Indohya lynbeazleyae 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 : 80-84

Indohya lynbeazleyae Harvey & Burger , n. sp.

( Figs. 1–3 , 5 , 41–43 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:39163A8D-C4F8-405D-BA59-31FAFCD383E0

Material examined. Holotype male. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Callawa Ridge , hole # CA0124 R, 20°38′53.4″S, 120°17′56.8″E, 25 April 2008, stygofauna haul net, P. Bell, D. Eberhard ( WAM T91735 ).

Paratype. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 Ô, Callawa Ridge, hole# CA0022 R , 20°38′36.4″S, 120°17′05.2″E, 25 April 2008, stygofauna haul, P. Bell, D. Eberhard ( WAM T91742 ); 1 ♀ , Callawa Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , 20°38′53.34″S, 120°17′56.80″E, 14 June 2009, stygofauna haul net, P. Bell, E. Ridley ( WAM T138707 ); 1 ♀ , Callawa Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , 20°38′53.34″S, 120°17′56.80″E, 31 May 2009, stygofauna haul net, P. Bell, B. Barnet ( WAM T138709 ); 1 ♀ , Callawa Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , 20°38′57″S, 120°18′17″E, 9 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T138728 ) .

Other material. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 ♀ (both pedipalps missing), Callawa Ridge, hole # CA0011 R, 20°38′57.1″S, 120°18′27.2″E, 26 April 2008 stygofauna haul, P. Bell, D. Eberhard ( WAM T91726 ); 1 deutonymph, Callawa Ridge, hole # CA0113 R, 20°38′58.0″S, 120°18′02.2″E, 27 February 2008, P. Bell, N. Stevens ( WAM T91725 ); 1 protonymph, Callawa Ridge, hole # CA0022 R, 20°38′36.4″S, 120°17′05.2″E, 25 April 2008, stygofauna haul, P. Bell, D. Eberhard ( WAM T140488 ); 1 nymph, Callawa Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland, 20°39′34.38″S, 120°18′01.19″E, 1 June 2009, stygofauna haul net, P. Bell, B. Barnet ( WAM T138711 ; specimen consumed during DNA extraction); 1 nymph, Callawa Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , 20°38′53.34″S, 120°17′56.80″E, 14 June 2009, stygofauna haul net, P. Bell, E. Ridley ( WAM T138714 ; specimen consumed during DNA extraction); 1 nymph, Callawa Ridge, 200 km E. of Port Hedland , 20°38′57″S, 120°18′17″E, 23 July 2009, troglofauna net scrape, P. Bell ( WAM T138730 ; specimen consumed during DNA extraction) .

Diagnosis. Indohya lynbeazleyae belongs to a group of Indohya species that have 12 setae on the carapace and no eyes ( Fig. 42A ). 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. cribbi by the granulate pedipalpal femur and patella ( Fig. 42C ) (smooth or at most only partially granulate in the others). It differs from I. cribbi by the median setal row of the carapace being strongly recurved ( Fig. 42A ).

There are no unique nucleotide substitutions in COI mtDNA that distinguish this species from all other species of Indohya . The six sequenced specimens differ from all other sequenced specimens of Indohya by 11.6–24.3% (Table 2).

Description (adult). Colour ( Fig. 41 ): carapace and pedipalps deep yellow-brown, abdomen pale with tan stripes.

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

Chelicera ( Fig. 42B ): 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 9 (Ô), 14 (♀) teeth, each approximately same size; movable finger with 8 (Ô), 9 (♀) 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. 42C ): long and slender; trochanter smooth, 2.25–2.41 (Ô) ×, 2.27–2.39 (♀) ×; femur slightly broadened distally, lightly granulate, without dorsal tactile seta, with 3 stout retrolateral setae near base, 6.53–6.63 (Ô) ×, 5.97–6.50 (♀) ×; patella slightly broadened distally, prolateral face lightly granulate, pedicel not strongly pronounced but basal portion slimmer than distal portion, with several small lyrifissures situated basally on dorsal surface, 4.57–4.97 (Ô) ×, 4.33–4.64 (♀) ×; chela ( Fig. 42D ): hand slender, with prolateral face lightly granulate, chela (with pedicel) 4.37–4.61 (Ô) ×, 4.34–4.89 (♀) ×, chela (without pedicel) 4.17–4.30 (Ô) ×, 4.10–4.55 (♀) ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.59–1.68 (Ô) ×, 1.59–1.97 (♀) × longer than broad, movable finger 1.44–1.58 (Ô) ×, 1.37–1.52 (♀) × 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 = 1.49–1.89 (Ô), 0.41–1.87 (♀), t acuminate. Both fingers straight in lateral view. Fixed finger smooth, movable finger with several prolateral and retrolateral granulations basally. Chelal teeth ( Figs. 42E, F ) juxtadentate, fixed finger with 80 (Ô), 83 (♀) teeth, teeth 1–10, 68, 71–72, 74, 77–80 pointed, remainder rounded (Ô), teeth 1–20, 51–52, 57–83 pointed, remainder rounded (♀), movable finger with 32 (Ô), 47 (♀), low teeth. Venom apparatus present only in movable chelal finger, venom duct long, terminating in nodus ramosus between sb and st.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 42A ) sub-rectangular; smooth; anterior margin slightly convex; epistome absent; lateral margins slightly convex; posterior margin straight; 1.45–1.58 (Ô), 1.46–1.59 (♀) × 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 6 (Ô), 6 (♀) additional setae. Coxa I with anterior margin not modified; chaetotaxy of coxae I–IV: Ô, 4: 4: 6: 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 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 4.75 (Ô) ×, 4.07 (♀) × 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: 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 4: 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 4: 4: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6: 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 6 (including 2 tactile setae): 2; arranged in single rows; sternal chaetotaxy Ô, 23: (1) 2 [2 + 2] (1): (1) 8 (1): 6: 6: 8: 6: 8: 6 (including 4 tactile setae): 6 (including 4 tactile setae): 2; ♀, 9: (2) 7 (2): (3) 7 (3):?: 8: 7: 7: 7: 7 (including 4 tactile setae): 6 (including 4 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 T91735 ) (followed by 1 other male, when measured, in parentheses). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 2.26 (2.68). Pedipalp: trochanter 0.360 / 0.160 (0.445 / 0.185) , femur 1.110 / 0.170 (1.260 / 0.190), patella 0.945 / 0.190 (1.005 / 0.220), chela (with pedicel) 1.635 / 0.355 (1.835 / 0.420), chela (without pedicel) length 1.525 (1.750), chelal hand (without pedicel) length 0.595 (0.670), movable finger length 0.855 (1.060). Carapace 0.805 / 0.510 (0.940 / 0.650) . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.810 / 0.170, tibia 0.550 / 0.090, metatarsus 0.250 / 0.060, tarsus 0.480 / 0.040.

Female paratype ( WAM T138709 ) (followed by 2 other females, when measured, in parentheses). Body length (excluding chelicerae) 2.62. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.420 / 0.185 (0.395–0.420/0.165–0.180) , femur 1.295 / 0.200 (1.075–1.235/0.180–0.190), patella 1.040 / 0.230 (0.865–1.020/0.200–0.220), chela (with pedicel) 1.870 / 0.425 (1.585–1.735/0.355–0.365), chela (without pedicel) 1.750 (1.495 –1.615), hand (without pedicel) 0.690 (0.580 – 0.700), movable finger length 1.050 (0.815 –0.960). Carapace 0.870 / 0.595 (0.085–0.840/0.530–0.575) . Leg IV: femur + patella 0.915 / 0.225, tibia 0.655 / 0.100, metatarsus 0.315 / 0.080, tarsus 0.620 / 0.050.

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

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

Pedipalp: trochanter 2.05 ×, femur 5.05 ×, patella 3.08 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.90 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.73 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.71 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.09 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 6 trichobothria ( Fig. 43B ), eb, est, et, ib, ist and it present; movable finger with 2 trichobothria, b and t present. Fixed chelal finger 42 teeth. Fixed chelal finger low, or juxtadentate, or basal teeth slightly enlarged. Movable chelal finger 15 teeth. Movable chelal finger low, or juxtadentate.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 43A ) 1.24 × longer than broad; with 12 setae, arranged 4: 0: 4: 2: 2; without furrows; eyes absent. Coxal chaetotaxy 3: 4: 3: 4.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi not fused.

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

Dimensions (mm): WAM T91725 . Body length 1.42. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.205 / 0.100 , femur 0.530 / 0.105, patella 0.370 / 0.120, chela (with pedicel) length 0.800 / 0.205, chela (without pedicel) length 0.765, hand (without pedicel) length 0.350, movable finger length 0.380. Carapace 0.465 / 0.375.

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

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

Pedipalp: trochanter 1.86 ×, femur 4.63 ×, patella 2.67 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.59 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.53 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.59 × longer than broad, movable finger 1.11 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed finger with 3 trichobothria ( Fig. 43D ), eb, ist and et present; movable finger with 1 trichobothrium, t present; fixed chelal finger with 29 low, juxtadentate teeth, basal teeth slightly enlarged; movable chelal finger with 13 teeth.

Cephalothorax: carapace ( Fig. 43C ) 1.02 × 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): (0) 2 (0): 4: 4: 4: 4: 2: 4: 4 (including 2 tactile setae): 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T140488 . Body length 1.19. Pedipalp: trochanter 0.140 / 0.075 , femur 0.370 / 0.080, patella 0.280 / 0.105, chela (with pedicel) 0.610 / 0.170, chela (without pedicel) 0.600, hand (without pedicel) length 0.270, movable finger length 0.300. Carapace 0.325 / 0.320.

Distribution and remarks. Indohya lynbeazleyae has been collected from subterranean ecosystems in a mesalike hill on Callawa Ridge, with its sister-species I. cribbi occurring at nearby Cundaline Ridge ( Fig. 5 ). The species was previously known by WAM identification code Indohya ‘PSE003’.

Conservation assessment. Indohya lynbeazleyae is restricted to a single rocky outcrop, Callawa Ridge, which has a total surface area of ca. 35 km 2, which most likely represents its maximum area of occupancy. It therefore represents an extreme short-range endemic species ( Harvey 2002). Although the site has approval to be mined for iron ore, the mine has not commenced development and there is no current threat to the species. Therefore, it does not meet the status of threatened using the criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (2012). If the approved mining is undertaken in future, there may be impacts to the species from habitat loss but the majority of the landform has not been approved for mining.

Etymology. This species is named for Professor Lynda (Lyn) Beazley in appreciation of her role as Chief Scientist of Western Australia from 2006 to 2013.

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 41. Indohya lynbeazleyae Harvey & Burger, n. sp.: A–C, holotype male (WAM T91735): A, dorsal; B, ventral; C, cephalothorax, dorsal; D–F, paratype female (WAM T138709): D, dorsal; E, ventral; F, cephalothorax, dorsal. Scale lines = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 42. Indohya lynbeazleyae Harvey & Burger, n. sp., holotype male (WAM T91735): A, carapace, dorsal; B, right chelicera, dorsal; C, right pedipalp, dorsal; D, left chela, retrolateral; E, movable finger, chelal teeth, retrolateral; F, fixed finger, chelal teeth, retrolateral. Scale lines = 0.5 mm (Figs. C, D), 0.2 mm (Figs. A, B), 0.1 mm (Figs. E, F).

FIGURE 43. Indohya lynbeazleyae Harvey & Burger, n. sp.: A–B, deutonymph (WAM T91725): A, carapace, dorsal; B, left chela, retrolateral; C–D: protonymph (WAM T140488): C, carapace, dorsal; D, left chela, retrolateral. Scale lines = 0.2 mm.