Pseudoscorpion Species Research Articles

Alinnaechernes, a new bark-dwelling pseudoscorpion genus (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) from Brazilian tropical savanna

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of chernetid pseudoscorpion, Alinnaechernes itororoi n. sp., is described from the Brazilian Cerrado domain, southeast region, found under the bark of Copaifera langsdorffii Des. (Fabaceae). Alinnaechernes n. gen. can be distinguished from other genera by: (1) the presence of a bilobed protuberance on the prolateral margin of the pedipalpal chela of males, with a small distal tooth on each lobe; (2) the spermathecae consist of two small, elongated bulbous sacs that are broadly connected at the base; (3) trichobothrium et situated subdistally, it distal of et, est at same level as ist, ib slightly distal to eb and at same level as esb, ist at same level as esb. The description of this new genus represents an important contribution to the knowledge of the pseudoscorpion fauna of the Brazilian savanna.

Two new cavernicolous species of Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Lagoa Santa karst, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Two new pseudoscorpion species of the genus Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 are described from caves in the Lagoa Santa karst area in Southeast Brazil. Pseudochthonius limettioides sp. nov. was collected in ten caves and is a troglobite that lacks eyes and body pigmentation. Pseudochthonius lundi sp. nov. was collected in three caves and is considered a troglophile with only one pair of eyes. Both species might be threatened by mining projects and more studies are needed to better understand many aspects of their biology.

A new genus and species of fossil pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) from the Eocene amber of Western India

A new genus and species of fossil pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) from the Eocene amber of Western India

A new genus and five new species of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones, Withiidae) from Colombia.

The pseudoscorpion family Withiidae is widely distributed around the world, with most of its diversity in tropical areas. Five new species and a new genus from Colombia are described: Cystowithiusflorezisp. nov., Parawithiusbromelicolasp. nov., Oligowithiusachaguasp. nov., and the genus Paciwithiusgen. nov. with two species Paciwithiusvalduparensissp. nov. and Paciwithiuschimbilacussp. nov. A reassessment of the subgenus Dolichowithius (Oligowithius) Beier, 1936 allows the elevation to a full generic level, and the transfer of the only known species to Oligowithius, forming the new combination Oligowithiusabnormis (Beier, 1936), comb. nov.

Pseudoscorpions of Israel: Annotated Checklist and Key, with New Records of Two Families (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)

The location of Israel at the junction of three continents leads to a unique fauna of both Palearctic and Afrotropical zoogeographic origins. Following systematic revisions over the past sixty years and the discovery of new species, the only available key to the pseudoscorpions of Israel has become outdated. We provide here an up-to-date checklist of the pseudoscorpion species of Israel including distribution maps, and the first illustrated identification key of the Israeli fauna based on morphological characters. Prior to our study, this fauna comprised twelve families, 26 genera and 52 morphospecies, including several “subspecies”. We increase this number and list 61 pseudoscorpion morphospecies that belong to 28 genera and fourteen families. Most species are Palearctic and Mediterranean, and only a few are Afrotropical. Two families new to Israel are reported here for the first time: Syarinidae and Cheiridiidae. Both families are cosmopolitan and have representatives in the Mediterranean region. The putative new species are presented here at a genus level and will be described separately elsewhere.

Chthonius marusiki sp. nov. – the first pseudoscorpion of the family Chthoniidae Daday, 1889 (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones) from the late Eocene Rovno amber

ABSTRACT A new species of chthonioid pseudoscorpion is described from Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), including a detailed diagnosis and illustrations: Chthonius marusiki sp. nov. (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones) is the first valid species of the family Chthoniidae from Rovno amber. Diagnostic, biogeographic, paleohabitat and ecological features of this new species are presented and discussed, and are compared to the related extinct and extant species of this genus.

Two new cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion species (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) from Northeastern Brazil.

In a study of pseudoscorpions in caves from the northeastern Brazil, eight species of Pseudoscorpiones were identified. The known distribution of the species Pseudochthonius biseriatus Mahnert, 2001, Cryptoditha aff. elegans, Parachernes (P.) nitidimanus (Ellingsen, 1905), Petterchernes brasiliensis Heurtault, 1986, Ceriochernes foliaceosetosus Beier, 1974, and Progarypus setifer Mahnert, 2001 is extended to include the State of Pernambuco. Additionally, Geogarypus gollumi sp. nov. (Geogarypidae) and Progarypus smaugi sp. nov. (Hesperolpiidae) are described as new species.

Two new species of the pseudoscorpion genus Stenohya (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae) from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Two new pseudoscorpion species, Stenohya dongtianensis sp. nov. and S. jiahensis sp. nov., from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, are described and illustrated. An identification key is provided for all known representatives of the genus Stenohya from China.

Three new species of cave-adapted pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from eastern Yunnan, China.

Three new cave-adapted chthoniid pseudoscorpions from four karst caves of Yunnan Province (China) are described, including detailed diagnosis and illustrations: Tyrannochthoniuscalvatussp. nov. from an unnamed cave and Dongtianfu Cave (Fuyuan County), T.capitosp. nov. from Xianren Cave (Xichou County), and Lagynochthoniusdaidaiensissp. nov. from Daidai Cave (Qiubei County). All three species are endemic to Yunnan. Tyrannochthoniuscalvatussp. nov., lacking the carapaceal antero-median setae and having intercalary teeth on the movable chelal finger only, is a peculiar chthoniid species.

Three new species of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Pseudotyrannochthoniidae) from caves in Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, China

Three new species of pseudoscorpion, Allochthonius lini sp. nov. (Xiaoguoquan Cave) and Selachochthonius yinae sp. nov. (Xiao Cave) from Yunnan Province, Allochthonius xuae sp. nov. (Yelaoda Cave) from Guizhou Province, are described and illustrated. An identification key is provided for all known Chinese representatives of the family Pseudotyrannochthoniidae.

Three new troglobitic species of Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from northeastern Brazil.

Three new pseudoscorpion species, Pseudochthonius pali sp. nov., Pseudochthonius diamachi sp. nov., and Pseudochthonius koinopoliteia sp. nov., are herein described from caves of Bahia state, Brazil. They can be distinguished from congeners mainly by the absence of eyes or eyespots, chelal and cheliceral dentition, coxal chaetotaxy and body size. Some ecological remarks on each species, possible threats, recommendations for future research and a key to the Pseudochthonius species from Brazil are provided.

Four new species of cave-adapted pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones, Pseudotyrannochthoniidae) from Guizhou, China.

Four new troglomorphic pseudotyrannochthoniid pseudoscorpion species collected from karst caves in Guizhou Province are described with detailed diagnoses and illustrations: Allochthoniusbainiensis sp. nov. from Liangfeng Cave (Xishui County), Allochthoniuspandus sp. nov. from Daozuo Cave (Xishui County), Allochthoniusxinqiaoensis sp. nov. from Sanjie Cave (Fenggang County), and Spelaeochthoniuswulibeiensis sp. nov. from Wulibei Cave (Weining County). Spelaeochthoniuswulibeiensis sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus in China. The diagnostic features of these four new cave-adapted (troglomorphic) species are presented and discussed, as well as compared with closely related species. The data on their distribution, habitat and ecology of the species are also given.

How Can Climate Change Limit the Distribution of Cooperative Pseudoscorpions in Brazil?

Pseudoscorpions are arachnids that inhabit all terrestrial ecosystems, and are distributed in the tropical, subtropical, and even circumpolar regions. Paratemnoides nidificator (Balzan, 1888) was originally distributed in the continental zone of South America, but subsequently dispersed to Centraland NorthAmerica and the Caribbean. This species was also recorded in coastal marine environments and forest areas in continental and insular regions. Paratemnoides nidificator is the only cooperatively social pseudoscorpion species recorded in South American. However, its distribution limitations are poorly understood. In this study, we used ecological niche models to investigate this species' current and future distribution potential. Similarly, we defined range limits and demonstrated the potential species distribution towards the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes in the Brazilian territory in future scenarios of climate change, and land use and land cover changes. The annual mean temperature was the most important variable, suggesting that a physiological limitation prevents P. nidificator from occupying areas with extreme mean temperatures. Furthermore, the loss of vegetation cover and the expansion of agricultural frontiers may reduce the occurrence of P. nidificator in environmentally unstable areas because P. nidificator is sensitive to anthropogenic activities. Therefore, the biological response is the relationship between the tolerance limit of P. nidificator and the predicted amplitude of the factor, which appears to lie in its maximum tolerance range.

Lustrochernes grossus (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) associated with decaying wood in riparian cloud forests

We analysed the dead-wood characteristics that determine the presence of saproxylic pseudoscorpion species in remnants of riparian cloud forest. We examined 98 dead-wood pieces (70 logs and 28 stumps), and recorded tree species, decaying wood stages, presence of the pseudoscorpion Lustrochernes grossus (Banks, 1893) (Chernetidae) and the Bess beetle Helicus tropicus. In these wood samples we found 24 L. grossus and one chela. We recorded the highest number of individuals in Clethra mexicana (11), followed by Quercus corrugata (6) and Liquidambar styraciflua (6). In Annona cherimola and Trema micrantha, one chela and one female were recorded, respectively. The presence of this pseudoscorpion is likely due to its relationship with the Bess beetle, which coexists in decaying wood. The distribution of L. grossus in dead wood may also be influenced by tree species and stage of decay. Forest fragmentation and the extraction of firewood from the remnant riparian fragments of cloud forest are factors that could jeopardize the saproxylic pseudoscorpion species and other arthropod diversity associated with decaying wood in this threatened ecosystem.

Sampling techniques and environmental variables influence the distribution of pseudoscorpions in urban forest fragments in the central Amazon

ABSTRACT The growth of urban landscapes has genarally reduced biodiversity worldwide. Invertebrates have explored different environments, and it usually takes different sampling techniques to get a representative sample of the species assemblage in a given location. Some studies have sought to determine the minimum necessary number of sampling techniques, including ecological relationships or costs to guide the sampling protocol. In the Amazon, the effect of soil characteristics on invertebrate distribution is well known. We evaluated if sampling techniques have a complementary effect on the detection of pseudoscorpion assemblages and tested whether environmental variables affect the distribution of pseudoscorpion species. The study sites were two urban forest fragments in the city of Manaus, in the central Amazon. In each fragment, we sampled 20 palm trees using the beating technique, and installed transects with 12 sampling points for collection of soil and litter samples for extraction of arthropods in a Berlese funnel and a Winkler extractor, respectively. We collected 267 individuals of 11 species of pseudoscorpions. Most records were obtained through the Winkler extraction in both fragments. The assemblage from the palm trees was different from that in the edaphic samples. Pseudoscorpion species composition also differed significantly between soil and litter, and was influenced by potassium concentration. The number of species in the fragments and the environmental effect on the distribution of pseudoscorpions was similar to that recorded in environmental protection areas, evidencing that urban forest fragments can serve as an efficient repository of Amazonian pseudoscorpion biodiversity.

Two new species of Neobisium (Ommatoblothrus) Beier from Socotra (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae)

Two new pseudoscorpion species, Neobisium (Ommatoblothrus) wettereri Nassirkhani sp. nov. and Neobisium (Ommatoblothrus) karmanae Nassirkhani sp. nov., are described from Socotra (Yemen). The family Neobisiidae is reported for the first time from Socotra. Ecological notes on these two new species and a distribution map of all known Neobisium (Ommatoblothrus) species are presented.

Evolutionary morphology of coxal musculature in Pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida)

Pseudoscorpions are an ancient and globally distributed lineage of arachnids with more than 4000 species. Despite being present in virtually all terrestrial habitats, their morphology and anatomy has rarely been studied to date, which hampers homology statements both within and between other arachnid orders. All pseudoscorpions share a morphological peculiarity, the fixation of the coxae of all the walking legs. The same morphological condition is seen in certain other arachnid taxa, such as Solifugae or Scorpiones – potential sistergroups of Pseudoscorpiones. To investigate the musculature apparatus of this unusual feature, we reconstructed the musculature in the coxae of walking legs in three species of pseudoscorpions that represent the three major clades within this order. Using micro-computed tomography (μCT), we show that pseudoscorpions have the highest number of coxal muscles amongst the arachnid orders (12 vs. fewer than 10 in others), and that the muscular composition of the first two legs differs from that in the hind legs, correlating with the difference in function, i.e. pulling in the front legs and pushing in the hind legs. Pseudoscorpions are also unique amongst the arachnids in lacking endoskeletal structures (coxal apodeme or costa coxalis) inside the coxae. We observed that within pseudoscorpions, there is a trend towards a reduction of the number of coxal muscles, with the most basal-branching taxon having the highest number and more derived taxa exhibiting lower counts. We hypothesize the muscular ground pattern for Pseudoscorpiones and discuss the evolution of this system by comparing it to the (scanty) data on other arachnids available in the literature.

Description of a new pseudoscorpion, Withius leggi sp. n. (Pseudoscorpiones: Withiidae) from northern Iran

A new species of pseudoscorpion, Withius leggi sp. n. is described on the basis of two adults found in the Daniel cave, northern Iran. Illustrations of its diagnostic characters are provided. The genital structure of the new species is compared with that of the most similar species, Withius piger (Simon, 1878), a cosmopolitan species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EE9DACC7-FC30-4290-B339-57119E421516

The pseudoscorpions of the Caucasian Sphagnum bogs: part I. Description of Neobisium (Neobisium) adjaricum sp. nov. and redescription of the holotype of N. (N.) vilcekii Krumpál, 1983 (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisiidae).

A new species of pseudoscorpions, Neobisium (Neobisium) adjaricumsp. nov., is described and diagnosed. It was collected in the Sphagnum habitats of Ispani lowland mires in Transcaucasia (Republic of Adjara, Georgia). The habitat of N. (N.) adjaricumsp. nov. is described. The holotype of N. (N.) vilcekii Krumpál, 1983, a species most similar morphologically to N. (N.) adjaricumsp. nov., known from the North Caucasus (Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia), is redescribed. Diagnostic characters of the relative Caucasian species of the subgenus Neobisium Chamberlin, 1930 are analysed.

Two new species of cave-adapted pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Yunnan, China.

Two new cave-adapted pseudoscorpion species belonging to the family Chthoniidae are described: Tyrannochthoniuspandussp. nov. from Biyu Cave (Yunnan: Luxi) and Lagynochthoniuslaoxueyanensissp. nov. from Laoxueyan Cave (Yunnan: Yanshan). Both of them, collected from the dark zone of caves, are highly troglomorphic species.