DIAGNOSIS: Small, golden brown, densely granulose scorpion with basic features of genus but distinctive in following characters: one of our smallest species, with length variation in adults from about 15 mm. to 22 mm., females larger; median eye tubercle far in front of middle of carapace; pectinal tooth count of females seven to nine, of males eight to 10; lower margin of movable finger of chelicerae smooth; inferior lateral and median keels of caudal segments I-IL granulated; caudal segment IV distinctively longer than wide.
COLORATION: Base color golden-orange to dusky orange-brown with faint traces of darker pattern present on carapace and preabdomen in some specimens, mostly with few contrasting markings; eye tubercles and tip of sting black; pedipalp and cauda with some dusky shadings. Legs yellow. STRUCTURE: Features like those of mordax unless otherwise indicated. Males smaller than females, similar to females except as noted. For measurements, see table 7.
Carapace: Most of surface, with dense covering of rounded granules; interocular area of female with sparse granulation; frontal margin with six long setae. Frontal emargination a shallow indentation. Ocular tubercle far in front of middle of carapace, situated about one-third distance from front to posterior margin. Median eyes small, about 0.15 mm., separated by full diameter. Lateral eyes three or two; posterior eye small, often missing.
Preabdomen: All tergites finely to quite coarsely granulated, more so in males, posterior ones with heavier granules; tergite VII with well-developed dorsal and superior lateral keels, provided with numerous pointed granules, and with numerous rounded granules in intercarinal space.
Cauda: Segments I-III broader than long; segment IV distinctly longer than broad; segment V twice as long as broad. All keels on cauda prominent and distinctly granulated. Placement of ventral setae on basal segments: 2-3-3-3.
Telson: Vesicle covered below and on sides with large, rounded granules, smooth above, slightly inflated on sides. Sting short, curved, about one-third as long as vesicle.
Pectines: Like those of mordax in basic features. Median piece about twice as broad as long, with shallow indentation on front margin. Middle lamellae, five or six. Pectinal teeth, seven to nine in females, nine or 10 in males; outer tooth slightly larger.
Chelicera: With standard dentition of genus. Lower margin ofmovable finger smooth.
Pedipalps: Chela of medium stoutness, with short fingers; fixed finger shorter than width of palm. Keels of femur and tibia well granulated; fine granulation in intercarinal spaces; frontal spurs on tibia small. Superior keel smooth but ventral keels roughened, with irregular rows of granules. Keels on movable and fixed fingers flanked by six supernumerary teeth.
Walking legs: With few thin setae and shorter spines; line of spinules on venter of tarsus with two or three setae on each side.

"Diagnosis.—Adults to 22 mm long. Base color of cuticle uniform golden-brown. Cuticle densely granulose. Pectine teeth 7-9 in females, males 8-10. Metasoma with ventromedian and ventrolateral keels crenular; metasomal segment III as long as or slightly longer than wide. Pedipalp movable finger with 6 supernumerary granules; pedipalp with palm greatly swollen; ratio of movable finger length to palm width 1.8 or less. Pedipalp fixed finger with trichobothria id and ip on finger origin directly above movable finger articulation.
Similar to V. rufulus and V. lindsayi from which it is distinguished by 6 supernumerary granules on pedipalp movable finger (not 7)."