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 six-eyed species of the spider genus Alistra Thorell, 1894 from Guangdong, China (Araneae: Hahniidae)

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A new six-eyed species of the spider genus Alistra Thorell, 1894 from Guangdong, China (Araneae: Hahniidae)

Abstract

Guangdong Province, China, possesses an abundant number of karst caves. Cave-dwelling spiders typically exhibit distinct troglomorphic characteristics, such as depigmented bodies and reduced or absent eyes. In this paper, we describe a new species of the genus Alistra Thorell, 1894, Alistra jinlong sp. nov. (male and female), discovered in a karst cave in Guangdong. Notably, this new species possesses six eyes, a feature that distinguishes it from all known congeners. Detailed illustrations of the habitus and copulatory organs, along with a distribution map, are provided.

Ailan He, Yangxin Fan, Shuyi Hou, Jing Guo "A new six-eyed species of the spider genus Alistra Thorell, 1894 from Guangdong, China (Araneae: Hahniidae)," The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 102(2), 82-87, (30 June 2026) https://doi.org/10.3956/2025-102.2.82