Neobisium (Neobisium) incertum Chamberlin, 1930

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 : 95-102

Neobisium (Neobisium) incertum Chamberlin, 1930

( Figs 1–15 , 78–79 )

Neobisium incertum Chamberlin, 1930: 14 , figs 1k, 2ee; Chamberlin 1931, figs 13f–g, 17e, 35d, 43g –i; Beier 1948: 188, fig. 1.

Obisium carcinoides : Simon 1898: 21 (in part: Ozieri, Uras, Mount Ferru, Laconi); Gestro 1904: 14 (see Neobisium sublaeve ).

Obisium muscorum : Simon 1898: 21; Gestro 1904: 14.

Obisium doderoi : Ellingsen 1909: 207 (in part: Golfo Aranci); Krausse-Heldrungen 1912: 66.

Neobisium (Neobisium) doderoi : Lazzeroni 1969: 229; Callaini 1983: 288.

Neobisium incertum : Vachon 1940: 142.

Type locality: Italy, Sardinia, Nuoro Province, Sorgono (40°01’N 9°06’E) [but probably: Oristano Province, Asuni (39°52’N 8°56’E) (see Judson 1997: 21)] .

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

Diagnosis (♂ ♀). An epigean, medium-sized Neobisium (Neobisium) from Corsica and Sardinia that differs from other Mediterranean species of the genus in the following combination of characters: carapace without (rarely with one) preocular setae on each side and with 7–12 (mostly 8–10) setae on posterior margin; ocular and median rows of carapace with a total of 12 setae; epistome acute triangular, mostly with apical denticles; anterior and posterior eyes bulging and almost contiguous, with tapetum; anterior eyes about half their diameter from the edge of the carapace; tergites I–IV: 6–10:7–12:10–12:10–14 (probable standard chaetotaxy 6:10:12:12); cheliceral palm with 7 (rarely 6) setae, rallum with 8 blades; pedipalps smooth; fixed chelal finger homodentate, with contiguous, pointed teeth; movable chelal finger with flattened, almost vestigial teeth in its proximal two-thirds, with dentition clearly evident in the distal third from the trichobothrium t to the finger apex (rarely with higher teeth also in the proximal two-thirds); fixed and movable chelal fingers with 55–73 and 36–54 teeth, respectively; pedipalpal femur 0.78–1.15 mm length (3.71–4.33 ×), patella 0.53–0.75 mm (2.10–2.45 ×), distal opening of the patella wide (X/Y = 1.0–1.3), movable finger 0.755–1.01 mm; pedipalpal hand with oval profile; ratio between movable chelal finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths1.02–1.24; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable chelal finger lengths1.00–1.19; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths1.21–1.43; trichobothrium ist distal st, closer to the finger tip than to isb; trichobothria isb and ib mostly at the same level.

Type material examined. None.

Non-type material examined. FRANCE — Corsica: Corse du Sud: 1♂ 1♀, Sartène, 1. VI.1982, A. Torchia & S. Zoia leg. Corsica: Haute-Corse: 1♂ 1♀, near Frassiccia, 9 km NW Aleria, 27.IV.2001, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG); 1♀, Stagno di Biguglia, 8. V.2001, R. Poggi leg., Salicornia saltmarsh ( MSNG). ITALY — Sardinia: Cagliari Prov.: 1♀ 1 T, Maracalagonis, Corongiu, XII.1996, P. Leo leg.; 1♀, near Monserrato, IX.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 2♀, Pula, Pixinamanna, 204 m a.s.l., 19.X.2008, G. Ruzzante leg.; 3♂ 3♀, Quartu Sant’Elena, Capitana, IX.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 2♂ 1♀, Santa Margherita di Pula, 28.X.1978, P. Leo leg.; 1♂ 2♀, Sarroch, river Mt Nieddu, X.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 2♂ 1♀, Sinnai, Mt Sette Fratelli, Maidopis, 11.IX.2010, R. Rattu leg.; 1♀, id., 4.XII.2010, R. Rattu leg.; 3♀, Sinnai, Mt Sette Fratelli, San Pietro, 200–400 m a.s.l., X.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 1♂, Sinnai, San Gregorio, 15.I.2011, R. Rattu leg.; 1♀, id., V.2011, R. Rattu leg.; 2♀, id., XII.2011, R. Rattu leg., leaf litter; 6♂ 2♀, id., 1.II.2012, R. Rattu leg., leaf litter; 2♀, Sinnai, San Gregorio, Su Incantu, 272 m a.s.l., IX.2008, G. Ruzzante leg.; 2♂ 1♀, Uta, Mt Sa Genna de Su Cerbu, IX.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG). Sardinia: Nuoro Prov.: 1 T, near Aritzo, 20. VI.1980, S. Zoia leg.; 4D, Gadoni, Is Brecas, 25.III.2018, C. Onnis leg.; 5 T 1D, Gairo Cardedu, 26. VI.1984, C. Torti leg., Quercus ilex wood; 1 T, Gairo Marina, 11. V.1980, G. Gardini leg.; 1D, Osini, 19. V.1980, C. Torti leg.; 1♀, Osini, near Scala di San Giorgio, 1.IV.2008, C. Torti leg.; 1♂, Perdasdefogu, Is Angurtidorgius 4 Sa/ NU, 2.XII.1995, G. Zanda, T. Piras, G.C. Piras & G. Altea leg., 1000 m from the entrance; 1♀ 1 T, Posada, Mt Idda, 20.III.2017, C. Onnis leg.; 1 T, Siniscola, Mt Albo, Mt Nioleo, 10.IV.2016, C. Onnis leg.; 1♂ 4♀ 1 T, Tertenia, Barisoni, 6.XI.1992, C. Meloni leg., leaf litter under Pistacia sp. ; 2♂, Tortolì, Stagno di Tortolì, 2. VI.1999, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG). Sardinia: Oristano Prov.: 1♀, Abbasanta, 5.II.1985, C. Meloni leg.; 1♀, Arborea, 24.IV.1979, S. Riese leg.; 1♀, Asuni, 22.XII.1993, L. Fancello & P. Leo leg.; 1♂ ( Obisium carcinoides, E. Simon det.), M.te Ferru, V.1891, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1 T, Cuglieri, Monte Ferru, 30.IV.1979, S. Riese leg.; 2♀, SE surroundings of Cuglieri, Mt Ferru, 650 m a.s.l., 16. V.2003, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG); 2♂ 1♀ 9 T 1D ( Obisium carcinoides, E. Simon det.), Laconi, V.1891, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♂ 1 T ( Obisium muscorum, E. Simon det.), Laconi, 26. V.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♂ 2♀ 1 T, Laconi, Funtanamela, 630 m a.s.l., 17. VI.1994, C. Meloni leg., beating Pistacia lentiscus ; 1♂, id., 720 m a.s.l., 24. V.1995, C. Meloni leg., sifting; 1♂, near Mogoro, X.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 1 T, Oristano, 30.IV.1979, S. Riese leg.; 1♀, San Vero Milis, Putzu Idu beach, 24.IX.1977, N. Sanfilippo leg.; 2♂ 1♀, near Uras, X.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG). Sardinia: Sassari Prov.: 1♀, Alghero, Mt Palmavera, 31.XII.1988, G. Grafitti leg.; 1♂, Badesi, Baia delle Mimose, 0 m a.s.l., 26.X.2018, A. Pes leg., sand dunes; 1♂ 5♀ ( Obisium carcinoides, E. Simon det.), Capo Caccia, 17.IV.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♂, Cossoine, Grotta Sa Ucca ‘e Mammuscone 180 Sa/SS, 19.X.1991, M. Rampini leg.; 6♂ 3♀ ( Obisium muscorum, E. Simon det.), Golfo Aranci, IV.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 2♀ (?) ( Obisium Doderoi, E. Ellingsen det.), Golfo Aranci, no date, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♀, Golfo Aranci, Capo Figari, Pozzo Erni 2157 Sa/SS, 22.III.2014, C. Onnis leg.; 1♂, La Maddalena, Isola Caprera, Poggio Santo Stefano, 31.III.1994, R. Manconi leg.; 1♀ ( Obisium carcinoides, E. Simon det.), Ozieri, no date, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♂, Sassari, Caniga, 17.III.1983, G. Gardini leg.; 1♀, Sassari, Abealzu, 13.XII.1983, G. Gardini leg.; 1♂ 2 T, Stintino, Stagno di Casaraccio, 2. V.2000, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG); 1 T ( Obisium muscorum, E. Simon det.), Tempio Pausania, 7.IV.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♂ (?) ( Obisium carcinoides, E. Simon det.), Uras, 25.IV.1891, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG). Sardinia: Sud Sardegna Prov.: 1♀ ( N. doderoi, G. Callaini det.), Arbus, Sant’Antonio di Santadi, 26.IX.1980, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG); 15 T, Arbus, Passo Bidderdì, 400 m a.s.l., 20.IV.1997, C. Giusto leg., beating Cytisus laniger DC. ; 1♀, Ballao, Rio Bintinoi, 2. XII.1986, L. Fancello & P. Leo leg.; 1♂ 1D, Buggerru, near Miniera San Luigi, 347 m a.s.l., 11.XI.2006, G. Nardi & M. Zapparoli leg. ( CNBFVR); 1♀, Buggerru, near Grugua, 530m a.s.l., 11.XI.2006, M. Bardiani et al. leg. ( CNBFVR); 2♀ 8 T, Burcei, Campuomo, 395 m a.s.l., 28.IV.2010, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♀ 1 T, near Burcei, 600 m a.s.l., 6. V.2000, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG); 1♂, Carbonia, Barbusi, 11.XI.1986, L. Fancello & P. Leo leg.; 1♂, Carloforte, La Punta, 11.III.1982, P. Leo leg.; 1♀, Carloforte, near Stagno Vinagra, 114 m a.s.l., 8.XII.2009, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♂, Carloforte, Cala Fico, 8.XII.2009, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♀, Domus de Maria, 29.XII.1991, P. Leo leg.; 1♂ 2♀, Domus de Maria, Isola Su Cardolinu, 15 m a.s.l., 11.XII.2011, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♂, Domus de Maria, Punta Su Pisu, 19 m a.s.l., XII.2006, G. Ruzzante leg.; 3♂ 4♀, id., 16.IX.2007, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♀ 1 T 1D, id., V.2008, G. Ruzzante leg.; 7♂ 9♀, id., XI.2009, G. Ruzzante leg., bundles of dry branches; 2♂ 5♀, id., 25.IX.2010, G. Ruzzante leg., bundles of dry branches; 1♂ 2 T, near Domusnovas, 4. V.1976, L. Briganti leg.; 1♂ 1♀, Domusnovas, near Sa Duchessa, 320 m a.s.l., 12.XI.2006, M. Bardiani et al. leg., Quercus ilex wood ( CNBFVR); 1♂ 1♀, Domusnovas, near Grotta di San Giovanni, 325 m a.s.l., 12.XI.2006, M. Bardiani et al. leg., Quercus ilex wood ( CNBFVR); 2 T ( Obisium muscorum, E. Simon det.), Flumentorgiu, V.1897, F. Solari leg. ( MSNG); 1♀, Fluminimaggiore, Perd’e Fogu, 2.IV.1995, C. Meloni leg., under Olea europaea ; 3♀, Fluminimaggiore, between Sa Duchessa and Tempio di Antas, 542 m a.s.l., IX.2009, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♂ 2♀, Gergei, XII.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 1♀, Gonnesa, 2.IV.1995, C. Meloni leg., under Olea europaea ; 1 T, Guspini, Sa Funtanedda, 9.IV.1995, C. Meloni leg., under Olea europaea ; 4D, Iglesias, Tempio di Antas, 29.III.1991, G. Gardini leg.; 1♂ 3♀, Iglesias, near Case Marganai, 660 m a.s.l., 14.XI.2006, M. Bardiani et al. leg., Quercus ilex wood ( CNBFVR); 1♀, Iglesias, Nebida, I.2000, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 1♀ 2 T 2D, Iglesias, Mamenga, 610 m a.s.l., 1.III.2006, L. Fancello leg. ( CNBFVR); 1♂, Iglesias, Monti Marganai, 700 m a.s.l., 21.X.2003, D. Birtele et al. leg., Malaise trap ( CNBFVR); 1♂. Iglesias, near P.te Genna Ollioni, 650 m a.s.l., 14.XI.2006, G. Nardi & M. Zapparoli leg., Quercus ilex wood ( CNBFVR); 2 T, Iglesias, P.ta Serra Pirastu, 656 m a.s.l., 6. VI.2004, G. Nardi leg., beating Cistus sp. ( CNBFVR); 3♂ 2♀, Muravera, Costa Rei, Stagno Santa Giusta, X.1999, L. Fancello leg. ( MSNG); 2 T, Muravera, San Giovanni beach, 5. V.2018, R. Poggi leg. ( MSNG); 15 T, Nurallao, Stazione di Cignoni, 580 m a.s.l., 7. VI.1994, C. Meloni leg., beating Pistacia lentiscus ; 1 T, San Nicolò Gerrei, Mt Taccu, Grotta Su Fummu n.c., 1. V.2012, C. Onnis leg.; 4 T 1D, Sant’Antioco, 11. V.1988, R. Argano leg.; 1 T, Isola Sant’Antioco, Cala Lunga, 13. VI.1989, G. Osella leg.; 1 T, Sant’Antioco, Isl. La Vacca, 14. VI.1989, G. Osella leg.; 1♂ 1D, Serri, 27.X.1992, P. Leo leg.; 1 T ( Obisium muscorum, E. Simon det.), Seui, 7. V.1902, A. Dodero leg. ( MSNG); 1♂ 1♀, Siliqua, 14.I.1980, C. Meloni leg.; 1♂, Siliqua, Mt Uannena, 60 m a.s.l., 9.X.1994, C. Meloni leg., under Olea europaea ; 2D, Seui, Mt Arquerì, cave n.c., 15.IV,2017, C. Onnis leg.; 2♀ ( Obisium muscorum, E. Simon det.), Soleminis, II.1896, U. Lostia leg. ( MSNG); 2♀, Soleminis, Mt Arrubiu, 465 m a.s.l., 10.X.2009, G. Ruzzante leg., bundles of dry branches; 1♂ 1♀, Villacidro, Mt Mannu, 340 m a.s.l., 19.IX.2010, G. Ruzzante leg.; 1♀, Villacidro, San Sisinnio, 2.I.1987, P. Leo leg.; 1♂ 4 T, Villacidro, near Mt Anzeddu, 500 m a.s.l., 10.XI.2006, G. Nardi & M. Zapparoli leg. ( CNBFVR); 1♀, Villamassargia, 31.III.1995, C. Meloni leg., under Olea europaea ; 2 T, Villaputzu, Castello di Quirra, 14. V.1994, C. Meloni leg., on Pistacia sp.

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 1.1–1.3 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, with four bulging eyes with tapetum ( Fig. 9 ); anterior eyes with convex lens (diameter 0.08–0.11 mm), the posterior ones weakly reduced; distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace 0.04–0.07 mm (the anterior eyes are about half their diameter from the edge of the carapace); distance from anterior to posterior eyes 0.02–0.04 mm; anterior margin of carapace with prominent triangular epistome (0.025 –0.035 mm length), mostly with apical denticles ( Figs 1 , 9 ); chaetotaxy 4:6:6:7–12, posterior row mostly with 8–10 macrosetae; one preocular microseta on each side rarely present. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X (♂ ♀): 6–10:7–12:10–12:10–14:12– 14:12–16:12–14:12–14:11–13:10–12, probable standard chaetotaxy of tergites I–VIII: 6:10:12:12:12:12:12:12. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♂): 8–14:(3)20–36(3):(3)12–16(3):14–17:13–19:14–18:14–18:14–16:13–14, lateral genital sacs tubular, median genital sac pyriform, reaching or just beyond the sternite V ( Fig. 4 ), genital atrium with 3+3 setae; chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♀): 8–9:(3–4)19–23(3–4):(3)14–15(3):20–21:18:20:18–21:19–20:18–19, genital area as in fig. 12. Chelicera ( Figs 3 , 11 ) 1.83–1.92 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, palm with 7 (rarely 6) setae; fixed finger with 12–18 subequal teeth, gradually smaller distally; movable finger with 8–14 teeth, the largest just distad gs; gs ratio 0.63–0.66, spinneret subcircular, largely prominent in female, more reduced in male; rallum with 8 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 24–26 and 27–29 blades, respectively. Manducatory process with 4 setae. Coxal setae (♂ ♀): pedipalp 6–8, I 6–10, II 6–8, III 6–8, IV 8– 13; anterolateral process of coxa I strongly prominent and pointed, anteromedial process prominent and apically rounded, with evident spiniform processes ( Figs 2 , 10 ). Pedipalp ( Figs 5–7 , 13–15 ): trochanter 1.80–2.02 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, with a prominent tubercle on antiaxial face; femur 3.77–4.30 (♂) or 3.71–4.33 (♀) times as long as broad, weakly enlarged distally; patella 2.15–2.45 (♂) or 2.10–2.39 (♀) times as long as broad, ratio X/Y = 1.0–1.3 (♂ ♀); chela with pedicel 3.37–3.73 (♂) or 3.17–3.67 (♀) times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 1.68–1.82 (♂) or 1.54–1.85 (♀) times as long as broad, with oval profile and its greatest width just before the middle; fingers curved in dorsal view ( Figs 6 , 14 ); fixed chelal finger homodentate ( Figs 7 , 15 ), with 55–73 (♂ ♀) pointed contiguous teeth, nodus ramosus subterminal; movable chelal finger with a total of 36–54 teeth (♂ ♀): these are mostly flattened, almost vestigial in the proximal two-thirds of the finger to become―distally to trichobothrium t ―high with a rounded apex (6–10 teeth) and then with a pointed apex (9–15 teeth) ( Figs 7 , 15 ); rarely with higher teeth (specimens from surroundings of Domusnovas, Cala Fico near Carloforte, Scala di San Giorgio near Osini, Serri, Gergei, Uras and Asuni); all teeth with dental canals; trichobothria as in figs 6–7, 14–15; relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis (♂ ♀): it 0.12–0.15/ et 0.16–0.175/ est 0.19 –0.24/ ist 0.33–0.38/ isb 0.79–0.84/ ib 0.795–0.84/ esb 0.905–0.95/ eb 0.915 –0.955 / t 0.23–0.27/ st 0.36–0.46/ sb 0.66–0.74/ b 0.85–0.88; trichobothrium est distal t; trichobothrium ist distal st, closer to the finger tip than to isb; trichobothrium isb mostly at level of ib; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths 1.06–1.24 (♂) or 1.02–1.20 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger lengths 1.00–1.19 (♂ ♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.21–1.43 (♂) or 1.26–1.37 (♀). Leg IV ( Fig. 8 ): trochanter 2.13–2.27 (♂ ♀) times as long as deep, femur + patella 3.12–3.33 (♂) or 2.90–3.60 (♀) times as long as deep, tibia 5.00–5.46 (♂) or 4.83–5.72 (♀) times [TS = 0.42–0.56 (♂ ♀)], basitarsus 3.75–4.00 (♂) or 3.75–4.05 (♀) times [TS = 0.13–0.18 (♂ ♀)], telotarsus 5.00–5.62 (♂) or 4.88– 5.62 (♀) times as long as deep [TS = 0.43–0.46 (♂ ♀)], ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus lengths 0.75–0.92 (♂ ♀), subterminal seta furcate, rarely indented ( Fig. 8 ). claws with barely evident dorsal tooth.

Measurements. Body length 2.5–2.8 (♂) or 3.2–3.9 (♀). Carapace 0.55–0.69 × 0.47–0.57 anteriorly (♂) or 0.57– 0.84 × 0.57–0.68 anteriorly (♀). Chelicera 0.44–0.485 × 0.24–0.265 (♂) or 0.475–0.59 × 0.25–0.32 (♀); movable finger length 0.265–0.30 (♂) or 0.295–0.37 (♀). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.36–0.44 × 0.20–0.24 (♂) or 0.375–0.47 × 0.20–0.25 (♀); femur 0.79–0.94 × 0.20–0.225 (♂) or 0.78–1.15 × 0.21–0.275 (♀); patella 0.53–0.65 × 0.23–0.265 (♂) or 0.53–0.75 × 0.24–0.32 (♀); chela with pedicel 1.33–1.54 × 0.37–0.46 (depth 0.375–0.45) (♂) or 1.33–1.80 × 0.41–0.56 (depth 0.395–0.54) (♀); hand with pedicel length 0.635–0.78 (♂) or 0.65–0.94 (♀); movable finger length 0.755–0.89 (♂) or 0.76–1.01 (♀). Leg IV: trochanter 0.32–0.42 × 0.145 –0.185 (♂ ♀); femur + patella 0.75– 0.88 × 0.24–0.275 (♂) or 0.735–1.04 × 0.255–0.29 (♀); tibia 0.59–0.71 × 0.11–0.13 (♂) or 0.58–0.83 × 0.12–0.145 (♀); basitarsus 0.30–0.34 × 0.075–0.09 (♂) or 0.30–0.395 × 0.08–0.105 (♀); telotarsus 0.35–0.45 × 0.07–0.08 (♂) or 0.37–0.45 × 0.075 –0.085 (♀).

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 1.15–1.28 times as long as broad, with four eyes; anterior eyes with convex lens (diameter 0.07 mm), the posterior ones weakly reduced; distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace 0.025 –0.035 mm; distance from anterior to posterior eyes 0.015 –0.025 mm; anterior margin of carapace with acute triangular epistome (0.02 mm length), mostly with apical denticles; chaetotaxy 4:6:6:7–11, posterior row mostly with 8 macrosetae; preocular microsetae absent. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X: 6–8:8–11:9–12:9–13:10–13:12–13:11–12:11–13:10–12:7. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X: 2:(2) 9–12 (2):(2)10–11(2): 12–14:12–15:14–15:16:15–16:14–15. Chelicera 1.68–1.83 times as long as broad, palm with 6 setae; fixed finger with 10–13 subequal teeth, gradually smaller distally; movable finger with 6–10 teeth, the largest just distad gs; gs ratio 0.60–0.69, 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 24 blades, respectively. Manducatory process with 4 setae. Coxal setae: pedipalp 6, I 6–7, II 6, III 6–7, IV 7–9; anterolateral process of coxa I strongly prominent and pointed, anteromedial process prominent and apically rounded, with evident spiniform processes. Pedipalp: trochanter 1.77–2.00 times as long as broad, with a prominent tubercle on antiaxial face; femur 3.58–3.93 times as long as broad; patella 2.02–2.23 times as long as broad; chela with pedicel 3.23–3.55 times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 1.53–1.77 times as long as broad; fixed chelal finger homodentate, with 52–58 pointed contiguous teeth, nodus ramosus subterminal; movable chelal finger with a total of 36–42 teeth: these are mostly flattened, almost vestigial in the proximal two-thirds of the finger to become―distally to trichobothrium t ―high with a rounded apex (9–12 teeth) and then with a pointed apex (7–10 teeth), rarely with higher teeth (tritonymph from Sant’Antioco: Isl. La Vacca); all teeth with dental canals; relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis: it 0.17–0.195/ et 0.20–0.225/ est 0.27 –0.305/ ist 0.385–0.41/ ib 0.77–0.82/ esb 0.83–0.90/ eb 0.86–0.92/ t 0.30–0.36/ st 0.585–0.63/ b 0.835–0.87; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths 1.10–1.30; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger lengths 1.00–1.06; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.11–1.22. Leg IV: trochanter 1.96–2.11 times as long as deep, femur + patella 3.15–3.54 times as long as deep, tibia 4.45–4.85 times (TS = 0.38–0.46), basitarsus 2.87–3.40 times (TS = 0.12–0.16), telotarsus 4.14–4.57 times as long as deep (TS = 0.34–0.50), ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus lengths 0.75–0.83, subterminal seta furcate, not indented, claws without dorsal tooth.

Measurements. Body length 1.8–2.2. Carapace 0.53–0.63 × 0.43–0.50 anteriorly. Chelicera 0.37–0.43 × 0.21– 0.24; movable finger length 0.21–0.255. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.30–0.34 × 0.16–0.18; femur 0.61–0.66 × 0.155–0.18; patella 0.375–0.45 × 0.185 –0.205; chela with pedicel 1.03–1.19 × 0.29–0.365 (depth 0.30–0.37); hand with pedicel length 0.49–0.56; movable finger length 0.605–0.66. Leg IV: trochanter 0.25–0.285 × 0.125–0.14; femur + patella 0.58–0.655 × 0.18–0.19; tibia 0.44–0.51 × 0.095–0.11; basitarsus 0.23–0.255 × 0.07–0.08; telotarsus 0.275–0.32 × 0.065–0.07.

Short description of deutonymph. Carapace 1.19–1.20 times as long as broad, with four eyes; anterior eyes with convex lens (diameter 0.05 mm), the posterior ones weakly reduced; anterior and posterior eyes almost contiguous; anterior margin of carapace with obtuse triangular epistome; chaetotaxy 4:6:6:8–10; preocular microsetae absent. Chelicera 1.75–1.87 times as long as broad, palm with 5 setae; fixed finger with 10 teeth; movable finger with 6 teeth distally gs; gs ratio 0.70, spinneret subcircular, largely prominent; rallum with 6 blades, the distal one laterally pinnate and isolated on a prominence, the second one serrate, the subsequent ones are smooth and of decreasing length. Pedipalp: trochanter 1.75 times as long as broad; femur 3.5 times as long as broad; patella 1.9–2.1 times as long as broad; chela with pedicel 3.28–3.73 times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 1.56–1.70 times as long as broad; fixed chelal finger homodentate, with 39–43 pointed contiguous teeth; movable chelal finger with a total of 31–34 teeth: these are mostly flattened in the proximal two-thirds of the finger to become―distally to trichobothrium t ―high with a rounded apex (12–13 teeth) and then with a pointed apex (8–9 teeth), rarely with higher teeth (deutonymphs from surroundings of Domusnovas, Osini and Serri); relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis: it 0.235–0.26/ et 0.29–0.30/ est 0.40 –0.41/ ist 0.47–0.49/ ib 0.77–0.80/ eb 0.85–0.86/ t 0.44/ b 0.79– 0.82; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel lengths 1.27–1.31; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger lengths 0.91–1.00; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace lengths 1.02–1.07. Leg IV: trochanter 1.9–2.0 times as long as deep, femur + patella 2.90–3.23 times as long as deep, tibia 4.06–4.13 times (TS = 0.35–0.40), basitarsus 2.75–3.30 times (TS = 0.18–0.24), telotarsus 3.91–4.44 times as long as deep (TS = 0.31), ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus lengths 0.76, subterminal seta furcate, not indented; claws without dorsal tooth.

Measurements. Body length 1.4–1.6. Carapace 0.41–0.43 × 0.34–0.36 anteriorly. Chelicera 0.28–0.29 × 0.155– 0.16; movable finger length 0.17–0.18. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.21–0.225 × 0.12–0.13; femur 0.42–0.46 × 0.12–0.13; patella 0.275 –0.285 × 0.13–0.15; chela with pedicel 0.755 –0.765 × 0.205–0.22 (depth 0.205–0.23); hand with pedicel length 0.35–0.36; movable finger length 0.46. Leg IV: trochanter 0.18–0.19 × 0.09–0.10; femur + patella 0.42–0.435 × 0.13–0.15; tibia 0.31–0.325 × 0.075–0.08; basitarsus 0.16–0.165 × 0.05–0.06; telotarsus 0.21–0.215 × 0.045 –0.055.

Remarks. The original description of Neobisium (Neobisium) incertum was based on specimens of both sexes believed to have been collected at Sorgono (Sardinia) by Krausse-Heldrungen. However, Judson (1997) suggested that the true type locality of the species is Asuni, 20 km south of Sorgono. Although the description of the species was very succinct and accompanied by insufficient figures ( Chamberlin 1930, 1931), the peculiar dentition of the movable chelal finger―characterized by low, obsolete teeth in the proximal two-thirds―was clearly described. Chamberlin (1930) considered the species closely related to Neobisium (Neobisium) erythrodactylum (L. Koch, 1873) .

A subsequent redescription of Neobisium incertum , based on specimens from Sorgono, was carried out by Beier (1948), who provided more detailed characters and the complete illustration of a pedipalp. The author considered the species probably endemic to Sardinia and related to Neobisium (Neobisium) ischyrum (Navás, 1918) and Neobisium (Neobisium) ventalloi Beier, 1939 of the Iberian Peninsula and Neobisium (Neobisium) simoni (L. Koch, 1873) of the Western and Central Europe. In the subsequent key to European pseudoscorpions, Beier (1963) repeated his description of the Sorgono specimens ( Beier 1948) with some modifications regarding the morphometric ratios of the pedipalpal femur, hand and chela, along with the addition of the position of the trichobothrium ist and the body length. Beier (1963) considered the species to be close to N. ventalloi and both species were included in the eyed Neobisium group of species sharing the following combination of characters: trichobothrium ist mostly distal to the middle of the fixed finger, pedipalpal femur smooth or at most with scattered tubercles, movable chelal finger with reduced dentition in the proximal two-thirds, distal opening of the pedipalpal patella slightly shorter or as long as its paraxial margin.

Currently, five western Mediterranean epigean Neobisium species and subspecies belonging to the nominotypical subgenus— Neobisium ischyrum ischyrum (Navás, 1918) , N. ischyrum balearicum Beier, 1930 , Neobisium maroccanum Beier, 1930 , Neobisium ventalloi , Neobisium reductum Mahnert, 1977 and Neobisium hispanicum Zaragoza & Hernandez, 2018 —share the movable chelal finger with reduced dentition ( Callaini 1988; Hernández-Corral et al. 2018), allowing N. incertum to be placed in the same species group.

Neobisium incertum is most likely an endemic species of the Corsican-Sardinian complex. The species is quite common throughout Sardinia, including the small circum-Sardinian islands ( Gardini 2008, 2011), where it is primarily found in maquis litter but can also be collected beating maquis shrubs as Pistacia lentiscus L., Cistus sp. and Cytisus laniger DC. Fig. 79 also includes the localities of the small circum-Sardinian islands ( Gardini 2008), which are not repeated above in the section on Non-type material examined. The record of N. incertum from Portugal ( Vachon 1940) is likely attributable to Neobisium (Neobisium) bernardi franzi Beier, 1955 (see Beier 1955), while those of Neobisium (Neobisium) doderoi ( Simon, 1896) from Sardinia reported by Krausse-Heldrungen (1912), Lazzeroni (1969) and Callaini (1983) are all probably referable to N. incertum .

The above redescription of Neobisium incertum partially includes those of Chamberlin (1930) and Beier (1948, 1963), with the following exceptions: the pedipalpal femur is not shorter than the carapace as stated by Chamberlin (1930); the minimum length/width ratios of the pedipalpal femur and hand is 3.71 × and 1.54 ×, respectively, and not 3.6 × and 1.4 × as described by Beier (1963). A few specimens, including both adults and nymphs, are attributed here to N. incertum , even though they display movable chelal finger with higher, less reduced proximal teeth. These specimens are otherwise morphologically indistinguishable from the rest of the material examined.

For comparison of Neobisium incertum with Neobisium (Neobisium) gennargentui Callaini, 1983 , refer to the

Remarks under the latter species.

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 1–8. Neobisium (N.) incertum Chamberlin, 1930, male (Sardinia, Domus de Maria, Punta Su Pisu, XI.2009). 1, anterior margin of carapace; 2, anterior processes of right coxa I; 3, right chelicera, dorsal view; 4, genital area; 5, trochanter, femur and patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 6, right pedipalpal chela, dorsal view; 7, same, antiaxial view, with magnified details of teeth at level of trichobothria et and sb; 8, right leg IV, antiaxial view, with magnified detail of subterminal seta of telotarsus.

FIGURES 9–15. Neobisium (N.) incertum Chamberlin, 1930, female (Sardinia, Domus de Maria, Punta Su Pisu, XI.2009). 9, anterior margin of carapace and ocular area; 10, anterior processes of right coxa I; 11, right chelicera, dorsal view; 12, genital area; 13, trochanter, femur and patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 14, right pedipalpal chela, dorsal view; 15, same, antiaxial view.