Parobisium yosemite Cokendolpher and Krejca, 2010

JAMES C. COKENDOLPHER & JEAN K. KREJCA, 2010, A NEW CAVERNICOLOUS PAROBISIUM CHAMBERLIN 1930 (PSEUDOSCORPIONES: NEOBISIIDAE) FROM YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, U. S. A., Occasional Papers of the Museum 297, pp. 1-28 : 5-23

Parobisium yosemite Cokendolpher and Krejca , new species

Figs. 1-29

Type material and treatments [75% ethanol→ lactophenol→75% ethanol = 75elpe; 95% ethanol→lactophenol→75% ethanol = 95elpe].— U.S.A.: California: Mariposa County: Indian Cave (type locality): Holotype male, TTU-Z 51528 (Zara 3524), Journal Room , floor, 4 March 2009, leg. J. Krejca, K. McDermid, 95% ethanol, appendages -80°C, remainder 95elpe. Paratype male, TTU-Z 51540 (Zara-940), Journal Room , 15 August 2006, leg. J. Krejca, G. Stock, 75elpe. Paratype female, TTU-Z 51548 (Zara-915), Journal Room , 16 August 2006, leg. J. Krejca, G. Stock, elpe, appendages dried and mounted on SEM stub. Paratypes 2 females, TTU-Z 51584 , 51588 (Zara 3532), Journal Room , 4 March 2009, leg. K. McDermid, J. Krejca, 95% ethanol, appendages -80°C, remainder room temperature. Not exposed to lactophenol. Paratypes 1 male, 1 female, CAS (formerly TTU-Z 51564 and 51536 , Zara 3563), 1 female paratype, FSCA (formerly TTU-Z 51532), Journal Room 3 March 2009, leg. J. Krejca, K. McDermid, G. Stock, R. Sas, 95elpe. Male paratype, TTU-Z 51576 , West Branch , 7 July 2009, leg. J. Krejca, poorly preserved - died in captivity, 75elpe. Male paratype, TTU-Z 51572, East Branch , 7 July 2009, leg. G. Stock, died in captivity - abdomen missing, poorly preserved, elpe. Female paratype, TTU-Z 51568 , West Branch , 7 July 2009, leg. J. Krejca, died in captivity, 100% ethanol, -80°C, not exposed to lactophenol. Female paratype, TTU-Z 51556 (Zara 3549), East Branch , floor, 3 March 2009, leg. G. Stock, J. Krejca, K. McDermid, R. Sas, 95elpe. Tritonymph paratype, TTU-Z 51544 (Zara-920), Eastern Arm , 16 August 2006, leg. J. Krejca, G. Stock, elpe. Deutonymph paratype, TTU- 51552 (Zara 3549), East Branch , floor, 3 March 2009, leg. G. Stock, J. Krejca, K. McDermid, R. Sas, 95elpe. Deutonymph paratype, TTU-Z 51564 (Zara 3563), Journal Room, 3 March 2009, leg. J. Krejca, K. McDermid, G. Stock, R. Sas, 95elpe.

U.S.A.: California: Mariposa County: Elf Village Cave : Paratype female, TTU-Z 51580 (Zara 4175), 8 July 2009, leg. J. Krejca, left appendages in 100% ethanol, -80°C, body elpe .

Etymology.—The specific name Yosemite is used as a noun in apposition and is taken from the known localities which are in Yosemite (pronounced “yo-SEM-it-ee”) Valley in Yosemite National Park of the U.S.A. The area was apparently named after the Yosemite Indian peoples (http://theautry.org/yosemite/ [accessed 1 Sept. 2010]).

Vernacular name.— Yosemite Cave Pseudoscorpion.

Diagnosis.—With the characters of the family, subfamily, and genus. Posterior eyes absent, anterior pair reduced to a small, irregular shaped eyespot without reflective tapetum ( Fig. 5 ), epistomal process a small extension ( Fig. 5 ), cheliceral galea a small rounded knob ( Figs. 25-28 ), palpal patella with small bulge mesally ( Figs. 14-15 ), chelal fingers with 68-95 teeth, carapace 0.98-1.31 mm long.

Identification.—The new species can be told apart from all described congeners from North America by the key provided above. Parobisium hesternum was recorded from the Yosemite National Park and Bear Valley by Schuster (1966), but no habitat data were associated with the collection. It is unknown if they were from the bottom of a valley or on top of the mountains. The new species and Parobisium hesternum differ primarily in the more elongated palp and loss of eyes in P. yosemite . The new species differs also by having a bulge on the mesal margin of the palp patella ( Figs. 14-15 ) and in setation: P. yosemite (followed by P. hesternum in brackets) patella II with 21-24 [18] setae; coxa IV with about 11-12 [16] setae; anterior genital area of sternite II of male with 58 [30] setae.

Description.—Coloration of abdomen and legs light tan to amber; prosoma, coxa and trochanter I-II, chelicerae, and palps reddish-brown ( Figs. 1-4 ). Nymphs are similarly colored, but darkest areas are only light orange in color with lighter areas being cream to yellowish-amber.

Male (holotype): Body length 3.46 mm. Carapace a little longer than broad: widest in anterior fourth 0.99 mm; length 1.31 mm. Derm smooth; epistomal process small and rounded ( Fig. 5 ). Posterior eyes absent, anterior pair reduced to a small, irregular shaped eyespot.

Chaetotaxy 4-5-3-4-2-6 (24); 2 pairs of small, medial lyrifissures at ¼ and ¾ carapace length ( Fig. 5 ).

Abdomen elongated, 2.12 mm in length; widest in middle, 1.36 mm wide; width greater than width of carapace. Pleural membrane granulated ( Fig. 9 ). Tergites and sternites entirely smooth ( Figs. 9-10 ). Tergites wider than long. All tergites with setae in a single row: chaetotaxy 8:13:12:13:12:12:12:12:10:11:6 (121).

Male genital opening with 58 microsetae on sternite II. Sternite III with anteromedial cluster of 11 smaller setae near anterior margin, followed posteriorly by row of 4 setae, then row of 18 setae; total 34-35 setae on sternite III ( Fig. 11 ). Internally, the ventral base of the genital operculum with 6 and 7 socketed spines bounded by larger triangular denticle on each side ( Fig. 13 ).

Sternites V-VIII with 2 rows of setae, other sternites with single setal row posteriorly, plus anterior pair near midline, chaetotaxy IV-X: 27-0+13-2+15- 2+15-2+13-12-10 (111). Anal plate with 2 anterior, 2 posterior setae.

Chelicera 1.05 mm long and 0.27 mm deep; moveable finger 0.52 mm long, with 9 macrodenticles, galea smooth, rounded, very short knob; with 2-4 pores (see Figs. 28-29 ); palm with 7 setae and one lyrifissure ( Fig. 25 : lf); fixed finger with 13 (9 larger) macrodenticles; rallum with two groups of blades: (1) with 5 setae (distal 2-3 with distal serrations) ( Fig. 27 , arrow on right), (2) three shorter hirsute filaments ( Fig. 27 , left arrow). Chaetotaxy of coxae: palp 6-6, legs 8-8:9- 10:9-9:11-12. Posterior maxillary lyrifissure curved posteriorly at both ends ( Figs. 7-8 ).

Palp long and slender, surface of each podomere with granules ( Figs. 15 , 18-24 ), except for hand smooth; granulations reduced or absent on dorsal side of patella and distal end of femur. Palpal trochanter 0.99 mm long, 0.33 mm deep; femur 1.82 mm long, 0.33 mm deep; patella 1.79 mm long, 0.42 mm deep; chela (tibia) 3.0 mm long, 0.64 mm deep, 0.68 mm tall; moveable finger (tarsus) 1.705 mm long. Apex of palpal coxa (manducatory process) curls around dorsally and extends anteriorly, rounded, with 4 (other type specimens with 4-6) setae on acute mesal edge. Venom duct only present in fixed palpal finger; short, not extending past ½ distance to et setae ( Fig. 24 ). Palp chelal trichobothriotaxy: st close to t, sb closer to st than to b; on fixed finger it, et, and est near distal end, isb, esb, and eb at base ( Fig. 24 ), and ib and ist on dorsum of hand ( Fig. 18 ). Fixed chelal finger with 91 teeth; moveable finger with 85 teeth.

Legs relatively long and thin. Patella II with 24 setae. Leg IV: (femur + patella) 1.13 mm long, 0.30 mm deep; tibia 1.07 mm long by 0.17 mm deep. Long tactile setae on tibia and both tarsi of leg IV. Claws long and smooth, flanked on each side with subterminal tarsal seta deeply bifurcate (bifurcation with a few further microtricia, Fig. 6 ), arolium less than half length of claws.

Female (Indian Cave TTU-Z 51548, followed by Elf Village Cave TTU-Z 51580 in parentheses or brackets). Features as in male, except in details listed below: Body length 4.17 (3.67) mm. Carapace a little longer than broad: widest in middle, 0.92 (1.02) mm; length 0.98 (1.22) mm. Chaetotaxy 4-5-4-1-6 (20) [4- 4-2-2-4-5 (21)]; pairs of lyrifissures in median position at ¼ and ¾ distance of carapace.

Abdomen elongated 3.275 (2.65) mm in length; widest in middle, 1.24 (1.205) mm. Tergites all with setae in a single row: chaetotaxy 8-13-14-15-13-12- 13-12-11-12-9 (132) [8:11:12:12:13:11:11:12:13:14: 10 (127)].

Female genital opening with a pair of lyrifissures anteromedially ( Fig. 12 ), 14 (7 right-7 left) [12 (4-8)] microsetae on sternite II and single row of 34 (37) setae (3-4 at each spiracle smaller than other setae) on sternite III ( Figs. 9-10 ); tracheae visible ( Fig. 9 ); details of internal genitalia as in Fig. 10 .

Sternites VI (V in Elf Village Cave)-VIII with 2 rows of setae, others with single row posteriorly, anterior pair near midline or ¾ line and of similar size and form to posterior setae: IV-X chaetotaxy: 29-0+15- 2+17-2+14-2+15-12-12 (120), [22-2+13-2+14-2+15- 2+12-14-13 (111)]. Anal plate with 2 (2) anterior, 2 (2) posterior setae. Genitalia with atrium between sternites II and III; small median genital sac ( Fig. 10 , arrow 5) covered with pores and extending posteriorly from the cribiform gonosacs. The cribiform plate holes are noticeably smaller in diameter than those ending as pores on the medium genital sac.

Chelicera 0.71 (0.745) mm long and 0.32 (0.27) mm deep; moveable finger 0.445 (0.46) mm long, with 7 (6) macrodenticles (and few microdenticles), galea a smooth short rounded knob; palm with 7 (7) setae; fixed finger with 14 (13) macrodenticles; rallum with 8 (7) setae, the first 2 (2) setae with short serrations (at or about width of setae), distal 3 (2) setae with long (1.5 width of setae) serrations; 3 (3) shorter hirsute filaments ( Fig. 27 ). Chaetotaxy of coxae: palp 4-6 (4-5), legs 8-10-5-12-8-7-5-10 (65), [12-10-6-12- 11-9-5-14 (79)].

Palp relatively long and slender when compared to other congeners, surface of each podomere with granules, except for most (basal and distal) of hand smooth ( Figs. 23-24 ); granulations reduced or absent on dorsal side of patella and distal end of femur. Median maxillary lyrifissures of palpal coxae appearing elongate oval in Figs. 7-8 , because of the angle of view, round in median view. Palpal trochanter 0.71 (0.825) mm long, 0.26 (0.29) mm deep; femur 1.44 (1.625) mm long, 0.265 (0.265) mm deep; patella 1.35 (1.56) mm long, 0.37 (0.39) mm deep; chela (tibia) 2.42 (2.75) mm long, 0.72 (0.63) mm tall; moveable finger (tarsus)1.24 (1.415) mm long. Fixed chelal finger with 82 (74) teeth; moveable finger with 77 (68) teeth ( Figs. 18 , 20-23 ); teeth are more pointed anteriorly on fixed finger.

Legs relatively long and thin compared to other congeners. Leg IV: (femur + patella) 1.18 (1.05) mm long, femur 0.235 (0.18) mm deep, patella 0.18 (0.22) mm deep; tibia 1.05 (0.995) mm long by 0.15 (0.13) mm deep. Long tactile setae on tibia at ½ length and both tarsi of leg at 1 / 7 and ⅓, respectively.

Nymphs:As in adults, leg claws long and smooth, flanked on each side with subterminal tarsal seta deeply bifurcate, arolium less than half length of claws in deutonymph and tritonymph. Eyespots not evident because cuticle is not darkly pigmented as in adults; no hint of a nerve fiber is evident.

Distribution.—This species has only been found in two granitic talus caves located less than 0.5 km apart, Indian Cave and Elf Village Cave in Yosemite Valley, Mariposa County , California ( Fig. 30 ). These caves are located in a single expansive talus slope. Extensive hand searching and Berlese extraction of leaf litter at the second most extensive known cave in the valley, Spider Cave (approximately 2 km to the west), yielded no pseudoscorpions, except for a nymph of Apochthonius sp. ( Chthoniidae ). Extensive hand searching and Berlese extraction at other unnamed minor talus caves and at nearby surface locations in the talus piles yielded other pseudoscorpions, but no specimens of Parobisium ( Zara 2009) .

Habitat.—Indian Cave and Elf Village Cave are granitic talus caves ( Figs. 31-32 ). The initial structure of the talus caves was formed instantaneously as a result of a rock avalanche ( Wieczorek et al. 1999), with subsequent weathering that may serve to make the habitat more cave-like (e.g., stable temperatures and humidities) as sediments and smaller rocks seal off alternate entrances and surface water runoff creates regular pathways for water flow. Indian Cave consists of a series of passages and small rooms surveyed to 64 m long with a total depth below the entrances of 14 m. The present cave probably formed relatively recently, perhaps only a few hundred years ago ( Wieczorek et al. 1999); however earlier talus caves almost certainly existed in the area as a result of rock falls from the valley walls following retreat of the Last Glacial Maximum glacier approximately 15,000 -20,000 years ago ( Huber 1987). Even before the last glacial retreat, there were talus slopes uphill that were formed after the first glaciations about a million years earlier.

The entrance to Indian Cave ( Fig. 31 ) consists of two discreet openings among boulders approximately 15 meters up a steep talus slope from a relatively flat terrace in the valley ( Fig. 33 ). After a short climbdown from either opening is the first room of the cave, the Twilight Room, typified by low level sunlight, mossy walls, and a soil and leaf litter floor. After another short climbdown the passage splits, with the large obvious way being to the northeast, the Junction Room. This room marks the end of the light zone and a series of large steps downward and to the east in increasingly smaller passage leads to the East Branch of the cave. We found Parobisium yosemite in this branch. The substrate here consists of granite sand, rocks, leaf litter, and occasional rootlets with and without mold. From the Twilight Room climbdown to the southwest, a discreet smaller passage (West Branch, Fig. 35 ) winds under the entrance itself and continues as a crawlway with a granite gravel and sediment floor, past some woody debris, over a perennial pool, past a couple narrow restrictions and down another climbdown into the terminal room of the cave, the Journal Room. We also found Parobisium yosemite in this branch. The Journal Room has a sediment floor with sparse woody debris and leaf litter, and scattered loose rocks ( Fig. 34 ).

The entrance to Elf Village Cave ( Fig. 32 ) is a small (0.5 m) opening at the base of a large (10 m +) boulder. Approximately 4 m of crawlway passage leads into a long and wide low room (over 10 m diameter, 1-2 m tall) that is situated at an approximately 30 degree slope. At the low end of that room is a moist area with a rock, gravel, and sand floor that is scattered with acorns and pine cones. This is the only part of the cave where we found Parobisium yosemite . Caves where the species were not found were shallower and shorter. These sites often had 15 m or less of traversable cave passage, had multiple entrances that may contribute to a lack of stable temperature and humidity, and most of the extent of these caves was in the twilight zone rather than having true darkness like Indian and Elf Village caves. Spider Cave was the exception, with a true dark zone and extensive passage. At present the species is limited to the rockslide that encompasses the two known localities, but it is possible that the species is less detectable at Spider Cave due to some other factor such as frequent human visitation or a natural environmental parameter.

Microhabitat ( Figs. 34-35 ).—During visits in August 2006, March 2009, and July 2009 we recorded substrate and temperature data for 40 different Parobisium yosemite observations (not all specimens were collected). We found most individuals on the undersides of rocks (60%, or 24/40 observations), and some of those rocks were on woody debris, on sand, or on a gravel floor with rootlets and fungus. The next most common microhabitat was wood (33%, or 13/40 observations). Individuals were typically on the undersides of pieces of wood, and occasionally on the top of the wood. We found the remaining 7% (3/40 observations) of individuals on a granite and sand floor; one was under granitic rock on sand floor. Total available substrate type was not measured, however our qualitative assessment of available habitat indicates a preference for undersides of rocks and woody debris, considering the majority of the floor area in the deep portions of the cave is breakdown, gravel, and granitic sand.

Temperatures ranged from 8.0-15.8°C with a mean of 10.5°C and standard deviation of 1.8°C. Relative humidity ranged from 73.2-100% with a mean of 92.7% and standard deviation of 7.3%. Sources of nutrients for this cave ecosystem include leaf litter and woody debris washed into the cave, rootlets penetrating into the cave, and possibly trogloxenes including small mammals. We did not observe a large amount of small mammal scat, however in some places it seemed unlikely that acorns were washed in by rains, but more likely carried in by mammals. Some of the woody debris appears too large to have been carried in by animals, thus it is possible that it was captured during the rockslide event that formed the cave or carried into the cave by early explorers ( Fig. 35 ).

Abundance.—During visits in August 2006, March 2009, and July 2009 we recorded survey effort for 39 different Parobisium yosemite observations. At Indian Cave, in the zones where the species was found, one individual was found on average every 22 minutes (total seen = 36, total search effort = 784 person-minutes). At Elf Village Cave one individual was found on average every 11 minutes (total seen = 3, total search effort = 33 person-minutes).

Prey.—On 7 July 2009 in the Journal Room of Indian Cave we turned a rock over to find one Parobisium yosemite with a springtail in its chelicerae. The entomobryid, on field identification, appeared to be the fairly common small, white Sinella or Pseudosinella springtail. Other potential prey items we observed commonly included two species of free-living mites, flies, small spiders (nesticid and pimoid), beetles, ants, and millipedes. The larger silver Tomocerus springtails are more commonly seen near the cave entrance, not overlapping with the areas where Parobisium yosemite was seen.

Three adult specimens we held in captivity in Petri dishes that were half-filled with Plaster of Paris and a small wax-lined hole for holding free water. A variety of small to tiny invertebrates were offered as food: snails, slugs, earthworms, nematodes, flies, ants, aphids, collembolla, moths, small crickets, and linyphiid, uloborid, and theridiid spiders. The only item eaten was a small theridiid spider (probably Theridion ). Pseudoscorpions held in captivity would slowly walk around the dish with palps extended and held open. Whenever they encountered a new potential prey in the container, they would tap the tips of the palps around the animal or appendage. As soon as the animal was touched the pseudoscorpion would retract the palps and change direction of movement. After this first encounter, the pseudoscorpion would not react upon touching the potential prey again and would often just walk over the potential prey. In one case an ant ( Solenopsis invicta ) reacted to the pseudoscorpion and bit and held onto a leg tarsus. The sting had been removed from the ant prior to introduction into the Petri dish. The ant was dead, but still clinging to the leg when first observed, so it is not certain if the pseudoscorpion tried to eat the ant or visa-versa.

Ecological Status.—Extensive searching (>27 person-hours) of similar microhabitats nearby but outside of the granite talus caves where the species was found yielded other pseudoscorpion species but no examples of Parobisium yosemite . We searched under rocks, in packrat nests, under bark and in leaf litter using hand collections and Berlese funnel extractions ( Zara 2009). While it is impossible to prove absence, this habitat association, combined with the eye loss and propensity for cave-adaptation of pseudoscorpions, lead us to believe this species is troglobitic.

Figures

Figure 30. Map ofYosemite Valley and locations of caves in Yosemite National Park; insert is location within California. Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. is recorded from Indian Cave and Elf Village Cave. Map by K. McDermid.

Figure 33. Map of Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park, showing locations mentioned in text. Map by G. Stock.

Figures 1-4. Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. Males in cave: 1, dorsolateral aspect; 2, dorsal aspect. Females: 3, TTU-Z 51568 in laboratory, dorsal aspect; 4, in cave, anterodorsal aspect. Photographs not at same scales, but females are larger. The animals with outstretched palps and fingers open are actively moving through the environment. The female with palps pulled in closer to the body is in more of a resting position. An animal at full rest will have the palps closed and pulled in close to the body (JCC, pers. obs.). Photographs 1, 2, 4 by JKK, photograph 3 by JCC.

Figures 5-6. Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 5, holotype male (TTU-Z 51528) carapace, dorsal (anterior is to left; posterior pair of lyrifissures added and indicated by arrows - see text). 6, female (TTU-Z 51548) tarsus IV claw with bifurcate setae (indicated by arrows). Scale, 5 = 0.25 mm, 6 = 0.05 mm.

Figures 7-8. Paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 7, palp and leg coxae. 8, left palp coxa. Rounded median maxillary lyrifissures (arrows pointing left - see text) and curved posterior maxillary lyrifissures (arrows pointing right). Scale = 0.15 mm.

Figures 9-10. Paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 9, sternites III and IV with spiracles positions noted with arrows; the trachea are easily visible, pleural membrane granulations indicted by circle. 10, enlarged view of genitalia: 1 = atrium, 2 = left lyrifissure, 3 = left group of seven setae on genital sternite, 4 = series of pores of lateral apodeme, 5 = medium genital sac below the pore covered gonosacs, la = part of cribriform plate of the lateral apodeme. Scales, 9 = 0.15 mm, 10 = 0.1 mm.

Figures 11-12. Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park (TTU-Z 51528). 11, male genital sternites. 12, paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) genital sternites with seven pairs of setae, arrows point to pair of lyrifissures. Scales, 11 = 0.1 mm, 12 = 0.05 mm.

Figures 13-17. Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 13, holotype TTU-51528, internal male genitalia (internal piece of genital operculum) with six and seven socketed spines bounded by larger triangular denticles. 14-17 male paratype TTU-Z51576. 14, enlargement of palp patella base showing medial buldge, ventral aspect; 15, palp, ventral aspect; 16, leg I, posterior aspect; 17, leg IV, posterior aspect. Scales, 13 = 0.063 mm, 14 = 0.167 mm, 15-17 = 0.5 mm.

Figures 18-19. Paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) palp chela of Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. Lateral aspect; 18, basal portion of hand broken off; 19, detail of hand showing granulation.

Figures 20-21. Paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) tips of chelal fingers of Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 20, lateral aspect; 21, mesal aspect showing longitudinally grooved distal tips (in yellow) and opening to the venom duct (red arrow). Teeth more flattened on moveable (ventral) finger of palp.

Figures 22-23. Paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) palp chelal of Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 22, basal group of macrodenticles of fingers; more flattened on moveable (ventral) finger of palp, upper denticles appear eroded with lateral rows of minute grooves; 23, trichobothria of lateral side; internal position of venom gland drawn in red; granulations of hand also visible.

Figures 24-25. Paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 24, upside-down view of palp hand (moveable finger should open ventrally), setal positions marked as well as in another view in Fig. 23 (damage to base of chela and basal portion of hand broken off); 25, lateral view of chelicera; seven setae on the hand and a setae on moveable finger are highlighted in yellow, macrodenticles of the fingers as well as the lyrifissure (= lf) are also marked.

Figures 26-27. Paratype female Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. (TTU-Z 51548) from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 26, lateral view of chela tips; 27, mesal side of chela; five long hirsute filaments (arrow on right), plus three shorter hirsute filaments (arrow on left) in rallum.

Figures 28-29. Galea on moveable finger of chelicera of paratype female (TTU-Z 51548) Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. from Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park. 28, lateral aspect with 4 numbered pore positions; depression above 1 does not appear to be a pore; 29, anterior close-up of pores. Pores at 0.6 µm diameter (measured at much higher resolution). Numbers 1, 4 are certainly pores, but the openings are less clear of the depressions at 2 and 3, but likely pores of the galea (spinneret).

Figures 31-32. Entrances to caves in Yosemite National Park which are known to have Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. 31, Sarah Stock in front of the double entrances to Indian Cave; 32, G. Robert Myers, III (see middle bottom of picture) in the entrance to Elf Village Cave. Photographs by JKK.

Figures 34-35. Habitat within Indian Cave, Yosemite National Park, which is the type locality for Parobisium yosemite, n. sp. 34, Krista McDermid in the Journal Room with granite boulder walls and ceiling, and smaller granitic rocks on sand and sediment floor with woody debris; 35, Greg Stock in the West Branch at the woody debris. Photographs by JKK and Steven Bumgardner, respectively.