Bisetocreagris sanmen, Feng & Zhang & Chen, 2023

Feng, Zegang, Zhang, Feng & Chen, Jun, 2023, Cave-dwelling Neobisiidae in South China Karst, with descriptions of twelve new species of Bisetocreagris (Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisiidae) from Guizhou Province, Zootaxa 5395 (1), pp. 1-77 : 57-62

Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov. (三"双ŁÞ伪AE)

http://zoobank.org:act: B2CFE1DB-6F31-47FC-8A70-9F7571CDAC1D

Figs 47–51

Type material. Holotype male (Ps.- MHBU-GZ19072819 ): China, Guizhou Province, Zunyi City, Tongzi County, Loushanguan Town, Yangliuping Village, Sanmen Cave (âṅåǎ义Ṅḋṋ县ṖƜẍDzëṉ坪ť三mñ), [28°08′28.59″N, 106°47′37.15″E], 1023 m a.s.l., 28 July 2019, Zegang Feng & Chen Zhang leg.

Paratypes: 1 male (Ps. -MHBU-GZ19072820 ) , 3 females (Ps. -MHBU-GZ19072821‒23 ), the same data as the holotype.

Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.

Distribution and habitat. This new species is known only from the type locality Sanmen Cave ( Figs 1K , 47 ), located ~ 3.5 km northwest of Loushanguan Town, Tongzi County. There are two entrances, one is inside the temple building and is blocked by a wooden door, while another entrance is next to the temple and serves as a river discharge outlet. The cave extends horizontally along the river, with a total length of about 1500 m. Specimens were collected on the walls on both sides of the river ( Figs 47E–F ) in the dark zone.

Diagnosis. (♂ ♀). Troglomorphic habitus; carapace with 2 faint eyespots on a flat surface; epistome small and triangular, with rounded tip; carapace with 4–6 setae on posterior margin; pedipalp smooth and slender except for hand, which is finely granular, both chelal fingers with 125–143 teeth; femur 7.31–7.58 (♂ ♀) times (length 2.39– 2.56), patella 6.35–6.53 (♂), 6.07–6.75 (♀) times (length 2.35–2.49) longer than wide, pedicel about half the entire length of patella. Hand with pedicel 3.22–3.37 (♂), 2.87–3.12 (♀) times (length 1.77–1.98), chela with pedicel 6.71–6.83 (♂), 5.90–6.48 (♀) times (length 3.69–4.07) longer than wide, finger 1.17–1.23 (♂ ♀) times longer than hand with pedicel. Chelicera: rallum with 7–8 pinnate setae, distal one with an expanded base.

Description. Male (holotype; paratype male in parentheses; Figs 48A , 49A ). Carapace, chelicerae, and pedipalps reddish brown; abdomen and legs yellowish.

Carapace ( Figs 50A , 51A–B ): smooth, 1.21 (1.26) times longer than wide, with a total of 28 (25) setae, including 4 on anterior margin, 6 (5) on posterior margin, and 3 (2) on each side of antero-lateral margin; with 2 faint eyespots on a flat surface ( Fig. 50B ); epistome small and triangular, with a rounded tip.

Chelicera ( Figs 50C , 51B–D, F ): hand with 7 (6–7) setae, movable finger with 1 submedial seta; fixed finger with 14–15 (13–14) teeth; movable finger with 12–13 (11–13) teeth; serrula exterior with 38 lamellae; serrula interior with 27–28 lamellae. Galea ( Figs 51D, F ) divided into 2 main branches, and each one branch divided into multiple sub-branches. Rallum ( Fig. 51C ) with 8 (7) pinnate blade, distal-most blade with slightly expanded base, distal-most 2 blades slightly separated from others, proximal one short.

Pedipalps ( Figs 50D–E , 51I–K ): apex of coxae rounded, with 5 setae on each side, pedipalpal coxae with 5 (5–6) setae. Pedipalp smooth and slender except for hand, which is finely granular. Trochanter 3.03 (3.06) times longer than wide, femur 7.47 (7.50), patella 6.53 (6.35) times longer than wide, pedicel about half the entire length of patella, chela (with pedicel) 6.71 (6.83), chela (without pedicel) 6.02 (6.19) times longer than wide, movable finger 1.57 (1.50) times longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed chelal finger with 8 trichobothria, movable finger with 4, eb and esb on lateral margin of hand; ib, ist and isb closely grouped at the base of the fixed finger; est slightly base of finger middle; it closer to fingertip than et; on movable finger st nearer to t than to sb, the distance between sb and b longer than that of st between t, the distance between sb and b is somewhat equal to that of sb and st ( Figs 50D , 51I–J ). Venom apparatus present only in fixed chelal finger, venom duct short, not extending past half of the distance to et. Fixed chelal finger with 132 (133) teeth, which are blunt and retrorse in distal and middle part, flat and the length is unequal in basal part; movable finger with 128 (132) teeth, which are blunt and retrorse in distal part, flat and round in middle and basal part; all teeth contiguous.

Abdomen: pleural membrane granulated. Tergal chaetotaxy (I–XI): 7:6:6:6:6:6:7:8:8:9:7 (6:6:6:6:6:8:8:8:8:7:7); sternal chaetotaxy (V–XI): 6:13:13:13:13:13:13:3 (7:13:14:13:12:14:12:4); stigmata with 5–6 (4–6) setae; anal cone with 2 dorsal and 2 ventral setae. Male genital area ( Figs 50F , 51G ): sternite II with 39 (34) scattered setae; sternite III with anteromedian groove flanked by one small seta on each side, with 17 (15) posterior setae.

Legs: coxae chaetotaxy (I–IV): 6:5–7:4:7–8 (6–7:6–7:4–5:9). Leg I ( Figs 50H , 51L ): femur 6.81 (6.62), patella 4.79, tibia 9.62 (9.38), basitarsus 5.17 (5.55), telotarsus 7.18 (7.45) times longer than wide, femur 1.57 (1.53) times longer than patella, telotarsus 1.27 (1.34) times longer than basitarsus.

Leg IV ( Figs 50I , 51F, M ): femur + patella 7.45 (7.55) times longer than wide, femur shorter than patella, tibia 11.37 (11.21), basitarsus 5.20 (5.79), telotarsus 7.69 (7.62) times longer than wide, telotarsus 1.28 (1.22) times longer than basitarsus; basitarsus with one tactile setae (TS=0.13–0.14), telotarsus with one tactile seta (TS=0.49– 0.55); subterminal tarsal seta ( Fig. 51F ) bifurcated, both branches dentated; arolium not divided, shorter than the slender and simple claws.

Females (paratypes; Figs 48B , 49B ): similar to holotype and paratype males.

Chelicera. Hand with 6–7 setae, movable finger with 1 submedial seta; fixed finger with 10–16 teeth; movable finger with 10–15 teeth; serrula exterior with 34–39 lamellae; serrula interior with 25–30 lamellae. Galea divided into 2 main branches, and each one branch divided into multiple sub-branches; rallum of 8 blades, and similar to holotype.

Pedipalps. Apex of coxae rounded, with 4–6 setae on each side. Pedipalpal coxae with 5 setae. Trochanter 2.94–2.97, femur 7.31–7.58, patella 6.07–6.75, chela (with pedicel) 5.90–6.48, chela (without pedicel) 5.19–5.81 times longer than wide, movable finger 1.49–1.52 times longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed chelal finger with about 127–143 teeth, movable finger with about 125–141 teeth.

Abdomen. Tergal chaetotaxy (I–XI): 6–8:6–7:5–6:6:6–7:6–7:6–7:7–8:7–8:7–8:7; sternal chaetotaxy (IV–XI): 6–7:11–13:11–12:11–14:12–14:12–13:11–13:3–4. Female genital area ( Figs 50G , 51H ): sternite II with 3–4 setae on each side; sternite III with a row of 13–15 setae on the posterior margin.

Measurements: (length/breadth or depth in mm; ratios for most characters in parentheses). Holotype male (paratype male in square brackets). Body length 3.74 [3.82]. Carapace 1.26/1.04 (1.21) [1.23/0.98 (1.26)]. Pedipalpal trochanter 1.03/0.34 (3.03) [1.04/0.34 (3.06)], femur 2.39/0.32 (7.47) [2.40/0.32 (7.50)], patella 2.35/0.36 (6.53) [2.35/0.37 (6.35)], chela (with pedicel) 3.69/0.55 (6.71) [3.69/0.54 (6.83)], chela (without pedicel) 3.31/0.55 (6.02) [3.34/0.54 (6.19)], hand length (without pedicel) 1.39 [1.46], movable finger length 2.18 (1.57 times longer than hand without pedicel) [2.19 (1.50 times longer than hand without pedicel)]. Leg I: trochanter 0.37/0.26 (1.42) [0.36/0.26 (1.38)], femur 1.43/0.21 (6.81) [1.39/0.21 (6.62)], patella 0.91/0.19 (4.79) [0.91/0.19 (4.79)], tibia 1.25/0.13 (9.62) [1.22/0.13 (9.38)], basitarsus 0.62/0.12 (5.17) [0.61/0.11 (5.55)], telotarsus 0.79/0.11 (7.18) [0.82/0.11 (7.45)]. Leg IV: trochanter 0.71/0.26 (2.73) [0.72/0.27 (2.67)], femur + patella 2.16/0.29 (7.45) [2.19/0.29 (7.55)], tibia 2.16/0.19 (11.37) [2.13/0.19 (11.21)], basitarsus 0.78/0.15 (5.20) [0.81/0.14 (5.79)], telotarsus 1.00/0.13 (7.69) [0.99/0.13 (7.62)].

Females (paratypes). Body length 4.46–4.48. Carapace 1.29–1.34/1.02–1.12 (1.20–1.26). Pedipalpal trochanter 1.03–1.13/0.35–0.38 (2.94–2.97), femur 2.43–2.56/0.33–0.35 (7.31–7.58), patella 2.43–2.49/0.36–0.41 (6.07– 6.75), chela (with pedicel) 3.76–4.07/0.58–0.69 (5.90–6.48), chela (without pedicel) 3.37–3.58/0.58–0.69 (5.19– 5.81), hand length (without pedicel) 1.45–1.56, movable finger length 2.18–2.32 (1.49–1.52 times longer than hand without pedicel). Leg I: trochanter 0.38–0.43/0.25–0.27 (1.52–1.59), femur 1.39–1.45/0.21–0.22 (6.50–6.62), patella 0.89–0.90/0.18–0.22 (4.09–5.00), tibia 1.18–1.26/0.12–0.15 (8.40–10.42), basitarsus 0.59–0.61/0.12–0.13 (4.54–5.08), telotarsus 0.78–0.85/0.12 (6.50–7.08). Leg IV: trochanter 0.75–0.78/0.27–0.34 (2.29–2.78), femur + patella 2.20–2.27/0.28–0.35 (6.49–8.00), tibia 2.09–2.24/0.19–0.20 (11.00–11.58), basitarsus 0.77–0.82/0.14–0.16 (5.13–5.86), telotarsus 1.00–1.04/0.14 (7.14–7.43).

Remarks. Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov. is similar, in pedipalpal proportions, to B. baozinensis Mahnert et Li, 2016 , but can be distinguished by the presence of 2 faint eyespots (vs. B. baozinensis without eyes or eyespots), the pedipalpal chela (with pedicel) 6.71–6.83 (♂), 5.90–6.48 (♀) vs. 7.2‒8.2 (♂ ♀) times longer than wide in B. baozinensis , and the presence of fine granulations on pedipalp hand (vs. smooth in B. baozinensis ).

This new species is also similar to B. tenuipalma sp. nov. in having a similar pedipalp, but differs by the presence of 2 faint eyespots on a flat carapace surface (vs. with 4 eyespots on the slightly raised surface in B. tenuipalma sp. nov.), the pedipalpal patella 7.47–7.50 (♂), 7.31–7.58 (♀) vs. 7.86–8.45 (♂), 7.44–8.28 (♀) times longer than wide, and the chela (with pedicel) 6.71–6.83 (♂), 5.90–6.48 (♀) vs. 8.37–8.82 (♂), 7.31–8.35 (♀) times longer than wide in B. tenuipalma sp. nov.

Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov. is similar, in pedipalpal proportions, to B. changbing sp. nov., but can be distinguished by the pedicel about half the entire length of patella (vs. pedicel obviously more than half the entire length of pedipalp patella in B. changbing sp. nov.) and the presence of finely granulate on pedipalp chela hand (vs. smooth in B. changbing sp. nov.).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distribution map of the type locality of troglomorphic Bisetocreagris species in China. A. B. maomaotou Gao, Wynne et Zhang, 2018 (Maomaotou Cave); B. B. que sp. nov. (Yanggong Cave); C. B. longidigitata sp. nov. (Mao’er Cave); D. B. brevis sp. nov. (Yehu Cave); E. B. aspera sp. nov. (Tu Cave); F. B. jiangi sp. nov. (Anjialin Cave); G. B. tenuipalma sp. nov. (Sanjie Cave); H. B. changbing sp. nov. (Sanyuan and Guanyin caves); I. B. ampla sp. nov. (Hei Cave); J. B. gracilenta Gao et Zhang, 2017 (Shanmu Cave); K. B. guangshanensis Gao et Zhang, 2017 (Guangshan Cave); L. B. chumi sp. nov. (Tufei Cave); M. B. sanmen sp. nov. (Sanmen Cave); N. B. xishui sp. nov. (Dongkoushang Cave); O. B. baozinensis Mahnert et Li, 2016 (Baozi Cave); P. B. chuanensis Mahnert et Li, 2016 (Chuan Cave); Q. B. grandis sp. nov. (Wulibeidadong Cave); R. B. scaura (Mahnert, 2003) (Dahei Cave); S. B. martii (Mahnert, 2003) and B. titania (Mahnert, 2003) (Guoquan Cave); T. B. xiaoensis Li et Liu, 2017 (Xiao Cave); U. B. juanxuae Mahnert et Li, 2016 (Dao Cave); V. B. cavernarum Mahnert et Li, 2016 (Ert Long Cave); W. B. chinacavernicola (Schawaller, 1995) (Xian Nin and Chao-Tian caves).

FIGURE 47. Sanmen Cave, type locality of Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov. A. Surrounding surface environment with cave entrance, the temple built at the entrance (entrance 1, indicated by the red arrow; entrance 2, the outlet of the stream, indicated by the blue arrow); B. Entrance 1, locked by a wooden door; C. The passage and the streams along the way; D. The source of the stream in the dark zone of the cave and the reservoir built by the locals; E. The passageway where the B. sanmenensis sp. nov. was collected (on the wall); F. Collecting specimens on the wall.

FIGURE 48. Live individuals of Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov. (A: male; B: female) on the wall.

FIGURE 49. Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov., A. Holotype male, dorsal view; B. Paratype female, dorsal view.

FIGURE 50. Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov., holotype male (A–F, H–I), female (G). A. Carapace, dorsal view; B. Eye area, lateral view; C. Left chelicera, dorsal view; D. Right chela, lateral view; E. Right pedipalp, dorsal view; F. Male genitalia; G. Female genitalia; H. Right leg I, lateral view; I. Right leg IV, lateral view.

FIGURE 51. Bisetocreagris sanmen sp. nov., holotype male (A–G, I–M), female (H). A. Carapace, dorsal view; B. Left chelicera, dorsal view; C. Rallum; D. Movable finger of chelicera, showing galea; E. Galea; F. Subterminal tarsal seta; G. Male genitalia, ventral view; H. Female genitalia, ventral view; I. Right chela, dorsal view; J. Right chelal fingers, retrolateral view; K. Right pedipalp, minus chela, dorsal view; L. Right leg I, lateral view; M. Right leg IV, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (C–D, F), 0.25 mm (B, G–H), 0.5 mm (A), 1 mm (I–M).