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. Prado 
Centro de Estudos em Biologia Subterrânea, Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG. CEP 37200-900, Brazil
Rodrigo L. Ferreira
Centro de Estudos em Biologia Subterrânea, Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG. CEP 37200-900, Brazil
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:20A047C8-0D5D-47ED-AB5C-252BA0F3839E
Communicated by Benny Kwok Kan 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.
Keywords
Cave-dwelling, Pseudoscorpion, Subterranean biology, Taxonomy, Troglomorphism
