Indohya cribbi Harvey & Burger, 2023

Harvey, Mark S., Burger, Mieke A. A., Abrams, Kym M., Finston, Terrie L., Huey, Joel A. & Perina, Giulia, 2023, The systematics of the pseudoscorpion genus Indohya (Pseudoscorpiones: Hyidae) in Australia, Zootaxa 5342 (1), pp. 1-119 : 66-70

Indohya cribbi Harvey & Burger , n. sp.

( Figs. 1–3 , 31 , 32 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:24CEBBFA-A782-4167-B2D0-00A66FD2EA7D

Material examined. Holotype male. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , BHP014 –CU0073, 20°34′26.99″S, 120°11′52.74″E, 30 May–21 July 2009, troglofauna trap, P. Bell ( WAM T138721 ).

Paratypes. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 ♀, Cundaline Ridge , hole #CU0199 R, 20°34′10.6″S, 120°11′41.0″E, 23 February 2008, troglofauna trap, P. Bell, N. Stevens ( WAM T91753 ) ; 2 ♀, Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , hole #CU0060, 20°32′26.02″S, 120°09′17.82″E, 8 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T138717 , T150969 ) ; 1 ♀, Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , hole #CU0062, 20°32′29.22″S, 120°09′23.69″E, 8 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T138718 ) ; 1 Ô, Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , hole #CU0059, 20°32′27.06″S, 120°09′17.03″E, 8 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T138719 ) ; 1 Ô, Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , hole #CU0057, 20°32′14.68″S, 120°09′00.50″E, 21 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T138729 ) .

Other material. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 tritonymph, Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland, hole #CU0057, 20°32′14.68″S, 120°09′00.50″E, 21 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T150970 ); 1 protonymph, Cundaline Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , 20°34′06.82″S, 120°11′34.40″E, 12 December 2007 – 23 February 2008, troglofauna litter trap, P. Bell, N. Stevens ( WAM T138974 ) .

Diagnosis. Indohya cribbi belongs to a group of Indohya species that have 12 setae on the carapace and no eyes. It differs from I. anastomosa , I. aquila and I. humphreysi by the presence of 4 setae on tergite I (only 2 setae in I. anastomosa , I. aquila and I. humphreysi ). It differs from I. arnoldstrongi , I. cockingi and I. finitima by having numerous pointed teeth on the fixed chelal finger, and from all except I. lynbeazleyae by the granulate pedipalpal femur and patella (smooth or at most only partially granulate in the others). It differs from I. lynbeazleyae by the median setal row of the carapace being slightly recurved ( Fig. 32A ).

It also differs from all other Indohya species for which sequence data are available by two synapomorphies in COI mtDNA: at base 209 there is a substitution to C; and at base 211 there is a substitution to T. The seven sequenced specimens differ from all other sequenced specimens of Indohya by 11.6–26.2% (Table 2).

Description (adult). Colour ( Fig. 31 ): Carapace and pedipalps deep yellow-brown, tergites light brown.

Setae and cuticle: setae long, mostly straight and acicular; most cuticular surfaces smooth and glossy.

Chelicera: surface smooth; hand with 5 setae (4 in left chelicera of male holotype, bs absent), movable finger with 1 sub-medial seta, all setae acuminate; galea present, long, slender and slightly curved; fixed finger with 10 (Ô), 11 (♀) teeth, each approximately same size; movable finger with 6 (Ô), 7 (♀) teeth, each approximately same size; with 2 dorsal and 1 ventral lyrifissures; lamina exterior absent; rallum with 7 (Ô, ♀) blades, all blades with anterior spinules, basal blade shorter than others.

Pedipalp ( Fig. 32A ): long and slender; trochanter smooth, 2.34–2.41 (Ô) ×, 2.25–2.54 (♀) ×; femur slightly broadened distally, lightly granulate, without dorsal tactile seta, with 3 stout retrolateral setae near base, 6.63–7.48 (Ô) ×, 6.56–6.92 (♀) ×; patella slightly broadened distally, lightly granulate, pedicel not strongly pronounced but basal portion slimmer than distal portion, with several small lyrifissures situated basally on dorsal surface, 4.82–5.15 (Ô) ×, 4.49–4.86 (♀) ×; chela ( Figs. 32B, C ): hand slender, with prolateral face lightly granulate, chela (with pedicel) 4.48–4.93 (Ô) ×, 4.25–4.67 (♀) ×, chela (without pedicel) 4.19–4.61 (Ô) ×, 3.95–4.28 (♀) ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.57–1.83 (Ô) ×, 1.56–1.84 (♀) × longer than broad, movable finger 1.48–1.57 (Ô) ×, 1.33–1.64 (♀) × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 8 trichobothria, eb, esb and isb in straight row at base of finger, ib situated dorsally at the end of the chelal hand, isb at the basal end of the fixed finger, ib situated on dorsum of chelal hand, it closer to et than to est, et slightly distal to it; movable finger with 4 trichobothria, sb slightly closer to b than to st, st situated much closer to t than to sb, ratio sb–st / sb–b = 1.16 (Ô), 1.73 (♀), t acuminate. Both fingers straight in lateral view. Fixed finger smooth, movable finger with several prolateral and retrolateral granulations basally. Chelal teeth ( Fig. 32D ) juxtadentate, fixed finger with 79 (Ô, ♀) teeth, teeth 1–14, 33–35, 37, 39, 41, 44, 46, 48–49, 52–53, 55, 58, 60, 62–75, 80 acute, remainder rounded (Ô), teeth 1–11, 38–39, 41–42, 50, 56, 58, 60–61, 63–75 acute, remainder rounded (♀), movable finger with 41 (Ô), ca. 36 (♀), low, but discernible teeth. Venom apparatus present only in movable chelal finger, venom duct long, terminating in nodus ramosus between sb and st.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 32A ) sub-rectangular; anterior margin slightly convex; epistome absent; lateral margins slightly convex; 1.60–1.66 (Ô), 1.36–1.62 (♀) × longer than broad; with 12 setae arranged 4: 0: 4: 2: 2 (Ô, ♀); without furrows; eyes absent. Manducatory process distally triangular, with 2 distal setae; pedipalpal coxa with 5 (Ô), 6 (♀) additional setae. Coxa I with anterior margin not modified; chaetotaxy of coxae I–IV: Ô, 4: 4: 5: 6; ♀, 4: 4: 5: 5.

Legs: femora I and II much longer than patellae I and II, respectively; femora I and II with basal swelling; femora I and II each with 2 primary slit sensilla, 1 sub-basally directed longitudinally and 1 sub-distally directed transversely; junction between anterior femora and patellae perpendicular; junction between posterior femora and patellae slightly oblique; femora III and IV much smaller than patellae III and IV, respectively; femur + patella IV 4.76 (Ô) ×, 4.83 (♀) × longer than broad; metatarsi shorter than tarsi; subterminal tarsal seta dentate; claws smooth, arolium slightly shorter than claws; arolium not divided.

Abdomen: tergites not divided; tergal chaetotaxy Ô, 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; arranged in single rows; sternal chaetotaxy Ô, 30: (3) 29 [2 + 2] (3): (3) 4 (3): 8: 8: 8: 6: 6: 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 12: (3) 6 (3): (3) 6 (3): 6: 8: 8: 8: 8: 8 (including 2 tactile setae): 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; setae of anterior genital operculum (sternite II) of ♀ minute; posterior tergites and sternites with several tactile setae; medial sternites without suture line; pleural membrane uniformly granulate; without setae; stigmatic helix present.

Genitalia: male: lateral genital sacs large and ovoid; median genital sac short and ovoid; ejaculatory duct atrium large and rounded; dorsal apodeme wing-like; without a pair of large dorsal genital sacs; with 2 pairs of setae within genital atrium. Female: with large gonosac that is covered with scattered pores.

Dimensions (mm): male holotype (WAM T138721) (followed by 2 other males, when measured, in parentheses). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 2.18 (2.22–2.32). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.430 / 0.180 (0.375–0.410/0.160–0.170), femur 1.260 / 0.190 (1.235–1.275/0.165–0.180), patella 1.085 / 0.225 (0.995–1.055/0.195–0.205), chela (with pedicel) 1.815 / 0.405 (1.700–1.775/0.350–0.360), chela (without pedicel) length 1.695 (1.600 –1.660), chelal hand (without pedicel) length 0.635 (0.640 –0.650), movable finger length 1.000 (0.915 –0.995). Carapace 0.895 / 0.540 (0.770–0.830/0.480–0.515). Leg IV: femur + patella 0.880 / 0.185, tibia 0.620 / 0.090, metatarsus 0.295 / 0.075, tarsus 0.600 / 0.050.

Female paratype (WAM T138717) (followed by 3 other females, when measured, in parentheses). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 2.47 (2.03–2.60). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.495 / 0.195 (0.435/0.450/0.175–0.200), femur 1.425 / 0.210 (1.280–1.410/0.185–0.215), patella 1.190 / 0.245 (1.055–1.135/0.235–0.245), chela (with pedicel) 2.000 / 0.470 (1.775–1.955/0.380–0.460), chela (without pedicel) 1.870 (1.625 –1.830), hand (without pedicel) 0.735 (0.610 –0.830), movable finger length 1.075 (1.000 –1.100). Carapace 0.975 / 0.715 (0.875–0.980/0.540–0.610). Leg IV: femur + patella 0.990 / 0.205, tibia 0.720 / 0.105, metatarsus 0.305 / 0.080, tarsus 0.640 / 0.055.

Description (tritonymph). Colour: pale, yellow-white.

Chelicera: hand with 5 setae, movable finger with 1 sub-medial seta.

Pedipalp: trochanter 2.20 ×, femur 5.35 ×, patella 4.13 ×, chela (with pedicel) 4.36 ×, chela (without pedicel) 4.13 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.64 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.39 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 7 trichobothria ( Fig. 32E ), eb, esb, est, et, ib, ist and it present; movable finger with 3 trichobothria; b, st and t present, st much closer to t than to b. Fixed chelal finger with 60 low, juxtadentate teeth, movable chelal finger with 24 low, juxtadentate teeth.

Cephalothorax: carapace 1.52 × longer than broad; with 12 setae, arranged 4: 0: 4: 2: 2, including posterior margin with 2 setae; smooth; without furrows; eyes absent. Coxal chaetotaxy 3: 4: 4: 5.

Legs: femur + patella IV 4.35 × longer than broad; metatarsi and tarsi not fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy 4: 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2 (both tactile setae): 2; sternal chaetotaxy 2: (1) 6 (1): (2) 4 (2): 8: 8: 8: 8: 8: 6: 5 (including 2 tactile setae): 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T150970. Body length 1.55. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.275 / 0.125, femur 0.830 / 0.155, patella 0.640 / 0.155, chela (with pedicel) 1.220 / 0.280, chela (without pedicel) 1.155, hand (without pedicel) length 0.460, movable finger length 0.640. Carapace 0.615 / 0.405. Leg IV: femur + patella 0.565 / 0.130.

Description (protonymph). Colour: very pale, yellow-white.

Chelicera: hand with 4 setae, movable finger without seta.

Pedipalp: trochanter 2.33 ×, femur 4.33 ×, patella 2.84 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.88 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.64 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.61 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.25 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 3 trichobothria ( Fig. 32F ), eb, ist and et present; movable finger with 1 trichobothrium, t present; fixed chelal finger with 36 low, juxtadentate teeth; movable chelal finger with 14 teeth.

Cephalothorax: carapace 1.29 × longer than broad; with 12 setae arranged 4: 0: 4: 2: 2; without furrows; eyes absent. Coxal chaetotaxy 1: 1: 1: 1.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi not fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; sternal chaetotaxy 0: (0) 2 (0): (1) 2 (1): 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T138974 . Body length 0.79. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.175 / 0.075 , femur 0.390 / 0.090, patella 0.270 / 0.095, chela (with pedicel) 0.640 / 0.165, chela (without pedicel) 0.600, hand (without pedicel) length 0.265, movable finger length 0.330. Carapace 0.335 / 0.260.

Distribution and remarks. Indohya cribbi occurs in subterranean ecosystems within a single rocky outcrop, Cundaline, in the north-eastern Pilbara ( Fig. 5 ). The species was previously known by WAM identification code Indohya ‘PSE180’.

Conservation assessment. Indohya cribbi is restricted to a single rocky outcrop, Cundaline, and has a maximum area of occupancy of ca. 7 km 2. It therefore represents an extreme short-range endemic species ( Harvey 2002). Although some of the outcrop is an active iron ore mine, the remainder is not under development, and the species does not meet the status of threatened using the criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (2012).

Etymology. This species is named for Thomas Cribb, in recognition of his contributions to biodiversity research.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Maximum likelihood phylogeny of Hyidae and other neobisioids, based on alignment of concatenated COI, 18S and 28S. Ultrafast bootstrap values are presented for nodes greater than 80%.

FIGURE 2. Maximum likelihood phylogeny of Australian Indohya, using COI, 18S and 28S concatenated dataset. Bootstrap values are presented for all nodes. The genes amplified for each specimen are depicted with black squares in the gene matrix.

FIGURE 3. Maximum likelihood phylogeny of Australian Indohya, using COI. Bootstrap values are presented for all nodes.

FIGURE 5. Maps of north-western Australia depicting recorded distributions of the subterranean species of Indohya from the Pilbara and Cape Range region.

FIGURE 31. Indohya cribbi Harvey & Burger, n. sp.: A–C, holotype male (WAM T138721): A, dorsal; B, ventral; C, cephalothorax, dorsal; D–F, paratype female (WAM T138717): D, dorsal; E, ventral; F, cephalothorax, dorsal. Scale lines = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 32. Indohya cribbi Harvey & Burger, n. sp., holotype male (WAM T138721), unless stated otherwise: A, carapace, dorsal; B, right pedipalp, dorsal; C, left chela, retrolateral; D, left chelal teeth, retrolateral; E, left chela, retrolateral, tritonymph (WAM T150970); F, left chela, retrolateral, protonymph (WAM T138974). Scale lines = 0.5 mm (Figs. B, C), 0.25 mm (Figs. E, F), 0.2 mm (Fig. D), 0.1 mm (Fig. A).