Ontogeny and evolution of the duplex trichobothria of Pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida)

The first troglobitic Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from the karst area of Serra do Ramalho, Brazil: a threatened species

Pseudochthonius ramalhosp. nov. is described to Gruna do Vandercir cave, in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, southwestern Bahia, Brazil. This area has an extensive limestone outcrop, with several caves, and the occurrence of potential minerals that are financially attractive for mining projects. The new species shows troglomorphic characteristics such as the depigmentation of the carapace and absence or reduction of eyes. It is a rare troglobitic species, and following the criteria of IUCN, we categorized the species as Critically Endangered – CR, IUCN criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii). According to Brazilian legislation, locations, where critically endangered species live, can be protected by law, and we consider this cave/region to be of maximal relevance for protection.

The first species of the pseudoscorpion genus Lechytia Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from New Zealand

The subfamily Lechytiinae is reported from New Zealand for the first time. A new species, Lechytia novaezealandiae sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Lake Waikare in Waikato District, North Island. In addition, a key to species in the genus Lechytia from Asia, Australia, and New Zealand is included.

Two new pseudoscorpion species (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae, Cheiridiidae) from the Tonga Islands, Polynesia, with a redescription of the genus Nesocheiridium

The genera Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin, 1929 and Nesocheiridium Beier, 1957 are recorded from the Tonga Islands, Polynesia, for the first time. Tyrannochthoniuseuasp. nov. is described from the island of Eua. Nesocheiridiumonevaisp. nov. is described from the island of Onevai. This is the first discovery of a representative of the genus Nesocheiridium in more than 60 years. The holotype of the type species, Nesocheiridiumstellatum Beier, 1957, is redescribed, allowing a better understanding of this poorly known genus. The genus Nesocheiridium is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: integument coarsely granulate, dorsally granulo-reticulate; vestitural setae either relatively long, with a leaf-like outline, or arcuate with a small spine; cucullus short; only 10 abdominal tergites visible in dorsal view; cheliceral rallum of four blades; venom apparatus present in both chelal fingers; fixed chelal finger with granulate swelling mesally and seven trichobothria; trichobothria ib and ist located distad of granulate swelling; eb and esb situated close together at the base of the finger; moveable chelal finger with two trichobothria.