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# Two new species of the genus Neocunaxiodes (Acariformes: Cunaxidae) from China

Jian-Xin Chen, Mao-Yuan Yao, You-Fang Wu, Jian-Jun Guo, Tian-Ci Yi, Dao-Chao Jin

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Jian-Xin Chen, Mao-Yuan Yao, You-Fang Wu, Jian-Jun Guo, Tian-Ci Yi, et al.. Two new species of the genus Neocunaxiodes (Acariformes: Cunaxidae) from China. Acarologia, 2025, 65 (3), pp.900-916. 10.24349/tf8q-wxeu. hal-05311290

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# Two new species of the genus *Neocunaxiodes* (Acariformes: Cunaxidae) from China

Jian-Xin Chen<sup>a</sup>, Mao-Yuan Yao<sup>a</sup>, You-Fang Wu<sup>a</sup>, Jian-Jun Guo<sup>b</sup>, Tian-Ci Yi<sup>b</sup>, Dao-Chao Jin<sup>b</sup>

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

We describe two new mite species, namely, *Neocunaxiodes huangshanensis* Chen & Jin *sp. nov.* and *N. pinus* Chen & Jin *sp. nov.* from China. We also provide a species key of adult females of genus *Neocunaxiodes* from China.

**Keywords** predatory mites; Cunaxoidinae; morphology; taxonomy

**Zoobank** http://zoobank.org/7C723F53-A932-4D72-9866-9C9D0F34E0B0

## Introduction

Cunaxid mites have a predatory habit and prey on microarthropods and nematodes, and play an important role in agricultural ecosystems (Hernandes *et al.* 2015, Al-Azzazy & Al-Rehiayani 2022).

The genus *Neocunaxoides* was erected by Smiley (1975) with *Cunaxoides andrei* Baker & Hoffmann, 1948 as type species, which belongs to the subfamily Cunaxoidinae (Den Heyer 1978). *Neocunaxoides andrei* was reported in Russia, China, Poland and Egypt (Kuznetzov & Livshitz 1979, Tseng 1980, Michocka 1987, Hu 1997, Shoala and El Kady 2009). Den Heyer (1980a) reported *N. lajumensis*, *N. rykei* and *N. zuluensis* from South Africa. Tseng (1980) described *N. whartoni* from Taiwan, China, Skvarla *et al.* (2014) moved *N. whartoni* to *Pulaeus*. Inayatullah & Shahid (1989) described two species, namely, *N. dilato* and *N. kalamiensis* from Pakistan. *N. biswasi* and *N. cerasoides* were described from India (Gupta & Chattopadhyay 1978, Gupta 1991).

Smiley (1992) synonymized *Scutopalus* with *Neocunaxoides* and moved *Cunaxoides trepidus* to *Neocunaxoides*. Romeih and Abo-Shnaf (2006) described *N. fayoumi* from Egypt. *N. grandis*, *N. mahabaeus* and *N. ornatus* were described from Philippine (Corpuz-Raros 1996, Corpuz-Raros & Gruèzo 2007). Lin *et al.* described *N. boltoides*, *N. fani* and *N. ovatus* from China (Lin *et al.* 2001, 2003). *N. metwallyi* was described in Egypt (Fawzy 2007). Corpuz-Raros (2007) described *Cunaxoides philippinensis* from Philippine and Skvarla *et al.* (2014) moved *Cunaxoides philippinensis* Corpuz-Raros, 2007 to genus *Neocunaxoides*. Castro and Den Heyer (2009) moved *Pulaeus trepidus* (=*Neocunaxoides trepidus*) to *Scutopalus*.

Rocha *et al.* (2015) described *N. promatae* from Brazil, Paktinat-Saeij *et al.* (2016) moved *Pulaeus neopectintus* (Shiba, 1978) to *Neocunaxoides*, Alatawi & Kamran (2017) reported *N. ornatus* from Saudi Arabia, Kalúz & Ermilov (2018) described *N. tropicus* from Vietnam, and provided a key to adult females of *Neocunaxoides* species of the world. Later Chen *et al.* (2020) moved *P. neopectintus* to *Lepidocunaxoides* Kalúz & Ermilov, 2019.

Received 17 April 2025
Accepted 29 May 2025
Published 04 September 2025

Corresponding author
Dao-Chao Jin<sup>D</sup>: dcjin@gzu.edu.cn

Academic editor
Akashi Hernandes, Fabio

https://doi.org/10.24349/tf8q-wxeu

ISSN 0044-586X (print)
ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

Chen J.-X. *et al.*

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

<footnote><sup>a</sup> College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Information Technology for Plant Protection in Characteristic High-Efficiency Agriculture of Central Guizhou, Anshun University, Anshun, 561000, P. R. China.</footnote>

<footnote><sup>b</sup> Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pest in Guiyang, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the P. R. China, Guiyang 550025. P. R. China.</footnote>
Currently, genus *Neocunaxoides* contains 20 known species in the world, but only have four species reported in China, *N. andrei* (Baker & Hoffmann, 1948), *N. boltoides* Lin, 2001, *N. fani* Lin, 2001 and *N. ovatus* Lin, Zhang & Ji, 2003 (Tseng 1980, Hu 1997, Lin et al. 2001, Lin et al. 2003, Lin & Zhang 2010). In this work, we add two species new to science *N. huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. and *N. pinus* Chen & Jin sp. nov. from the fauna of China. In addition, provide a species key of adult females of genus *Neocunaxoides* from China.

## Materials and methods

Samples of moss were collected from Huangshan Scenic Spot, Huangshan city, Anhui Province, Wangjiabang, Ningqiang county, Hanzhong city, Shanxi Province and fallen leaves of *Pinus yunnanensis* were collected in a forest, Yulong Snow Mountain, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, P. R. China. Mites were isolated from the samples by using Berlese-Tullgren funnels for eight to twelve hours, preserved in 75% alcohol and then mounted in Hoyer's medium on slides (Walter & Krantz 2009). Line drawings were prepared with the aid of a drawing tube attached to a phase contrast and DIC Nikon Ni E microscope. Photographs were taken using a camera (Nikon DS-Ri 2) attached to the Nikon Ni E microscope and figures were edited with Adobe Photoshop CC 2019. The length of the gnathosoma was measured from the base to the top of the subcapitulum, the length of the idiosoma, from the suture between the gnathosoma and idiosoma to the posterior margin of the idiosoma, the width of the idiosoma at its broadest level and the length of the legs from the ventral insertion of coxeae to the tip of the claw. All measurements were taken in micrometers (µm) using the software Nikon NIS Elements AR 4.50 and provided for the holotype and the paratypes. The dorsal and ventral setal nomenclature follows Fisher *et al.* (2011) and Paktinat-Saeij *et al.* (2017), legs setal notation follows Den Heyer (1981).

The following abbreviations are used: prodorsum: anterior trichobothria (*at*), posterior trichobothria (*pt*), lateral proterosomal (*lps*), median proterosomal (*mps*); hysterosoma: internal humerals (*c*₁), external humerals (*c*₂), internal dorsals (*d*₁), internal lumbals (*e*₁), internal sacral (*f*₁), internal clunals (*h*₁), external clunals (*h*₂); venter: propodogastral seta (*ppgs*), hysterogastral seta (*hgs*); anal region: pseudanal (*ps*); genital region: aggenitals (*ag*), genitals (*g*); gnathosoma: hypognathals (*hg*); leg: attenuate (sharply) solenidion (*asl*), blunt-pointed rod-like solenidion (*bsl*), famulus (*fam*), trichobothria (*T*), simple tactile seta (*sts*), microseta (*mst*), dorsoterminal solenidion (*dtsl*).

## Results

**Family Cunaxidae Thor, 1902**

**Subfamily Cunaxoidinae Den Heyer, 1978**

**Tribe Pulaeini Den Heyer, 1980b**

**Genus Neocunaxiodes Smiley, 1975**

**Generic diagnosis** — see Skvarla *et al.* (2014).

**Type species** — *Cunaxoides andrei* Baker & Hoffmann, 1948.

**Neocunaxiodes huangshanensis Chen & Jin sp. nov**

Zoobank: E6C74961-6EC9-4953-8A63-80D52AE3B124

(Figs. 1–8)

### Diagnosis

Subcapitulum without striae and between *hg*₃ and the base area with two row polygonal pattern; dorsal shield with random punctation; coxeae I–II fused medially as a V-shaped single sternal
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A – dorsal idiosoma; B – ventral idiosoma.</figcaption></figure>

and between coxe II small platelet absent; setal formula of coxal plates I–IV: 3-3-3-3 sts,
basifemora I–IV: 3-5-2-0 sts. Female anterior to genital plates with a small platelet; three pairs
of pairs of hysterogastral setae (*hgs*₁₋₃); genital plates large and with reticulate pattern, and one
pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates. Male similar to female, differing
as follows: anterior to genital plates small platelet absent: one pairs of pairs of hysterogastral
setae (*hgs*₁); genital plates small and reticulate pattern absent, one pair of small platelets
anterolateral situated in genital plates; genu I–IV, tibia I and tarsus I–II with long bsl.

Description

Female (n=4)

Idiosoma 438 (407–430) long, 337 (330–337) wide.

Dorsum (Figs. 1A, 2A–C). Propodosomal shield concave anteromedially, and *at* off the shield though very close to the edge of the concaves, area anterior to *at* with some fine papillae. Proterosomal and hysterosomal shields fused, forming a large dorsocentral shield, 370 (370–377) long, 303 (288–303) wide, with random punctation, bearing one pairs of trichobothria (*pt*), two pairs of tactile setae (*lps* and *mps*), four pairs of simple setae (*c*₁, *c*₂, *d*₁, *e*₁); *f*₁ situated on small platelets, lateral area outside dorsocentral shield with lengthwise striation and one pair of lyrifissures (*im*) situated on lateral soft integument anterior to *f*₁. Setal lengths and distances: *at* ? (121–130), *pt* ? (120–126), *lps* 50 (48–50), *mps* 40 (30–40), *c*₁ 20 (20–21), *c*₂ 20 (20–20), *d*₁ 25 (24–25), *e*₁ 42 (37–42), *f*₁ 48 (42–48); *at-at* 46 (28–51), *pt-pt* 167 (167–168), *lps-lps* 77 (74–77), *mps-mps* 137 (135–137), *lps-mps* 84 (83–84), *at-lps* 36 (32–36), *pt-mps* 14 (13–14), *pt-lps* 88 (85–88), *at-mps* 117 (115–117), *at-pt* 122 (120–122), *c*₁-*c*₁ 82 (81–82), *c*₂-*c*₂ 236 (227–236), *d*₁-*d*₁ 88 (88–97), *e*₁-*e*₁ 80 (77–80), *c*₁-*c*₂ 79 (74–79), *c*₁-*d*₁ 66 (66–82), *c*₂-*d*₁ 88
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A–C – dorsal idiosoma (photo); D–F – ventral idiosoma (photo).</figcaption></figure>

(88–93), $d_1-e_1$ 100 (91–99), $e_1-f_1$ 59 (33–59).

*Venter* (Fig. 1B, 2D–F). Coxae I–II fused medially as a V-shaped single sternal plate and with random punctation, coxae III–IV fused and forming paired lateral ventral plates. Areas anterior to coxae I, between coxae I and coxae II, between coxae III and coxae IV, and posterior to coxae IV with strong punctations; coxal plates III–IV with random punctation and a few of reticulate pattern. Posterior edge of coxal plates IV extending and almost reached to anterior edge of genital plates level. Setal formula of coxal plates I–IV: $3(1a-c)-3(2a-c)-3(3a-c)$.
3(4a–c) sts, length of setae: 1a 19 (13–22), 1b 21 (17–23), 1c 16 (16–23), 2a 22 (17–22), 2b 19 (18–21), 2c 21 (29–31), 3a 21 (21–24), 3b 18 (16–18), 3c 33 (26–29), 4a 9 (7–9), 4b 22 (15–22), 4c 15 (14–15). Three pairs of hysterogastral setae (*hgs*₁–*hgs*₃), lengths of *hgs*₁–*hgs*₃: 17 (16–17), 14 (11–14) and 9 (9–15), respectively, *hgs*₁ situated in lateral ventral plates. Areas between lateral ventral plates with longitudinal striation. Small platelet anteriomedially of genital plates present, 23 (18–22) long, 14 (11–12) wide, and one pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates. Genital plates large, 118 (105–118) long, 42 (40–43) wide, with reticulate pattern, broken longitudinal striation and random punctation, two pairs of visible genital papillae, four pairs of genital setae (*g*₁–*g*₄) arranged longitudinally that 19 (14–18), 18 (14–16), 15 (12–15) and 16 (15–16) in length, respectively; one pair of aggenital setae (*ag*), long 19 (12–19), almost at *g*₂ level. Anal region with two pairs of pseudanal setae (*ps*₁–*ps*₂) 14 (14–16) and 17 (14–17) in length, respectively, two pairs of platelets setae bearing *h*₁ 15 (15–21) and *h*₂ 16 (13–16), respectively, and one pair of lyrifissures (*ih*).

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A – palp; B – chelicera; C – subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>

*Gnathosoma*. Palp (Fig. 3A). Three-segmented, 111 (111–120) long. Palp chaetotaxy: trochanter none; femurogenu with six simple setae; tibiotarsus with five simple setae, one pointed apophysis and one knob-like apophysis; claw well-developed and simple.

Chelicera (Fig. 3B). 184 (170–184) long, with strong punctations; one cheliceral seta 12 (11–12) in length; chela developed.

Subcapitulum (Fig. 3C). 182 (170–187) long, 172 (161–169) wide; between *hg*₃ and the base area with two row polygonal pattern; adoral setae absent; four pairs of hypognathal setae (*hg*₁–*hg*₄; lengths of *hg*₁–*hg*₄: 27 (25–27), 27 (27–28), 10 (10–22) and 45 (34–45), respectively. Distances of *hg* setae: *hg*₁–*hg*₁ 13 (13–13), *hg*₂–*hg*₂ 22 (22–23), *hg*₃–*hg*₃ 63 (54–63), *hg*₄–*hg*₄ 82 (82–87), *hg*₁–*hg*₂ 38 (38–38), *hg*₂–*hg*₃ 58 (50–58), *hg*₃–*hg*₄ 46 (46–46).

*Legs* (Figs. 4A–D). Lengths of leg I–IV: 295 (281–295), 256 (241–269), 267 (256–268) and 294 (290–294). Lengths of tarsi I–IV: 100 (95–100), 85 (76–85), 73 (73–80) and 78 (78–80). *Seta T* smooth on tibia IV 93 (90–93) in length. *Legs I–IV* chaetotaxy: coxae I–IV 3-3-3-3 *sts*; trochanters I–IV 1-1-2-1 *sts*; basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 *sts*; telofemora I–IV 5-5-4-3 *sts*; genua I–IV 3*asl*, {1*asl*, 1*mst*}, 4*sts-2asl*, 5*sts-1asl*, 5*sts-1asl*, 5*sts*; tibiae I–IV 2*asl*, 5*sts-1bsl*,
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A–D – leg I–IV respectively.</figcaption></figure>

5sts-1bsl, 5sts-1 smooth T, 4sts; tarsi I–IV 3asl, 1bsl, 1fam, 1dtsl, 2tsl, 21sts-1bsl, 1dtsl, 2tsl, 22sts-1dtsl, 17sts-1dtsl, 15sts.

**Male (n=2)**

Idiosoma 273–290 long, 192–238 wide.

*Dorsum* (Figs. 5A, 6A–B). Resembling the female, dorsocentral shield 246–258 long, 180–202 wide. Setal lengths and distances: *at* 100–108, *pt* 104–111, *lps* 36–52, *mps* 27–29, *c*₁ 11–14, *c*₂ 11–15, *d*₁ 15–15, *e*₁ 26–37, *f*₁ 37–42; *at-at* 32–36, *pt-pt* 118–118, *lps-lps* 48–54, *mps-mps* 88–93, *lps-mps* 58–59, *at-lps* 22–26, *pt-mps* 10–11, *pt-lps* 61–64, *at-mps* 80–84, *at-pt* 86–88, *c*₁-*c*₁ 51–59, *c*₂-*c*₂ 155–158, *d*₁-*d*₁ 54–58, *e*₁-*e*₁ 35–38, *c*₁-*c*₂ 46–46, *c*₁-*d*₁ 42–46, *c*₂-*d*₁ 59–61, *d*₁-*e*₁ 65–68, *e*₁-*f*₁ 36–37.

*Venter* (Figs. 4B, 6C–D). Resembling the female, platelet absent anterior to genital plates;
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. male: A – dorsal idiosoma; B – ventral idiosoma.</figcaption></figure>

one pair of small platelets anterolateral situated in genital plates. Setal formula of coxal plates I–IV: 3(1a–c)-3(2a–c)-3(3a–c)-2(4a–b) sts, lengths of setae: 1a 10–12, 1b 14–15, 1c 15–16, 2a 11–14, 2b 11–17, 2c 15–18, 3a 10–10, 3b 12–15, 3c 16–24, 4a 9–10, 4b 11–12, 4c 12–12. One pair of hysterogastral setae (*hgs*₁), 11–11 in length. Genital shields relatively small, 45–50 long, 16–16 wide; lengths of setae *g*₁-*g*₄: 8–9, 8–9, 8–9, 9–11; one pair of aggenital setae (*ag*) 11–11 in length; *ps*₁ and *ps*₂ subequal 8–9 in length, *h*₁ 15–21 and *h*₂ 13–16.

*Gnathosoma*. Palp (Fig. 7A). Resembling the female, 74–82 long.

Chelicera (Fig. 7B). Resembling the female, 113–118 long; cheliceral seta 8–10 in length.

Subcapitulum (Fig. 7C). Resembling the female, 114–120 long, 98–103 wide; lengths of *hg*₁-*hg*₄: 18–20, 21–22, 12–15 and 24–26. Distances of *hg* setae: *hg*₁-*hg*₁ 7–8, *hg*₂-*hg*₂ 12–16, *hg*₃-*hg*₃ 38–41, *hg*₄-*hg*₄ 45–58, *hg*₁-*hg*₂ 26–28, *hg*₂-*hg*₃ 42–45, *hg*₃-*hg*₄ 33–37.

*Legs* (Fig. 8A–D). Resembling the female, lengths of leg I–IV: 212–224, 180–201, 199–216 and 222–231. Lengths of tarsi I–IV: 80–81, 66–68, 60–67 and 68–73. Seta *T* 72–74 in length. Legs I–IV chaetotaxy: coxe I–IV 3-3-3-3 sts; trochanters I–IV 1-1-2-1 sts; basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 sts; telofemora I–IV 5-5-4-3 sts; genua I–IV 2asl, 1 long bsl, {1asl, 1mst}, 4sts-1asl, 1 long bsl, 5sts-1asl, 1 long bsl, 5 sts-1asl, 1 long bsl, 5 sts; tibiae I–IV 1asl, 2 long bsl, 5sts-1bsl, 5sts-1bsl, 5sts-1 smooth *T*, 4sts; tarsi I–IV 3asl, 1 long bsl, 1fam, 1dtsl, 2tsl, 21sts-1asl, 1 long bsl, 1dtsl, 1tsl, 21sts-1dtsl, 17sts-1dtsl, 16sts.

**Other developmental stages.** Unknown.
<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. male: A–B – dorsal idiosoma (photo); C–D – ventral idiosoma (photo).</figcaption></figure>

## Etymology

The new species name is derived from type locality Huangshan Scenic Spot, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, P. R. China.

## Remarks

This new species is similar to *N. fani* Lin, 2001, *N. boltoides* Lin, 2001, *N. zuluensis* Den Heyer, 1980, *N. lajumensis* Den Heyer, 1980, and *N. philippinensis* (Corpuz-Raros, 2007) (known only from adult female) in having coxae I–II fused medially as a V-shaped single sternal plate (the remaining species coxae I–II not fused medially in this genus)

The new species differs from *N. fani* by: (1) basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 *sts* (vs. 3-5-2-1 *sts* in *N. fani*); (2) tibia III with 1*bsl*, 5*sts* (vs. 0*bsl*, 5*sts* in *N. fani*); (3) genital plates with reticulate pattern (vs. without in *N. fani*); (4) one pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. fani*); (5) seven hysterogastral setae (vs. six in *N. fani*). According to the original description, *N. fani* coxae I–IV 3-3-3-3 *sts* on the left and 3-3-3-4 *sts* on the right; We think it’s 3-3-3-3 *sts*, except that the left *hgs*₁ is not on lateral ventral plate and the right *hgs*₁ is on lateral ventral plate.

The new species differs from *N. boltoides* by: (1) basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 *sts* (vs. 3-4-2-0 *sts* in *N. boltoides*); (2) tibia III with 1*bsl*, 5*sts* (vs. 0*bsl*, 5*sts* in *N. boltoides*); (3) posterior edge of coxae IV extending beyond edge of genital plates (vs. not extending beyond in *N. boltoides*); (4) one pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. boltoides*).

The new species differs from *N. zuluensis* by: (1) basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 *sts*, (vs. 5-5-2-0
<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 7** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. male: A – palp; B – chelicera; C – subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>

sts in *N. zuluensis*); (2) telofemora I–IV 5-5-4-3 sts (vs. 3-5-4-3 sts in *N. zuluensis*); (3) small platelet anteriomedially of genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. zuluensis*); (4) one pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. zuluensis*).

The new species differs from *N. lajumensis* by: (1) basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 sts, (vs. 5-5-4-1 sts in *N. lajumensis*); (2) telofemora I–IV 5-5-4-3 sts (vs. 3-5-5-3 sts in *N. lajumensis*); (3) small platelet anteriomedially of genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. lajumensis*); (4) one pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. lajumensis*); (5) setae *lps* longer than *mps* in length (vs. equal in *N. lajumensis*).

The new species differs from *N. philippinensis* by: (1) basifemora I–IV 3-5-2-0 sts, (vs. 4-4-2-0 sts in *N. philippinensis*); (2) proterosomal and hysterosomal shields fused, forming a large dorsocentral shield and with setae *c*₁, *c*₂, *d*₁, *e*₁ (vs. hysterosomal shield absent and setae *c*₁, *c*₂, *d*₁, *e*₁ on integument sts in *N. philippinensis*); (3) posterior edge of coxae IV extending beyond edge of genital plates (vs. not extending beyond in *N. philippinensis*); (4) small platelet anteriomedially of genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. philippinensis*); (5) one pair of small platelets posterolateral situated in genital plates present (vs. absent in *N. philippinensis*).

Type series

Holotype, female was collected from moss, Huangshan Scenic Spot (N30°8′19.80″, E118°9′8.35″, elevation 1240 m), Huangshan City, Anhui Province, P. R. China, on 23 May, 2018, by Mao-Yuan Yao, slide No., AH-CU-201805232001. Paratypes, two females and one male the same data as the holotype, slides No.: AH-CU-201805232002–AH-CU-201805232004. Paratypes, one female and one male were collected from moss, Wangjiabang (N32°27′32″, E106°13′13″, elevation 926 m), Ningqiang county, Hanzhong city, Shanxi Province, P. R. China, on 15 July, 2018, by Jian-Xin Chen, slides No.: SX-CU-201807151801–SX-CU-201807151802. All types are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China (GUGC).
<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 8** *Neocunaxoides huangshanensis* Chen & Jin sp. nov. male: A–D – leg I–IV respectively.</figcaption></figure>

**Distribution**

Anhui Province (Huangshan City), Shanxi Province (Hanzhong City), P. R. China.
<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 9** *Neocunaxoides pinus* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A – dorsal idiosoma; B – ventral idiosoma.</figcaption></figure>

**Neocunaxoides pinus** Chen & Jin sp. nov.

Zoobank: 5090981C-51D8-498D-B659-9E145782206B

(Figs. 9–12)

**Diagnosis**

Subcapitulum with papillar striation and between *hg*₃ and the base area with two row polygonal pattern; dorsal shield foveolae and reticulate pattern absent; between coxae II median small platelet absent; anterior to genital plates with a small platelet; setal formula of coxal plates I–IV: 2-2(1)-3-2 *sts*; combined femora (basifemora + telofemora) I–IV: 8-10-6(4)-4 *sts*.

**Description**

**Female (n=2)**

Idiosoma 390 (402) long, 295 (288) wide.

*Dorsum* (Figs. 9A, 10A–C). Proterosomal and hysterosomal shields fused, forming a large dorsocentral shield, 313 (320) long, 227 (235) wide, with random punctation, bearing two pairs of trichobothria (*at* and *pt*), two pairs of tactile setae (*lps* and *mps*), four pairs of simple setae (*c*₁, *c*₂, *d*₁, *e*₁); *f*₁ and *h*₁ situated on small platelets, lateral area outside dorsocentral shield with lengthwise striation; area between *e*₁ and *h*₁ with transverse striae; one pair of lyrifissures (*im*)
<figure><img src="image_13.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 10** *Neocunaxoides pinus* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A–C – dorsal idiosoma (photo); D–F – ventral idiosoma (photo).</figcaption></figure>

situated on lateral posterior to dorsocentral shield. Setal lengths and distances: *at* 114 (118), *pt* 120 (123), *lps* 52 (47), *mps* 42 (40), *c*₁ 24 (22), *c*₂ 26 (24), *d*₁ 23 (23), *e*₁ 32 (31), *f*₁ 50 (52), *h*₁ 36 (37), *at-at* 43 (40), *pt-pt* 129 (135), *lps-lps* 96 (101), *mps-mps* 102 (106), *lps-mps* 66 (69), *at-lps* 38 (40), *pt-mps* 14 (15), *pt-lps* 61 (58), *at-mps* 95 (93), *at-pt* 95 (96), *c*₁-*c*₁ 79 (82), *c*₂-*c*₂ 183 (180), *d*₁-*d*₁ 82 (80), *e*₁-*e*₁ 70 (72), *f*₁-*f*₁ 87 (85), *h*₁-*h*₁ 54 (50), *c*₁-*c*₂ 50 (47), *c*₁-*d*₁ 65 (69), *c*₂-*d*₁ 78 (83), *d*₁-*e*₁ 78 (79), *e*₁-*f*₁ 37 (42), *f*₁-*h*₁ 30 (28).

*Venter* (Figs. 9B, 10D–F). Ventral area between coxeae I and the gnathosoma with papillar
striation. Coxeae I–II divided medially to form sternal plates and with random punctation and striae; coxeae III–IV fused to form paired lateral ventral plates and with random punctation, striae and papillar striation. Area between coxeae plates I–II with longitudinal striation, between edges of divided sternal plates without a small median platelet. Posterior edge of coxal plates IV extending and almost reached to *g*<sub>4</sub> level. Setal formula of coxal plates I–IV: 2(1*a*–*b*)-2(2*a*–*b*) (2*b* absent on the left)-3(3*a*–*c*)-2(4*a*, 4*c*) *sts*, length of setae: 1*a* 15 (14), 1*b* 23 (24), 2*a* 14 (15), 2*b* 13 (12), 3*a* 17 (18), 3*b* 18 (18), 3*c* 24 (26), 4*a* 11 (12), 4*c* 12 (12). Four pairs of hysterogastral setae (*hgs*<sub>1</sub>–*hgs*<sub>4</sub>) subequal 11–12 in length, area between *hgs*<sub>1</sub> and with transverse striation. Anterior to genital plates with a small platelet, long 17 (19), wide 10 (11). Genital plates 93 (88) long, 35 (33) wide, with broken longitudinal striation and random punctation, two pairs of visible genital papillae, four pairs of genital setae (*g*<sub>1</sub>–*g*<sub>4</sub>) arranged longitudinally that 15 (13), 16 (15), 14 (15) and 18 (19) in length, respectively; one pair of aggenital setae (*ag*), 13 (12) in length, almost at *g*<sub>2</sub> level. Anal region with two pairs of pseudanal setae (*ps*<sub>1</sub>–*ps*<sub>2</sub>) 15 (14) and 18 (20) in length, one pair of *h*<sub>2</sub> 26 (29) and one pair of lyrifissures (*ih*).

<figure><img src="image_14.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 11** *Neocunaxoides pinus* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A – palp; B – chelicera; C – subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>

*Gnathosoma*. Palp (Fig. 11A). Three-segmented, 107 (111) long. Palp chaetotaxy: trochanter none; femurogenu with six simple setae; tibiotarsus with five simple setae, two pointed apophysis and one knob-like apophysis; claw well-developed and simple.

Chelicera (Fig. 11B). 160 long, with strong punctations; one cheliceral seta 10 (12) in length; chela developed.

Subcapitulum (Fig. 11C). 158 (145) long, 180 (182) wide with papillar striation; between *hg*<sub>3</sub> and the base area with two row polygonal pattern; two pairs of short adoral setae; four pairs of hypognathal setae (*hg*<sub>1*–hg*<sub>4</sub>), lengths of *hg*<sub>1*–hg*<sub>4</sub>; 20 (18), 23 (22), 20 (23) and 40 (43), respectively. Distances of *hg* setae: *hg*<sub>1*–hg*<sub>1</sub> 12 (9), *hg*<sub>2*–hg*<sub>2</sub> 23 (26), *hg*<sub>3*–hg*<sub>3</sub> 36 (40), *hg*<sub>4*–hg*<sub>4</sub> 77 (73), *hg*<sub>1*–hg*<sub>2</sub> 30 (32), *hg*<sub>2*–hg*<sub>3</sub> 49 (52), *hg*<sub>3*–hg*<sub>4</sub> 41 (44).

*Legs* (Fig. 12A–E). Lengths of leg I–IV: 247 (245), 218 (221), 235 (240) and 268 (271). Lengths of tarsi I–IV: 81 (75), 68 (67), 69 (67) and 72 (77). Seta *T* smooth on tibia IV 90 (93) in length. Legs I–IV chaetotaxy: coxeae I–IV 2-2(1) (2*b* absent on the left)-3-2 *sts*; trochanters I–IV 1-1-2-1 *sts*; basifemora I–IV 3-5-2(1) (two setae on the right, one on the left)-1 *sts* (Figs. 9C–D); telofemora I–IV 5-5-4(3) (four setae on the right, three on the left)-3 *sts* (Figs. 9C–D); genua I–IV 4*asl*, 5*sts-2asl*, 5*sts- 1asl*, 5*sts- 2asl*, 5*sts*; tibiae I–IV 2*asl*, 5*sts-1bsl*, 5*sts-1bsl*, 5*sts-1* smooth *T*, 4*sts*; tarsi I 2*asl*, 2*bsl*, 1*fam*, 1*dtsl*, 2*tsl*, 21*sts-1bsl*, 1*dtsl*, 1*tsl*, 21*sts-1dtsl*, 11*sts-1dtsl*, 15*sts*.
<figure><img src="image_15.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 12** *Neocunaxoides pinus* Chen & Jin sp. nov. female: A – leg I; B – leg I; C – leg I; D – leg III left; E – leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

**Other developmental stages.** Unknown.

**Etymology**

The new species name derives from the habitat (fallen leaves of *Pinus yunnanensis*) where the
type specimens were collected.

**Remarks**

The new species is similar to *Neocunaxoides kalamiensis* Inayatullah & Shahid, 1989 (adult female) in having coxae I–II divided medially to form sternal plates and coxae I–IV 2-2-3-2 *sts*, but it differs from the latter by the following features: (1) anterior to genital plates with a small platelet (*vs.* without in *N. kalamiensis*); (2) subcapitulum between *hg*₃ and the base area with two row polygonal pattern (*vs.* without in *N. kalamiensis*); (3) combined femora (basifemora + telofemora) I–IV 8-10-6(4)-4 *sts* (*vs.* 9-10-7-4 in *N. kalamiensis*).
Type series

Holotype, female was collected fallen leaves of *Pinus yunnanensis*, Yulong Snow Mountain (N26°59′56.44", E100°11′53.41", elevation 2670 m), Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, P. R. China, on 27 August, 2018, by Jian-Xin Chen and Juan Li, slide No., YN-CU-201808270401. Paratype, one female the same data as the holotype, slides No.: YN-CU-201808270402. Slides is deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China (GUGC).

Distribution

Yunnan Province (Lijiang City), P. R. China

Key to species of Neocunaxides from China (adult females)

1. Coxae I–II fused medially as a single sternal plate................................................2
— Coxae I–II divided medially to form sternal plates................................................4

2. Posterior edge of coxal plates IV extending beyond anterior edge of genital plates................3
— Posterior edge of coxal plates IV not extending beyond anterior edge of genital plates................
..................................................................................................................*N. boltoides* Lin, 2001

3. Basifemora IV with 0 sts ..................................................*N. huangshanensis* Chen & Jin **sp. nov.**
— Basifemora IV with 1 sts ....................................................*N. fani* Lin, 2001

4. Median platelet between coxae II absent ................................. *N. pinus* Chen & Jin **sp. nov.**
— Median platelet between coxae II present ....................................................5

5. One small platelet anteriomedially of genital plates presen .................................
..................................................................................................................*N. ovatus* Lin, Zhang & Ji, 2003
— One small platelet anteriomedially of genital plates absent .................................
..................................................................................................................*N. andrei* (Baker & Hoffmann, 1948)

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Projects (QKHJC [2024] youth 289 and 410), Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Projects (QKHJC-ZK[2023]023), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31272357), the Natural Science Research Project of Guizhou Provincial Education Department (Youth Science and Technology Talent Development Programs) (Qianjiaoji [2024] 215), and Key Laboratory of Information Technology for Plant Protection in Characteristic High-Efficiency Agriculture of Central Guizhou (Qianjiaoji [2022] No. 052).

ORCID

Jian-Xin Chen https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8787-6678

Mao-Yuan Yao https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5475-046X

You-Fang Wu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7968-5345

Jian-Jun Guo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0523-6704

Tian-Ci Yi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9953-3709

Dao-Chao Jin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2727-5621
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