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...

First case of gynandromorphy in the spider family Zodariidae (Arachnida: Araneae)

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First case of gynandromorphy in the spider family Zodariidae (Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract
Gynandromorphy has been documented in a variety of spider taxa, including at least fifteen families, but it remains rare relative to the overall diversity of spiders. In this study, we report a case of gynandromorphy in an ant-eating spider, Mallinella sp. (Araneae: Zodariidae), in which a single individual exhibits sexual characteristics of both sexes, along with deformed male and female genitalia. This is the first report of gynandromorphy in the family Zodariidae.
Yung-Kai Shih, Yuya Suzuki, Chung-Ping Lin, First case of gynandromorphy in the spider family Zodariidae (Arachnida: Araneae), Acta Arachnologica, 2026, Volume 75, Issue 1, Pages 129-131, Released on J-STAGE June 07, 2026, Online ISSN 1880-7852, Print ISSN 0001-5202, https://doi.org/10.2476/asjaa.75.129, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/asjaa/75/1/75_129/_article/-char/en