Indohya arnoldstrongi 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 : 47-51

Indohya arnoldstrongi Harvey & Burger , n. sp.

( Figs. 1–3 , 19–21 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1D667A7B-5BBD-42F3-AAF3-9C5C21983A2F

Material examined. Holotype male. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Ô, ca. 120 km N. of Paraburdoo , 22°11′41.42″S, 117°57′16.78″E, 22 January 2010, scrape, P. Bell, E.S. Volschenk ( WAM T111408 ).

Paratypes. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 ♀, Firetail North, Solomon , 60 km N. Tom Price, 22°07′11.0″S, 117°55′15.9″E, 30 September 2008, troglofauna scrape, M.D. Scanlon, B.J. Scanlon ( WAM T111713 ) ; 1 ♀, ca. 120 km N. of Paraburdoo , 22°12′00.8″S, 117°57′16.71″E, 1 March 2010, baited subterranean trap, E.S. Volschenk, N. Krawczyk ( WAM T111409 ) ; 1 ♀, Kings, ca. 47 km W. of Wittenoom , 22°09′19.42″S, 117°52′11.76″E, 14 September–7 November 2012, troglofauna trap, depth 10 m, J.S. Cocking, S. R . Bennett ( WAM T140483 ); 1 Ô, Kings, ca. 48 km W. of Wittenoom , 22°09′18.64″S, 117°52′01.36″E, 12 March 2013, troglofauna scrape, depth 19 m, J.S. Cocking, S. R . Bennett ( WAM T140485 ); 1 Ô, Solomon, ca. 35 km W. of Wittenoom , 22°11′44.5″S, 117°57′58.5″E, 1 March 2012, scrape, S. R . Bennett, J.S. Cocking ( WAM T127450 ) .

Other material. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 protonymph, Firetail North, Solomon, 60 km N. Tom Price , 22°07′11.0″S, 117°55′15.9″E, 13 January 2010, troglofauna scrape, D.C. Main, G.B. Pearson ( WAM T111714 ) ; 1 protonymph, Firetail South, Solomon, 60 km N. Tom Price , 22°07′55″S, 117°54′12.2″E, 7 April 2010, troglofauna scrape, D.C. Main, G.B. Pearson ( WAM T111715 ) ; 1 protonymph, Firetail South, Solomon, 60 km N. Tom Price , 22°07′16.0″S, 117°53′5.2″E, 9 April 2010, troglofauna scrape, D.C. Main, G.B. Pearson ( WAM T111716 ) ; 1 deutonymph, Kings, ca. 48 km W. of Wittenoom , 22°09′21.12″S, 117°52′04.80″E, 14 September–7 November 2012, troglofauna trap, depth 12 m, J.S. Cocking, S. R. Bennett ( WAM T140484 ) ; 1 deutonymph, Firetail South, ca. 47 km WNW. of Wittenoom , 22°08′02.61″S, 117°54′47.52″E, 31 July 2018, troglofauna scrape, depth 12 m, M.K. Curran, J.S. Cocking ( WAM T140486 ) .

Diagnosis. Indohya arnoldstrongi 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 all of the others except I. finitima by the rounded distal teeth of the fixed chelal finger (at least 2 distal teeth pointed in I. alexanderi , I. cockingi , I. cribbi , I. damocles , I. draconis , I. jessicae , I. lynbeazleyae , I. sagmata and I. scanloni ), and differs from I. finitima by all of the teeth of the fixed chelal finger being rounded, whereas at least some teeth are pointed in I. finitima .

It also differs from all other Indohya species for which sequence data are available by three synapomorphies in COI mtDNA: at base 3 there is a substitution to G; at base 78 there is a substitution to T; and at base 313 there is a substitution to T. The six sequenced specimens differ from all other sequenced specimens of Indohya by 14.7– 29.2% (Table 2).

Description (adult). Colour ( Fig. 19 ): pale reddish tan; carapace, cheliceral fingers, pedipalp trochanter, femur and patella darker reddish brown.

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

Chelicera ( Fig. 20B ): surface smooth; hand with 6 (Ô, ♀) setae, movable finger with 1 sub-medial seta, all setae acuminate; galea present, long, slender and slightly curved; fixed finger with 12 (Ô), 13 (♀) teeth, each approximately same size; movable finger with 8 (Ô), 7 (♀) teeth, each approximately same size; with 2 dorsal and 1 ventral lyrifissures; lamina exterior absent; rallum with 6–7 blades, all blades with anterior spinules, basal blade shorter than others.

Pedipalp ( Fig. 20C ): long and slender; trochanter smooth, 2.29–2.58 (Ô) ×, 2.28–2.38 (♀) ×; femur broadest medially, basal half lightly granulate, without dorsal tactile seta, with 3 stout retrolateral setae near base, 5.19–5.41 (Ô) ×, 4.88–5.83 (♀) ×; patella broadened distally, smooth, pedicel not strongly pronounced but basal portion slimmer than distal portion, with several small lyrifissures situated basally on dorsal surface, 3.24–3.61 (Ô) ×, 3.05– 3.64 (♀) ×; chela ( Fig. 20D ): hand slender, with prolateral face lightly granulate, chela (with pedicel) 3.89–4.03 (Ô) ×, 3.69–4.00 (♀) ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.46–3.79 (Ô) ×, 3.46–3.81 (♀) ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.52–1.56 (Ô) ×, 1.43–1.66 (♀) × longer than broad, movable finger 1.36–1.42 (Ô) ×, 1.32–1.49 (♀) × 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 much closer to b than to st, st situated much closer to t than to sb, ratio sb–st / sb–b = 1.62 (Ô), 1.86 (♀), t acuminate. Both fingers straight in lateral view. Fixed finger smooth, movable finger with several prolateral and retrolateral granulations basally. Chelal teeth ( Fig. 20E ) juxtadentate, fixed finger with 61 (Ô, ♀) teeth, all teeth rounded (Ô), or with basal 3–4 teeth slightly acute (♀), movable finger with 21 (Ô), 20 (♀), low teeth. Venom apparatus present only in movable chelal finger, venom duct long, terminating in nodus ramosus between sb and st.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 20A ) sub-rectangular; smooth; anterior margin slightly convex; epistome absent; lateral margins slightly convex; posterior margin straight; 1.12–1.36 (Ô) ×, 1.06–1.41 (♀) × 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, ♀) additional setae. Coxa I with anterior margin not modified; chaetotaxy of coxae I–IV: Ô, 4: 4: 5: 6; ♀, 4: 4: 4: 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 and 1 sub-distally, both directed longitudinally; 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 3.59 (Ô) ×, 4.07 (♀) × 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: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 4: 4: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 5 (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, 19: (0) 24 [2 + 2] (0): (1) 8 (1): 8: 10: 10: 10: 8: 6 (including 4 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 13: (0) 7 (0): (1) 6 (1): 8: 8: 9: 7: 6: 6 (including 4 tactile setae): 4 (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 ( Fig. 20F ): 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 T111408 ) (followed by 2 other males, when measured, in parentheses). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 1.77 (1.74–1.76). Pedipalp : trochanter 0.320 / 0.140 (0.320–0.335/0.130–0.140) , femur 0.865 / 0.160 (0.830–0.860/0.160), patella 0.650 / 0.180 (0.600–0.640/0.185), chela (with pedicel) 1.245 / 0.320 (1.250–1.290/0.310–0.325), chela (without pedicel) length 1.155 (1.175 –1.215), chelal hand (without pedicel) length 0.490 (0.485 –0.495), movable finger length 0.670 (0.660 –0.705). Carapace 0.600 / 0.495 (0.565–0.590/0.435–0.505) . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.610 / 0.170, tibia 0.430 / 0.085, metatarsus 0.215 / 0.065, tarsus 0.385 / 0.045.

Female paratype ( WAM T111713 ) (followed by 2 other females, when measured). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 1.87 (1.77–2.04). Pedipalp : trochanter 0.310 / 0.130 (0.285–0.390/0.125–0.170) , femur 0.805 / 0.165 (0.845–0.995/0.145–0.19), patella 0.595 / 0.195 (0.600–0.745/0.165–0.235), chela (with pedicel) 1.33/0.350 (1.240– 1.550/0.310–0.420), chela (without pedicel) 1.245 (1.180 –1.455), hand (without pedicel) 0.500 (0.515 –0.600), movable finger length 0.745 (0.680 –0.820). Carapace 0.615 / 0.500 (0.605–0.720/0.500–0.510) . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.590 / 0.145, tibia 0.390 / 0.085, metatarsus 0.210 / 0.600, tarsus 0.355 / 0.045.

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

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

Pedipalp: trochanter 2.50 ×, femur 5.11 ×, patella 2.43 ×, chela (with pedicel) 4.09 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.86 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.71 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.28 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 6 trichobothria ( Fig. 21A ), eb, est, et, ib, ist and it present; movable finger with 2 trichobothria, b and t present. Fixed chelal finger 36 teeth. Fixed chelal finger low, juxtadentate, most teeth quadrate. Movable chelal finger 17 teeth. Movable chelal finger low, or juxtadentate.

Cephalothorax: carapace 1.26 × longer than broad; with 10 setae, arranged 4: 0: 4: 0: 2; without furrows; eyes absent. Coxal chaetotaxy 4: 4: 3: 3.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi not fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy 4: 4: 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; sternal chaetotaxy 0: (0) 4 (0): (1) 4 (1): 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 5 (including 2 tactile setae): 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T140484 . Body length 1.14. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.200 / 0.080 , femur 0.460 / 0.090, patella 0.280 / 0.115, chela (with pedicel) length 0.715 / 0.175, chela (without pedicel) length 0.675, hand (without pedicel) length 0.300, movable finger length 0.385. Carapace 0.385 / 0.305.

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

Chelicera ( Fig. 21C ): hand with 4 setae, movable finger without seta.

Pedipalp ( Fig. 21E ): trochanter 1.92 ×, femur 3.94 ×, patella 2.47 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.78 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.63 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.74 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.15 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 3 trichobothria ( Fig. 21D ), eb, ist and et present; movable finger with 1 trichobothrium, t present; fixed chelal finger with 23 low, juxtadentate teeth, basal teeth slightly enlarged; movable chelal finger with 0 teeth.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 21B ) 1.23 × longer than broad; with 10 setae arranged 4: 0: 2: 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) 3 (0): (0) 4 (0): 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2 (both tactile setae): 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T111714 . Body length 0.98. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.125 / 0.065 , femur 0.315 / 0.080, patella 0.210 / 0.085, chela (with pedicel) 0.515 / 0.135, chela (without pedicel) 0.490, hand (without pedicel) length 0.235, movable finger length 0.270. Carapace 0.395 / 0.320.

Distribution and remarks. Indohya arnoldstrongi has been recorded from subterranean ecosystems at several sites situated west of Wittenoom in the central Pilbara region ( Fig. 5 ). The species was previously known by WAM identification code Indohya ‘PSE004’.

Conservation assessment. Indohya arnoldstrongi occurs in subterranean biotopes in an active mining tenement. The sites can be grouped into three sites: Kings, Firetail and Solomon. All of the collecting locations at Kings and Firetail are now active mine sites, but the status of the populations of I. arnoldstrongi is unknown, which will ultimately depend on the depth of the mine and its effect on the subterranean habitat occupied by the troglofauna. The third site, Solomon, which is 8–9 km SE. of the nearest collecting site at Firetail, is currently undeveloped. The total extent of the subterranean habitat in the vicinity of the collection sites is unknown, but the surface terrain is only moderately dissected. It is therefore likely that it’s distribution may extend further into the local area. If the mining activities at Kings and Firetail have extirpated the known populations of I. arnoldstrongi , and the only surviving population exists at Solomon, then the species may meet the status of threatened using the criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (2012). However, further surveys are required to determine its full distribution and the impacts of the existing mines.

Etymology. This species is dedicated to Arnold Strong.

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 19. Indohya arnoldstrongi Harvey & Burger, n. sp., paratype male (WAM T127450): A, dorsal; B, ventral; C, cephalothorax, dorsal. Scale lines = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 20. Indohya arnoldstrongi Harvey & Burger, n. sp., holotype male (WAM T111408): A, carapace, dorsal; B, right chelicera, dorsal; C, right pedipalp, dorsal; D, left chela, retrolateral; E, fixed finger, chelal teeth, retrolateral; F, male genitalia, ventral. Scale lines = 0.5 mm (Figs. C, D), 0.2 mm (Fig. A), 0.1 mm (Figs. B, E, F).

FIGURE 21. Indohya arnoldstrongi Harvey & Burger, n. sp.: A, left chela, retrolateral, deutonymph (WAM T140484); B–E, protonymph (WAM T111714): B, carapace, dorsal; C, left chelicera, dorsal; D, right chela, retrolateral; E, right pedipalp, dorsal. Scale lines = 0.2 mm.