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Research Article
Two new species of cave-adapted pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Yunnan, China
expand article infoYanmeng Hou‡, Zhizhong Gao§, Feng Zhang‡
‡ Hebei University, Baoding, China
§ Xinzhou Teachers University, Xinzhou, China

Corresponding author: Zhizhong Gao ( gaozhizhong1987@126.com )

Corresponding author: Feng Zhang ( dudu06042001@163.com )

Academic editor: Jana Christophoryová
© 2022 Yanmeng Hou, Zhizhong Gao, Feng Zhang.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Hou Y, Gao Z, Zhang F (2022) Two new species of cave-adapted pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Yunnan, China. ZooKeys 1097: 65-83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1097.82527
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6FC8EE30-904F-4E8D-9EF9-996F81F30693
Open Access

Abstract

Two new cave-adapted pseudoscorpion species belonging to the family Chthoniidae are described: Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. from Biyu Cave (Yunnan: Luxi) and Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. from Laoxueyan Cave (Yunnan: Yanshan). Both of them, collected from the dark zone of caves, are highly troglomorphic species.

Keywords

Karst biotope, Lagynochthonius, taxonomy, troglobionts, Tyrannochthonius

Introduction

China has the largest karst biotopes in the world, with the karst area reaching 3.44 million km2, accounting for about one-third of the country’s land area, and contains tens of thousands of karst caves, which are rich in animal resources (Zhao et al. 2015). Yunnan, located in southwest China, is one of the provinces with the most widely distributed karst landforms (11.09 × 104 km2), especially in the eastern portion of Yunnan (Wang 2001). So far, at least 742 cave-dwelling species have been identified in China, and nearly 15% of them are from Yunnan (Latella 2019). Subterranean-adapted pseudoscorpions are one of the representative groups of cave-dwelling arthropods. They are usually eyeless, have elongate appendages and can be easily found on cave walls or under rocks. To date, 33 cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion species, representing three families (Chthoniidae, Neobisiidae, Chernetidae), have been described from China. Among them, eight species are known from Yunnan (Schawaller 1995; Mahnert 2003, 2009; Mahnert and Li 2016; Gao et al. 2017; Li et al. 2017; Gao et al. 2018; Li et al. 2019; Feng et al. 2020; Gao et al. 2020; Zhang et al. 2020).

The genus Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin, 1929 contains 145 species, with at least 52 species occurring in caves, and is distributed in all continents except Antarctica (WPC 2022). This genus can be diagnosed as follows (see Material and methods for explanation of abbreviations): trichobothrium sb situated midway between st and b, or closer to st; trichobothria ib and isb situated close together in a median or sub-basal position on the dorsum of the chelal hand; chelal hand not distally constricted and the movable finger without a complex or strongly sclerotized apodeme at the base; fixed finger usually with one large, medial acuminate spine-like seta at its base, but can be reduced or absent in some cave-dwelling species; coxal spines generally long and present on coxae II only; epistome pointed, triangular or rounded, inconspicuous and usually with 2 closely-flanking setae at its base (Chamberlin 1962; Muchmore 1984, 1991; Muchmore and Chamberlin 1995; Edward and Harvey 2008). So far, nine species and one subspecies of this genus have been described from China, of which six are exclusively known from karst caves: T. akaelus Mahnert, 2009 from Sichuan, T. ganshuanensis Mahnert, 2009 from Sichuan and Hubei, T. antridraconis Mahnert, 2009 from Sichuan, T. chixingi Gao, Wynne & Zhang, 2018 from Guangxi, T. harveyi Gao, Zhang & Chen, 2020 and T. zhai Gao, Zhang & Chen, 2020 from Guizhou. All species are troglobites without eyes (Mahnert 2009; Gao et al. 2018; Gao et al. 2020; WPC 2022).

The genus Lagynochthonius Beier, 1951 was erected by Beier (1951) as a subgenus of Tyrannochthonius, but was later elevated to generic status by Chamberlin (1962). The genus is diagnosed by trichobothrium sb situated midway between st and b, or closer to st; trichobothria ib and isb situated close together in a median or sub-basal position on the dorsum of the chelal hand; coxal spines generally long and present on coxae II only; chelal hand distally constricted (or flask-shaped) and movable finger with complex or strongly sclerotized apodeme at its base and the modified tooth (td) of the fixed chelal finger displaced onto the dorso-antiaxial face (Chamberlin 1962; Harvey 1989; Muchmore 1991; Judson 2007; Edward and Harvey 2008). At present, this genus contains 55 species (seven species living in caves) distributed in Asia, Australia, Africa and America. Eight species of this genus have been described from China, of which only one is exclusively known from karst caves: L. bailongtanensis Li, Liu & Shi, 2019 from Yunnan (Li et al. 2019; WPC 2022).

Two new troglomorphic species of Chthoniidae have been recently found from the karst caves survey in Yunnan in 2021. These species are here described.

Materials and methods

The specimens examined for this study are preserved in 75% alcohol and deposited in the Museum of Hebei University (MHBU) (Baoding, China) and the Museum of Southwest University (MSWU) (Chongqing, China). Photographs, drawings and measurements were taken using a Leica M205A stereo-microscope equipped with a Leica DFC550 Camera and the Inkscape software (Ver. 1.0.2.0). Detailed examination was carried out with an Olympus BX53 general optical microscope. Images were edited and formatted using Adobe Photoshop 2022.

Terminology and measurements follow Chamberlin (1931) with some minor modifications to the terminology of trichobothria (Harvey 1992; Judson 2007) and chelicera (Judson 2007). The chela and chelal hand are measured in lateral view and others taken in dorsal view. All measurements are given in mm unless noted otherwise. Proportions and measurements of pedipalps and carapace correspond to length/width, those of legs to length/depth.

The following abbreviations are used in the text:

b basal trichobothrium;

sb sub-basal trichobothrium;

st sub-terminal trichobothrium;

t terminal trichobothrium trichobothrium;

ib interior basal trichobothrium;

isb interior sub-basal trichobothrium;

ist interior sub-terminal trichobothrium;

it interior terminal trichobothrium;

eb exterior basal trichobothrium;

esb exterior sub-basal trichobothrium;

est exterior sub-terminal trichobothrium;

et exterior terminal trichobothrium;

dx duplex trichobothria;

td modified tooth.

Taxonomy

Chthoniidae Daday, 1889

Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin, 1929

Type species

Chthonius terribilis With, 1906, by original designation.

Diagnosis

See Edward and Harvey (2008).

Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/D9B22241-9699-41ED-936C-5169456BD61A
Chinese name. 弯指暴伪蝎 Figs 2, 3, 4, 5

Type material

(Figs 1A, 6) Holotype: China • ♂; Yunnan Province, Luxi County, Luyuandong Village, the Ancient Alu Cave National Park of China, Biyu Cave; 24°34.01'N, 103°45.16'E; 1722 m a.s.l.; 13 Oct. 2021; Zegang Feng, Yanmeng Hou, Lu Zhang and Liu Fu leg.; dark zone; Ps.-MHBU-HBUARA#2021-438-01. Paratype: • 1♀; the same data as the holotype; Ps.-MSWU-HBUARA#2021-438-02.

Figure 1. 

Study area, general cave locations, and type locality for each species, Yunnan Province, China A Biyu Cave, Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. B Laoxueyan Cave, Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis

Moderately sized troglomorphic species with elongate appendages; carapace without eyes or eyespots; anterior margin of carapace gently serrate, epistome small, pointed, triangular, with 2 setae flanking base; posterior margin of carapace with 2 setae; tergites I–III with 2 setae; lacking chemosensory setae on dorsum of chelal hand; chelal fingers distinctly curved in dorsal view, with numerous large, gently curved, well-spaced teeth.

Etymology

The specific name is derived from the Latin word “pandus”, meaning curved, refers to the curved chelal finger.

Description

Adult male (Figs 2, 3A, 4A–D, 5). Color: generally pale yellow, chelicerae, pedipalps and tergites slightly darker, soft parts pale (Figs 2, 3A). Cephalothorax (Figs 4B, 5A): carapace 1.07 times longer than broad, gently narrowed posteriorly, surface smooth; anterior margin slightly serrate; without any traces of eyes; epistome very pointed and small, triangular, with 2 setae flanking base; with 18 setae arranged s4s: 4: 4: 2: 2, most setae heavy, long and gently curved, anterolateral setae much shorter than others; without furrows but with 4 lyrifissures (Fig. 5A). Chaetotaxy of coxae: P 3, I 3, II 4, III 5, IV 5; manducatory process with two acuminate distal setae, anterior seta less than 1/2 length of medial seta; apex of coxa I with small, rounded anteromedial process; coxae II with 10 terminally indented coxal spines on each side, set as an oblique row, longer spines present in the middle of the row, becoming shorter distally and proximally and incised for about half their length (Fig. 5C); intercoxal tubercle absent; without sub-oral seta. Chelicera (Figs 4C, 5B): large, about as long as carapace, 2.44 times longer than broad; 5 setae on hand, all setae acuminate, ventrobasal seta shorter than others; movable finger with one medial seta. Cheliceral palm with moderate hispid granulation dorsally. Both fingers well provided with teeth, fixed finger with 11 teeth, distal one largest; movable finger with 8 retrorse continuous small teeth; galea completely vestigial (Fig. 5B). Rallum with 8 blades, the distal one longest and recumbent basally, with fine barbules and slightly set apart from the other blades, latter tightly grouped and with long pinnae, some of which are subdivided (Fig. 5D). Pedipalp (Figs 4A, 5E–H): surface of palpal segments smooth; setae generally long and acuminate; femur 7.36, patella 2.55, chela 7.47, hand 2.80 times longer than deep; movable finger 1.71 times longer than hand and 0.64 times longer than chela, without large basal apodeme, only slightly sclerotized section present. Femur and dorsal hand without tactile setae but with 1 distal lyrifissure on patella (Fig. 5E). Fixed chelal finger and hand with 8 trichobothria, movable chelal finger with 4 trichobothria, ib and isb situated close together, submedially on dorsum of chelal hand; eb, esb and ist forming a straight oblique row at base of fixed chelal finger; it slightly distal to est, situated subdistally; et slightly near to tip of fixed finger, very close to chelal teeth; dx situated distal to et; sb situated closer to st than to b; b and t situated subdistally, b situated at same level as est; t situated distal to est (Fig. 5F). Microsetae (chemosensory setae) absent on hand and both chelal fingers. Sensilla absent. A tiny antiaxial lyrifissure present at base of fixed finger (slightly distal to ist). Both chelal fingers with a row of teeth, homodentate, spaced regularly along the margin, larger teeth present in the middle of the row, becoming smaller distally and proximally: fixed finger with 45 large, gently curved, well-spaced teeth, without intercalary teeth; movable finger with 44 small (slightly smaller than the teeth on fixed finger), retrorse, gently curved and well-spaced teeth (Fig. 5F). Chelal fingers distinctly curved in dorsal view (Fig. 5H). Opisthosoma: generally typical; pleural membrane finely granulate. Tergites and sternites undivided; setae uniseriate and acuminate. Tergal chaetotaxy I–XII: 2: 2: 2: 3: 4: 4: 4: 5: 5: 4: T2T: 0; tergites VIII and IX each with an unpaired median seta. Sternal chaetotaxy IV–XII: 10: 10: 9: 9: 9: 9: 8: 0: 2; sternites VI–IX with unpaired median seta. Anterior genital operculum with 10 setae, genital opening slit-like, with 15 marginal setae on each side (Fig. 4D). Legs (Fig. 5I, J): generally typical, long and slender. Femur of leg I 1.92 times longer than patella and with 1 lyrifissure at the base of femur; tarsus 2.50 times longer than tibia. Femoropatella of leg IV 3.67 times longer than deep; tibia 6.29 times longer than deep; with basal tactile setae on both tarsal segments: basitarsus 4.00 times longer than deep (TS = 0.35), telotarsus 14.50 times longer than deep and 2.90 times longer than basitarsus (TS = 0.33). Setae of leg I (trochanter to tibia) 3: 13: 12: 9, setae of leg IV (trochanter to basitarsus) 1: 3: 6: 9: 8. Arolium slightly shorter than the claws, not divided; claws simple. Dimensions of male holotype (length/width or, in the case of the legs, length/depth in mm; ratios in parentheses). Body length 1.41. Pedipalps: trochanter 0.18/0.13 (1.38), femur 0.81/0.11 (7.36), patella 0.28/0.11 (2.55), chela 1.12/0.15 (7.47), hand length 0.42/0.15 (2.80), movable finger length 0.72. Chelicera 0.44/0.18 (2.44), movable finger length 0.24. Carapace 0.45/0.42 (1.07). Leg I: trochanter 0.13/0.11 (1.18), femur 0.46/0.06 (7.67), patella 0.24/0.05 (4.80), tibia 0.20/0.04 (5.00), tarsus 0.50/0.04 (12.50). Leg IV: trochanter 0.20/0.11 (1.82), femoropatella 0.66/0.18 (3.67), tibia 0.44/0.07 (6.29), basitarsus 0.20/0.05 (4.00), telotarsus 0.58/0.04 (14.50).

Figure 2. 

Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov., male habitus. Photographed when it crawled on stony natural habitat.

Adult female (Figs 3B, 4E). Mostly same as males. Anterior genital operculum with 10 setae plus 7 setae on posterior margin. Body length 1.67. Pedipalps: trochanter 0.24/0.13 (1.85), femur 0.88/0.13 (6.77), patella 0.28/0.11 (2.55), chela 1.20/0.17 (7.06), hand length 0.49/0.17 (2.88), movable finger length 0.76. Chelicera 0.45/0.21 (2.14), movable finger length 0.23. Carapace 0.46/0.46 (1.00). Leg I: trochanter 0.14/0.11 (1.27), femur 0.50/0.06 (8.33), patella 0.26/0.06 (4.33), tibia 0.21/0.05 (4.20), tarsus 0.53/0.04 (13.25). Leg IV: trochanter 0.21/0.12 (1.75), femoropatella 0.70/0.19 (3.68), tibia 0.46/0.07 (6.57), basitarsus 0.21/0.06 (3.50), telotarsus 0.62/0.04 (15.50).

Figure 3. 

Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. A holotype male, dorsal view B paratype female, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figure 4. 

Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov., holotype male (A–D), paratype female (E) A chelal fingers (lateral view) B carapace (dorsal view) C left chelicera (dorsal view) D male genital area (ventral view) E female genital area (ventral view). Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Remarks

Compared with the other six cave-dwelling species of the genus in China, Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. is most similar to T. ganshuanensis in having only 2 setae on tergites I–III, the same chaetotaxy of carapace and triangular, a small epistome, but differs in the shape of teeth on chelal fingers (large, gently curved, well-spaced teeth, without intercalary teeth in T. pandus, but with pointed, well-spaced and intercalary teeth in T. ganshuanensis), the relative position of the trichobothria on the movable chelal finger (sb situated closer to st than to b in T. pandus, but sb situated closer to b in T. ganshuanensis). Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. can be easily separated from T. akaleus by a smaller body size (1.67 vs. 2.10 mm in female), the teeth pattern on chelal fingers (intercalary teeth absent in T. pandus, but present in T. akaleus); from T. harveyi by the different setae number on the anterior and posterior margins of the carapace (T. pandus with 6 and 2 setae, respectively, but T. harveyi with 4 and 4 setae, respectively), the shape of the epistome (long and pointed in T. pandus, but rounded and inconspicuous in T. harveyi), the number of rallar blades (8 in T. pandus, but 6 in T. harveyi); and from T. zhai, T. chixingi and T. antridraconis by the number of setae on the anterior tergites (tergites I–III with 2 setae in T. pandus, but the other three with 4 setae). In addition, compared to the new species, T. zhai differs by the shorter body length (1.40 vs. 1.67 mm in female) and lacking an epistome; T. chixingi and T. antridraconis differs from the new species also by the presence of intercalary teeth on the fixed chelal finger (Mahnert 2009; Gao et al. 2018; Gao et al. 2020).

Figure 5. 

Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov., holotype male A carapace (dorsal view) with a detail of anterior margin B left chelicera (dorsal view) with details of teeth C coxal spines on coxae II (ventral view) D rallum E left pedipalp (minus chela, dorsal view) F left chela (lateral view) with details of teeth and with trichobothrial pattern (abbreviations explained in Material and methods) G finger tips of chela (lateral view) H left chela (dorsal view) I leg I (lateral view) J leg IV (lateral view). Scale bars: 0.25 mm (A–B, E–F, H–J); 0.10 mm (C–D, G).

Distribution

This species is known only from the type locality, Biyu Cave (Figs 1A, 6). Biyu Cave is one of the tourist caves in the Ancient Alu Cave National Park of China, with the entrance located in the Jilong hillside. This beautiful cave is a valley type karst cave, with an internal height of 2 to 5 m and a width of 1 to 30 m. The cave has a latticed distribution. The stalactites in this cave are jasper colored, so it is called Biyu Cave (a quote from the cave’s interior slogan). The specimens of this new species were collected from under a stone and on a stone wall in an undeveloped area of the cave that is still in a natural condition. It is a small, dark, high humidity and low temperature space (temperature: 11 °C, humidity: 90%), which is suitable for the survival of the species.

Figure 6. 

Biyu Cave, type locality of Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. A entrance B access to an undeveloped area C area where T. pandus specimens were collected. D, E beautiful cave landscapes inside the cave F exit.

Lagynochthonius Beier, 1951

Type species

Chthonius johni Redikorzev, 1922b, by original designation.

Diagnosis

See Judson (2007) and Edward and Harvey (2008).

Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/4BD3052B-5217-4D93-B6FF-77DA99011228
Chinese name. 老穴岩拉伪蝎 Figs 7, 8, 9, 10

Type material

(Figs 1B, 11) Holotype: China • ♂; Yunnan Province, Yanshan County, Zhela Township, Liuzhao Village, Laoxueyan Cave; 23°39.03'N, 104°35.74'E; 1665 m a.s.l.; 17 Oct. 2021; Zegang Feng, Yanmeng Hou, Lu Zhang and Liu Fu leg.; dark zone; Ps.-MHBU-HBUARA#2021-445-01. Paratypes: • 2♀; the same data as the holotype; Ps.-MHBU-HBUARA#2021-445-02, Ps.-MSWU-HBUARA#2021-445-03.

Figure 7. 

Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov., female habitus. Photographed when it crawled on stony natural habitat.

Diagnosis

Moderately sized troglomorphic species with elongate appendages; carapace without eyes or eyespots; anterior margin of carapace thin, finely denticulate, epistome pointed and small, triangular; posterior margin of carapace with two setae; tergites I–II with two setae. Pedipalps slender, femur 8.54 times longer than broad; chela 7.71 times longer than broad; chela fingers gently curved in dorsal view and fixed finger with a modified accessory tooth on dorso-antiaxial face (td).

Etymology

Latinized adjective derived from the name of the type locality, Laoxueyan Cave, Yunnan Province, China.

Description

Adult male (Figs 8A, 9A–D, 10). Color: generally pale yellow, chelicera, pedipalps and tergites slightly darker, soft parts pale (Fig. 8A). Cephalothorax (Figs 9B, 10A): carapace 1.02 times longer than broad, gently narrowed posteriorly, surface smooth, without furrows but with 1 small lyrifissure; anterior margin thin, finely denticulate; without any traces of eyes; epistome very pointed and small, triangular; with 18 setae arranged s4s: 4: 4: 2: 2, most setae heavy, long and gently curved, anterolateral setae much shorter than others (Fig. 10A). Chaetotaxy of coxae: P 3, I 3, II 4, III 5, IV 5; manducatory process with two acuminate distal setae, anterior seta less than 1/3 length of medial seta; apex of coxa I with small, rounded anteromedial process; coxae II with 9 terminally indented coxal spines on each side, set as an oblique row, longer spines present in the middle of the row, becoming shorter distally and proximally and incised for about half their length (Fig. 10C); intercoxal tubercle absent; without sub-oral seta. Chelicera (Figs 9C, 10B): large, about same length as carapace, 2.37 times longer than broad; 5 setae on hand, all setae acuminate, ventrobasal seta shorter than others; movable finger with one medial seta. Cheliceral palm with moderate hispid granulation both ventral and dorsal side. Both fingers well provided with teeth, fixed finger with 12 teeth, distal one largest; movable finger with 10 retrorse continuous small teeth; galea weakly raised, keel-like (Fig. 10B). Rallum with 8 blades, the distal one longest and recumbent basally, with fine barbules and slightly set apart from the other blades, latter tightly grouped and with long pinnae, some of which are subdivided (Fig. 10D). Pedipalp (Figs 9A, 10E–G): surface of palpal segments smooth; chelal palm gradually constricted towards fingers; setae generally long and acuminate; femur 8.54, patella 2.73, chela 7.71, hand 3.10 times longer than broad; movable finger 1.45 times longer than hand and 0.58 times longer than chela, apodeme complex of movable finger strongly sclerotized. Femur and dorsal hand without tactile setae but with 1 lyrifissure distally at patella (Fig. 10E). Fixed chelal finger and hand with 8 trichobothria, movable chelal finger with 4 trichobothria, ib and isb situated close together, submedially on dorsum of chelal hand; eb, esb and ist forming a straight oblique row at base of fixed chelal finger; it slightly distal to est, situated subdistally; et slightly near to tip of fixed finger, very close to chelal teeth; dx situated distal to et; sb situated closer to st than to b; b and t situated subdistally, b situated at same level as est; t situated distal to est and at same level as it (Fig. 10F). Microsetae (chemosensory setae) absent on hand and both chelal fingers. Sensilla absent but with 1 lyrifissure between t and b, it and est, respectively (Fig. 10G). Both chelal fingers with a row of teeth, homodentate, spaced regularly along the margin, larger teeth present in the middle of the row, becoming smaller distally and proximally: fixed finger with 24 large, erect, well-spaced teeth, without intercalary teeth; movable finger with 10 small (slightly smaller than the teeth on fixed finger), retrorse, serrated and well-spaced teeth; fixed finger also with a modified accessory tooth on dorso-antiaxial face (td) (Fig. 10F, G). Chelal fingers gently curved in dorsal view. Opisthosoma: generally typical; pleural membrane finely granulate. Tergites and sternites undivided; setae uniseriate and acuminate. Tergal chaetotaxy I–XII: 2: 2: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 5: 5: 4: T2T: 0; tergites VIII and IX each with an unpaired median seta. Sternal chaetotaxy IV–XII: 13: 11: 9: 9: 9: 9: 9: 0: 2; sternites IV–X with unpaired median seta. Anterior genital operculum with 9 setae, genital opening slit-like, with 15 marginal setae on each side (Fig. 9D). Legs (Fig. 10H, I): generally typical, long and slender. Fine granulation present on anterodorsal faces of trochanter IV and patella IV. Femur of leg I 1.88 times longer than patella and with 1 lyrifissure at the base of femur; tarsus 2.23 times longer than tibia. Femoropatella of leg IV 3.76 times longer than deep; tibia 6.33 times longer than deep; with tactile setae on both tarsal segments: basitarsus 3.57 times longer than deep, with basal tactile setae (TS = 0.24), telotarsus 12.80 times longer than deep and 2.56 times longer than basitarsus (TS = 0.41). Setae of leg I (trochanter to tibia) 3: 11: 11: 14, setae of leg IV (trochanter to basitarsus) 2: 3: 6: 14: 10. Arolium slightly shorter than the claws, not divided; claws simple. Dimensions of male holotype (length/width or, in the case of the legs, length/depth in mm; ratios in parentheses). Body length 1.78. Pedipalps: trochanter 0.29/0.16 (1.81), femur 1.11/0.13 (8.54), patella 0.41/0.15 (2.73), chela 1.62/0.21 (7.71), hand length 0.65/0.21 (3.10), movable finger length 0.94. Chelicera 0.64/0.27 (2.37), movable finger length 0.34. Carapace 0.59/0.58 (1.02). Leg I: trochanter 0.17/0.11 (1.55), femur 0.60/0.07 (8.57), patella 0.32/0.07 (4.57), tibia 0.30/0.05 (6.00), tarsus 0.67/0.04 (16.75). Leg IV: trochanter 0.21/0.14 (1.50), femoropatella 0.79/0.21 (3.76), tibia 0.57/0.09 (6.33), basitarsus 0.25/0.07 (3.57), telotarsus 0.64/0.05 (12.80).

Figure 8. 

Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. A holotype male, dorsal view B paratype female, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Adult females (Figs 7, 8B, 9E). Mostly same as males. Anterior genital operculum with 9 setae plus 10–12 setae on posterior margin. Body length 2.00–2.05. Pedipalps: trochanter 0.30–0.32/0.17–0.18 (1.76–1.78), femur 1.17/0.14–0.15 (7.80–8.36), patella 0.40–0.41/0.17 (2.35–2.41), chela 1.65–1.66/0.23–0.24 (6.88–7.22), hand length 0.66–0.70/0.23–0.24 (2.75–3.04), movable finger length 0.95–0.98. Chelicera 0.68–0.70/0.29–0.30 (2.33–2.34), movable finger length 0.36–0.37. Carapace 0.62/0.61 (1.02). Leg I: trochanter 0.18–0.20/0.13 (1.38–1.54), femur 0.61/0.07 (8.71), patella 0.32–0.33/0.07 (4.57–4.71), tibia 0.30/0.06 (5.00), tarsus 0.68–0.69/0.05 (13.60–13.80). Leg IV: trochanter 0.22–0.24/0.13–0.14 (1.69–1.71), femoropatella 0.81–0.82/0.21 (3.86–3.90), tibia 0.60–0.61/0.09–0.10 (6.10–6.67), basitarsus 0.26–0.27/0.06 (4.33–4.50), telotarsus 0.69/0.05 (13.80).

Figure 9. 

Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov., holotype male (A–D), paratype female (E) A chelal fingers (lateral view) B carapace (dorsal view) C left chelicera (dorsal view) D male genital area (ventral view) E female genital area (ventral view). Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Remarks

Of all Lagynochthonius species found in hypogean environments around the world, only three species, L. bailongtanensis Li, Liu & Shi, 2019 (from China), L. typhlus Muchmore, 1991 (from Jamaica) and L. curvidigitatus Mahnert, 1997 (from Spain), have no eyes, and are all highly troglomorphic species. Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. is most similar to L. typhlus in having only 2 setae on tergites I–II, but the latter has intercalary teeth on the chelal fingers and a smaller body size (1.28 vs. 2.00–2.05 mm in females). Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. can be easily separated from L. bailongtanensis by its smaller body size (L. laoxueyanensis 1.78 mm in male, 2.00–2.05 mm in females; while L. bailongtanensis is 2.55–2.92 mm in males, 2.72–2.95 mm in females), the number of setae on the anterior tergites (tergites I–II with 2 setae in L. laoxueyanensis, but 4 in L. bailongtanensis), the shape of epistome (pointed and small in L. laoxueyanensis, but obtuse and inconspicuous in L. bailongtanensis) and the number of setae on the pedipalpal coxa (3 setae in L. laoxueyanensis, but 5 in L. bailongtanensis). Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. can be easily separated from L. curvidigitatus by the presence of a pair of curved chelal fingers in the latter and the number of setae on tergites I–II (L. laoxueyanensis with 2 and 2 setae, respectively, but L. curvidigitatus with 3 and 4 setae, respectively) (Muchmore 1991; Mahnert 1997; Edward and Harvey 2008; Mahnert 2011; Li et al. 2019).

Figure 10. 

Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov., holotype male A carapace (dorsal view) with a detail of anterior margin B left chelicera (dorsal view) with details of teeth and tip of movable finger C coxal spines on coxae II (ventral view) D rallum E left pedipalp (minus chela, dorsal view) F left chela (lateral view) with details of teeth and with trichobothrial pattern (abbreviations explained in Material and methods) G finger tips of chela (lateral view) with detail of modified tooth H leg I without trochanter (lateral view) I leg IV (lateral view). Scale bars: 0.25 mm (A, B, E, F, H, I); 0.10 mm (C, D, G).

Distribution

This species is only known from the type locality, Laoxueyan Cave (Figs 1B, 11) which is located about 4 km southeast of Liuzhao Village (Yanshan County). The entrance of the cave is slit-shaped (18 m high and 4 m wide), and the total length of the cave is 88.5 m, and the vertical height of the cave is about 30 m. A descent access leads to the bottom of the cave. The bottom of the cave is a large space, covered with gravel, temperature around 13 °C, humidity over 90%. All of the specimens were collected from ground crevices near the end of the cave.

Figure 11. 

Laoxueyan Cave, type locality of Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. A entrance B the only access to the deepest part of the cave C inside the cave entrance D area where L. laoxueyanensis specimens were collected.

Acknowledgements

We thank the Ancient Alu Cave National Park of China staff for their support. We are grateful to Zegang Feng, Lu Zhang and Liu Fu for their assistance in the field, to Ms Angela Xuanyu Lin for revising the language, and to Dr. Jana Christophoryová and two reviewers, Dr. Mark S. Harvey and Dr. Katarína Krajčovičová, for their helpful suggestions that greatly improved this paper. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31872198), and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (No. C2021201030).

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