Pseudoblothrus golovatchi, Gordana & Ambros, 2020

Turbanov, I. S. & Kolesnikov, V. B., 2020, Two new cave-dwelling species of the false scorpion genus Pseudoblothrus Beier, 1931 (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Syarinidae) from the Crimean Peninsula, Arthropoda Selecta 29 (1), pp. 28-50 : 32-41

Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n.

Figs 3D , 4–7 .

HOLOTYPE 1 ♂ ( ZMUM TI-55 ), Crimea , Ai-Petri Karst Massif , Bolshoy Babulghan Area, Kuban Cave, 16.7.2017, leg. I.S. Turbanov.

PARATYPES: 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 1 tritonymph ( ZMUM TI-56 ), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ ( IT), 1 ♂ ( VK), same cave and date, together with holotype; 1 ♂, 1 tritonymph ( ISEA Ps. 001.0020), same cave, traps, 4.5.2013 – 7.5.2015, leg. I.S. Turbanov; 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 tritonymph ( ZISP 1433 ), Crimea , Ai-Petri Karst Massif , Maly Babulghan Area, Villyaburunskaya Cave, traps, 16.4.2002 – 19.7.2004, leg. A.G. Koval; 2 ♂♂ ( ZISP 1434 ), same cave, traps, 12.5.2008 – 12.9.2010, leg. A.G. Koval; 2 ♀♀ ( ZISP 1435 ), same cave, traps, 12.9.2010 – 1.5. 2012, leg. A.G. Koval; 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀ ( ZMUM TI-57 ), 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ ( ISEA Ps. 001.0021), 2 ♀♀ ( IT), 1 ♂ ( VK), same cave, 16.7.2017, leg. I.S. Turbanov.

DISTRIBUTION. Known from the type locality so far.

NAME. Named after Dr. Sergey I. Golovatch (Moscow), an expert in millipedes, who contributed to many of the authors’ scientific studies.

DIAGNOSIS (ADULTS). A subterranean Pseudoblothrus from the Crimea that differs from other species of the genus in the following combination of characters: no eyes or eye-spots; carapace with six setae in anterior row and 4 in posterior row; ♂ with ventral glands on sternite VI (2–3 patches of glandular areas and 7–15 ventral gland setae); sternites III and IV with 4 stigmatal setae on each side, respectively; pedipalp smooth (hand and base of fingers with uniform, rounded granulation; base of hand and chelal pedicel reticulated); chela long, hand expanded at base and gradually narrowing distally, with nonparallel edges in dorsal views — paraxial edge of visibly convex; ist placed close to est; length of pedipalpal femur, 1.10–1.29 mm (5.50–6.40 times as long as broad), of patella, 0.92–1.08 mm (3.68– 4.95×), of chela with pedicel, 1.90–2.12 mm (4.76–5.30×); fixed and movable chelal fingers with 89–96 and 85–90 teeth, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF ADULTS (♂ ♀). Troglomorphic habitus ( Fig. 3D ). Carapace, pedipalps and tergites I–II reddish brown, tergites II–XI pale brown. Opisthosoma and legs pale.

Carapace ( Fig. 4A ) longer than broad ( Table 4 ), with two transverse furrows, without eyes or eye spots. Anterior margin without epistome, slightly curved forward, base of cheliceral tectum (λ) bent at an obtuse angle. Tegument covered with a weak meshwork of elongated rectangular cells. Setae thin, arranged in five main rows, chaetotaxy 6:4:4:4 (4–5 — ♂ ♀ paratype):4 (total setae 22–23). Three pairs of lyrifissures: two pairs between rows 1 and 2 and one pair between rows 4 and 5, respectively. Numerous minute pores all over carapace.

Coxae ( Fig. 4B ). Manducatory process triangular and acuminate, with two setae. Pedipalpal coxa covered with a fine mesh sculpturing, with several tiny pores, 6–7 (7–11 — ♂ ♀ paratype) setae (those of manducatory process setae not included). Leg coxae smooth, setae I: 6 (6–7 — ♂ paratype, 6–8 — ♀ paratype); II: 7–8 (6–9 — ♂ paratype, 6–8 — ♀ paratype); III: 5 (4–5 — ♂ ♀ paratype); IV: 7–9 (8–10 — ♂ paratype, 8–11 — ♀ paratype).

Opisthosoma ( Fig. 4C, D, F, H ). Pleural membrane longitudinally striate ( Fig. 4D ). Tergites undivided, smooth. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–XI: 4 (4–5 — ♂ paratype):4 (4–6 — ♂ ♀ paratype):6:7 (6–7 — ♂ paratype):7 (8–9 — ♂ paratype, 9–10 — ♀ paratype):10 (9–10 — ♂ paratype, 9– 11 — ♀ paratype):10 (9–10 — ♂ ♀ paratype):11 (9–10 — ♂ paratype, 9–11 — ♀ paratype):10 (9–11 — ♂ ♀ paratype):7 (7–8 — ♂ ♀ paratype):4 (4–6 — ♂ ♀ paratype).

Chaetotaxy of ♂ sternites. II with 8 (8–13 — paratype) discal setae; 9 (5–8 — paratype) of which along anterior margin of genital opening ( Fig. 4 C, H ). III with 9 (5–9 — paratype) anterior setae; 6 (8–10 — paratype) discal setae; 13 (10–12 — paratype) posterior setae; 4 suprastigmal setae on each side. IV with 11 (8–12 — paratype) posterior setae; 7 (2–8 — paratype) discal setae; 4 suprastigmal setae on each side. V with 13 (10–12 — paratype) posterior setae; 10 (7–15 — paratype) discal setae. VI with 14 (14–17 — paratype) posterior setae; 15 (7–13 — paratype) glandular area setae; VII–XI with 17 (15–17 — paratype): 17 (12–17 — paratype): 14 (12–17 — paratype): 10 (11–14 — paratype): 5 (5–6 — paratype) setae. Ventral gland of ♂ with 2–3 glandular areas ( Fig. 4C, H ). The diameter of the ventral gland — 0.13–0.16 mm.

Chaetotaxy of ♀ sternites II–XI: 10–12:18–21 (+ 4 suprastigmal setae on each side):10–14 (+ 4 suprastigmal setae on each side):14–15:15–18 (+ 2 discal setae):16–19:16– 18:13–17:11–14:5–7.

Anal cone with two ventral and two dorsal setae.

Genitalia. ♂ genitalia as in Fig. 4G , genital chamber with two unmodified setae; median genital sac with two branches. ♀ genitalia as in Fig. 4E .

Chelicera ( Fig. 5A ). Hand with five setae. Galeal seta (gs) 0.68 (0.63–0.70 — ♂ ♀ paratype) from base of movable finger. Galea absent in both sexes. Fixed finger with 9 (6–10 — ♂ ♀ paratype) large and 3 (3–6 — ♂ ♀ paratype) small teeth. Movable finger with 6 (6–8 — ♂ ♀ paratype) primary teeth, of which 3 (3–4 — ♂ ♀ paratype) larger than others, and 6 (0–6 — ♂ ♀ paratype) small teeth. Lyrifissures located at base of setae is and es. Rallum with 7 (7–8 — ♂ ♀ paratype) blades, each 0.14–0.17 mm long and finely serrate on anterior edge ( Fig. 5D ). Serrula exterior with 28 (26–28 — ♂ ♀ paratype) blades ( Fig. 5B ), serrula interior with 20 (17–20 — ♂ ♀ paratype) ( Fig. 5C ). Hand and base of fingers reticulate-granulate. Measurements of chelicera as in Table 4 .

Pedipalp ( Fig. 6A–F ). Trochanter weak reticulated; femur, patella and fingers (except of base) smooth; hand and base of fingers with uniform, rounded granulation; base of hand and chelal pedicel reticulated. Femur long, gradually broadening distally. Patella clavate, slightly expanded on mesal side at 0.3 of length from base, where five lyrifissures of different sizes are located, two of them close together. Chela long, hand expanded at base and gradually narrowing distally, with nonparallel edges in dorsal views — paraxial edge of visibly convex. Fingers slightly curved when viewed from above. Altogether, 12 trichobothria: fixed finger with 4 in distal part of fixed finger (et, it, ist and est), 2 in basal part of fixed finger (esb and isb), and 2 on distal part of hand (ib and eb); ist placed close to est; movable finger with 4 trichobothria (t, st, sb and b). Trichobothriotaxy as in Fig. 6A, B, D, E . Hairs of trichobothria long, simple and filiform, trichobothrium t not lanceolate. Dorsal surface of chela, between finger and ib, with 1–2 irregular rows of microsetae (chemosensory setae, sc), ectal in position. Microsetae also observed over most of both fingers, adjacent to dental margin. Coupled sensilla (pc) present on movable finger between st and sb, near dental margin. A movable finger at the distal end carries two apical sensilla (am 1 and am 2), fixed finger — one apical sensilla (af). Lyrifissures arranged at base of hand on dorsal side, between levels of b and esb (1 lyrifissure), between esb and isb (1 lyrifissure), between b and sb (2 lyrifissures), between sb and st (1 lyrifissure) and between levels of est and it on dorsal side (1 lyrifissure). Fixed finger with 89–103 small, almost pointed, contiguous teeth. Teeth of fixed finger reaching to level of isb. Movable finger with similar teeth, 85–104 in number. Teeth of movable finger not reaching as far basally as those of fixed finger (difference equivalent to about 3–6 teeth). A row of four very small denticles at base of fixed finger. Fixed finger with a well developed venedens and venom gland. Lamina defensor (ld) appressed to venedens. Venom duct short, nodus ramosus well distad of et. Movable finger without venom apparatus, apodens short, with a small lamina defensor.

Legs I and IV ( Fig. 5E, F ). Surface weakly reticulate. Joint between femur and patella of leg IV perpendicular. Telotarsi not expanded, gradually tapering distally. Subterminal tarsal setae of all legs serrate distally, each with 2–3 barbs ( Fig. 5G, H ). Claws smooth, thin, arcuate, can carry one tooth (variability); arolia undivided and distinctly shorter than claws.

Measurements and ratios of adults as in Tables 4 , 5 .

DESCRIPTION OF TRITONYMPH. Carapace, pedipalps, pedipalpal coxae and chelicerae pale reddish brown, other parts pale yellow.

Carapace ( Fig. 7A ) longer than broad ( Table 4 ), with two transverse furrows, without eyes or eye spots. Anterior margin without epistome, slightly curved forward, base of cheliceral tectum (λ) bent at an obtuse angle. Tegument covered with a weak meshwork of elongated rectangular cells. Setae thin, arranged in five main rows, chaetotaxy 5– 6:4:4:4:4–5 (total 22). Three pairs of lyrifissures: two pairs between rows 1 and 2 and one pair between rows 4 and 5, respectively. Numerous minute pores all over carapace.

Coxae. Manducatory process triangular, acuminate, with two setae. Pedipalpal coxa covered with a fine mesh sculpturing; chaetotaxy: 7–8 (those of manducatory process setae not included). Surface of coxae I–IV smooth; chaetotaxy: 5:5–6:3–5:5–6.

Opisthosoma. Pleural membrane longitudinally striate. Tergites undivided, smooth. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–XI: 4:5:6:6:8–9:8–9:8–11:9–11:8–10:6–8:6. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–XI: 2–3:9–10 (+ 3 suprastigmal setae on each side):8– 10 (+ 3 suprastigmal setae on each side):11–13:14–16 (+ 2– 3 discal setae):15–16:13–17:10–14:10–13:4. Anal cone with two ventral and two dorsal setae.

Chelicera ( Fig. 7B ). Hand with five setae. Galeal seta (gs) 0.64–0.66 from base of movable finger. Galea absent in both sexes. Fixed finger with 7–9 large and 4–5 small teeth. Movable finger with 7–8 primary teeth, of which 3–4 larger than others, and 1–2 small teeth. Lyrifissures located at base of setae is and es. Rallum with 6 blades, each 0.12–0.15 mm long and finely serrate on anterior edge ( Fig. 7E ). Serrula exterior with 20–22 blades ( Fig. 7D ), serrula interior with 12–16 ( Fig. 7C ). Hand and base of fingers reticulate-granulate. Measurements of chelicera as in Table 4 .

Pedipalp ( Fig. 7F–H ). Trochanter weak reticulated; femur, patella and fingers (except of base) smooth; hand and base of fingers with uniform, rounded granulation; base of hand and chelal pedicel reticulated. Femur long, gradually broadening distally. Patella clavate, slightly expanded on mesal side at 0.3 of length from base, where four lyrifissures of different sizes are located, two of them close together. Chela long, hand expanded at base and gradually narrowing distally, with nonparallel edges in dorsal views – paraxial edge of visibly convex. Fingers slightly curved when viewed from above. Ten trichobothria: fixed finger with 4 (et, it, ist and est) in distal part, 1 (esb) in basal part of fixed finger, 2 (ib and eb) in distal part of hand, trichobothrium isb absent; ist placed close to est; movable finger with 3 trichobothria (t, st, and b), sb absent. Trichobothriotaxy as in Fig. 7G, H . Hairs of trichobothria long, filiform, t not lanceolate. Setae of chela thin. Dorsal surface of chela with 1–2 irregular rows of microsetae (chemosensory setae, sc), ectal in position between ib and base of fixed finger. Microsetae also observed almost all over both fingers, adjacent to dental margin. Coupled sensilla (pc) present on movable finger between st and b, near dental margin. Movable finger at the distal end with two apical sensilla (am 1 and am 2), fixed finger — one apical sensilla (af). Lyrifissures arranged at base of hand on dorsal side, between b and esb (1 lyrifissure), proximal to esb (1 lyrifissure), between b and st (2 lyrifissures), and between est and it on dorsal side (1 lyrifissure). Fixed finger with 81–85 small, contiguous teeth. Teeth of fixed finger reaching to level of esb. Movable finger with 73–77 small, contiguous teeth. Teeth of movable finger not extending as far basally as those of fixed finger (difference equivalent to about 3–4 teeth). A row of four very small denticles at base of fixed finger. Fixed finger with welldeveloped venedens and venom gland, venom duct short, nodus ramosus clearly distal to et. Lamina defensor (ld) tightly appressed to venedens. Movable finger without venom apparatus, with a short, blunt apodens and a small lamina defensor.

Legs I and IV. Surface weakly reticulate. Joint between femur and patella of leg IV perpendicular. Telotarsi not expanded, gradually tapering distally. Subterminal tarsal setae of all legs serrate distally, each with 2–3 barbs. Claws smooth, thin, arcuate, can carry one tooth (variability); arolia undivided and distinctly shorter than claws.

Measurements and ratios of tritonymph as in Tables 4 , 5 .

Protonymph and deutonymph unknown.

REMARKS. P. golovatchi sp.n. is morphologically very similar to P. arcanus sp.n., but lacks four eye spots. P. golovatchi sp.n. is distinguished from P. roszkovskii by the shape of the chelal hand, which is expanded at the base and gradually narrowed distally, with nonparallel edges in dorsal views, by the paraxial edge visibly convex (the P. roszkovskii hand has subparallel edges), and by a smaller body and a smaller number of teeth on the chela. Recognition of the new species is based on the results of molecular genetic studies (see Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Pseudoblothrus from the Crimean caves above).

Figures

Fig. 3. Live specimens of two new species of the genus Pseudoblothrus in the Crimean Mountains in their natural habitat (caves): Skelskaya Cave (A) and live ♂ P. arcanus sp.n. (B) from the same cave; Villyaburunskaya Cave (C) and live ♂ P. golovatchi sp.n. (D) from the same cave. Photos by I.S. Turbanov. Рис. 3. Живые ЭкЗемплЯры двух новых видов рода Pseudoblothrus обитаюЩих в Горном Крыму в их естественной среде обитаниЯ (пеЩеры): пеЩера СкельскаЯ (A) и ♂ P. arcanus sp.n. (B) иЗ той же пеЩеры; пеЩера ВиллЯбурунскаЯ (С) и ♂ P. golovatchi sp.n. (D) иЗ той же пеЩеры. Фото И.С. Турбанова.

Fig. 4. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Holotype (♂) and paratypes (♂ ♀) from Kuban Cave. A — carapace, dorsal view (♂ holotype). B — coxae of pedipalp and legs I–IV, ventral view (♂ holotype). C — ♂ genital opening and sternites II–VI (lateral sides not shown), ventral view (♂ holotype). D — right stigmata of sternites III–IV and pleural membrane, ventral view (♂ holotype). E — ♀ genitalia, ventral view (♀ paratype). F — sternites II–VI, ventral view (lateral sides not shown) (♀ paratype). G — ♂ genitalia, ventral view (♂ holotype). H — ♂ genital opening and sternites II–VI (lateral sides not shown), ventral view (♂ paratype). Рис. 4. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Голотип (♂) и паратипы (♂ ♀) иЗ пеЩеры Кубань. А — карапакс, дорсально (♂ голотип). В — таЗики педипальп и ног I–IV, вентрально (♂ голотип). С — генитальнаЯ область и стерниты II–VI (латеральные стороны не покаЗаны), вентрально (♂ голотип). D — праваЯ стигма стернитов III–IV и плевральнаЯ мембрана, вентрально (♂ голотип). Е — гениталии, вентрально (♀ паратип). F — стерниты II–VI, вентрально (латеральные стороны не покаЗаны) (♀ паратип). G — гениталии, вентрально (♂ голотип). H, генитальнаЯ область и стерниты II–VI (латеральные стороны не покаЗаны), вентрально (♂ паратип).

Fig. 5. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Holotype (♂) from Kuban Cave. A — right chelicera. B — serrula exterior of right chelicera, mesal view. C — serrula interior of right chelicera, ectal view. D — rallum of right chelicera, mesal view. E — right leg I. F — right leg IV. G — subdistal seta of leg IV. H — subdistal seta of leg I. Рис. 5. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Голотип (♂) иЗ пеЩеры Кубань. А — праваЯ хелицера. В — внеШнЯЯ серрула правой хелицеры, меЗально. С — внутреннЯЯ серрула правой хелицеры, Эктально. D — раллум правой хелицеры, меЗально. Е — праваЯ нога I. F — праваЯ нога IV. G — субдистальнаЯ Щетинка ноги IV. H — субдистальнаЯ Щетинка ноги I.

Fig. 6. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Holotype (♂) and paratype (♀) from Kuban Cave. A — left chela, dorsal view (♂ holotype). B — left chela, ectal view (♂ holotype). C — left pedipalp, minus chela, (♂ holotype). D — left chela, dorsal view (♀ paratype). E — left chela, ectal view (♀ paratype). F — left pedipalp, minus chela, (♀ paratype). Рис. 6. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Голотип (♂) и паратип (♀) иЗ пеЩеры Кубань. А — леваЯ хела, дорсально (♂ голотип). В — леваЯ хела, Эктально (♂ голотип). С — леваЯ педипальпа, беЗ хелы, (♂ голотип). D — леваЯ хела, дорсально (♀ паратип). Е — леваЯ хела, Эктально (♀ паратип). F, леваЯ педипальпа, беЗ хелы (♀ паратип).

Fig. 7. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Tritonymph from Kuban Cave. A — carapace, dorsal view. B — left chelicera. C — serrula interior of left chelicera, mesal view, D — serrula exterior of left chelicera, ectal view. E — rallum of left chelicera, mesal view. F — left pedipalp, minus chela. G — left chela, dorsal view; H — left chela, ectal view. Рис. 7. Pseudoblothrus golovatchi sp.n. Тритонимфа иЗ пеЩеры Кубань. А — карапакс, дорсально. В — леваЯ хелицера. С — внутреннЯЯ серрула левой хелицеры, меЗально. D — внеШнЯЯ серрула левой хелицеры, Эктально. Е — раллум левой хелицеры, меЗально. F — леваЯ педипальпа, беЗ хелы. G — леваЯ хела, дорсально. H — леваЯ хела, Эктально.