Neobisium (Neobisium) petruzzielloi, Gardini, 2023

Gardini, Giulio, 2023, The troglomorphic pseudoscorpions of the genus Neobisium from Corsica, Sardinia and mainland Italy, with description of new species (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae), Zootaxa 5381 (1), pp. 1-67 : 47-51

Neobisium (Neobisium) petruzzielloi n. sp.

( Figs 89–99 , 119 )

Neobisium (Ommatoblothrus) aff. samniticum : Mahnert, 1980: 26.

Type locality: Italy, Campania, Avellino Province, Avella, Grotta degli Sportiglioni 184 Cp /AV (40°58’27.85”N 14°37’41.18”E) .

Distribution. Italy: Campania.

Diagnosis (♂ ♀). A subterranean, troglomorphic Neobisium from Campania (Partenio, Picentini and Matese Mountains) that differs from other Mediterranean species of the genus in the following combination of characters: posterior margin of carapace with 4–6 setae, epistome triangular, anterior eyes with convex lens, dark integument between anterior and posterior eyes present; tergites I–IV: 4–8:5–8:6–7:6–9; cheliceral palm with 6–7 setae, rallum with 8–9 blades; fixed chelal finger heterodentate, with contiguous teeth; fixed and movable chelal fingers with 124–151 and 101–133 teeth, respectively; pedipalpal femur 1.61–2.18 mm length (6.66–7.94 ×), patella 1.16–1.61 mm (4.20–5.00 ×), movable finger 1.88–2.53 mm; pedipalpal hand with oval profile and its greatest width in the proximal third; chelal fingers slightly curved both in dorsal and lateral view; ratio between movable chelal finger and hand of chela with pedicel 1.64–1.90; ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable chelal finger 0.84–0.93; ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace 1.75–2.19; trichobothrium ist from just proximal to just distal st, closer to the finger tip than to isb.

Type material. ITALY — Campania: Avellino Prov .: Holotype ♂, Monti del Partenio, Avella, Grotta degli Sportiglioni 184 Cp /AV (40°58’27.85”N 14°37’41.18”E), 420 m a.s.l., 21.VIII.2020, L. Petruzziello leg. ( MHNG) Paratypes: 3♂ 2♀, collected with the holotype (1♀ MHNG) ; 1♂ 3♀, same locality as the holotype, 22.VII.2021, L. Petruzziello leg. ; 3♂ 1♀, id., 3.I.2022, L. Petruzziello leg.; 4♂ 2♀, id., 27.VII.2022, L. Petruzziello leg.

Non-type material examined. ITALY — Campania: Avellino Prov.: 1♂ 2♀, Monti Picentini, Montella , Grotta del Caprone 56 Cp /AV (40°48’17.98”N 15°00’22.88”E), 835 m a.s.l., 31.XII.2015, L. Petruzziello leg. ; 2♂ 3♀ 1 T 2 D, id., 6.VIII.2018, L. Petruzziello leg. ; 1♂ 3♀, id., 6.VIII.2019, L. Petruzziello leg . Campania: Caserta Prov.: 1♂, Monti del Matese, Fontegreca , Vallone Londri , Grotta dei Diavoli 952 Cp /CE, 490 m a.s.l., 8. VI.1997, M. Mancini leg. ; 1♀, “ Campania, Letino, Grotta del Lete, m 870, 29.5.[19]75, (da esche), Rampini, Carchini leg.” (“ Neobisium (Ommatoblothrus) aff. samniticum n. sp., det. V. Mahnert 1978”) ( MZUR); 1♂, Monti del Matese, Letino , Inghiottitoio del Lete 191 Cp /CE (41°26’39.91”N 14°14’11.98”E), 870 m a.s.l., 3.VIII.1987, P. Magrini leg. ; 1♂ 1♀, Monti del Matese, Letino, Grotta dei Diavoli 600 Cp /CE (41°27’30.74”N 14°15’58.93”E), 1005 m a.s.l., 28.VII.2019, P. Magrini leg. ; 1♀ 1 T, Monti del Matese, San Gregorio Matese, Inghiottitoio Campo Braca 45 Cp /CE (41°25’06.84”N 14°19’08.29”E), 1000 m a.s.l., 31.VIII.2018, P. Magrini leg.

Derivatio nominis. Named after the biospeleologist Luigi Petruzziello (Remedello, Italy), in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of the subterranean fauna of Campania and for having provided important series of specimens of this species.

Description of adults (♂ ♀) from type locality. Carapace, chelicerae, pedipalps and palpal coxae red-brown; pedipalps smooth, pleural membrane granular. Carapace 1.31–1.39 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, with four eyes without tapetum ( Fig. 89 ), with dark integument between anterior and posterior eyes; anterior eyes with convex lens (diameter 0.08–0.09 mm), the posterior ones reduced, with weak lens; distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace 0.09–0.12 mm; anterior margin of carapace with prominent triangular epistome, apically rounded ( Fig. 89 ); 18 macrosetae, anterior and posterior rows with 4 and 4 (rarely 5 or 6) macrosetae, respectively, besides 1 preocular seta on each side. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X (♂ ♀) with high variability: 4–6:6:6–7:6–8:7–9:7–9:7– 10:7–9:7–10:7–9, tergite I mostly with 4 or 5, rarely with 6 setae. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♂): 13–17:(3)30– 34(3):(2)11–13(2–3):12–15:12–13:12–13:11–13:10–14:9–11; median genital sac pyriform, reaching the middle of sternite V; genital atrium with 3–4+3–4 setae; chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♀): 8–9:(3)16–18(3):(2)10–12(2–3):12– 13:12–13:10–13:11–12:9–11:9–12. Chelicera ( Figs 90–92 ) 1.92–2.05 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, palm with 6 setae; fixed finger with ca 16 teeth, the 5–6 distal ones contiguous and flattened; movable finger with 13–15 teeth, one of which more prominent just distal gs; gs ratio 0.57–0.66, spinneret reduced in male ( Figs 90–91 ), prominent and broadly rounded, with long hyaline sickle-shaped cap, in female ( Fig. 92 ); rallum with 8 or 9 blades, the distal one laterally serrate-pinnate and isolated on a prominence, the second one serrate, the successive ones apparently smooth, the proximal one very short; serrulae interior and exterior with ca 27–30 and 28–30 blades, respectively. Manducatory process with 5 setae. Coxal setae: pedipalp 9–11, I 6–7, II 6–8, III 5, IV 7–9; anterolateral process of coxa I prominent, anteromedial process broadly rounded with denticles ( Fig. 93 ). Pedipalp ( Figs 94, 97–98 ): trochanter 2.63–2.90 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, with 2 weak button-like tubercles (with lyrifissure) on antiaxial face; femur 6.70–7.09 (♂) or 7.09–7.37 (♀) times as long as broad, weakly enlarged distally; patella 4.29–4.53 (♂) or 4.52–4.84 (♀) times as long as broad, club gradually enlarged distally ( Fig. 94 ), ratio between club and pedicel 2.10–2.16 (♂) or 2.0–2.15 (♀), ratio X/Y = 0.37–0.38 (♂) or 0.41–0.43 (♀), base of pedicel dorsally with 5–10 glandular pores; chela with pedicel 6.02–6.11 (♂) or 5.87–6.23 (♀) times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 2.30–2.40 (♂) or 2.21–2.52 (♀) times as long as broad, with long oval profile and its greatest width in the proximal third (dorsal view); chelal fingers slightly curved both in dorsal and in lateral view ( Figs 97–98 ); fixed chelal finger (irregularly) heterodentate ( Fig. 98 ), with 130–142 (♂ ♀) pointed contiguous teeth, nodus ramosus subterminal; movable chelal finger with 107–113 (♂ ♀) low, flattened contiguous teeth ( Fig. 98 ), apart from the last 10–15 distal ones which are cuspidate; all teeth with dental canals; sensillum in variable position between trichobothria sb and st; trichobothria as in figs 97–98, relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis (♂ ♀): it 0.13–0.15/ et 0.15–0.16/ est 0.19 –0.24/ ist 0.325–0.35/ isb 0.77–0.81/ ib 0.88–0.89/ esb 0.945–0.95/ eb 0.95–0.96/ t 0.19–0.22/ st 0.335–0.41/ sb 0.72–0.75/ b 0.89–0.90; trichobothrium est at level of t or just proximal t; trichobothrium ist at level of st or rarely distal st, closer to the finger tip than to isb; trichobothrium isb proximal sb or rarely at level of sb; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel 1.65–1.80 (♂) or 1.71–1.76 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger 0.86–0.88 (♂ ♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace 1.75–1.84 (♂ ♀). Leg IV ( Fig. 99 ): trochanter 2.63–2.78 (♂) or 2.78–3.06 (♀) times as long as deep, femur + patella 5.32–6.27 (♂) or 6.0–6.52 (♀) times as long as deep, tibia 9.80–10.90 (♂) or 7.83–9.33 (♀) times [TS = 0.30–0.37 (♂) or 0.39–0.40 (♀)], basitarsus 5.50–6.0 (♂) or 5.11–5.75 (♀) times [TS = 0.11–0.15 (♂) or 0.13–0.16 (♀)], telotarsus 8.36–9.44 (♂) or 7.25–8.60 (♀) times as long as deep [TS = 0.44–0.45 (♂) or 0.48–0.50 (♀)], ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus 0.76–0.80 (♂ ♀), subterminal seta briefly furcate ( Fig. 99 ), claws with small dorsal tooth.

Measurements. Body length 3.5–4.2 (♂ ♀). Carapace 1.03–1.06 × 0.78–0.81 anteriorly (♂) or 1.03–1.06 × 0.74–0.80 anteriorly (♀). Chelicera 0.71–0.77 × 0.355 –0.385 (♂) or 0.75–0.76 × 0.37–0.39 (♀); movable finger length 0.43–0.485 (♂) or 0.47–0.48 (♀). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.75–0.82 × 0.275 –0.285 (♂) or 0.79–0.80 × 0.275– 0.30 (♀); femur 1.81–1.95 × 0.27–0.275 (♂) or 1.88 × 0.255 –0.275 (♀); patella 1.33–1.45 × 0.31–0.32 (♂) or 1.38 × 0.285 –0.305 (♀); chela with pedicel 3.10–3.24 × 0.515–0.53 (depth 0.495–0.53) (♂) or 3.24–3.29 × 0.52–0.56 (depth 0.53–0.55) (♀); hand with pedicel length 1.22–1.24 (♂) or 1.24–1.26 (♀); movable finger length 2.05–2.20 (♂) or 2.16–2.18 (♀). Leg IV: trochanter 0.58–0.64 × 0.22–0.23 (♂) or 0.64–0.66 × 0.215–0.23 (♀); femur + patella 1.60–1.65 × 0.255–0.31 (♂) or 1.63–1.65 × 0.25–0.275 (♀); tibia 1.42–1.52 × 0.13–0.155 (♂) or 1.40–1.45 × 0.15– 0.185 (♀); basitarsus 0.66–0.715 × 0.11–0.13 (♂) or 0.665–0.69 × 0.12–0.13 (♀); telotarsus 0.85–0.92 × 0.09–0.11 (♂) or 0.86–0.87 × 0.10–0.12 (♀).

Description of adults (♂ ♀) from Picentini Mountains: Grotta del Caprone 56 Cp/AV (Characters as in type specimens are omitted). Carapace with four eyes, the anterior ones rarely with remnants of tapetum (♂, 31.XII.2015), with dark integument between anterior and posterior eyes; 20–26 macrosetae, anterior and posterior rows with 4 and 4–6 macrosetae, respectively, besides 1 preocular seta on each side. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X (♂ ♀) with high variability: 4–8:5–8:6–7:7–9:7–10:8–10:8–10:8–11:9–11:8–10, tergite I mostly with 6 setae. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♂): 13–16:(3)24–30(3):(2)10–12(2–3):12–15:12–13:12–13:12–14:12–14:11–14; chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♀): 6–10:(3)18–21(3):(2–3)12–14(2–3):14–17:13–15:12–15:12–15:13–14:12–14. Chelicera 1.91– 1.97 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, palm with 6 or 7 setae: 1♂ 1♀ with 6 and 6; 1♂ 1♀ with 6 and 7; 3♂ 5♀ with 7 and 7 setae. Coxal setae: pedipalp 10–12, I 8, II 8–11, III 7–8, IV 10–13. Pedipalp: trochanter 2.68–2.70 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad,; femur 6.85–7.00 (♂) or 6.66–6.75 (♀) times as long as broad; patella ( Fig. 96 ) 4.37–4.41 (♂) or 4.20 (♀) times as long as broad, ratio between club and pedicel 1.8–2.3 (♂) or 2.0–2.05 (♀), ratio X/Y = 0.39–0.40 (♂) or 0.41–0.44 (♀), base of pedicel dorsally with 5–6 glandular pores; chela with pedicel 6.40–6.56 (♂) or 5.73–5.86 (♀) times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 2.25–2.42 (♂) or 2.17–2.27 (♀) times as long as broad; fixed chelal finger with 132–134 (♂) or 124–126 (♀) teeth; movable chelal finger with 101–109 (♂ ♀) teeth; relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis (♂ ♀): it 0.12–0.14/ et 0.13–0.145/ est 0.18 –0.20/ ist 0.315–0.34/ isb 0.79–0.83/ ib 0.88–0.91/ esb 0.95–0.965/ eb 0.96–0.97/ t 0.19/ st 0.31–0.35/ sb 0.70–0.73/ b 0.90–0.91; trichobothrium est at level of t or just distal t; trichobothrium ist from just proximal to just distal st, closer to the finger tip than to isb; trichobothrium isb proximal sb; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel 1.82–1.90 (♂) or 1.66–1.78 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger 0.85–0.88 (♂ ♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and carapace 1.77–1.85 (♂ ♀). Leg IV: femur + patella 5.0–6.04 (♂) or 5.96–6.28 (♀) times as long as deep, tibia 8.48–9.35 (♂) or 9.33–10.23 (♀) times [TS = 0.30–0.32 (♂) or 0.32–0.36 (♀)], basitarsus 4.61–5.45 (♂) or 5.63–5.82 (♀) times [TS = 0.10–0.11 (♂) or 0.11–0.13 (♀)], telotarsus 6.91–7.8 (♂) or 7.8–8.0 (♀) times as long as deep [TS = 0.45–0.50 (♂) or 0.48–0.50 (♀)], ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus 0.77–0.82 (♂ ♀).

Measurements. Body length 3.5–3.7 (♂ ♀). Carapace 0.87–0.97 × 0.63–0.715 anteriorly (♂) or 0.96–0.97 × 0.71–0.73 anteriorly (♀). Chelicera 0.64–0.77 × 0.335–0.35 (♂) or 0.70–0.72 × 0.355 –0.365 (♀); movable finger length 0.42–0.43 (♂) or 0.46–0.47 (♀). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.67–0.73 × 0.25–0.27 (♂) or 0.70–0.71 × 0.265 –0.270 (♀); femur 1.61–1.75 × 0.235–0.25 (♂) or 1.70–1.79 × 0.255 –0.265 (♀); patella 1.16–1.28 × 0.265–0.29 (♂) or 1.24–1.26 × 0.295–0.30 (♀); chela with pedicel 2.79–3.01 × 0.425–0.47 (depth 0.425–0.47) (♂) or 2.99–3.04 × 0.51–0.53 (depth 0.51–0.53) (♀); hand with pedicel length 1.03–1.06 (♂) or 1.15–1.16 (♀); movable finger length 1.88–2.02 (♂) or 1.93–2.05 (♀). Leg IV: femur + patella 1.40–1.54 × 0.255–0.28 (♂) or 1.49–1.57 × 0.25 (♀); tibia 1.23–1.31 × 0.14–0.145 (♂) or 1.26–1.33 × 0.13–0.135 (♀); basitarsus 0.60 × 0.11–0.13 (♂) or 0.62–0.64 × 0.11 (♀); telotarsus 0.76–0.78 × 0.10–0.11 (♂) or 0.78–0.80 × 0.10 (♀).

Description of adults (♂ ♀) from Matese Mountains: Inghiottitoio di Campo Braca 45 Cp/CE, Inghiottitoio del Lete 191 Cp/CE, Grotta dei Diavoli 600 Cp/CE and Grotta dei Diavoli 952 Cp/CE [Including data from Mahnert (1980)]. Carapace 0.99–1.12 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, with four eyes without tapetum, the anterior ones with slightly convex lens, with slightly dark integument between anterior and posterior eyes; 20–22 macrosetae, anterior and posterior rows with 4 and 4–6 macrosetae, respectively, besides 1 preocular seta on each side. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X (♂ ♀): 5–6:6:6–7:6–7:7–8:7–8:6–9:6–9:7–9:7–10, tergite I mostly with 6 setae. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♂): 14–15:(3)26–36(3):(2–3)12(2–3):12:11–12:11–12:12:10–13:10–12; setae of genital atrium not seen; chaetotaxy of sternites II–X (♀): 11–13:(3)26(3):(3)13(2–3):13–16:13–15:13–14:13:13– 14:11–14. Chelicerae: palm with 6 setae (6 and 7 in ♀ from Inghiottitoio di Campo Braca); gs ratio 0.64–0.69; rallum with 8 blades (9 blades in ♂ from Grotta del Lete). Coxal setae: pedipalp 10–12, I 7–10, II 6–9, III 5–8, IV 9–11. Pedipalp: trochanter 2.65–2.85 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad; femur 7.40–7.94 (♂) or 7.08–7.52 (♀) times as long as broad; patella ( Fig. 95 ) 4.64–5.0 (♂) or 4.39–4.70 (♀) times as long as broad, ratio between club and pedicel 1.95–2.20 (♂) or 1.91–2.04 (♀), ratio X/Y = 0.37 (♀); chela with pedicel 6.58–7.12 (♂) or 6.25–6.70 (♀) times as long as broad; hand of chela with pedicel 2.64–2.73 (♂) or 2.29–2.60 (♀) times as long as broad; fixed chelal finger with 144–151 (♂ ♀) teeth; movable chelal finger with 111–133 (♂ ♀) teeth; relative position of trichobothria along chelal axis (♂ ♀): it 0.11–0.13/ et 0.125 –0.135 / est 0.16 –0.20/ ist 0.29–0.32/ isb 0.81–0.835/ ib 0.87–0.905/ esb 0.94–0.97/ eb 0.95–0.98/ t 0.16–0.19/ st 0.29–0.39/ sb 0.72–0.765/ b 0.89–0.91; trichobothrium est at level of t or just proximal t; trichobothrium ist distal st or rarely at level of st (♂ from Grotta dei Diavoli 600 Cp/CE), closer to the finger tip than to isb; trichobothrium isb proximal sb; ratio between movable finger and hand of chela with pedicel 1.64–1.82 (♂) or 1.80–1.89 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal femur and movable finger 0.86–0.93 (♂) or 0.84–0.86 (♀); ratio between pedipalpal and carapace 1.94–2.16 (♂) or 1.88–2.19 (♀). Leg IV: femur + patella 6.72–7.07 (♂) or 6.50–6.96 (♀) times as long as deep, tibia 10.48–11.65 (♂) or 10.13–10.50 (♀) times [TS = 0.23–0.26 (♂) or 0.21 (♀)], basitarsus 6.08–6.45 (♂) or 6.00–6.30 (♀) times [TS = 0.12–0.135 (♂) or 0.09–0.10 (♀)], telotarsus 8.95–9.43 (♂) or 9.14–9.50 (♀) times as long as deep [TS = 0.41–0.42 (♂) or 0.41–0.52 (♀)], ratio between basitarsus and telotarsus 0.77–0.81 (♂) or 0.78–0.80 (♀).

Measurements. Body length 3.8–4.3 (♂ ♀). Carapace 1.03–1.12 × 0.76–0.81 anteriorly (♂) or 0.99–1.09 × 0.82– 0.83 anteriorly (♀). Chelicera 0.74–0.80 × 0.36–0.395 (♂) or 0.76–0.77 × 0.385–0.40 (♀); movable finger length 0.45–0.515 (♂) or 0.495–0.51 (♀). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.80–0.85 × 0.28–0.32 (♂) or 0.83–0.84 × 0.29–0.30 (♀); femur 2.0–2.18 × 0.27–0.285 (♂) or 1.86–2.07 × 0.25–0.285 (♀); patella 1.42–1.61 × 0.30–0.34 (♂) or 1.35–1.48 × 0.29–0.33 (♀); chela with pedicel 3.42–3.72 × 0.48–0.54 (♂) or 3.22–3.54 × 0.48–0.56 (♀); hand with pedicel length 1.26–1.42 (♂) or 1.23–1.30 (♀); movable finger length 2.30–2.53 (♂) or 2.19–2.39 (♀). Leg IV: femur + patella 1.77–1.95 × 0.255–0.29 (♂) or 1.66–1.86 × 0.26–0.27 (♀); tibia 1.52–1.72 × 0.145–0.16 (♂) or 1.44–1.61 × 0.14–0.155 (♀); basitarsus 0.73–0.84 × 0.12–0.13 (♂) or 0.69–0.81 × 0.11–0.13 (♀); telotarsus 0.94–1.03 × 0.105–0.11 (♂) or 0.88–1.01 × 0.09–0.11 (♀).

Remarks. The complex of populations of the Matese, Partenio, and Picentini Mountains (Campania) referred to N. petruzzielloi n. sp. are related to N. oenotricum from Cilento (Campania and Basilicata): for the comparison between the two species see Remarks under N. oenotricum .

The description of many specimens of N. petruzzielloi n. sp. from the Grotta degli Sportiglioni 184 Cp/AV and the Grotta del Caprone 56 Cp/AV, respectively, shows a high intrapopulational variability, not only in the dimensions of the appendages, but also―and above all―in the chaetotaxy of carapace, tergites, sternites, and cheliceral palm, as well as in the position of some trichobothria (for example est and st in the first population). This variability leads us to use these characters with great caution, if only a few specimens are available (see under Evaluation of some taxonomic characters).

On the presumed conspecificity of the populations attributed to N. petruzzielloi n. sp. from the different karst areas, see Remarks under N. leolatellai n. sp.

The above diagnosis of N. petruzzielloi n. sp. and the description of adults from Matese Mountains partially incorporate the description of N. aff. samniticum made by Mahnert (1980).

Figures

FIGURE 119. Map depicting known distribution of Neobisum species with troglomorphic facies from central and southern Italy.

FIGURES 89–99. Neobisium (N.) petruzzielloi n. sp., male holotype, Grotta degli Sportiglioni (Avella, Campania) (unless otherwise stated). 89, epistome of carapace and right ocular area; 90, right chelicera, dorsal view; 91, male, same locality, 3.I.2022: fingers of right chelicera, dorsal view; 92, female, same data as holotype, movable finger of right chelicera, dorsal view; 93, anterior processes of right coxa I; 94, trochanter, femur and patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 95, male, Inghiottitoio del Lete (Letino, Campania): patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 96, male, Grotta del Caprone (Montella, Campania): patella of right pedipalp, dorsal view; 97, right pedipalpal chela, dorsal view; 98, same, antiaxial view, with magnified detail of teeth; 99, right leg IV, antiaxial view, with magnified detail of subterminal seta of telotarsus.