Search

A new blind false scorpion, Microchthonius kasteli n. sp., from the Mićoletova Jama Pit, Rudine, nr. Kaštel, Dalmatia, has been described. The new pseudoscorpion is different from all other congeners. It is probable that this new taxon is the remain of an old tropical soil fauna, which now inhabits the subtropical area of the Mediterranean seaside. Morphometric ratios, figures, and linear measurements of the new species are presented in detail. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

A new eyeless pseudoscorpion, Microchthonius tragurion n. sp., from a cave in Blizna Donja (near Trogir), from the Jama kod Gomilje Pit, Dalmatia, is described. This new false scorpion differs from all other congeners. There exists a probability that this new taxon is a relict of a tropical fauna incorporating the once northern and tropical area, now representing the subtropical part of the Mediterranean. Morphometric ratios, figures and linear measurements of the new taxon are presented in detail. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

Two new endemic species from the Jama Bezdan Pit between the villages of Komaji and Vignje, southeast from Ćilipi and Dubrovnik, Dalmatia (Croatia) - Chthonius (Chthonius) croaticus n. sp. B. Ćurčić & Rađa (Chthoniidae) and Roncus ragusae n. sp. B. Ćurčić & Rađa (Neobisiidae), are herein erected, described and thoroughly illustrated. Their main morphometric features and important diagnostic characters are analyzed and compared to their closest congeners, Chthonius (Chthonius) pristani Ćurčić and Roncus podaga Ćurčić, respectively. [Acknowledgments. This study is financially supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science (Grant 173038).]

An analysis of the pseudoscorpion material from Croatia has supported the elevation of two taxa to full species rank: Chthonius (Chthonius) pagus n. sp. and Roncus navalia n. sp., both from Dalmatia; Croatia. Most diagnostic characters of the analyzed species are thoroughly described or figured. Some taxonomic interrelationships and features of geographic distribution have also been briefly discussed. Both studied taxa, which currently inhabit a cave on the Island of Pag in Dalmatia (Croatia), are probably endemics and relics of the Tertiary period. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

Two species of troglobitic false scorpions, Roncus meledae n. sp. and Neobisium oculatum n. sp. (Neobisiidae, Pseudoscorpiones), are described from inside underground habitat, i.e. the Jama Na Žutim Kokom Cave, the Island of Mljet, Dalmatia, Croatia. The analyzed pseudoscorpions prove to differ from all other congeners. It is possible that the subterranean pseudoscorpions analyzed represent relicts of an old north tropical faunal pattern of the Mediterranean. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

A new cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion from the Badanj (or Vilišnica) Cave, nr. Sveti Filip i Jakov, Dalmatia (Croatia) is thoroughly described and illustrated. Its main morphometric characteristics and important diagnostic traits are analyzed and compared to those of its phenetically close congener Chthonius (Chthonius) absoloni Beier from Dalmatia. The new species is relict and endemic to the area studied.

Three new species of the pseudoscorpion genus Roncus L. Koch (Neobisiidae) are described from Croatia (from nr. Omiš, Dalmatia: R. almissae n. sp.) and Serbia (near the town of Krupanj, north-western Serbia, Lukića Pećina Cave and nr. Izvor: R. krupanjensis n. sp., and R. radji n. sp.), and their diagnostic characteristics are illustrated. Their interrelations with phenetically close congeners are analyzed; in addition, the presence/absence of microsetae proximal to the trichobothria eb and esb is established as an important taxonomic characteristic.

A new epigean pseudoscorpion, Chthonius (Chthonius) onaei n. sp. is erected from Podašpilje, nr. Omiš, Mt. Omiška Dinara, Dalmatia, Croatia. Its interrelations with two close congeners, Chthonius (C.) litoralis Hadži, 1933 and Chthonius (C.) dalmatinus Hadži, 1930 are briefly discussed.

A careful analysis of samples of pseudoscorpions (Neobisiidae, Pseudoscorpiones) from two epigean habitats, one near Split (Croatia) and the other on Mt. Orjen (Montenegro), has yielded two species of the genus Roncus L. Koch new to science: Roncus diocletiani n. sp. and R. orjensis n. sp. Both new species are described, thoroughly illustrated, and diagnosed. Some biogeographical and evolutionary characteristics of the two taxa are briefly discussed.