width ratio 1.72. ....…........ H. novaki sp. n.
Acknowledgments
Thanks are due to David Hegner, Pavel Kučera,
Pavel Novák, Jana Plíšková, Vít Socha, Vladimír
Trailin, and David Vašíček (Czech Republic), Dereje
Belay, Daneil Denbi, Aba Gragn, Zelalem Kebede, and
Zelalem Mandefro (Ethiopia) who participated and
helped in the expeditions to Ethiopia and Somaliland;
and Vladimír Trailin, Victor Fet and Michael Soleglad
for their help in processing the manuscript. Further, we
thank two anonymous reviewers for their comments to
the manuscript.
References
FET, V. & G. LOWE. 2000. Family Buthidae C. L.
Koch, 1837. Pp. 54–286 in Fet, V., W. D. Sissom,
G. Lowe & M. E. Braunwalder (eds). Catalog of the
Scorpions of the World (1758–1998). New York:
The New York Entomological Society, 689 pp.
KOCH, L. 1875. Aegyptische und Abyssinische Arach-
niden gesammelt von Herrn C. Jickeli. Verlage von
Bauer & Raspe, Nürnberg, 96 pp.
KOVAŘÍK, F. 2009. Illustrated catalog of scorpions.
Part I. Introductory remarks; keys to families and
genera; subfamily Scorpioninae with keys to Het-
erometrus and Pandinus species. Prague: Clairon
Production, 170 pp.
KOVAŘÍK F. 2011a. Buthus awashensis sp. n. from
Ethiopia (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Euscorpius, 128:
1–6.
KOVAŘÍK, F. 2011b. A review of the subgenus Pan-
dinus Thorell, 1876 with descriptions of two new
species from Uganda and Ethiopia (Scorpiones:
Scorpionidae). Euscorpius, 129: 1–18.
KOVAŘÍK, F. 2012. Review of the subgenus Pan-
dinurus Fet, 1997 with descriptions of three new
species (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae, Pandinus). Eus-
corpius, 141: 1–22.
KOVAŘÍK, F. 2013. Pandinus (Pandinus) trailini sp. n.
from Ethiopia (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) with data
on localities and life strategy. Euscorpius, 163:
1−14.
KOVAŘÍK, F. 2015. Scorpions of Ethiopia (Arachnida:
Scorpiones). Part I. Genus Butheoloides Hirst, 1925
(Buthidae), with description of a new species.
Euscorpius, 195: 1−10.
KOVAŘÍK F. & G. LOWE. 2012. Review of the genus
Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 with description of a new
species from Ethiopia (Scorpiones: Buthidae).
Euscorpius, 138: 1–25.
KOVAŘÍK, F., G. LOWE, J. PLÍŠKOVÁ & F. ŠŤÁH-
LAVSKÝ. 2013. A new scorpion genus, Gint gen.
n., from the Horn of Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae).
Euscorpius, 173: 1–19.
KOVAŘÍK, F., G. LOWE, M. SEITER, J. PLÍŠKOVÁ
& F. ŠŤÁHLAVSKÝ. 2015. Scorpions of Ethiopia
(Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part II. Genus Babycurus
Karsch, 1886 (Buthidae), with description of two
new species. Euscorpius, 196: 1–31.
KOVAŘÍK, F. & T. MAZUCH. 2011. Hemiscorpius
novaki sp. n. from Somaliland (Scorpiones: Hemi-
scorpiidae). Euscorpius, 126: 1–9.
KOVAŘÍK, F. & A. A. OJANGUREN AFFILASTRO.
2013. Illustrated catalog of scorpions. Part II.
Bothriuridae; Chaerilidae; Buthidae I. Genera
Compsobuthus, Hottentotta, Isometrus, Lychas, and
Sassanidotus. Prague: Clairon Production, 400 pp.
PETERS, W. 1861. Über eine neue Eintheilung der
Skorpione und über die von ihm in Mossambique
Kovařík & Mazuch: New Hottentotta from Ethiopia
37
gesammelten Arten von Skorpionen. Monat-
sberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie
der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 1861: 507–520.
POCOCK, R. I. 1896. Report upon the scorpions, spi-
ders, centipedes, and millipedes obtained by Mr.
and Mrs. E. Lord Philips in the Goolis Mountains
inland of Berbera, N. Somaliland. Annals and Mag-
azine of Natural History, 6(18): 178–186.
SISSOM, W. D. 1990. Systematics, biogeography and
paleontology. Pp. 64–160 in POLIS, G. A. (Ed.) The
Biology of Scorpions. Stanford, California: Stanford
University Press.
SOLEGLAD, M. E. & V. FET. 2003. The scorpion ster-
num: structure and phylogeny (Scorpiones: Ortho-
sterni). Euscorpius, 5: 1–34.
STAHNKE, H. L. 1971. Scorpion nomenclature and
mensuration. Entomological News, 81: 297–316.
VACHON, M. 1963. De l'utilité, en systématique, d'une
nomenclature des dents de chélicères chez les
scorpions. Bulletin du Musèum National d'Histoire
Naturelle, Paris, (2), 35 (2): 161–166.
VACHON, M. 1974. Études des caractères utilisés pour
classer les familles et les genres des scorpions
(Arachnides). 1. La trichobothriotaxie en arach-
nologie. Sigles trichobothriaux et types de tricho-
bothriotaxie chez les Scorpions. Bulletin du
Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 3e série, 140
(Zoologie, 104): 857–958.
VACHON, M. 1975. Sur l’utilisation de la tri-
chobothriotaxie du bras des pedipalps des Scorpions
(Arachnides) dans le classement des genres de
famille des Buthidae Simon. Compte rendus
hebdomadaires des séances de l’Academie des
Sciences, Paris Ser. D Sciences Naturelles, 281
(21): 1597–1599.
