Zoological Studies

Vol. 63, 2024

(update: 2024.4.9)

Two New Species of Cave-Dwelling Pseudoscorpions Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Northeastern Brazil: Shedding Light on the Troglobitic Status of Some Brazilian Species

Guilherme C. Prado1,* and Rodrigo L. Ferreira1
doi:10.6620/ZS.2024.63-21

1Centro de Estudos em Biologia Subterrânea, Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG. CEP 37200-900, Brazil. *Correspondence: E-mail: prado.gcp.99@gmail.com (Prado)
E-mail: drops@ufla.br (Ferreira)

(Received 10 June 2023 / Accepted 14 March 2024 / Published 9 July 2024)
Communicated by Benny K.K. Chan

Two new pseudoscorpion species, Pseudochthonius aware sp. nov. and Pseudochthonius itakuatiara sp. nov., are herein described. These species exhibit distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other congeneric species, including variations in chelal and cheliceral dentition, coxal chaetotaxy, and measurements. In addition to taxonomic details, we provide ecological observations for each species, identify potential threats, propose avenues for future research, and offer a key for distinguishing the Pseudochthonius species found in Brazil.

Key words: Cave-dwelling, Pseudoscorpion, Subterranean biology, Taxonomy, Troglomorphism

Citation: Prado GC, Ferreira RL. 2024. Two new species of cave-dwelling pseudoscorpions Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from northeastern Brazil: shedding light on the troglobitic status of some Brazilian species. Zool Stud 63:21. doi:10.6620/ZS.2024.63-21.