On Four Species of Pseudoscorpions from California Described by E. Simon in 1878 (Pseudoscorpionida: Neobisiidae, Chernetidae, Cheliferidae)

10 Pages·1994·9.6 MB·English

by  William B Muchmore

1994. TheJournal ofArachnology 22:60-69
ON FOUR SPECIES OF PSEUDOSCORPIONS FROM
CALIFORNIA DESCRIBED BY E. SIMON IN 1878
(PSEUDOSCORPIONIDA: NEOBISIIDAE, CHERNETIDAE,
CHELIFERIDAE)
William B. Muchmore: Department ofBiology, University ofRochester, Rochester,
New York 14627 USA
ABSTRACT.—The four speciesare redescribed in modem termsand theiridentitiesare established, based on
study ofthetypes and otheravailable material. Obisium thevenetiis newlyassignedto thegenus Globocreagris
Curcic; Obisium macilentum is placed in Fissilicreagris Curcic; Chelifer(Chelanops) acuminatus is confirmed
in Lustrochernes Beier, following tentative placement in that genus by Beier (1932b); and Cheliferscabriculus
is left in ParacheliferChamberlin, as established by Chamberlin (1932).
In a paper entitled “Descriptions de quelques crometer. Illustrations were prepared by direct
Cheliferidae de Califomie”, E. Simon (1878) re- projection ofthe image onto paper. Other ma-
ported on several pseudoscorpions collected by terialhascomefromtheFloridaStateCollection
his former colleague, J. Thevenet, in Mariposa, ofArthropods (FSCA) and the collection ofthe
California. He commented briefly on Chelifer University of California, Davis (UCDC). Ab-
cancroidesLinne, which he saidwascommon in breviated synonymies are given; complete syn-
Mariposa, anddescribedfournewspecies: Chel- onymies can be found in Harvey (1991). Ter-
ifer scabriculus, Chelifer {Chelanops) acumina- minology follows Chamberlin (1931) with the
tus, Obisium theveneti, and Obisium macilen- exception of some palp and leg segments (see
tum. The descriptions were sketchy (by today’s Harvey 1992).
standards) and were not accompanied by mea-
surements or illustrations. Beier (1932 a, b) ap- SYSTEMATIC SECTION
parently reexamined the specimens and pre-
sented brief descriptions, including a few Family Neobisiidae Chamberlin
measurements and an illustration ofthe palp of Genus Globocreagris Curcic
each species, except C. acuminatus. Chamberlin
GlobocreagrisCurcic 1984:160.
(1952)redescribedCheliferscabriculusontheba-
sis of non-type material, without study of the With the recognition of a second species in
type.Nootherserioustaxonomicstudiesofthese Globocreagris, some changes in the diagnosis of
species have been undertaken. Complete redes- the genus as given by Curcic (1984:160, 165-
criptionsarewarrantedatthistime sothatsome 166) are needed.
features not previously reported (particularly of Itisclearthatthenumbersofsetaeon various
the genitalia) can be understood and the species parts ofthe body are more varied than is indi-
can be clearly recognized and compared with cated by Curcic; for example, setae on the chel-
other described specimens and taxa. iceral hand vary 6-8 and those on the apex of
METHODS the palpal coxa vary 4-6. On stemites 6, 7 and
8 there are usually two setae near the middle
Types ofthe four specieswere borrowed from which are larger than the other setae and are
the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle in distinctly displaced anteriad (see Chamberlin
Paris (MNHN). Except for O. theveneti, which 1952:265). Whether this arrangement can be
was already mounted on slides, the specimens called “biseriate” isa matterofdefinition, but it
were dissected, cleared, and mounted in Canada is similartothat in CryptocreagrisCurcic(1984;
balsam on microscopeslides. Theywere studied 1989; 1993) and only differs from the latter in
carefully under the compound microscope and the distances the median setae are displaced. In
measurements were made with an ocular mi- any event, the arrangement ofsetae on the ster-
60
MUCHMORE-E. SIMON’S PSEUDOSCORPIONTYPES FROM CALIFORNIA 61
Figures \~3.—Globocreagnstheveneti(Simon), holotype female. 1, carapace; 2, rightpalp, dorsalview(setae
omitted); 3, left leg IV (setae omitted).
nites is certainly not “uniseriate” as character- gin; setae on apex ofpalpal coxa numbering 4-
ized by Curcic (1984:160, 165). The galea is not 6; appendages, especially the palps, robust.
just “quadrispinose”,butisregularlybifid-bifid,
that is, with two equal branches, each in turn
havingtwo equal (smaller) branches (see Cham- Globocreagris theveneti (Simon)
new combination
berlin 1952: fig. II). As seen in larger numbers
(Figs. 1-3)
ofspecimens, the positions ofthe trichobothria
on the palpal chela are not as regular as curcic Obisium ThevenetiSimon 1878:156-157.
specified (1984:160); in particular, the distances Ideobisiumthrevened[sic](Simon):Banks 1895:1;1911:
‘Ttosf" and tosZ?” are usually notequal, but 639-640, fig. 210A.
may vary significantly in either direction. Microcreagristheveneti(Simon): Beier 1932a:147, fig.
AdefinitivediagnosisofGlobocreagriscannot 179; Hoff 1958:10.
(formorecompletesynonymy, seeHarvey 1991:345).
beprepareduntilotherspeciesofthisandrelated
generaaredescribedandcompared. However, it Type data.—Holotype female, dissected and
appears now that the main diagnostic features mounted on three slides, numbered 723, 724,
are:genitaliaofmalewithlargedistinct,globular 725; labelled “Microcreagris (M.) Theveneti
lateral sacs and without dorsal sacs; posterior Simon, type, Amerique Nord, Califomie, Mar-
genital operculum (stemite 3) ofmale without a iposa, col. Mus. 2385” [USA: California: Mar-
V-shapedcleftatthemiddleoftheanteriormar- iposa County, Mariposa]. Deposited in MNHN;
62 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
examined. Slide no. 723 bears the body (ceph- thevenetifromNapaCounty,California;ofthese,
alothorax and abdomen separate), 1 chelicera, fourmalesandfourfemaleshavebeen mounted
and 6 legs; no. 724 bears 1 leg I, 1 leg IV, and 1 and studied. They are in much better condition
chelicera; and no. 725 bears both palps, chelae than the holotype and provide additional infor-
broken. mation about the species. Males and females
Redescription.—Beier(1932a)gaveashortde- much alike except for genital stmctures. On the
scription and an illustration ofthe right palp of carapace, the epistome is more prominent in
Microcreagris theveneti (possibly based on the malesthaninfemales;setaeattheposteriormar-
type specimen). His data differ a bit from those ginmayvary5-1.Usuallyfivelongsetaeonapex
given here. ofpalpal coxa, but occasionally four orsix. Ter-
Palpsmediumbrown, otherpartslighter. Car- gal chaetotaxy of one specimen 6:12:13:12:12:
apace(Fig. 1)alittlelongerthanbroad;epistome 13:15:14:1 1:1 1:T1T4T1T:2, others similar.
distinct, rounded; surface smooth; notransverse Sternal chaetotaxy of one male 36:[2-2]:(7)15/
furrowvisible (surface dirty); 4 large eyes; about 16(7): (6)14(6):19:2/18:2/17:2/15:18:19:1T4T1:
24 setae, 4 atanteriorand 6 at posteriormargin. 2, other males similar; anterior stemites ofone
Coxal area typical; apex of palpal coxa with 4 female6:(7)14(7);(7)12(7):-;distributionofsetae
and 5 long setae, right and left respectively. Ab- on genital opercula of male and female essen-
dominal tergites and stemites entire; surfaces tiallyasshownforG. nigrescensbyCurcic(1984:
smooth;pleuralmembranesgranulate.Tergalse- figs. 13, 16); on stemites 6-8 two larger setae
tae difficult to count because of breakage, but near middle of row are definitely discal in po-
apparentlyabout 12onmiddlesegments. Sternal sition, and on 9 and 10 two largersetae are only
chaetotaxy 5:(6)11(6):(5)11(6):14:2/14:2/15:1/15: a little displaced anteriorly. Internal genitalia of
?:?:T1T2T1T:2;stemites6--8dehnitelybiseriate. malemuchlikethoseshownforG. nigrescensby
Internal genitalia not visible. Chelicera 2/3 as Chamberlin (1952: figs. lA, IB), lateral genital
long as carapace; right hand with 7 setae, left sacs heavy-walled and much expanded; internal
handwith 6; flagellum of8 setae, alldenticulate; genitalstmcturesoffemalenotseenclearly. Hand
galeatwice bifid in distal half; 12-15 smallteeth ofchelicera with 6-8 setae; galea ofboth sexes
on each finger. Palp (Fig. 2) somewhat robust; twicebifidindistalhalf, thatofmaleonlyalittle
femur 1.05x and chela 1.65x as long as cara- smallerthanthatoffemale.Palpssomewhatvar-
pace. Trochanter 1.8x, femur 3.45x, patella ied in size and proportions: trochanter 1.65-
2.1 X, and chela (without pedicel) 2.7x longer 1.85X, femur 2.9-3.4x, patella 1.9-2.3x, and
than broad; hand (without pedicel) 1.5x longer chela (without pedicel) 2.65-2.9x longer than
thandeep;movablefinger0.95x aslongashand. broad; hand (without pedicel) 1.5-1.7x longer
Surfacesallsmoothexceptfewsmallgranuleson than deep; movable finger 0.95-0.99 as long as
trochanter and chelal hand. Trichobothria as hand. Fixed fingerofchelawith 62-72 teethand
shown in Fig. 2. Fixed fingerwith about 58 con- movable finger with 63-75. Legs slender, rather
tiguousteeth,afewdistalonescusped,theothers varied in proportions: leg IV (Fig. 3)with femur
rounded; movable finger with about 55 similar + patella3.15-3.65x andtibia 5.3-6.0x aslong
teeth. Legs rather slender; leg IV with femur + as deep. Measurements (mm): (Ranges for four
patella 3.2x andtibia 5.3x longerthan deep. A malesandfourfemales.) Bodylength4.08-6.09.
tactile seta on tibia and each tarsus of leg IV. Carapacelength 1.22-1.50.Cheliceralength0.79-
Subterminal tarsal setae forked at distal third; 0.96. Palpal trochanter 0.64-0.815/0.37-0.445;
arolia entire, shorter than claws. Measurements femur 1.26-1.48/0.38-0.51; patella 1.05-1.24/
(mm): Body length 3.70. Carapace length 1.29. 0.51-0.635; chela (without pedicel) 1.93-2.41/
Chelicera length 0.87. Palpal trochanter 0.67/ 0.725-0.90; hand (without pedicel) 1.12-1.31/
0.39; femur 1.35/0.40; patella 1.10/0.525; chela 0.665-0.865; pedicel length 0.15-0.21; movable
(withoutpedicel)about2.15/0.80;hand(without finger length 1.04-1.30. Leg IV femur + patella
pedicel) about 1.20/0.80; pedicel length 0.18; 1.19-1.43/0.325-0.42; tibia 1.04-1.26/0.18-
movable finger length 1.11. Leg I: femur 0.66/ 0.235.
0.235;patella0.45/0.21.LegIV:femur + patella Diagnosis.—ComparedwithGlobocreagrisni-
1.32/0.41; tibia 1.24/0.235; basitarsus 0.45/0.18; grescens (Chamberlin), the only other species in
telotarsus 0.58/0.16. the genus, G. theveneti is much larger (palpal
Variation.—AthandisasmallcollectionofG. femur length 1.26-1.47 vs. 1,09-1.12 mm) and
MUCHMORE~=E. SIMON’S PSEUDOSCORPIONTYPES FROM CALIFORNIA 63
Figures 4-%.—Fissilicreagris macilenta (Simon). 4, internalgenitalia(partsdisplaced relativeto oneanother)
ofholotype male; 5, galea ofholotype male. 6-8, male from Santa Clara County, California: 6, anterior and
posteriorgenitaloperculaofmalefromSantaClaraCounty,Calif.; 7,rightpalp,dorsalviewofmalefromSanta
Clara County, Calif.; 8, left chela, lateral view (setae omitted; darkened trichobothrial areoles are underneath)
ofmale from Santa ClaraCounty, Calif.
thelegsaremore slender(legIVfemur + patella kmNofSt. Helena,antifreezepitfalltrap, 18 Novem-
3.15-3.65X V5. 2.7X as long as deep). ber 1987to20March 1988,R.Aalbu,43,49(FSCA).
Remarks.—Theassignment ofObisium Thev-
eneti Simon to Globocreagris seems secure, in Genus Fissilicreagris Curcic
spite ofthe factthatthe unique type is a female.
The holotype is certainly conspecific with the FissilicreagrisCurcic 1984:154.
specimensfromNapaCounty,themalesofwhich, As for Globocreagris(above), itisnotyetpos-
inturn, arecertainlycongenericwithMicrocrea- sible to give a definitive diagnosis ofthis genus.
gris nigrescens Chamberlin, the type species of According to Curcic (1984), the type species of
Globocreagris. As a matter offact, ChamberlMin FissilicreagrisisMicrocreagrischamberliniBeier;
(1952:268) recognized that his new species, however, as mentioned below, no detailed de-
nigrescens, is “close to M. theveneti (Simon)”. scription of that species exists (the specimens
Material examined.—Holotype (see above). USA: described by Curcic are not types and may or
California:Napa County, White’s Cave entrance, 3.2 may not belong to chamberlini). Further study
64 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
ofthespeciesinFissilicreagrisandrelatedgenera and sternites with about 16 marginal setae, the
is needed. Nevertheless, it appears now that the latter without clearly differentiated discal setae.
maindiagnosticfeaturesare: internalgenitaliaof Internal genitalia somewhat dislocated by prep-
male with long, more or less cylindrical, lateral aration, but2delicate,globular(dorsal)sacsand
sacs and with two small, globular dorsal sacs; 2 long wrinkled lateral sacs are evident (Fig. 4),
posterior genital operculum (stemite 3) ofmale similartothoseofMicrocreagrisphyllisaeCham-
withasmallbutdistinctV-shapedgrooveatmid- berlin (1930) as illustrated in the redescription
dle ofanterior margin; setae on apex ofpalpal by Chamberlin (1962: figs. 12F, G, I). Chelicera
coxa numbering 3 or 4; appendages long and 0.65 as long as carapace; hand with 6 setae; fla-
slender. gellarsetaenotcountable;spinneretashortstylet
with 1 or 2 terminal denticulations (Fig. 5).
Fissilicreagris macilenta (Simon)
new combination Palp (afterBeier 1932a:154, fig. 186): slender;
trochanter 2.5x, femur 3.7-4.4x [4.5 calculat-
(Figs. 4--8) ed],patella(tibia)2.8-3.2x andchela(withped-
,
Obisium macilentum Simon 1878:157-158. icel) 3.8-4.3X longer than broad; hand (with
Microcreagrismacilenta(Simon):Beier 1932a:154,fig. pedicel) about 2.0x longer than deep; movable
186;Roewer 1937:252;Hoff1958:10;Harvey 1991: finger about 1.3x longer than hand. Surfaces of
343 (in part). femurmediallyandhandatbaseoffingersheavi-
Microcreagris duncani Chamberlin 1930:33, fig. 3B; ly granulate, patella finely granulate. Tricho-
Chamberlin 1931: figs. lA, C, D, F, H, I, J, M, Q, bothriashownastypicalforMicrocreagris.Fixed
17J.
Not Obisium macilentum (Simon): Banks 1895:12; finger with 55-63 and movable finger with 57-
Banks 1904:364; Coolidge 1908:113; Banks 1911: 64 teeth. Legs rather slender; leg IV with femur
639, fig. 210G; Moles 1914:195; Moles & Moore + patella3.0x andtibia5.25x longerthandeep.
1921:9. (misidentifications: see Remarks below). Tactile seta on tibia and both tarsi. Measure-
Not Microcreagris macilentum (MSimon): Chamberlin ments(mm):(Combinationofmymeasurements
1930:31 (misidentificationfor chamberliniBeier oftheholotypeandthosegivenbyBeier, 1932a).
1931:301). Bodylength 2.0-2.5. Carapacelength 0.60. Che-
—
Type data. Holotype male, labelled '‘Obis- licera length 0.39. Palpal trochanter 0.41/0.15;
iummacilentumE. Sim.,Calif Mariposa. 2386” femur 0.72/0.16; patella 0.66/0.22; chela (with
[USA: California: MariposaCounty, Mariposa]. pedicel)about 1.1-1.2/.28[calculated];hand(with
Deposited in MNHN; examined. Left chelicera pedicel) 0.56/0.28; finger length 0.72. Leg I: fe-
and both palps missing. mur0.31/0.11; patella 0.20/0.10. Leg IV: femur
Redescription.—The type collection presently + patella 0.48/0.16; tibia 0.445/0.085; basitar-
consists ofa single damaged specimen, missing sus 0.17/0.075; telotarsus 0.265/0.065.
notablytheleftcheliceraandbothpalps.In 1932, Variation.—At hand are a male and a female
however, Beier gave a description and illustra- fromSantaClaraCounty, California, (about200
tion ofMicrocreagris macilenta which indicates km WSW ofMariposa, the type locality) which
the availability at that time of more than one are similar to the type of Obisium macilentum
complete specimen. The presentwhereabouts of and are in better condition. Additional infor-
such other specimens is unknown, and the in- mation has been gleaned from them. The male
dividual at hand must be considered the holo- isaboutthesamesizeastheholotype,thefemale
type. The following description is based on the somewhat larger. Setae on carapace total 24 (4-
holotype and the descriptions by Simon (1878: 6),asreportedbyBeier(1932a).Thereare3 setae
157) and Beier (1932a:154). on the apex ofthe palpal coxa, rather than 4 as
Carapaceandpalpsreddishbrown,otherparts reportedby Beier. Tergal chaetotaxyofthe male
lighter, yellowishbrown. Carapaceaboutaslong 8:12:11:11:12:12:12:12:12:9:T2T:2, the female
as broad; epistome very low, triangular; surface similar. Sternal chaetotaxyofthe male 23:[4-3]:
smooth; no transverse furrow evident; 4 small, (4)7/9(4):(4)10(4):13:14:14:15:14:12:T1T1T1T:
fainteyespots; setae notdiscernible on type, but 2;anteriorsternitesoffemale8:(5)11(5):(4)1 1(4):
Beierreported 4-6, 24. Coxal areatypical; Beier -, others similar to male; setal arrangement es-
reported 4 setae on the apex ofthe palpal coxa sentially uniseriate, but 2 setae near the middle
(maxilla). Abdominal tergites and sternites of sternites 6-9 slightly larger and displaced a
smooth; pleural membraneslongitudinallygran- littlecephalad.Atthemiddleoftheanteriormar-
ulostriate. Beier reported tergites with about 12 gin ofthe posterior genital operculum (stemite
MUCHMORE^E. SIMON’S PSEUDOSCORPIONTYPES FROM CALIFORNIA 65
Figures 9-\2.—Lustrochernes acuminatus (Simon). 9, lectotype male, right palp, dorsal view; 10, lectotype
male,leftchela,lateralview(setaeomitted;darkenedtrichobothrialareolesareunderneath); 11,lectotypemale,
left leg IV (setae omitted); 12, spermathecae offemale from Shasta County, Calif
3) ofthe male is a small but distinct cleft (Fig. closerto t than to sb\ on fixed finger ib closer to
6), as described for the genus Fissilicreagris by level ofesb than to isb. Fixed finger with 52-55
Curcic (1984: fig.3). Internal genitalia of male marginalteeth, mostcusped; movablefingerwith
similartothoseofMicrocreagrisphyllisaeChMa- 52-57 teeth, the distal 7-8 small, cusped, the
berlin, asshownbyChamberlin(1962: fig. 12F), otherslarger, rounded. LegIVwithfemur + pa-
but the pair ofdorsal sacs are very thin-walled. tella 2.9-3.3X and tibia 4.5-5.2x longer than
Cheliceral handwith 6 setae; flagellum of7 or 8 deep.Measurements(mm):Bodylength2.0-2.85.
finely denticulate setae, the proximal one short; Carapace length 0.56-0.60. Chelicera length
spinneret of male a short stylet with terminal 0.325-0.38. Palpal trochanter 0.33-0.38/0.13-
denticulations, that offemale longer and termi- 0.155; femur0.58-0.70/0.14-0.16;patella0.50-
nally twice bifid. Palp (Fig. 7) much as shown 0.59/0.18-0.215; chela (without pedicel) 0.97-
andreportedby Beier: (datagivenfirstformale, 1.07/0.235-0.29; hand (without pedicel) 0.42-
then for female): trochanter 2.55, 2.45, femur 0.495/0.22-0.29; pedicel 0.08-0.09; movable
4.15,4.3,patella2.85, 2.75,andchela(withped- finger length 0.605-0.66. Leg 1: femur 0.265-
icel) 4.45, 4.0X longer than broad; hand (with 0.295/0.095-0.105; patella 0.19-0.21/0.085-
pedicel) 2.25, 2.0x longer than deep; movable 0.105.LegIV:femur+ patella0.465-0.555/0.15-
finger 1.21, 1.13x aslongashand.Trichobothria 0.16;tibia0.40-0.47/0.08-0.09;basitarsus0.16-
as shown in Fig. 8; on movable finger st a little 0.18/0.07; telotarsus 0.245-0.265/0.06.
THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
66
Figure Ht.—ParacheUferscabriculus(Simon), holotype female: rightpalp, dorsal view (setae omitted).
J^m^nmis.—Fissilkreagris macilenta is diffi- Santa Cruz Mts., 23 February 1963, 1. Westcott, 1
cult to diagnose. With the inclusion ofthe two 6.5 km NE ofBig Basin, oak duff, 18 May 1976, S.
specimens from Santa Clara County, its char- Kuba, 1 $ (both in FSCA).
acters seem firmly established. However, F.
Family Chemetidae Menge
chamberlini (Beier), type species ofFissilicrea-
gris Curcic and only other known species in the Genus Lustrochernes Beier
Lustrochernes acuminatus (Simon)
genus, is notwell defined—not Chamberlin, nor
Beier, nor Curcic have given any detailed de- (Figs. 9-12)
scription ofthe types. Therefore, until F. cham- Chelifer(Chelanops) acuminatus Simon 1878:156.
berlini is better known, no meaningful compar- Lustrochernes(!)acuminatus(Simon):Beier 1932b:95;
ison can be made with macilenta. Hoff1958:21.
Remarks*—There is no doubt that the two (formorecomplete synonymy, seeHarvey 1991:594).
specimensfrom SantaClara Countyare conspe- Type data.—Two male types, labeled “Lus-
cific with the holotype; no major differences in trochemes acuminatus E. S., Types. 2384.” No
their characters can be seen. Obisium macilen- locality data with types, but original description
turn Simon is here placed in the genus Fissili- mentions Mariposa, California [USA: Califor-
creagrisbecauseofthepossessionofasmallcleft nia: Mariposa County, Mariposa]. One of the
at the middle ofthe anterior margin ofthe pos- types (No. 2384-1) is here designated the lec-
terior genital operculum (stemite 3) ofthe male totype,theother(No. 2384-2)becomingthepar-
(Curcic 1984). However, theinternalgenitaliaof alectotype.DepositedinMNHN;examined.Both
the male are much like those in the genus Sae- fingersare missingfrom rightpalpal chelaofthe
tigerocreagris Curcic(1984)and Tartarocreagris lectotype.
Curcic (see Muchmore 1992). Redescription.—Carapace and palps reddish
Because ofgreat similarity in overall habitus, brown, other parts yellowish brown. Carapace
Fissilicreagrismacilentaandoneoranotherspe- longer than broad; surface smooth and shiny,
cies ofthe genus Parobisium Chamberlin have with 2 fainttransversefurrows; 2 eyespots; setae
been confused. Actually, the two are easily dis- acuminate. Abdominal tergites and stemites di-
tinguished by the nature ofthe spinneret on the vided; surfaces smooth; 18 or more, apparently
chelicera-longand dentate orbranched in Fis- acuminate, setae on each middle tergite; sternal
silicreagris, but low and knoblike or galeate in setae too faint to enumerate. Internal genitalia
Parobisium. However, among others, Banks faint, but clear enough to show great similarity
(1895, 1911)characterized Obisium macilentum tothoseofotherLustrocherneswithoutaventral
aasndhaMvoilngesno&stMyoleotr(espi(n1n9e2r1e)t)croendittheedchOebliisceiruam, tphreorceesdsef(ien.igt.e,lLy.iscanrooUlnoenngspirsoMceuscshlmiokereth,at19i9n1L).;
macilentumwithhaving“spinneretsmallknob.” grossus(Banks) from Arizonaand New Mexico.
Thus, many early records ofthis species are er- Chelicera 0.37 as long as carapace; hand with 5
roneous or suspect (see synonymy). setae; flagellum of 3 setae; galea long, slender,
Material examined*—Holotype (see above). USA: with 5-6 small rami. Palp (Fig. 9) robust; femur
California:SantaClaraCounty; 12kmSofLosGatos, about 0.95 and chela about 1.5x as longas car-
, ,
MUCHMORE^E. SIMON’S PSEUDOSCORPIONTYPES FROM CALIFORNIA 67
apace. Trochanter 1.4-L8x, femur 2.3-2.35x, in outline, rather like those ofL. viniai Dumi-
patella 1.95x and chela (withoutpedicel) 2.45- trescoandOrghidanfrom CubaandFlorida(see
,
2.75X longerthanbroad; hand(withoutpedicel) Muchmore 1991). Chelicera about Vs as long as
1.65“1.7X longerthandeep;movablefinger0.85 carapace; handwith 5 setae, bs, sbsand es finely
as longas hand. Medial surfaces ofall segments denticulate;galeaofmaleaboutsamesizeasthat
finely granulate. Trichobothria as shown in Fig. offemale, longslender,with 5-6 rami. Palpwith
10; it much closerto fingertipthan distance be- femur0.85-0.95 andchela 1.35-1.5x aslongas
tween ist and isb. Fixed chelal fingerwith about carapace;trochanter 1.6-2.0x,femur2.3-2.65x
35andmovablefingerwithabout40cuspedteeth; patella 1.9-2.2x andchela(withoutpedicel)2.4-
,
each finger with 9-10 external and 3 internal 2.8X longer than broad; hand (without pedicel)
accessory teeth. Venom apparatus in movable 1.6-1.85X longerthandeep;movablefinger0.7-
finger only. Legs rather robust: leg IV (Fig. 11) 0.8X as long as hand. Fixed chelal finger with
withfemur + patella2.9-2.95x tibia 3.9-4.2x 35-39 and movable finger with 38-42 cusped
,
and tarsus 4.0-4.05x longer than deep. Long marginal teeth, and each fingerwith 8-12 exter-
tactilesetae onpatella, tibiaandtarsusoflegIV. naland2-4internalaccessoryteeth. LegIVwith
Measurements (mm): Figures given first for lec- femur + patella 2.9-3.3x tibia4.05-4.6x and
, ,
totype, followedin parenthesesbythoseforpar- tarsus4.0-4.3x longerthandeep.Measurements
alectotype. Body length 3.81 (4.11). Carapace (mm):Bodylength3.1-5.7.Carapacelength 1.04-
length 1.04 (1.08). Cheliceralength0.385 (0.40). 1.30. Chelicera length 0.37-0.45. Palpal tro-
Palpal trochanter 0.58 (0.60)/0.40 (0.35); femur chanter 0.51-0.6970.27-0.40; femur 0.87-1.147
1.02(1.05)70.445 (0.45);patella0.94(0.975)70.48 0.355-0.48; patella 0.82-1.1070.40-0.55; chela
(0.495); chela (without pedicel) 1.54 (1.61)70.56 (without pedicel) 1.41-1.9070.53-0.74; hand
(0.61); hand (without pedicel 0.93 (0.97)70.54 (without pedicel) 0.865-1.1570.52-0.68; pedicel
(0.59); pedicel length 0.09 (0.105); movable fin- length 0.10-0.15; movable finger length 0.67-
gerlength0.77(0.815).LegI:femur0.295(0.32)7 0.68. Leg IV: femur -f patella 0.86-1.1070.27-
0.20 (0.21); patella 0.54 (0.555)70.205 (0.215); 0.43;tibia0.68-0.8970.16-0.21;tarsus0.47-0.577
tibia0.52 (0.55)70.14(0.15);tarsus0.42 (0.445)7 0.11-0.15.
0.10(0.105).LegIV:femur+ patella0.92(0.96)7 Diagnosis.—Generally similar to Lustroch-
0.32 (0.325);tibia0.755 (0.78)70.18 (0.205); tar- ernes grossus (Banks) from Arizona, Colorado
sus 0.51 (0.52)70.125 (0.13). and New Mexico (see Muchmore 1991), but a
Variation.—At hand are 8 males and 36 fe- little larger (palpal femur length usually >0.95
males from Riverside, San Bernardino, Los An- mm);withoutthedistinctive,long,anteriorlydi-
geles, San Luis Obispo, El Dorado, and Shasta rected ventral process seen in the internal geni-
counties, California, and Latah County, Idaho, talia of male L. grossus; and spermathecae of
which appear conspecific with the types. They female small and globular or ovoid rather than
are mounted on slides and have been studied hammer-shaped as in L. grossus.
carefully to yield important supplemental infor-
mation. They reveal that the species is highly Material examined.—Lectotype and paralectotype
variable in size and moderately variable in pro- (seeabove).USA: California:LosAngelesCounty;San
Gabriel Mts., Chilad Flats, underelytraErgates(Cer-
portions.
Males are about the same size as the types, JaambcykcsiodnaLe)a,ke21(NJWunoef1W9r5i3g,htAw.ooMde)n,ke2,7 J1ul$y(1U9C68D,C)R;.
females a little larger. Carapace with about 70 S.Cheary, 1 S(FSCA);RiversideCounty:Idyllwild,20
setae, 4 at anterior and 12-15 at posterior mar- May 1969, K. W. Cooper, 3 3, 2 9 (FSCA); San Ber-
gin. Tergal chaetotaxy ofone male 13:17:14:18: nardino County: Barton Flat, from Pinusjeffreyi, 24
22:21:22:23:23:23:T5TTTT4T:2,otherssimilar. May 1956, H. Ruckes & B. J. Adelson, 1 9 (UCDC);
Sternal chaetotaxy of same male 28:[4-3]: San Bernardino Mts., Poopout Hill, 2450 m, under
(4)14(3):(1)9(1):24:25:27:27:28:22:T3TTTT4T: ponderosa pine bark, 31 May 1969, K. W. Cooper, 2
2, other males generally similar; anterior chae- 3, 3 9 (FSCA); Cienaga Seco (NE of Redlands), 19
tfoetmaaxlyesofsiomnielarf.emIanlteer2n4a:l(3g)e1n2i(t3a)l:i(a1o)7f(1m)a:l-,esotlhiekre (CSoeUupCntDteCym):b;eGrSraa1nd96eL9u,ViaKsl.lOeyWb,i.s7pCooMoapCeoyru,n1t9yI5:99,L(aFGS.PCAaI.)n;zStaVageCena,tmu3pr,a9
those oftypesandvery similarin shapeto those 19kmNEofPozo,underbarkPinuscoulteri,J,Powell,
ofL. carolinensis Muchmore (1991) but some- 2 9 (UCDC); El Dorado County: Snowline Camp, un-
what more heavily sclerotized. Spermathecae of der elytra ofAlanus [SIC!- probably Alans (Elateri-
female(Fig. 12)withterminalsacsroundoroval dae)], 24 June 1948, S. A. Sher, 2 3, 22 9 (UCDC);
68 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
ShastaCounty: 8 km NEofOldStation, 4June 1978, setaearenotvisible.Carapacealittlelongerthan
T. R.Haig, 1 9(FSCA).Idaho:LatahCounty,Moscow, broad; surface heavily granulate, with scattered
onPrionuscalifornicus(Cerambycidae),5August 1971, tubercles; with 2 transverse furrows; without
A. Greene, 1 <5 (FSCA). postero-lateral crests; 2 large eyespots present;
Remarks.—No original details and no mea- about 100 setae. Coxalareawithoutnotablefea-
surements were given for this species by Beier tures.Abdominaltergiteslightlygranulate,with-
(1932b:95),whoonlytentativelyplaceditinLus- outlateralcrests. Tergalandsternalchaetotaxies
trochernes. This seems odd, as the specimens impossible to make out. Genitalia not discern-
were available in the collection ofthe MNHN ible. Chelicera ‘A as long as carapace; hand with
along with the other types treated here, which 5 setae; flagellumof3 setae; serrulaexteriorwith
Beierapparentlydid study. In anyevent, Beier’s 17--18 blades; bothgaleae broken. Palp (Fig. 13)
intuitionwas soundand placementin Lustroch- rather elongate; femur about 1.15x and chela
ernes is correct, at least so far as a broad defi- about 1.65X as long as carapace. Trochanter
nition ofthe genus is accepted (see Muchmore 1.85X, femur 4.3x, patella 2.95x, and chela
1991). (withoutpedicel) 3.15x longerthanbroad; hand
Lustrochernes acuminatus seems widely dis- (without pedicel) 1.9x longer than deep; mov-
tributedthroughthemountainsofCaliforniafrom able finger 0.88 as long as hand. Surfaces gran-
LosAngelesCountyinthesouthtoShastaCoun- ulate except chelal fingers. Trichobothria as
tyinthenorth,anditalsooccursinnorthwestern shown in Fig. 13. Fixed finger with about 38
Idaho. Fromthisitseemsagoodpossibilitythat cusped teeth; teeth ofmovable finger not ascer-
thespecimensfromOregonreportedbyBenedict tained. Legs moderately slender: leg IV with fe-
& Malcolm (1982) as Lustrochernes grossus are mur + patella 3.0x, tibia 4.45x, and tarsus
in reality representatives ofL. acuminatus. The 4.75X longer than deep; tarsus with long tactile
Oregon specimens have not been available for seta 0.75 length ofsegment from proximal end.
reexamination, especially ofthe genitalia, in or- All claws distinctly bifid. Measurements (mm):
der to verify this supposition. Body length 3.17. Carapace length 1.02. Chelic-
Itisinterestingtonotetwoteratologiesinthese era length 0.35. Palpal trochanter 0.57/0.31; fe-
specimens. In the female from Shasta County, mur 1.16/0.27; patella 0.975/0.33; chela (with-
California, the right chelicera is lacking seta bs out pedicel) 1.66/0.53; hand (without pedicel)
from the hand, and there are two setae in the 0.925/0.49; pedicel length 0.13; movable finger
generalareaofes. Inthemalefrom LatahCoun- length0.81. LegI:femur0.35/0.21;patella0.465/
ty, Idaho, the left palpal chela is lacking tricho- O.185; tibia 0.47/0.13; tarsus 0.42/0.09. Leg IV:
bothrium b from the movable finger. femur + patella 0.89/0.295; tibia 0.69/0.155;
tarsus 0.50/0.105.
Variation.—Chamberlin (1952) described in
Family Cheliferidae Risso
great detail a number ofspecimens from Santa
Genus Parachelifer Chamberlin
Clara, Monterey and Riverside counties, Cali-
Paracheliferscabriculus (Simon)
fornia, which he assigned to Paracheliferscabri-
(Fig. 13)
culus. Comparison ofthe characteristics ofthe
CheliferscabriculusSimon 1878:154. females with those ofthe holotype given above
Paracheliferscabriculus(Simon):Chamberlin 1932:19; indicates that they are, indeed, conspecific. A
Beier1932b:238-239,fig.247;Chamberlin1952:300- considerableamountofvariationinsizeandpro-
305, figs. 13A-C, 14A-J; Hoff 1958:32. portions and numbers (of setae) was revealed
(formorecompletesynonymy, seeHarvey 1991:522). amongthesespecimens;andthesex-relatedchar-
Type data.—Holotype female, labeled “2382 acters ofthe males became clear.
— Chelifer scabricula E. S., Type — Mariposa Diagnosis.—Chamberlin’s description (1952)
— Amerique” [USA: California: Mariposa can be considered an accurate diagnosis ofPar-
County, Mariposa]. Deposited in MNHN; ex- acheliferscabriculus, whichisthetype speciesof
amined. The specimen as a whole is very pale, thegenus ParacheliferChamberlin (1932; 1952:
andthe rightcheliceraandmovablefingerofthe 299).AsBenedict&Malcolm(1979)havepoint-
left palpal chela are missing. edout,itisdifficult(orimpossible)todistinguish
Redescription.—The holotype has been P. scabriculusfromrelatedwesternU, S. species,
bleached by long preservation; as a result, the which lack modem descriptions.
true coloration is not evident and many ofthe Remarks.—ItismentionedabovethatChelifer
MUCHMORE-E. SIMON’S PSEUDOSCORPIONTYPES FROM CALIFORNIA 69
scabriculusSimonisthetypespeciesofthegenus Chamberlin, J. C. 1962. Newand little-known false
Parachelifer,AsthespecimensstudiedbyCham- scorpions, principally from caves, belongingto the
berlin (1952) are certainly conspecific with Si- families Chthoniidae and Neobisiidae (Arachnida,
mon’s type, the emended diagnosis ofthe genus Chelonethida).Bull.AmericanMus.Nat.Hist., 123:
299-352.
given by Chamberlin (1952:299) is sound. Coolidge, K. R. 1908. A list oftheNorthAmerican
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Pseudoscorpionida. Psyche, 15:108-114.
Curcic, B. P. M, 1984. A revision of some North
Iamgratefultothefollowingcuratorsforloans American species of Microcreagris Balzan, 1892
from collections in their care: G. B. Edwards (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae). Bull.
(FSCA), J. Heurtault (MHNH), and the late R. British Arachnol. Soc., 6:149-166.
O. Schuster(UCDC). And Iamgreatlyindebted Curcic,B.P.M. 1989. FurtherrevisionofsomeNorth
to Ms. Doris Kist for her skill and patience in AmericanfalsescorpionsoriginallyassignedtoMi-
preparing the manuscript. crocreagris Balzan (Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisi-
idae). J. Arachnol, 17:351-362.
LITERATURECITED Curcic,B. P. M. 1993. Ontheidentityof
Banks, N. 1895. Notesonthe Pseudoscorpionida.J. tibiale Banks (Neobisiidae: Pseudoscorpiones:
NewYorkEntomol. Soc., 3:1-13. Arachnida). J. Arachnol, 21:69-72.
Banks, N. 1904. Some Arachnida from California. Harvey, M. S. 1991. Catalogue ofthe Pseudoscor-
Proc. California Acad. Sci., (3) 3:331-374. pionida. ManchesterUniversityPress, Manchester,
Banks, N. 1911. ThepseudoscorpionsofCalifornia. vi + 726 pp.
J. Entomol Zool (Pomona Coll), 3:633-640. Harvey,M.S. 1992. Thephylogenyandclassification
Beier, M. 1931. Neue Pseudoscorpione der U. O. ofthe Pseudoscorpionida(Chelicerata: Arachnida).
Neobisiinea. Mitt. Zool Mus. Berlin, 17:299-318. Invertebr. Taxon., 6:1373-1435.
Beier, M. 1932a. Pseudoscorpionidea I. Subord. Hoff,C.C. 1958. ListofthepseudoscorpionsofNorth
ChthoniineaetNeobisiinea. Tierreich, 57:1-258. America north of Mexico. American Mus. Novi-
Beier, M. 1932b. Pseudoscorpionidea II. Subord. C. tates, 1875:1-50.
Cheliferinea. Tierreich, 58:1-294. Moles,M. 1914. PseudoscorpionsintheClaremont-
Benedict, E. M. & D. R. Malcolm. 1979. Pseudos- Laguna region. J. Entomol. Zool. (Pomona Coll),
corpions of the family Cheliferidae from Oregon 6:187-197.
(Pseudoscorpionida, Cheliferoidea). J. Arachnol, Moles, M. & W. Moore. 1921. A list ofCalifornia
7:187-198. Arachnida.I.Pseudoscorpionida.J.Entomol.Zool.
Benedict, E. M. & D. R. Malcolm. 1982. Pseudos- (Pomona Coll), 13:6-9.
corpionsofthefamilyChemetidaenewlyidentified Muchmore,W.B. 1991. TheidentityofChelifercom-
fromOregon(Pseudoscorpionida,Cheliferoidea).J. munisvar.pennsylvanicusanddescriptionofanew
Arachnol, 10:97-109. speciesofLustrochernes(Pseudoscorpionida:Cher-
Chamberlin, J. C. 1930. A synoptic classification of netidae). Entomol. News, 102:79-89.
the false scorpions or chela-spinners, with a report Muchmore, W, B. 1992. Cavemicolous pseudoscor-
onacosmopolitancollectionofthesame.-PartIT pions from Texas and New Mexico (Arachnida:
The Diplosphyronida (Arachnida-Chelonethida). Pseudoscorpionida). Texas Mem. Mus., Speleol
Ann. Mag. Nal Hist., (10) 5:1-48. Monogr., 3:127-153.
Chamberlin, J. C. 1931. The arachnid orderChelo- Roewer, C. F. 1937. Chelonethi oder Pseudoskor-
nethida. Stanford Univ. Publ, Biol. Sci., 7:1-284. pione,Pp. 161-320,InKlassenundOrdnungendes
Chamberlin, J, C. 1932. A synoptic revision ofthe Tierreichs. (H. G. Bronns) Leipzig.
genericclassificationofthechelonethidfamilyChel- Simon, E. 1878. Descriptions de quelques Chelifer-
iferidaeSimon. (Arachnida).(continued).Canadian idaede Califoraie. Ann. Soc. Entomol. France, 47:
Entomol, 64:17-21. 154-158.
Chamberlin, J. C. 1952. New and little-known false
scorpions (Arachnida, Chelonethida) from Monte- Manuscript received 16 July 1993, revised 4 October
rey County, California. Bull American Mus. Nat. 1993,
Hist., 99:259-312.