Indohya cockingi 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 : 62-65

Indohya cockingi Harvey & Burger , n. sp.

( Figs. 1–3 , 5 , 29 , 30 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9723F9C3-62F3-4774-8D86-DC998E5EB5C5

Material examined. Holotype male. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Deposit B, 100 km NW. of Newman , 22°56′39.7″S, 119°00′27.8″E, 25 July 2008, troglofauna scrape, M.D. Scanlon, J.S. Cocking ( WAM T111708 ).

Paratypes. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 ♀, Deposit C, 100 km NW. of Newman , 22°55′29.3″S, 118°58′28.2″E, 13 January 2008, troglofauna scrape, M.D. Scanlon, J.S. Cocking ( WAM T111706 ); 1 Ô, Deposit B, ca. 83 km WNW. of Newman, 22°57′18.72″S, 119°01′25.76″E, 30 March 2011, troglofauna scrape, depth 66 m, M.D. Scanlon, D.C. Main ( WAM T140478 ) .

Other material. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 tritonymph, Deposit B, 100 km NW. of Newman, 22°56′07.02″S, 118°59′55.3″E, 17 March 2008, troglofauna scrape, M.D. Scanlon, J.S. Cocking ( WAM T111707 , on slide, poor condition); 1 ♀, South Flank, 100 km NW. of Newman , 22°59′05.8″S, 118°49′06.4″E, 18 March 2010, troglofauna scrape, D.C. Main, J.S. Cocking ( WAM T111709 ; specimen consumed during DNA extraction); 1 deutonymph, South Flank , ca. 81 km WNW. of Newman , 22°59′53.49″S, 119°01′13.54″E, 8 March 2012, troglofauna scrape, depth 69 m, M.K. Curran, J.W. Quartermaine ( WAM T140481 ) .

Diagnosis. Indohya cockingi belongs to a group of Indohya species that have 12 setae on the carapace and no eyes ( Fig. 30A ). 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 and I. finitima by having more than two of the distal teeth of the fixed chelal finger being pointed. It differs from all of the others by all of the teeth of the fixed chelal finger rounded except for 5–7 distal teeth and occasionally the basal-most tooth ( Fig. 30E ) (many pointed teeth in I. alexanderi , I. cribbi , I. damocles , I. draconis , I. jessicae , I. lynbeazleyae , I. sagmata and I. scanloni ).

It also differs from all other Indohya species for which sequence data are available by three synapomorphies in COI mtDNA: at base 49 there is a substitution to G; at base 514 there is a substitution to G; and at base 615 there is a substitution to G. The single sequenced specimen differs from all other sequenced specimens of Indohya by 15.6–30.5% (Table 2).

Description (adult). Colour ( Fig. 29 ): light yellow-brown, pedipalps and carapace red-brown.

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

Chelicera ( Fig. 30B ): surface smooth; hand with 5 setae, movable finger with 1 sub-medial seta, all setae acuminate; galea present, long, slender and slightly curved; fixed finger with 14 (Ô), 15 (♀) teeth, each approximately same size; movable finger with 7 (Ô, ♀) 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. 30C ): long and slender; trochanter smooth, 2.3–2.62 (Ô) ×, 2.06 (♀) ×; femur slightly broadened distally, basal half lightly granulate, without dorsal tactile seta, with 3 stout retrolateral setae near base, 6.55–6.59 (Ô) ×, 6.58 (♀) ×; patella slightly broadened distally, smooth, pedicel not strongly pronounced but basal portion slimmer than distal portion, with several small lyrifissures situated basally on dorsal surface, 5.19–5.33 (Ô) ×, 5.40 (♀) ×; chela ( Fig. 30C ): hand ovoid, slender, with prolateral face lightly granulate, chela (with pedicel) 4.69–5.02 (Ô) ×, 4.58 (♀) ×, chela (without pedicel) 4.37–4.68 (Ô) ×, 4.29 (♀) ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.66–1.80 (Ô) ×, 1.64 (♀) × longer than broad, movable finger 1.51–1.64 (Ô), 1.55 (♀) × 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 = 1.30 (Ô), 1.10 (♀), t acuminate. Both fingers straight in lateral view. Fixed finger smooth, movable finger with several prolateral and retrolateral granulations basally. Chelal teeth ( Fig. 30E ) juxtadentate, fixed finger with 64 (Ô), 66 (♀) teeth, teeth 1–7 pointed, remainder rounded (Ô), 1–5, 66 pointed, 6–65 rounded (♀), movable finger with 30 (Ô), 33 (♀), low teeth. Venom apparatus present only in movable chelal finger, venom duct long, terminating in nodus ramosus between sb and st.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 30A ) sub-rectangular; smooth; anterior margin slightly convex; epistome absent; lateral margins slightly convex; posterior margin straight; 1.30–1.39 (Ô), 1.42 (♀) × 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: 4: 5; ♀, 4: 4: 4: 4.

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 slit sensilla, each 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 4.74 (Ô) ×, 4.23 (♀) × longer than broad; metatarsi shorter than tarsi; subterminal tarsal seta acuminate; claws smooth, arolium slightly shorter than claws; arolium not divided.

Abdomen: tergites not divided; tergal chaetotaxy Ô, 4: 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 4: 4: 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 4: 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 5: 6: 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; arranged in single rows; sternal chaetotaxy Ô, 18: (2) 18 [2 + 2] (2): (0) 10 (0): 9: 9: 9: 9: 6: 7 (including 2 tactile setae): 5 (including 3 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 8: (2) 6 (2): (1) 6 (1): 6: 8: 7: 7: 7: 7 (including 2 tactile setae): 5 (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 T111708 ) (followed by 1 other male, when measured, in parentheses). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 2.51 (2.07). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.425 / 0.185 (0.405 / 0.155) , femur 1.310 / 0.200 (1.285 / 0.195), patella 1.090 / 0.210 (1.065 / 0.200), chela (with pedicel) 1.665 / 0.355 (1.630 / 0.325), chela (without pedicel) length 1.55 (1.52), chelal hand (without pedicel) length 0.590 (0.585), movable finger length 0.970 (0.885). Carapace 0.805 / 0.620 (0.750 / 0.540) . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.805 / 0.170, tibia 0.625 / 0.090, metatarsus 0.275 / 0.075, tarsus 0.495 / 0.050.

Female paratype ( WAM T111706 ). Body length (excluding chelicerae) crumpled. Pedipalp : trochanter 0.350 / 0.170 , femur 1.250 / 0.190, patella 1.080 / 0.200, chela (with pedicel) 1.580 / 0.345, chela (without pedicel) 1.48, hand (without pedicel) 0.565, movable finger length 0.875. Carapace 0.800 / 0.565 . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.740 / 0.175, tibia 0.600 / 0.065, metatarsus 0.270 / 0.065, tarsus 0.475 / 0.045.

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

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

Pedipalp: trochanter 1.79 ×, femur 6.50 ×, patella? (damaged) ×, chela (with pedicel) 5.18 ×, chela (without pedicel) 4.84 ×, hand (without pedicel) 2.02 × longer than broad, movable finger 2.02 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 7 trichobothria ( Fig. 30F ), 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 47 low, juxtadentate teeth, movable chelal finger with 21 low, juxtadentate teeth.

Cephalothorax: carapace 1.26 × 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 3.76 × longer than broad; metatarsi and tarsi not fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy not visible; sternal chaetotaxy not visible.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T111707 . Body length ca. 1.46. Pedipalp : trochanter 0.305 / 0.170 , femur 0.910 / 0.140, patella 0.690/? (damaged), chela (with pedicel) 1.165 / 0.225, chela (without pedicel) 1.090, hand (without pedicel) length 0.455, movable finger length 0.705. Carapace 0.615 / 0.490 . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.545 / 0.145.

Description (deutonymph). Colour: Very pale, yellow-white.

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

Pedipalp: trochanter 1.96 ×, femur 4.15 ×, patella 4.36 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.59 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.45 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.51 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.38 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 6 trichobothria ( Fig. 30G ), eb, est, et, ib, ist and it present; movable finger with 2 trichobothria, b and t present. Fixed chelal finger 40 teeth. Fixed chelal finger low, juxtadentate, most teeth quadrate. Movable chelal finger 16 teeth. Movable chelal finger low, or juxtadentate.

Cephalothorax: carapace? (damaged) × longer than broad; with 12 setae, arranged 4: 0: 4: 2: 2; without furrows; eyes absent. Coxal chaetotaxy 4: 4: 3: 3.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi not fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy? (abdomen in poor condition); sternal chaetotaxy? (abdomen in poor condition).

Dimensions (mm): WAM T140481. Body length 1.46. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.245 / 0.125, femur 0.685 / 0.165, patella 0.480 / 0.110, chela (with pedicel) length 0.915 / 0.255, chela (without pedicel) length 0.88, hand (without pedicel) length 0.385, movable finger length 0.530. Carapace? (poor condition).

Distribution and remarks. Indohya cockingi has only been collected from subterranean habitats at Deposit B, Deposit C and South Flank, all northwest of Newman ( Fig. 5 ). The species was previously known by WAM identification code Indohya ‘PSE005’.

Conservation assessment. Two of the three collection sites of I. cockingi, Deposits B and C, are active mine sites and part of the West Angelas group of mines. The depth and nature of the subterranean habitat are unknown, but it is likely that these sites will be unable to retain populations of this species if the majority of the habitat is removed.

Etymology. This species is named for Jim Cocking, collector of the holotype and many other interesting invertebrates.

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 29. Indohya cockingi Harvey & Burger, n. sp., holotype male (WAM T111708);A, dorsal; B, ventral; C, cephalothorax, dorsal. Scale lines = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 30. Indohya cockingi Harvey & Burger, n. sp., holotype male (WAM T111708), unless stated otherwise: A, carapace, dorsal; B, right chelicera, dorsal; C, right pedipalp, dorsal; D, right chela, retrolateral; E, right fixed finger, chelal teeth, retrolateral; F, left chelal fingers, retrolateral, tritonymph (WAM T111712). Scale lines = 0.5 mm (Figs. C, D), 0.2 mm (Fig. A), 0.1 mm (Figs. B, E).