Neobisium (Blothrus) slovacum Gulicka , 1977

Cervena, Martina, Stahlavsky, Frantisek, Papac, Vladimir, Kovac, Ľubomir & Jana, Christophoryova, 2019, Morphological and cytogenetic characteristics of Neobisium (Blothrus) slovacum Gulicka, 1977 (Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisiidae), the northernmost troglobitic species of the subgenus Blothrus in Europe, ZooKeys 817, pp. 113-130 : 117-123

Neobisium (Blothrus) slovacum Gulicka, 1977 Figures 3, 4, 5

Neobisium (Blothrus) slovacum Gulička, 1977a: 6-8, figs 1-4; Gulička 1977b: 24, fig. 1; Harvey 1991: 383; Ducháč 1996: 154-157, figs 1-9; Ducháč 1999: 176-179, figs 1-2, 6-8; Ducháč and Mlejnek 2000a: 48-49, figs 1-2; Ducháč and Mlejnek 2000b: 19-20, figs 1-2; Ducháč 2004a: 53-54, figs 1-2; Ducháč 2004b: figs 1-10, table 1; Kárpáthegyi 2007: 86; Christophoryová et al. 2011: 36, fig. 3D; Novák 2014: 394-400.

Diagnosis (adults).

Neobisium slovacum is an eyeless, troglobitic species that differs from other Carpathian species of the subgenus Blothrus in following combination of characters: posterior margin of carapace usually with 4 setae; a subocular seta usually present (sometimes missing on one side); epistome absent; cheliceral hand with 5 setae; anterolateral process of coxa I long, broad and apically pointed, medial process prominent, rounded, with strong denticles; palpal trochanter without tubercles; palpal femur ratio in the range 5.69-8.81 mm; fixed palpal finger with unequally long teeth; telotarsus IV with 2 long tactile setae. Chromosomes of male 2n = 69.

Type locality.

Slovakia, Slovak Karst, Stará brzotínska cave (48°36'32"N; 20°28'15"E, 258 m a.s.l., length 120 m).

Holotype.

Adult of undetermined sex collected from stony debris on clay sediment on 26 September 1974. Apparently lost.

Paratypes.

2 nymphs, from type locality, collected on 10 August 1975. Apparently lost.

Note.

The depository of the type material is unknown. Searches for the holotype and paratypes in various institutions (listed in Methods section) were unsuccessful.

Material examined

(see Table 1 for coordinates and altitudes of localities):

Previously studied material.

Čikova diera cave (length 60 m, depth 26 m): 1 ♀ (det. V. Ducháč), 21 February– 13 March 1988, leg. R. Mlejnek; 1 ♂ (det. V. Ducháč), 12 May 1988, leg. R. Mlejnek; 1 ♀ (det. V. Ducháč), 9 June 1989, leg. R. Mlejnek; Diviačia chasm (length 468 m, depth 127 m): 1 ♂, 2 ♀ (det. V. Ducháč), 1966, leg. V. Lysenko; Erňa cave (length 60 m, depth 10 m): 2 ♀, 1 specimen represented by appendages only, sex unknown (det. V. Ducháč), 20 July 1999, leg. R. Mlejnek; Fialová cave (length 21 m, depth 5.5 m): 1 ♀ (det. V. Ducháč), 15 April 1989, leg. R. Mlejnek; 1 ♂ (det. V. Ducháč), 23 September 1989, leg. R. Mlejnek; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 tritonymph (det. V. Ducháč), 17 January 1998, leg. R. Mlejnek; 1 ♂ (det. V. Ducháč), 11 May 1998, leg. R. Mlejnek; Obrovská chasm (depth 100 m): 1 ♂ (det. V. Ducháč), 8 May 1988, leg. R. Mlejnek; Pri salaši 2 chasm (length 50 m, depth 36 m): 1 specimen represented by appendages only (det. V. Ducháč), 8 May 1988, leg. R. Mlejnek; Stará brzotínska cave (length 120 m): 1 ♀ (NHMW 28661) (det. V. Ducháč), 6 June 1982, leg. P. Moravec; Šingliarova chasm (length 140 m, depth 72 m): 3 ♂, 1 ♀ and 1 ♀ damaged badly (det. V. Ducháč), 12 May 1988, leg. R. Mlejnek; 1 ♂ (det. V. Ducháč), 7 June– 19 October 1998, leg. R. Mlejnek; 3 ♂, 3 ♀, 2 specimens (sex unknown) represented by appendages only (det. V. Ducháč), 16 May 1998, leg. R. Mlejnek; Unknown locality: 1 ♂ (NHMW 28664), 2 ♀ (NHMW 28664) (det. V. Ducháč), 4 March 2003, leg. R. Mlejnek, locality data missing.

Remarks.

Faunistic data and descriptions of the 35 specimens listed above were provided by Ducháč (1996, 1999, 2002, 2004a, b) and Ducháč and Mlejnek (2000a, b). It was generally not possible to correlate specimens with an individual literature source, because only the numbers of individuals and variability of some characters were mentioned. Of these specimens, 27 were used in the present study to add information on previously ignored characters. The remaining eight specimens were not examined in detail, either because the locality was unknown or because they were not in a suitable condition.

Newly obtained material.

Hačavská cave (length 200 m): 2 ♂, 1 ♀ (NHMW 28662); hand sampling, in stony debris with clay sediment, back part of the cave, 150 m in the cave from entrance, 3 April 2017, leg. V. Papáč; Šingliarova chasm (length 140 m, depth 72 m): 1 ♂, 2 ♀, 1 deutonymph (NHMW 28659), pitfall trapping, 11 October 2003, leg. A. Mock; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, hand sampling, 2 May 2007, leg. Ľ. Kováč; 2 ♂, 1 ♀ (NHMW 28660), hand sampling, on cave walls and rocks, Second Hall, 25 August 2012, leg. P. Ľuptáčik; Zvonivá chasm (length 494 m): 2 ♀, hand sampling, 5 May 2006, leg. Ľ. Kováč.

Cytogenetic analysis.

Šingliarova chasm: 2 May 2007: 2 ♂, hand sampling, leg. Ľ. Kováč; Zvonivá chasm: 5 May 2006: 1 ♂, hand sampling, leg. Ľ. Kováč.

Remarks.

The newly collected specimens are described here, except for those used in the cytogenetic analyse. The record of the four specimens (NHMW 28659) from Šingliarova chasm was previously published by Christophoryová (2009). Hačavská cave represents a new locality for the species in Slovakia and is the northernmost locality of any member of the subgenus Blothrus (Figs 2, 4). In total, 14 adults and one deutonymph were identified in the new material from Šingliarova chasm, Hačavská cave and Zvonivá chasm.

Redescription.

In total, 40 adults, 1 tritonymph and 1 deutonymph were examined in the present study. Measurements of adults are given in Table 2.

Adults. Body yellowish; carapace, chelicerae and pedipalps light brown. Vestitural setae of body and pedipalps long and pointed. Carapace rectangular, without granulation, longer than broad, epistome and eyes absent, a subocular seta usually present (sometimes missing on one side). Tergites and sternites undivided. Chelicera with 5 setae on hand, 1 seta on movable finger, spinneret well developed in female, weak in male, rallum of 8 blades, 2 distal blades dentate. Anterolateral process of coxa I long, broad and apically pointed, medial process prominent, rounded, with strong denticles. Pedipalps slender, chelal fingers with normal number of trichobothria (8 on fixed and 4 on movable finger), sensillum p1 slightly distal of st, p2 nearer to st than to sb, situated close to dental margin. Palpal trochanter without tubercles. Legs elongated, I–IV with 2 tarsal segments (basitarsus and telotarsus separated). Subterminal setae of telotarsi I and IV with short, smooth, ventral rami and small dorsal denticles in distal part. Telotarsus IV with 2 long tactile setae, telotarsus I without tactile seta. Claws with a small dorsal denticle about one-third from base.

Males (20 specimens studied). Chaetotaxy of carapace: total 16-21 setae, posterior margin mostly with 4 setae, exceptionally with 3 setae in 2 males and 5 setae in 1 male, anterior margin mostly with 4 setae, exceptionally with 3 setae in 2 males and 5 setae in 2 males. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X: 4, 4, 4-6, 4-6, 4-7, 4-6, 5-7, 5-7, 6-7, 5-7. Chaetotaxy of sternites IV–X: 7-15, 8-12, 8-11, 8-11, 9-11, 8-10, 7-9. Anterior genital operculum with 9-19 setae, posterior genital operculum with 29-38 setae in total, comprised of 19-26 medial and 8-15 marginal setae. Chelicera: fixed finger with 12-22 and movable finger with 10-20 unequally long teeth. Pedipalp: fixed fin ger with 133-172 unequally long teeth and movable finger with 106-152 equally long teeth. See Table 2 for measurements.

Females (20 specimens studied). Chaetotaxy of carapace: total 16-20 setae, posterior margin mostly with 4 setae, exceptionally with 2 setae in 1 female, anterior margin mostly with 4 setae exceptionally with 5 setae in 2 females. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X: 4-5, 4-5, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6, 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-7, 5-7. Chaetotaxy of sternites IV–X: 6-13, 6-10, 8-11, 8-11, 8-12, 8-11, 7-9. Anterior genital operculum with 7-13 setae, posterior operculum with 12-18 setae. Chelicera: fixed finger with 14-20 and movable finger with 11-19 unequally long teeth. Pedipalp: fixed finger with 131-171 unequally long teeth and movable finger with 118-149 equally long teeth. See Table 2 for measurements.

Tritonymph (1 specimen studied). With same general characteristics as adults. Chaetotaxy of carapace: total 17 setae, posterior and anterior margin with 4 setae each. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X: 4, 5, 5, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6. Chaetotaxy of sternites IV–X: 8, 11, 10, 11, 10, 8, 8. Chelicera: rallum of 8 blades, 2 distal blades dentate, fixed finger with 14 and movable finger with 13 unequally long teeth. Pedipalps: chela with 7 trichobothria on fixed finger and 3 on movable finger; fixed finger with 112 equally long marginal teeth, movable finger with 97 equally long marginal teeth.

Measurements of tritonymph. Body length 3.43. Chelicera: 0.54/0.27 ( × 2.00); movable finger length 0.35. Pedipalps: trochanter 0.53/0.23 ( × 2.30), femur 1.10/0.19 ( × 5.79), patella 0.96/0.20 ( × 4.80), palpal hand 0.81/0.24 ( × 3.38), hand length without pedicel 0.73, movable finger length 1.26, movable finger and hand length ratio 1.56, palpal chela 1.95/0.24 ( × 8.13). Leg I: femur 0.59/0.10 ( × 5.90), patella 0.39/0.10 ( × 3.90), tibia 0.47/0.07 ( × 6.71), basitarsus 0.27/0.08 ( × 3.38), telotarsus 0.41/0.10 ( × 4.10). Leg IV: trochanter 0.38/0.18 ( × 2.11), femoropatella 0.96/0.18 ( × 5.33), tibia 0.88/0.11 ( × 8.00), basitarsus 0.35/0.10 ( × 3.50), telotarsus 0.57/0.12 ( × 4.75).

Note.

A description of this tritonymph was previously published by Ducháč (2004b). Because of damage to the specimen, it was not possible to measure the carapace and the trochanter of leg I.

Deutonymph (1 specimen studied). With same general characteristics as adults. Chaetotaxy of carapace: total 19 setae, posterior margin with 5, anterior margin with 4 setae. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–X: 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5. Chaetotaxy of sternites IV–X: 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7. Chelicera: rallum of 6 blades, 2 distal blades dentate; fixed finger with 14 and movable finger with 11 unequal teeth. Pedipalps: chelal with 6 trichobothria on fixed finger and 2 on movable finger; fixed finger with 73 equally long teeth, movable finger with 66 equally long teeth.

Measurements of deutonymph. Body length 2.57. Carapace: 0.68/0.66 ( × 1.03). Chelicera: 0.41/0.24 ( × 1.71); movable finger length 0.26. Pedipalps: trochanter 0.38/0.19 ( × 2.00), femur 0.76/0.15 ( × 5.07), patella 0.62/0.20 ( × 3.10), palpal hand 0.57/0.27 ( × 2.11), hand length without pedicel 0.53, movable finger length 0.91, movable finger and hand length ratio 1.60, palpal chela 1.33/0.27 ( × 4.93). Leg I: trochanter 0.20/0.13 ( × 1.54), femur I 0.40/0.09 ( × 4.44), patella 0.26/0.08 ( × 3.25), tibia 0.29/0.07 ( × 4.14), basitarsus 0.16/0.07 ( × 2.29), telotarsus 0.27/0.08 ( × 3.38). Leg IV: trochanter 0.24/0.16 ( × 1.50), femoropatella 0.69/0.15 ( × 4.60), tibia 0.54/0.09 ( × 6.00), basitarsus 0.24/0.09 ( × 2.67), telotarsus 0.39/0.09 ( × 4.33).

Karyotype.

The diploid complement of all three males analysed was 69 chromosomes (Fig. 5). The karyotype contains 19 pairs of metacentric (No. 2, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34), ten pairs of submetacentric (No. 1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 17, 21, 25, 28, 31), three pairs of subtelocentric (No. 3, 11, 20) and two pairs of acrocentric (Nos. 6, 15) autosomes. The autosomes gradually decreased in length from 2.31% to 0.91% of the diploid set. An X0 sex chromosome system was identified in this species. The X chromosome shows an acrocentric morphology and constitutes 1.13% of the diploid set. Two pairs of 18S rDNA clusters were detected by FISH in this species. The 18S rDNA probe signals were localized close to the centromeres on the long arm of submetacentric chromosome pair No. 12 and on the short arm of metacentric chromosome pair No. 33 (Fig. 5).