Remarkable micro-endemism and high congeneric richness: eight new cave-restricted species of Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from the Brazilian semi-arid

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  Remarkable micro-endemism and high congeneric richness: eight new cave-restricted species of Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from the Brazilian semi-arid Abstract Eight new species of pseudoscorpions belonging to the genus Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 are described from the semi-arid region of Brazil. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, diagnostic characters, detailed illustrations, and ecological remarks of the habitats are provided for Pseudochthonius celestialis sp. nov., P. caritas sp. nov., P. patientia sp. nov., P. temperantia sp. nov., P. diligentia sp. nov., P. castitas sp. nov., P. humilitas sp. nov., and P. benignitas sp. nov. In addition, we present a brief discussion of the potential factors underlying the remarkable congeneric species richness observed in this geographically restricted region, as well as the principal threats faced by these species. These findings underscore the importance of conserving caves in order to pr...

A new species of Oecobius and the first record of Uroctea thaleri from Saudi Arabia (Araneae: Oecobiidae)

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A new species of Oecobius and the first record of Uroctea thaleri from Saudi Arabia (Araneae: Oecobiidae)

Abstract

A spider survey in the understudied and endemic-rich Asir region of southern Saudi Arabia recorded two species of Oecobiidae. Oecobius asirensis sp. nov. is described from the mountainous highlands. The new species exhibits marked differences in the morphology of the copulatory organs compared to the generotype, suggesting it may represent a distinct genus. The copulatory organs of Oecobius marathatus are also illustrated, to which the new species is compared. Additionally, Uroctea thaleri Rheims, Santos & van Harten, 2007 is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia.

Vicente, R. (2026) A new species of Oecobius and the first record of Uroctea thaleri from Saudi Arabia (Araneae: Oecobiidae). Zootaxa, 5837 (3), 571–580. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5837.3.9