Zaragozachthonius karamanianus
Creators: name: Gardini, Giulio
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Pseudoscorpiones
Chthoniidae
Zaragozachthonius
Zaragozachthonius karamanianus

description: Zaragozachthonius karamanianus (Hadži, 1937), (n. comb.)
(Figs 19–38)
Chthonius (Neochthonius) karamanianus Hadži, 1937: 152, figs 1a–d, 2a–g.
Chthonius jonicus: Gardini 1995: 44 (misidentification, in part: Guardiaregia, Sambiase, San Pietro Vernotico).
Type locality: Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje, Dolina Treska (42°00’07”N 21°20’42”E).
Distribution. Republic of North Macedonia, Italy (Apennines, Sicily).
Diagnosis (³♀). An eyed epigean Zaragozachthonius that differs from Z. siculus in the following characters: anterior eyes with slightly convex lens, posterior ones reduced to a pale cuticular area (no eyes, or anterior ones reduced to a pale cuticular area in Z. siculus), fixed chelal finger with 44–55 teeth (with 34–45 teeth in Z. siculus), distal half of fixed chelal finger with more close–set teeth, at level of est-it with about 8–10 teeth occupying 0.05 mm (with less close–set teeth, at level of est-it with about 7–9 teeth occupying 0.05 mm in Z. siculus), basal apodeme of movable chelal finger short and squat (apodeme long, finger-shaped in Z. siculus).
Material examined. ITALY— Marche: Ancona Prov. —4 ♂ 5 ♀, Ancona, Monte Conero, 7.X.1975, G. Gardini leg., Quercus ilex wood; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Ancona, E slope of Monte Conero, 450 m a.s.l., 22. IV.1989, S. Zoia leg., Quercus ilex wood; 3 ♂ 2 ♀, Ancona, Portonovo, Santa Maria Portonovo, 2 m a.s.l., 16. IV.2017, G. Gardini leg., Mediterranean bush; 1 ♀, Ancona, near Massignano, Pian di Raggetti, 350 m a.s.l., 16. VI.2009, R. Poggi leg., Quercus ilex wood (MSNG); 1 ♂, near Arcevia, 9.XII.2011, S. Zoia leg.; 14 ♂ 6 ♀ 5 T, Fabriano, Abbazia San Salvatore, 720 m a.s.l., 17. IV.2017, G. Gardini leg., Querco-fagetum wood; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, near Genga, 250 m a.s.l., 22. IV.1989, S. Zoia leg., under Corylus avellana; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, San Vittore delle Chiuse, Gole della Rossa, 9.XII.2011, S. Zoia leg. Marche: Macerata Prov. —1 ♂, Civitanova Marche, Fosso Caronte, 12. II.2007, M. Mori leg.; 1 ♂ 2 ♀, Civitanova Marche, Fosso Caronte, Le Grazie, 150 m a.s.l., 12.I.2007, M. Mori leg., Quercus pubescens wood; 10 ♂ 11 ♀ 6 T, same locality, 12.I.2007, M. Mori leg., under Populus. Marche: Pesaro–Urbino Prov. —7 ♂ 5 ♀ 1 T, Fossombrone, San Cristoforo de’ Valli, 350 m a.s.l., 15. IV.2017, G. Gardini leg., oak wood; 38 ♂ 29 ♀ 19 T, Urbino, Collegio del Colle, 16.IX.1992, L. Latella & S. Zoia leg. Umbria: Perugia Prov. —1 ♂, Costacciaro, W slope of Monte Cucco, 700 m a.s.l., 23. IV.1989, S. Zoia leg. Lazio: Frosinone Prov. —2 ♂ 1 ♀, Arpino, 500 m a.s.l., 26. VI.1999, G. Osella leg., oak wood. Lazio: Latina Prov. —3 ♂ 2 ♀ 1 T, Itri, Monti Aurunci, E slope of Mt. Petrella, 8. IV.1985, S. Vit leg. Abruzzo —2 ♂ 3 ♀ (C. jonicus, det. M. Beier), “Abruzzo, prim[avera]”, no date (MZUP); 1 ♂ (C. jonicus, det. M. Beier), “Abruzzo, inverno”, no date (MZUP). Abruzzo: L’Aquila Prov. —2 ♂, Collelongo, Valle Canale, 900 m a.s.l., 2.X.1995, L. Biancucci leg., mixed wood. Molise: Campobasso Prov. —6 ♂ 5 ♀, near Guardiaregia, 850 m a.s.l., 14. VI.1991, S. Zoia leg., oak wood. Apulia: Brindisi Prov. —3 ♂ 3♀, San Pietro Vernotico, Cerano, 7.IX.1973, G. Gardini leg., Quercus ilex wood. Basilicata: Potenza Prov. — 2 ♀, near Maratea, 300 m a.s.l., 16. IV.1992, G. Gardini leg. Calabria: Catanzaro Prov. —2 ♂, Sambiase, near Terme Caronte, 28. V.1985, R. Rizzerio & S. Zoia leg., under Robinia. Sicily: Palermo Prov. —9 ♂ 33 ♀ 5 T, Caltavuturo, 450 m a.s.l., 30. V.1985, R. Rizzerio & S. Zoia leg., Quercus ilex wood; 1 ♂, Castelbuono, Piano Sempria, 800 m a.s.l., 13. VI.2013, C. Baviera leg.; 1 ♀, Corleone, Ficuzza, 6.I.1994, P. Magrini leg. Sicily: Trapani Prov. —1 ♂ 2 ♀, Buseto Palizzolo, Monte Scorace, 370 m a.s.l., 18. III.2009, P. Magrini leg.; 4 ♂ 5 ♀, Castellammare del Golfo, Casale del Golfo, 17. III.2017, C. Baviera & C. Bellò leg., under Olea.
Description of adults (³♀). Integument slightly pigmented, carapace, tergites, chelicerae and pedipalps pale brown; hispid granulation on lateral surfaces of carapace, the cheliceral palm and on the base of fixed and movable chelal fingers. Carapace (Fig. 21) 0.9–1.0 times longer than broad, anterior margin between median macrosetae with sharp denticles in males, with prominent epistome in females (Figs 19–20); ocular area as in fig. 21, anterior eyes with slightly convex lens (diameter 0.025 –0.035 mm), posterior ones reduced to a pale cuticular area, all eyes with tapetum; distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace 0.020 –0.030 mm; standard chaetotaxy 4:6:4:2:4(20), posterior row rarely with 3 setae (♀ from Caltavuturo) or with 5 setae (♂ from Caltavuturo, ♀ from Urbino and from Castellammare del Golfo); lateral setae of posterior row about half the length of the median ones; length of anteromedian macrosetae 0.070 –0.090 mm; preocular microsetae absent. Chaetotaxy of tergites 4:4:4:4:6:6:6:6:1T2T1:4:1T2T1:0. Chaetotaxy of sternites 9–10:(3)8–10(3):(2)6–8(2): 7–8:6:6:6:6:2T1T2:0:2; genital opening of males mainly flanked by 6 (rarely 5–8) setae on each side; male genitalia without a median hiatus (mh) between setae of each row of guard–setae (gs). Chelicerae (Figs 22–23) 1.95–2.1 (♂ ♀) times as long as broad, palm with 6 setae, without lateral microsetae; fixed finger with 6–9 teeth, of which the two distals are larger, and a few proximal microtubercles; movable finger with an isolated subapical tooth (di), at level of the spinneret, a large tooth and 5–8 teeth proximally reduced in size; gl ratio 0.55–0.66; spinneret weakly prominent, more prominent and rounded in females; rallum with 11 blades; serrulae interior and exterior respectively with 12–14 and 14–16 blades. Coxal setae: pedipalp 5 (including 2 on manducatory process), I 3 + 3 marginal microsetae, II 4 (rarely 5), III 5 (rarely 6), IV 6 or 7; coxa II with 6–11 (mainly 7 or 8) coxal spines, coxa III with 3–6 (mainly 3 or 4) coxal spines; intercoxal tubercle bisetose. Pedipalp: femur 4.1–4.85 (♂), 4.25–4.55 (♀) times as long as broad, femoral chaetotaxy 3:(5)6:2:5:1; chela (Figs 27–28) 4.85–5.2 (♂), 4.5–4.95 (♀) times as long as deep; hand of chela 1.7–1.9 (♂ ♀) times as long as deep, long ovoid in dorsal view (Figs 24–25), with 4 posterior setae (ph 3 present); fixed chelal finger with 44–55 contiguous, tall teeth, slightly inclined backwards, all cuspidate except the 10–15 proximal ones, which are apically rounded and reduced in size towards finger base (Figs 29–31); all teeth with dental canals; fixed finger at level of est-it with about 8–10 teeth occupying 0.05 mm; tip of fixed chelal finger with an accessory tooth (td) on antiaxial face (Figs 26, 29) and with apical sensilla af 1- 2, subdistal modified tooth mt absent; tip of fixed chelal finger of both sexes weakly hollowed on paraxial face, without subdistal protuberance sp (Fig. 26); distal paraxial seta gradually curved and thin; movable chelal finger with 30–39 contiguous reclined teeth, apically pointed proximally up to trichobothria t -st (rarely up to trichobothrium sb), rounded and increasingly reduced from t -st (rarely from sb) towards finger base, reaching back halfway between sb–b; movable finger at level of st-t with about 6–7 teeth occupying 0.05 mm; coupled sensilla pc just proximad of sb (rarely at level of sb); tip of movable chelal finger with apical sensilla am 1- 2; chelal condylar and apodemal complex as in figs 32–34, basal apodeme of movable chelal finger short and squat, apically truncated; trichobothria as in figs 27–28; ratio sb -st/sb -b = 1.4–1.6; ratio of movable finger/hand of chela 1.55–1.75 (♂ ♀); ratio of pedipalpal femur/movable finger 1.0–1.1 (♂ ♀); ratio of pedipalpal femur/carapace 1.0–1.15 (♂ ♀).
Measurements (in mm). Body length 0.9–1.0 (♂), 1.0–1.2 (♀). Carapace 0.30–0.32 × 0.31–0.34 (0.28–0.32 anteriorly) (♂), 0.31–0.38 × 0.335–0.39 (0.31–0.37 anteriorly) (♀). Chelicerae 0.265–0.29 × 0.13–0.15 (♂), 0.29–0.34 × 0.15–0.175 (♀); movable finger length 0.135 –0.145 (♂), 0.15–0.175 (♀). Pedipalp: femur 0.32–0.34 × 0.07–0.08 (♂), 0.34–0.38 × 0.08–0.085 (♀); chela 0.49–0.52 × 0.10–0.105 (♂), 0.52–0.58 × 0.105–0.12 (♀); hand length 0.18–0.20 (♂), 0.195–0.23 (♀); movable finger length 0.30–0.33 (♂), 0.32–0.36 (♀).
Description of tritonymph. Integument with weak pigmentation, hispid granulation less marked than in adults. Carapace 0.9–1.0 times longer than broad, anterior margin between median macrosetae with sharp denticles, anterior eyes with flat lens (diameter 0.025 mm), posterior ones reduced to a pale cuticular area, all eyes with tapetum; distance from anterior eyes to anterior margin of carapace 0.027 mm; chaetotaxy 4:6:4:2:4(20), lateral setae of posterior row shorter than median ones; length of anteromedian macrosetae 0.06–0.065 mm. Chaetotaxy of tergites as in adults. Chaetotaxy of sternites II–IX 5:(2)7–8(2):(1)5–6(1):8:6:6:6:6. Chelicerae 1.8–2.1 times as long as broad, palm with 5 setae, without lateral microsetae; fixed finger with 5–8 teeth, proximally reduced in size; movable finger with an isolated subapical tooth (di) and 5–6 teeth; gl ratio 0.56–0.62; spinneret prominent. Coxal setae: pedipalp 5 (including 2 on manducatory process), I 3 + 2 marginal microsetae, II 4, III 4, IV 5; coxa II with 5–7 coxal spines, coxa III with 2–4 coxal spines; intercoxal tubercle bisetose. Pedipalp: femur 4.1–4.3 times as long as broad, femoral chaetotaxy 3:5:2:4:1; chela 4.45–4.6 times as long as deep; hand of chela 1.65–1.75 times as long as deep, with 4 posterior setae; fixed chelal finger with 38–44 contiguous teeth, apically pointed proximally up to trichobothrium it; tip of fixed chelal finger with an accessory tooth (td) on antiaxial face (Fig. 35); movable chelal finger with 29–34 teeth, apically pointed proximally up to trichobothrium t, reduced in size towards finger base, reaching back between st and b; all teeth with dental canals; coupled sensilla pc just distad of b; chelal condylar and apodemal complex as in figs 36–37; ratio of movable finger/hand of chela 1.55–1.75; ratio of pedipalpal femur/movable finger 1.0–1.05; ratio of pedipalpal femur/carapace 0.95–1.05.
Measurements (in mm). Body length 0.80–0.85. Carapace 0.24–0.26 × 0.26–0.27 (0.24–0.25 anteriorly). Chelicerae 0.20–0.23 × 0.11–0.115, movable finger length 0.10–0.115. Pedipalp: femur 0.25–0.26 × 0.06; chela 0.38– 0.41 × 0.085–0.09; hand length 0.14–0.16; movable finger length 0.245–0.25.
Remarks. Chthonius (Neochthonius) karamanianus was described by Hadži (1937) from three males and one female collected by S. Karaman near Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. The species was subsequently transferred to Chthonius (Chthonius) by Judson (1990).
The male holotype selected by Hadži (1937) was collected from “Treska-Tal unweit von Skoplje”, two males from “Klosters Sv. Nikola (ebenfalls Treskaschlucht)” and the female from “Defilé des Topolka-Flusses bei Veles ”. Until recently this material was confirmed to be present in the collection of the late B.P.M. Ćurčić in Belgrade (Ćurčić in litt., January 21, 2015) and it is possible that it is still in the collections of the Institute of Zoology of University of Belgrade, although a request for information (July 2, 2020) from that institution went unanswered.
The most remarkable character of C. karamanianus, highlighted in the original description by Hadži (1937: 155, figs 2f–g), is the presence of a conical tooth (“einem konischen, isoliert stehenden spitzen Zahne”) on the antiaxial face of the fixed chelal finger apex. However, Hadži (1937) made no mention of this character in comparing C. karamanianus with C. jonicus, and the presence of this accessory tooth in C. karamanianus was omitted by Beier (1963) and subsequent authors.
The specimens examined for this study from mainland Italy and Sicily fit well with the description of C. karamanianus provided by Hadži (1937), apart from the following major discrepancies: spinneret absent in males from Skopje, weakly prominent in Italian males; movable chelal finger with 44–48 teeth in specimens from Skopje, with 30–39 teeth in Italian specimens; posterior row of carapace with six setae (a male and a female) or with four setae (two males) in specimens from Skopje, with three to five setae in Italian specimens; body length 0.71, chela length 0.46, movable chelal finger length 0.27 mm in male holotype of C. karamanianus, body length 0.9–1.0, chela length 0.49–0.52, chelal finger length 0.30–0.33 mm in males from Italy.
Without access to the type specimens of C. karamanianus, or specimens from the type locality, it is impossible to verify the presence of the chelal condylar and apodemal complex, as described in the Italian specimens. In any case, there are enough morphological features to refer the Italian and Sicilian populations to C. karamanianus, assuming a plausible trans-Adriatic distribution.
Italian records of Chthonius jonicus reported by Gardini (2000) remain partly to be verified due to likely misidentification with Z. karamanianus. The species is recorded newly for Italy.
description: Published as part of Gardini, Giulio, 2020, Zaragozachthonius (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae), a new genus with species in Italy and the Balkan peninsula, pp. 535-548 in Zootaxa 4894 (4) on pages 542-548, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4894.4.3, http://zenodo.org/record/4316705