Karschia (Karschia) wenquan, Fan & Zhang & Zhang, 2024

Fan, Wenlong, Zhang, Chao & Zhang, Feng, 2024, Two new species of genus Karschia Walter, 1889 (Solifugae, Karschiidae) from northwest China, Zootaxa 5538 (2), pp. 153-168 : 166-167

Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov.

Figures 1 , 2F , 7–10 , 11C, D .

Type material. Holotype ♂ ( MHBU-Sol-2024XJ-01 ), CHINA, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture , Wenquan County, Zalemut Town, 44.9463°N, 80.6248°E, altitude 1809 m, 1.VIII.2024, leg. Wenlong Fan. Paratypes 1♂ ( MHBU-Sol-2024XJ-02 ) , 1♀ ( MHBU-Sol-2024XJ-03 ), same data as holotype .

Additional material examined. 2 juveniles, same data as holotype .

Etymology. This species is named after Wenquan County, which is the type locality, and where all specimens were collected.

Diagnosis. Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. belongs to the subgenus Karschia (Karschia) by absence of hornlike process on male fixed finger ( Figs. 8A–C , 10A–C ). In various respects, males of K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov. most closely resemble those of K. (K.) birulae among species in this subgenus. These include that the fixed finger mucron is markedly long, similarly shaped in males of both species and a dorsal crest is not present in either ( Figs. 8A , 10A ), besides both not fringed flagellum, and the basal peg of flagellum moderately inflated ( Figs 8C , 10C ). K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov. can be recognized by the presence of the moveable finger MSM tooth and MSP tooth (regardless of sex or maturity of the specimens); in contrast, male of K. birulae without the MSM tooth and MSP tooth ( Figs 8A , 10A ). Furthermore, K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov. with more spiniform setae on the pedipalpal metatarsus (ten, four fallen off) (six in K. birulae ), with small papillae on the pedipalpal tarsus ( K. (K.) birulae without papillae), and with more ctenidia on sternite IV ( K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov. with 17, but K. (K.) birulae only with 10 ctenidia) ( Fig. 11D ). Females can be diagnosed by the genital operculum, which, although typically triangular-shaped, but differs from K. (K.) birulae by has clear demarcation between the genital plates, while the genital opening not visible between, nor distal to the genital plates ( Figs 9F , 10H ), and distal to the genital plates not heavily chitinized ( K. (K.) birulae genital opening visible distal to the genital plates, and distal to the genital plates heavily chitinized). Otherwise, females have more long (i.e. reaching the posterior border of the adjacent sternite), needle-like ctenidia on sternite IV ( K. (K.) birulae with 10 ctenidia, but K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov. with 19 ctenidia) ( Figs 9G , 10I ).

Description. Male (holotype).

Measurements. Metric data as in Table 1 . Radio: A/CP: 7.48; CL/ CH: 3.07.

Colour ( Figs 7A, B ). Propeltidium color predominantly yellowish-brown, with deep yellowish-brown median sulcus; ocular tubercle all dark. Chelicerae with manus predominantly bright yellow, with some black areas and three black longitudinal stripes in retrolateral view; limits between the setose and asetose areas often darkened; fingers reddish-brown, especially on the teeth. Meso-, metapeltidium and dorsal surface of opisthosoma yellowish-green, tergites dark. Ventral surface of opisthosoma yellowish-green, sternite color darkens with black spots on both sides. Ventral surface of prosoma uniformly faint yellow, sternum lighter than coxae. Pedipalps and legs yellow to brown; pedipalps progressively become darker towards the apex, such that the tarsus is nearly black. Malleoli whitish.

Propeltidium ( Fig. 8D ). Propeltidium wider than long (i.e. ratio of PL/PW 0.67), with very thin, filiform setae and some bifurcated tip setae of different sizes perpendicular to the surface of the propeltidium; propeltidium with slight concave median sulcus. Ocular tubercle with three anterior medial spiniform setae, and one central medial spiniform seta. The interocular distance larger than the length of the eyes.

Cheliceral dentition and processes ( Figs 8A, B , 10A, B ). Fixed finger with median teeth series comprising three primary teeth (FP, FM and FD), graded as FD<FP<FM, plus one secondary FSD tooth (proximal FSM without clear boundary between FM and distal FSM tiny) and two FSM teeth; fondal series comprising reduced and very tiny profondal teeth series with four teeth (PFM, PFP, two tiny PFSP) (not annotated in figures), and retrofondal teeth series with six teeth (two RFA, RFM, RFP, two RFSP). Fixed finger mucron without dorsal crest and apex (FT tooth) curved and hook-shaped, and without FST. Movable finger with median teeth series comprising two primary teeth (MM and MP), two secondary MSM (distal one tiny) and three secondary MSP; mucron without prolateral flange.

Cheliceral setose areas and stridulatory plate ( Figs 8A, B , 10A, B ). Retrolateral and dorsal surface of the manus with large bifurcated tip setae and short simple tip filiform setae (rlm series); retrolateral and dorsal surfaces of the fixed finger with simple tip setae of different sizes (rlf series); prolateral surface with an array of setal types, as follows: proventral distal setae (pvd) consisting of two rows of plumose setae, the ventral-most reaching the distal PFSP tooth and the dorsal-most reaching the prolateral interdigital condyle (pic); proventral subdistal setae (pvsd comb) forming a tuft with about 6–8 thick setae; the promedial setae (pm) series made up of thin, barbed, simple tipped filiform setae; the proximal prodorsal area covered with 3–4 long, simple tipped, non-barbed spiniform setae (pdp); stridulatory apparatus indented in the middle, and without clear and well-developed ridge. Distal limit of the prolateral setose area of the movable finger reaching the MSM tooth; movable finger prodorsal (mpd) setal series consisting of plumose setae arranged in a rather staggered row, adjacent to abundant non-plumose setae of the movable finger promedial (mpm) and proventral (mpv) setal series.

Cheliceral flagellar complex ( Figs 8C , 10C ). The flagellar complex consists of flagellum, flagellar complex plumose (fcp) setae, and flagellar complex subspiniform (fcs) setae. Flagellum not fringed, partially rotatable, long, rolled, without lateral apophysis and attached to the fixed finger via a short stalk situated in a deep alveolus, comprises three components: a distinct stalk, a moderately inflated basal peg, and an elongated filiform shaft; flagellar complex plumose (fcp) setae (i.e. modified pvd) tapering, elongated (extends beyond FT), and situated directly ventral to the flagellum; flagellar complex subspiniform (fcs) setae with two acuminate subspiniform setae (distal fcs thick and short, proximal fcs elongated, both without twisted tip), typically swollen basally and situated dorsoproximal to the point of flagellar attachment, labeled, distal to proximal.

Opisthosoma. Entire surface covered with almost adpressed fine setae and numerous long, curved, bifurcate setae and tergites with abundant setae. Opisthosoma with ctenidia present, on third and fourth sternites (spiracular sternite III and post-spiracular sternites IV) ( Figs 8E, F , 10D, E ). Sternite III with two posterior paramedian groups of needle-like ctenidia, being gradually larger towards the posterior margin; sternite IV with a row of 18 short and broad columnar ctenidia (mostly fallen off), which extending the sternite IV edge ( Figs 8E, F , 10D, E ).

Pedipalps ( Figs 11C, D ). All segments covered with short fine setae and long, thick setae. Tarsus ventrally with ten short strong spiniform setae (four broken off) without symmetrical arrangement; metatarsus with 11 ventral spiniform setae, 2/1/2/1/1/2/1/1 pattern (from distal to proximal) and with a few small papillae.

Legs. Leg I coated with abundant short setae similar to those on pedipalps, without stout or spiniform setae; tibia and metatarsus with few long thin setae, tarsus without spiniform setae; with two small claws. Tibiae II and III each with one distal spiniform seta dorsally and a pair of distal spiniform setae ventrally. Metatarsi II and III with a series of three spiniform setae and a pair of distal spiniform setae ventrally; metatarsus IV ventrally with two distal spiniform setae and three to five thick, spiniform setae arranged in a prolateral row. Legs totally covered with long, thick setae and short fine setae. Distal part of claw short, occupying approximately 1/5 of the claw length.

Female (paratype). Mostly same as males, except where noted.

Measurements. Metric data as in Table 1 . Radio: A/CP: 5.35; CL/ CH: 2.74.

Colour ( Figs 7C, D ). Same coloration as male.

Cheliceral dentition and processes ( Figs 9A–D , 10F, G ). Fixed finger with median teeth series comprising three well-developed primary teeth (FP, FM and FD), FD tooth size smaller, while FM and FP of similar size, plus two secondary FSD and two FSM, all smaller than primary teeth, distal-most of each pair smallest; fondal series comprising profondal teeth series with five teeth (PFM, PFP, three PFSP), and retrofondal teeth series with seven teeth (two RFA, RFM, RFP, three RFSP). Movable finger with median teeth series comprising two primary teeth (MM and MP), both similar in size, plus four MST, three MSM (proximal teeth very tiny) and three MSP teeth.

Cheliceral setose areas ( Figs 9A, B , 10G ). Mostly like male, expect the proventral distal setae (pvd) consisting of one row of plumose setae, the proximal prodorsal area covered with 5 long, simple tipped, non-barbed thick setae (pdp), and without flagellar complex plumose (fcp) setae.

Opisthosoma. Entire surface covered with almost adpressed fine setae and numerous long, curved, bifurcate setae and tergites with abundant setae. Opisthosoma with ctenidia present, only on fourth sternites (post-spiracular sternites IV) ( Figs 9G , 10I ). Sternite IV with a row of 19 long and needle-like ctenidia, which reach the posterior border of the adjacent sternite ( Figs 9G , 10I ). Genital operculum typically triangular-shaped and with clear demarcation between the plates; the genital opening is not visible between, nor distal to the genital plates ( Figs 9F , 10H ).

Pedipalps. Pedipalpal tarsus and metatarsus without spiniform setae and papillae.

Legs. Same as in the male.

Distribution and habitat. Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. is known only from the type locality, Wenquan County from Xinjiang near Kyrgyzstan ( Fig. 1 ). The area is a part of Tianshan Mountains, typical semi-arid climate. The main body of the mountain is quartzite, with soils and shrubs on the slopes, and the ground is covered with exposed, broken rocks ( Fig. 2F ). Specimens of K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov. have been observed on the hillside of stony soils with little grassy vegetation during summer.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distribution map of Karschia species from China, except for Karschia (Rhinokarschia) rhinoceros Birula, 1922, which does not have an accurate record of its distribution and is only known to be from Xinjiang, China.

FIGURE 2. A. Live female specimens of Karschia (Karschia) latuis sp. nov., photographed in the field. B–E. Habitats where Karschia (Karschia) latuis sp. nov. were found. F. Habitat where Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. were found.

FIGURE 7. Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. A. Male holotype, dorsal view; B. Male holotype, ventral view; C. Female paratype, dorsal view; D. Female paratype, ventral view. Scale bars: 8 mm (A–D).

FIGURE 8. Male holotype of Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. A. Left chelicera, retrolateral view. B. Left chelicera, prolateral view. C. Flagellar complex, prolateral view. D. Propeltidium, dorsal view. E. Ctenidia on sternite III, ventral view. F. Ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral view. Scale bars = 1.0 mm (A, B); 0.5 mm (C–F).

FIGURE 9. Female paratype of Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. A. Left chelicera, retrolateral view. B. Left chelicera, prolateral view. C. Dentition on left cheliceral fixed finger, ventral view. D. Dentition on left cheliceral movable finger, ventral view. E. Propeltidium, dorsal view. F. Genital operculum, ventral view. G. Ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral view. Scale bars = 1.0 mm (A, B); 0.5 mm (C–F); 0.2 mm (G).

FIGURE 10. Drawings of Karschia (Karschia) wenquan sp. nov. A. Male left chelicera, retrolateral view. B. Male Left chelicera, prolateral view. C. Male flagellar complex, prolateral view. D. Male ctenidia on sternite III, ventral view. E. Male ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral view. F. Female left chelicera, retrolateral view. G. Female left chelicera, prolateral view. H. Female genital operculum, ventral view. I. Female ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral view. Scale bars =0.2 mm (I); 0.5 mm (C–E, H); 1.0 mm (A, B, F, G).

FIGURE 11. Left pedipalpal metatarsus and tarsus. A. Karschia (Karschia) latuis sp. nov., male holotype, dorsal view; B. K. (K.) latuis sp. nov., male holotype, ventral view; C. K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov., male holotype, dorsal view; D. K. (K.) wenquan sp. nov., ventral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A–D).