Neobisium (Neobisium) sublaeve ( Simon, 1879 )

Gardini, Giulio & Gardini, Pietro, 2025, The epigean pseudoscorpions of the genus Neobisium from Corsica and Sardinia with description of a new species (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae), Zootaxa 5627 (1), pp. 93-127 : 115-124

Neobisium (Neobisium) sublaeve ( Simon, 1879)

( Figs 47–77 , 78–79 )

Obisium (Obisium) sublaeve Simon, 1879: 60 .

Obisium carcinoides : Gestro 1904: 14 (in part: Seui).

Obisium praecipuum : Gestro 1904: 14.

Obisium jugorum : Gestro 1904: 14.

Neobisium dolicodactylum : Beier 1948: 188.

[?] Neobisium sublaeve : Schawaller 1981: 45 (see Remarks)

Neobisium cf. praecipuum : Callaini 1983: 285.

Type locality: France, Corsica (imprecise: “montagnes de l’intérieur de l’île”).

Distribution. France ( Corsica), Italy (Sardinia).

Diagnosis (♂ ♀). An epigean, occasionally subterranean, medium-sized Neobisium from Corsica and Sardinia that differs from other Mediterranean species of the genus in the following combination of characters: carapace with one preocular seta on each side and 6–9 setae on posterior margin; ocular and median rows of carapace with a total of 12 (rarely 13) setae; epistome triangular, mostly with apical denticles; both eyes with convex lens and tapetum, anterior eyes at a distance of approximately half their diameter from the edge of the carapace; tergites I–IV: 7–11:7–11:7–11:8–10; cheliceral palm with 7 (rarely 6) setae, rallum with 7–8 (rarely 9) blades; fixed chelal finger irregularly heterodentate, with contiguous teeth; fixed and movable chelal fingers with 66–99 and 49–78 teeth, respectively; movable chelal finger with clearly evident dentition along its entire length, with teeth lower towards the proximal part of the finger; pedipalpal femur 0.88–1.49 mm length (4.32–5.34 ×), patella 0.60–1.08 mm (3.22–3.50 ×), with long distal patellar opening (X/Y = 0.71–0.93); chelal hand with smooth surface; movable chelal finger 0.92–1.65 mm length; pedipalpal hand with oval profile, with maximum width approximately in the basal third, paraxial side slightly more convex than antiaxial side (dorsal view); ratio between movable chelal finger and chelal hand with pedicel lengths 1.30–1.50; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable chelal finger lengths 0.88–0.98; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.22–1.54; trichobothrium ist mostly at level of st, closer to the finger tip than to isb.

Type material examined. None.

Non-type material examined. FRANCE — Corsica: Haute-Corse: 2♂, Castagniccia, surroundings of Cervione , 4. VI.1982, A. Torchia & S. Zoia leg. Corsica: Corse-du-Sud: 1 T, Bocognano, Col de Vizzavona , 1200 m a.s.l., 20.IV.1992, S. Zoia leg. , under bark Fagus ; 2♂, Cauro towards Eccica, bridge over the Prunelli River , 25. V.2002, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG) . ITALY — Sardinia: Cagliari Prov.: 1♀, Siliqua, Acquafredda , 27.II.1989, L. Fancello & P. Leo leg. Sardinia: Nuoro Prov.: 1♂ ( Obisium praecipuum, E. Simon det.), Desulo, Mt Gennargentu , V.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG) ; 1♀ ( Obisium jugorum, E. Simon det.), Gennargentu , VI.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG) ; 1♂ 1 T, Desulo, Mt Gennargentu, Bruncu Spina, Rifugio , 1750 m a.s.l., 3.II.1995, C. Meloni leg. ; 1 T, Galtellì, Mt Tuttavista summit, 800 m a.s.l., 19.III.2012, C. Onnis leg. ; 2♀, Isili, Sarcidano Stazione , XI.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG) ; 1 T, Lula, Mt Albo, Grotta Sa Conca ‘e Sa Capra 30 Sa / NU, 25.IX.2011, C. Onnis leg. ; 1♀, Ulassai, Tacco di Ulassai, Grotta di Su Marmori 55 Sa / NU, 5.II.1995, J. De Waele & D. Deidda leg. Sardinia: Oristano Prov.: 1♀, Morgongiori , 27.XII.1989, L. Fancello & P. Leo leg. ; 1♀, id., 22.XII.1993, L. Fancello & P. Leo leg. Sardinia: Sassari Prov.: 1♀, Cargeghe , 13.II.2002, leg.?; 1♀, Chiaramonti, Sa Fraigada, Grotta I di Sa Fraigada, 12.XII.1976, G. Grafitti leg. ; 1♀, Cossoine, Toe, Voragine Su Disterru ‘e Toe , 3.I.1989, G. Grafitti & A. Molinu leg. ; 1 T, Mara, Bonu Ighinu , 13.III.1977, G. Grafitti leg. Sardinia: Sud Sardegna Prov.: 1♀ ( Neobisium cfr. praecipuum, G. Callaini det.), Iglesiente, 1976, leg.? ( MSNG); 2♀, Domusnovas, Punta Campo Spina, Grotta del Biancospino , 3.II.2008, G. Merella leg. ; 1♂, Fluminimaggiore, Miniera-Grotta di Punta de Baueddu 2672 Sa / CA, 885 m a.s.l., 6.II.2005, C. Onnis & S. Papinuto leg. ; 1♂ 3♀, Gergei , XI.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG) ; 1♂, Narcao, Is Seddas ‘e Mont’Ega, Pozzo Seddas 816 Sa / CA, 3.III.2009, C. Onnis leg. ; 1 T, Nurri, Asutta ‘e Scraccas 5 Sa / CA, 14. V.2012, C. Onnis leg. ; 1♂ 1♀ ( Obisium carcinoides major, E. Simon det.), Seui , 2. V.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG) ; 1♀, Villaputzu, Su Pranu, S’Angurtidorgiu Mannu 4 Sa /CA-NU, 23.VII.1994, G. Grafitti leg. ; 1 T, Villasalto, Sa Lilla , III.2016, C. Onnis leg.

Description of adults (♂ ♀). Carapace, chelicerae, pedipalps and palpal coxae yellow-brown, chelal fingers of the same colour of the hand; pedipalps smooth and shiny, pleural membrane granular. Carapace 1.33–1.62 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad (width measured anteriorly), with four eyes ( Figs 47 , 55 ) with tapetum; anterior eyes with convex lens (diameter 0.08–0.12 mm), the posterior ones weakly reduced (diameter 0.08–0.12); distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace 0.04–0.06 mm, anterior eyes at a distance of approximately half their diameter from the edge of the carapace; distance from anterior to posterior eyes 0.02–0.035 mm; anterior margin of carapace with prominent triangular epistome ( Figs 47 , 55 ), mostly with apical denticles (0.02–0.03 mm length); chaetotaxy 4:6–7:6:6–9, plus one preocular seta on each side. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X (♂ ♀): 6–10:8–11:8–11:9– 11:10–13:10–13:11–12:11–12:10–12:11. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♂): 8–10:(3–4)35–39(3):(3)16–18(3):16:15– 17:15–16:16:13–15:14–15, setae of genital atrium not seen, median genital sac pyriform, reaching the base of sternite V ( Fig. 53 ); chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♀): 8:(3)24(3):(3)12(3):17:17–18:17:16:16:15, genital area as in fig. 58. Chelicera ( Figs 49 , 57 ) 1.83–1.98 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, palm with 7 (rarely 6) setae; fixed finger with 10–14 teeth, the 8–10 proximal spaced, the 5–7 distal small and contiguous; movable finger with 8–12 teeth, with one or two larger teeth just distal to gs; gs ratio 0.61–0.67, spinneret semicircular, prominent in female, more reduced in male; rallum with 8 (rarely 7 or 9) blades, the distal one laterally pinnate and isolated on a prominence, the second one serrate, the successive ones smooth, the proximal (rarely the two proximal) isolated and very short; serrulae interior and exterior with about 25 and 27 blades, respectively. Manducatory process with 5 setae. Coxal setae (♂ ♀): pedipalp 12 (rarely 13), I 9–11, II 9–12, III 8–10, IV 13–15; anterolateral process of coxa I strongly prominent and pointed, anteromedial process slightly prominent and apically rounded, with evident spiniform processes ( Figs 48 , 56 ). Pedipalp ( Figs 50–52 , 59–61 ): trochanter 2.12–2.45 (♂) or 2.20–2.30 (♀) times as long as broad, with a slightly prominent tubercle with a lyrifissure on antiaxial face; femur 4.40–5.13 (♂) or 4.32–5.34 (♀) times as long as broad; patella ( Figs 50 , 59 , 62–77 ) 2.50–3.19 (♂) or 2.61–3.22 (♀) times as long as broad, ratio X/Y = 0.70–0.93 (♂) or 0.76–0.90 (♀), with 7–11 sensilla on the dorsal face of pedicel; chela with pedicel 3.56–4.47 (♂) or 3.62–4.47 (♀) times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 1.64–1.89 (♂) or 1.60–1.92 (♀) times as long as broad, with 8–13 sensilla on the dorsal face of pedicel; pedipalpal hand with oval profile, with maximum width approximately in the basal third, paraxial side slightly more convex than antiaxial side (dorsal view); fingers curved in dorsal view ( Figs 51 , 60 ), fixed finger almost straight in antiaxial view ( Figs 52 , 61 ); fixed chelal finger heterodentate ( Figs 52 , 61 ), with 66–86 (♂) or 72–99 (♀) pointed contiguous teeth, nodus ramosus subterminal; movable chelal finger with 49–66 (♂) or 55–78 (♀) teeth, these are low, not pointed (apart from the distal ones the trichobothrium t), and progressively lower towards the proximal part of the finger; all teeth with dental canals; trichobothria as in figs 51–52, 60–61; relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis (♂ ♀): it 0.09–0.13/ et 0.11–0.16/ est 0.16 –0.20/ ist 0.25–0.37/ isb 0.755 –0.815 / ib 0.78–0.85/ esb 0.87–0.91/ eb 0.89–0.94/ t 0.17–0.23/ st 0.27–0.38/ sb 0.66–0.71/ b 0.85– 0.87; trichobothrium est at level or just distal t; trichobothrium ist mostly at level of st, closer to the finger tip than to isb; trichobothrium isb just distal ib; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths 1.32–1.50 (♂) or 1.30–1.47 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger lengths 0.89–0.98 (♂) or 0.88–0.94 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.29–1.54 (♂) or 1.22–1.42 (♀). Leg IV ( Fig. 54 ): trochanter 2.18–3.36 (♂) or 2.59–2.66 (♀) times as long as deep, femur + patella 3.29–4.46 (♂) or 3.85–5.68 (♀) times as long as deep, tibia 5.46–7.51 (♂) or 6.25–7.00 (♀) times [TS = 0.41–0.47 (♂ ♀)], basitarsus 4.05–4.80 (♂) or 4.20–5.00 (♀) times [TS = 0.12–0.19 (♂ ♀)], telotarsus 6.14–7.28 (♂) or 6.50–7.30 (♀) times as long as deep [TS = 0.44–0.53 (♂ ♀)], ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus lengths 0.75–0.87 (♂) or 0.80–0.90 (♀), subterminal seta furcate with little indentations, claws with a very small dorsal tooth.

Measurements. Body length 2.5–3.2 (♂) or 2.5–4.2 (♀). Carapace 0.68–0.85 × 0.42–0.65 anteriorly (♂) or 0.86–1.19 × 0.64–0.82 anteriorly (♀). Chelicera 0.46–0.585 × 0.25–0.295 (♂) or 0.60–0.73 × 0.32–0.395 (♀); movable finger length 0.285–0.38 (♂) or 0.285–0.39 (♀). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.43–0.625 × 0.20–0.255 (♂) or 0.59–0.74 × 0.26–0.325 (♀); femur 0.88–1.31 × 0.20–0.255 (♂) or 1.10–1.49 × 0.25–0.33 (♀); patella 0.60–0.91 × 0.24–0.285 (♂) or 0.81–1.08 × 0.285–0.38 (♀); chela with pedicel 1.495–2.28 × 0.42–0.51 (depth 0.41–0.485) (♂) or 1.95–2.64 × 0.50–0.71 (depth 0.48–0.70) (♀); hand with pedicel length 0.69–0.95 (♂) or 0.85–1.17 (♀); movable finger length 0.92–1.43 (♂) or 1.24–1.65 (♀). Leg IV: trochanter 0.37–0.49 × 0.11–0.19 (♂) or 0.48–0.64 × 0.185–0.24 (♀); femur + patella 0.845–1.16 × 0.225–0.28 (♂) or 1.08–1.42 × 0.25–0.28 (♀); tibia 0.69–0.99 × 0.115–0.14 (♂) or 0.875–1.19 × 0.115–0.14 (♀); basitarsus 0.34–0.48 × 0.08–0.10 (♂) or 0.42–0.60 × 0.10–0.12 (♀); telotarsus 0.43–0.55 × 0.07–0.08 (♂) or 0.52–0.66 × 0.08–0.09 (♀).

Description of tritonymph. Carapace, chelicerae, pedipalps and palpal coxae brown pale, chelal fingers of the same colour of the hand; pedipalps smooth and shiny, pleural membrane granular. Carapace 1.25–1.38 times as long as broad, with four eyes with tapetum; anterior eyes with convex lens (diameter 0.070 –0.075 mm), the posterior ones weakly reduced; distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace about 0.04 mm; distance from anterior to posterior eyes 0.020 –0.025 mm; anterior margin of carapace with squat triangular epistome (0.025 mm length); chaetotaxy 4:6:6:7–9, plus one preocular seta on each side. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X: 6–7:8–10:9–11:10– 12:10–13:10–13:9–14:10–15:9–13:9–10. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X: 4:(2)10–12(2):(2)8–9(2):13–16:16:16– 17:16–17:14–16:14–15. Chelicera 1.76–1.82 times as long as broad, palm with 6 setae; fixed finger with 13–14 spaced teeth; movable finger with 10–12 teeth, the largest just distad gs; gs ratio 0.65, spinneret subcircular, largely prominent; rallum with 7 blades, the distal one laterally pinnate and isolated on a prominence, the second one serrate, the successive ones smooth, the proximal isolated and very short; serrulae interior and exterior with 22 and 20–22 blades, respectively. Manducatory process with 4 setae. Coxal setae: pedipalp 8–10, I 8, II 6–7, III 6, IV 10; anterolateral process of coxa I strongly prominent and pointed, anteromedial process prominent and apically rounded, with evident spiniform processes. Pedipalp: trochanter 2.0 times as long as broad, with a prominent tubercle on antiaxial face; femur 3.67–4.15 times as long as broad; patella 2.27–2.52 times as long as broad; chela with pedicel 3.70–3.76 times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 1.65–1.81 times as long as broad; fixed chelal finger weakly heterodentate, with 52–63 pointed contiguous teeth, nodus ramosus subterminal; movable chelal finger with 39–52 teeth; all teeth with dental canals; relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis: it 0.19–0.195/ et 0.20–0.245/ est 0.255 –0.305 / ist 0.41–0.445/ ib 0.82–0.83/ esb 0.86–0.90/ eb 0.89–0.94/ t 0.30–0.34/ st 0.55–0.56/ b 0.83–0.87; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths 1.23–1.38; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger lengths 0.89–0.97; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.13–1.20. Leg IV: trochanter 2.08–2.27 times as long as deep, femur + patella 3.02–3.52 times as long as deep, tibia 5.11–5.45 times (TS = 0.40–0.43), basitarsus 2.86–3.56 times (TS = 0.125–0.16), telotarsus 3.93–4.86 times as long as deep (TS = 0.41–0.42), ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus lengths 0.78; subterminal seta furcate, not indented, claws with dorsal tooth.

Measurements. Body length 2.3–2.5. Carapace 0.55–0.69 × 0.44–0.50 anteriorly. Chelicera 0.37–0.42 × 0.21– 0.23; movable finger length 0.245 –0.255. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.32–0.39 × 0.16–0.19; femur 0.625–0.83 × 0.17– 0.20; patella 0.42–0.57 × 0.185 –0.235; chela with pedicel 1.11–1.43 × 0.30–0.38 (depth 0.30–0.36); hand with pedicel length 0.52–0.69; movable finger length 0.665–0.85. Leg IV: trochanter 0.25–0.33 × 0.12–0.145; femur + patella 0.56–0.74 × 0.185–0.21; tibia 0.46–0.60 × 0.09–0.11; basitarsus 0.215 –0.285 × 0.075–0.08; telotarsus 0.275 –0.365 × 0.07–0.075.

Remarks. Neobisium (Neobisium) sublaeve was described by Simon (1879), as Obisium (Obisium) sublaeve , on an uncertain number of Corsican specimens of both sexes. The exact locality is not specified in the original description, which only mentions “montagnes de l’intérieur de l’île”. In the key to species ( Simon 1879: 52), N. sublaeve is distinguished from Neobisium (Neobisium) jugorum in having the chelal hand broad and rounded at the base, strongly attenuated at the base of the fingers (hand narrow, almost parallel, just narrowed distally in N. jugorum ). Later, Simon (1896) compared N. sublaeve with Neobisium (Neobisium) doderoi , from which it differs in the shape of the patella (with a more globose club in N. doderoi ), and in having a non-darkened chelal hand (olivebrown in N. doderoi ).

The description of Neobisium sublaeve proposed by Simon (1879) lacks figures and offers few useful characters to confidently discriminate it from the other currently known congeneric Corsican species. Since the loan request for the syntypes of N. sublaeve sent to the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris on 10 December 2023 went unanswered, we relied on some key characters mentioned in Simon’s (1879) description—considered most important by us—to attribute the examined specimens to N. sublaeve (see Non-type material examined): the anterior eyes are positioned approximately half their diameter away from the edge of the carapace; the pedipalpal patella is just three times as long as wide, with a rather narrow, elongated pedicel, then gradually widening into an oval club, which is almost equally convex on both sides; the distal opening of the patella does not extend halfway to its inner edge. Neobisium incertum and Neobisium major both have the anterior eyes positioned at a distance from the carapace edge equal to half their diameter, but the patella is less slender (2.10–2.45 ×) and the X/Y ratio is 1.0–1.3. In contrast, N. settei and N. knoflachae n. sp. both have the anterior eyes positioned at a distance from the carapace edge equal to their diameter, and the patella is mostly more slender (3.21–3.43 ×) and the X/Y ratio is 0.52–0.63.

Neobisium sublaeve exhibits significant dimensional variability, as shown in figs 62–77, which illustrate the size gradient of the pedipalpal patella in Corsican and Sardinian specimens of both sexes.

Schawaller (1981) cited Neobisium sublaeve on two tritonymphs collected near Haut-Asco and Capanelle (northern and central Corsica, respectively) and provided schematic sketches of the carapace, the left pedipalp in dorsal view, and the right chela in lateral view of one of these. The chaetotaxy of carapace is 4:24:14 ( Schawaller 1981, fig. 4), and the examination and measurements made on the enlarged figures ( Schawaller 1981, figs 2–3) provide the following data: carapace 0.56 × 0.39 mm anteriorly (1.43 times as long as broad); pedipalpal femur 0.66 × 0.165 mm (4.0 ×); patella 0.425 × 0.17 mm (2.5 ×); chela with pedicel 1.08 × 0.26 mm (4.15 ×); movable chelal finger 0.64 mm; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths 1.35 ×; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger lengths 1.03 ×; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.18 ×; fixed chelal finger apparently heterodont; fixed and movable chelal fingers with 49 and 38 teeth, respectively; relative position of trichobothrium ist = 0.47. Comparison of these data with those reported in the above description of N. sublaeve tritonymphs suggests a correct specific attribution of the specimens examined by Schawaller (1981). However, the presence of increased chaetotaxy of the carapace and the absence of preocular setae in Schawaller’s specimens, together with the lack of adult specimens, make any specific attribution doubtful. Among the Corsican species, only Neobisium major shows increased carapace chaetotaxy, albeit 2 preocular setae on each side, but no tritonymphs of this species are known yet.

Records of Neobisium sublaeve outside the Corsican-Sardinian complex reported in WPC (2024) are doubtful and remain to be verified.

Figures

FIGURE 78. Map depicting known distribution of Neobisum (Neobisium) species from Corsica.

FIGURE 79. Map depicting known distribution of Neobisum (Neobisium) species from Sardinia.

FIGURES 47–52. Neobisium (N.) sublaeve (Simon, 1879), male (Corsica, Castagniccia, near Cervione). 47, anterior margin of carapace and ocular area; 48, anterior processes of right coxa I; 49, right chelicera, dorsal view; 50, trochanter, femur and patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 51, right pedipalpal chela, dorsal view; 52, same, antiaxial view, with magnified details of teeth at level of trichobothria ist and st.

FIGURES 53–54. Neobisium (N.) sublaeve (Simon, 1879), male (Corsica, Castagniccia, near Cervione). 53, genital area; 54, right leg IV, antiaxial view.

FIGURES 55–61. Neobisium (N.) sublaeve (Simon, 1879), female (Sardinia, Cargeghe). 55, anterior margin of carapace and ocular area; 56, anterior processes of right coxa I; 57, right chelicera, dorsal view; 58, genital area; 59, trochanter, femur and patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 60, right pedipalpal chela, dorsal view; 61, same, antiaxial view.

FIGURES 62–77. Neobisium (N.) sublaeve (Simon, 1879), right pedipalpal patellae, dorsal view (setae, lyrifissures and sensilla omitted). 62, ♂ Sardinia, Desulo, Mt Gennargentu, Bruncu Spina, Rifugio; 63, ♂ Corsica, surroundings of Cervione; 64, ♀ Sardinia, Cossoine, Voragine Su Disterru ‘e Toe; 65, ♂ Corsica, Cauro towards Eccica; 66, ♂ Sardinia, Fluminimaggiore, Miniera-Grotta di Punta de Baueddu; 67, ♂ Corsica, surroundings of Cervione; 68, ♀ Sardinia, Ulassai, Grotta di Su Marmori; 69, ♀ Sardinia, Domusnovas, Grotta del Biancospino; 70, ♂ Sardinia, Gergei; 71, ♀ Sardinia, Isili, Sarcidano Stazione; 72, ♂ Sardinia, Mt Gennargentu (A. Dodero leg.); 73, ♂ Sardinia, Narcao, Pozzo Seddas; 74, ♀ Sardinia, Siliqua, Acquafredda; 75, ♀ Sardinia, Villaputzu, S’Angurtidorgiu Mannu; 76, ♀ Sardinia, Iglesiente; 77, ♀ Sardinia, Morgongiori (22.XII.1993).