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The first records of Larca lata (Hansen, 1884) and Neobisium biharicum Beier, 1939 are reported from Hungary. With L. lata and N. biharicum the number of the recorded pseudoscorpion species for Hungary has raised to 47. The family of Larcidae Harvey, 1992 proved to be new for Hungary. The morphometrical and morphological characters of the specimens found are discussed.

We studied the occurrence of Pseudoscorpiones in the soil, leaf litter, and in canopies of a monodominant forest ofAttalea phalerataat different seasons in the northern region of the Brazilian Pantanal. A total of 1197 pseudoscorpions from nine families and 16 species were sampled. Olpiidae, Chernetidae, and Geogarypidae predominated in soil and leaf litter. Chernetidae was the most abundant family in canopies. Soil and canopy corresponded to distinct habitats in relation to pseudoscorpion abundance and richness, with the canopies being the most diversified environment. These habitats are occupied in different ways by pseudoscorpion populations.Geogarypussp. occurs in the edaphic environment during receding water and dry season, but can be found in canopies ofA. phalerataexclusively during high water. This alternation in the use of the edaphic environments and canopies in the same area by pseudoscorpion species probably happens due to the strong seasonality of the Brazilian Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The current state of knowledge of the spiders, harvestmen and pseudoscorpions of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia is summarized. Forty-six spider species, 1 harvestman and 1 pseudoscorpion species are listed for the Falkland Islands and 6 spider species for South Georgia. Introduced species not yet proven to be established are also listed. The distribution of species within the islands and their biogeography is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redescriptions of Neobisium (Neobisium) polonicum Rafalski, 1937, N. (N.) bosnicum Beier, 1939 and N. (N.) bosnicum herzegovinense Beier, 1939 are given, accompanied with new illustrations of the most important morphological characters. N. (N.) bosnicum herzegovinense Beier, 1939 is elevated to species rank as Neobisium (N.) herzegovinense, Beier, 1939. N. (N.) biharicum Beier, 1939 is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of N. (N.) polonicum. New records of N. (N.) polonicum from Romania are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several phoretic records by pseudoscorpions on Hymenoptera are documented, all them observed in Órgiva, Granada province, Spain. Phoresy by pseudoscorpions on Evaniidae is the first record for Europe and other four records on Ichneumonidae are also mentioned. In all cases, the phoront was assigned to Pselaphochernes lacertosus (L. Koch, 1873). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new pseudoscorpion species, Neobisium (Neobisium) tothi sp. nov., is described from Hungary and Romania. In addition, Neobisium (N.) noricum Beier, 1939 is reported from Hungary for the first time. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new species and the new specimens of N. (N.) noricum are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An identification key is presented for all described species of the pseudoscorpions belonging to the genus Megachernes. Megachernes afghanicus Beier, 1959 is also considered as a junior subjective synonym of M. pavlovskyi Redikorzev, 1949. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoscorpions embrace a diverse group of arachnids with approximately 3 500 species that occur in various habitats, such as soil, leaf litter, caves and canopies. This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between the pseudoscorpion assemblages in soil, termite nests, tree trunks and canopies, as well as the temporal distribution as to the abundance and richness of species in these habitats. For this purpose different sampling techniques were applied in an integrated manner in distinct habitats of a seasonally flooded monodominant forest in the Northern Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data regarding the abundance and richness of assemblage species were organized by means of the Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS). A total of 2 068 Pseudoscorpiones distributed in seven families and 18 species were captured. Chernetidae (8 spp.) and Withiidae (5 spp.) predominated, while Atemnidae, Cheiridiidae, Geogarypidae, Lechytiidae and Olpiidae were present with only one species each. Terrestrial fauna was more abundant (1 035 ind.; 50.0 % of the total catch) with three families and 10 species. In the arboreal fauna (712 ind.; 34.4 %), four families and 13 species were found. Termite mounds (321 ind.; 15.6 %) corresponded to the habitat with the least number of individuals, however, five families and nine species were identified, including Parachernes sp. 2, Geogarypus sp. and Olpiolum sp., not found in other analyzed habitats in this forest. The analyses did not show any temporal variation as to abundance or richness of Pseudoscorpiones in each evaluated habitat; however, the analysis showed that the edaphic environment (soil + termite nests), tree trunks and tree canopies are distinct habitats in relation to the composition of the assemblage. The occurrence of typical terricolous (e.g. Parawithius sp., Withiidae gen. sp. and Parachernes sp.) and other arboricolous (e.g. Cheiridium sp., Americhernes sp. and Lustrochernes sp.) species highlights the vertical stratification of the assemblage present in this floodplain forest in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New data on pseudoscorpions associated with animals (birds, mammals, ants and true flies) and human habitats (synanthropic species) are presented. The collecting was carried out at 35 localities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic in different periods between 1989 and 2016. Altogether 149 nests of nine bird species, one mole nest, 14 nests of three rodent species, one lagomorph nest and four combined bird-rodent nests were examined. Five families were found, of which the Chernetidae was ranked first, with eight taxa and 770 specimens. Nine taxa were extracted from bird nests, from them Neobisium carcinoides (Hermann, 1804) and Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) were recorded only in this habitat type. Five species were found in mammal nests, Neobisium sylvaticum (C.L. Koch, 1835) and Lasiochernes pilosus (Ellingsen, 1910) were present only in this habitat type. Two species were collected in combined bird-mammal nests and two taxa were phoretic. Cheiridium museorum (Leach, 1817) was recorded only in synanthropic habitats and two quite rare species Microbisium suecicum Lohmander, 1945 and Chernes vicinus (Beier, 1932) were extracted only from anthills of Formica rufibarbis Fabricius, 1793. Five species were found for the first time in anthills in Slovakia. The current paper brings the first concrete faunistic data about the species Chernes vicinus from Slovakia and the second known locality of Microbisium suecicum in Slovakia. The phoresy of Allochernes peregrinus Lohmander, 1939 on true fly was recorded for the first time in Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An illustrated description of Rhacochelifer disjunctus (L. Koch, 1873) collected in Slovakia is presented. One female was found phoretic on Lepidoptera in a Malaise trap. Another 37 specimens, including both sexes, tritonymphs and a protonymph, collected in the 1950s were deposited in the Natural History Museum in Prague, Czech Republic and identified as well. The discoveries of R. disjunctus specimens at five localities within Slovakia represent the first records of the species for this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During study on soil mesofauna in Choqa Sabz Forest and Dalab Protected Area in Ilam Province (western Iran), the following pseudoscorpions belonging to four families were collected and identified: Chthonius (Chthonius) shelkovnikovi Redikorzev, 1930, Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) negarinae Nassirkhani and Vafai, 2015, Paramenthus nanus Mahnert, 2007, Cardiolpium asiaticum (Dashdamirov, 1990), and Acanthocreagris iranica Beier, in Mahnert 1976. All of these species are new to the fauna of western Iran. In this survey, the adults of A. iranica collected from Ilam and Lorestan Provinces are redescribed and figured. Additionally, its tritonymph and deutonymph are briefly described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beierochelifer peloponnesiacus peloponnesiacus (Beier, 1929) is recorded for the first time from Slovakia. These records are based on two males found in tree microhabitats at two localities, both with forest-steppe character with xerothermic vegetation. A full description of the specimens of this rare subspecies is provided and the main diagnostic characters are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new Bisetocreagris species belonging to the family Neobisiidae are described from China: Bisetocreagris yangae sp. n. from Anhui Province and Bisetocreagris parva sp. n. from Zhejiang Province. Detailed diagnoses, descriptions and illustrations of the two new spe- cies are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Morphological variation in three rarely collected European species of the genus Lasiochernes Beier, 1932 is thoroughly examined in the present study. Detailed descriptions of previously ignored morphological characters of L. cretonatus Henderickx, 1998, L. jonicus (Beier, 1929) and L. pilosus (Ellingsen, 1910) are presented. he female of L. cretonatus and the nymphs of L. pilosus are described for the first time. Multivariate morphometric techniques (principal coordinate analysis and discriminant analyses) were employed to confirm morphological differentiation of the three Lasiochernes species and to identify the most reliable characters for their separation. he usefulness of particular body parts for species identification was evaluated. An identification key for the females of the Lasiochernes species studied is provided. Geographic distribution and habitat preferences of the three species are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calocheirus asiaticus was described by Dashdamirov (1991) and subsequently briefly redescribed by Dashdamirov & Schawaller (1993) on the basis of the specimens collected from central Asia. The generic position of C. asiaticus is discussed here and redefined as Cardiolpium asiaticum new comb. A full description and illustrations of several newly collected specimens from Fars Province, southern Iran, are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the pseudoscorpion family Ideoroncidae in the Asian region reveals three genera: Dhanus Chamberlin, 1930, Shravana Chamberlin, 1930 and a new genus. Dhanus includes four species, D. sumatranus (Redikorzev, 1922), D. hashimi sp. nov. and D. tioman sp. nov. from Malaysia, and D. lunaris sp. nov. from Cambodia. Dhanus doveri Bristowe, 1952 is newly synonymized with D. sumatranus, and the type locality of D. sumatranus is confirmed as the Dark Cave, in the Batu Cave system, near Kuala Lumpur. Shravana is confirmed as a senior synonym of Nhatrangia Redikorzev, 1938 and includes 13 species: S. laminata (With, 1906) and S. schwendingeri sp. nov., from Thailand, S. charas sp. nov. and S. withi sp. nov. from Malaysia, S. dawydoffi (Redikorzev, 1938), comb. nov. (transferred from Nhatrangia) from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the Spratly Islands, S. indica (Murthy & Ananthakrishnan, 1977), comb. nov. (transferred from Dhanus) from India, S. ceylonensis (Mahnert, 1984), comb. nov. (transferred from Nhatrangia) from Sri Lanka, S. afghanica (Beier, 1959), comb. nov. (transferred from Dhanus) and S. magnifica sp. nov. from Afghanistan, S. latens sp. nov. from Iran, and S. pohli (Mahnert, 2007), comb. nov. (transferred from Dhanus), S. socotraensis (Mahnert, 2007), comb. nov. (transferred from Dhanus), and S. taitii (Mahnert, 2007), comb. nov. (transferred from Dhanus) from Socotra. A new genus, Sironcus, is described for the type species Ideobisium (Ideoroncus) siamensis With, 1906 from Thailand and five new species, S. rhiodontus sp. nov. and S. stonei sp. nov. from Thailand, S. sierwaldae sp. nov. from Thailand and Myanmar, S. jerai sp. nov. from northern peninsular Malaysia and S. belaga sp. nov. from Sarawak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Caribbean Islands are a biodiversity hotspot harboring high levels of endemic biodiversity. In an effort to contribute to the characterization of invertebrate diversity in the region, we present an assessment of pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) diversity and distribution with a focus on the superfamily Chthonioidea and the family Olpiidae. We used three markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, histone H3 and 28S rRNA) to infer the first molecular phylogenies for each lineage and identified 32 putative new species in need of taxonomic assessment. These new records include the documentation of the genera Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 Lagynochthonius Beier, 1951, Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin, 1929 (Chthoniidae), Antillolpium Muchmore, 1991, Novohorus Hoff, 1945, and Pachyolpium Beier, 1931 (Olpiidae) on various islands. Chthonioid genera are strongly structured geographically, suggesting that many Caribbean species may be short-range endemics and excellent candidate systems for testing biogeographic hypotheses. The olpiid genus Pachyolpium is less geographically structured, which is consistent with the hypothesis that olpiids are better dispersers than chthonioids. This study aims to provide a foundation for taxonomic and biogeographic work on Caribbean pseudoscorpions, revealing a diversity that is far richer than is documented in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social parasitism is more commonly found among the Hymenoptera. However, a recent study reported a case of parasitism between Neotropical pseudoscorpion species. Here, we extend the knowledge about this relationship, adding information about the species from Colombia. Sampling ofParatemnoides nidificatorcolonies in a secondary dry forest revealed the presence of two other species of pseudoscorpions also sharing the nest of the host. We presented data about the occurrence ofParachernes melanopygusand a second inquiline species of genusLustrochernes(both Chernetidae) and how they affect the host species. Aspects of the species ecology and behaviour are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoscorpions collected from southern Laos, Champasak Province, are described. One new species of the family Chthoniidae Daday 1888 is identified and illustrated under the name of Tyrannochthonius etu sp. nov. Five species belonging to five family are reported from Laos for the first time: Apocheiridium pelagicum (Redikorzev, 1938), Lagynochthonius tonkinensis (Beier, 1951), Geogarypus longidigitatus (Rainbow, 1897), Nhatrangia dawydoffi Redikorzev, 1938, Indolpium funebrum (Redikorzev, 1938).

The invertebrates of the Macocha Abyss, Moravian Karst, Czech Republic, were collected in 2007–2008 and 222 species were identified in total. The relative abundance of individual taxa of land snails, harvestmen, pseudoscorpions, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, terrestrial isopods, beetles, and ants was evaluated. The cold-adapted mountain and subterranean species inhabit the bottom and lower part of the abyss, whereas the sun-exposed rocky margins were inhabited by thermophilous species. Macocha harbors several threatened species that are absent or very rare in the surrounding habitats. In the forest landscape, the Macocha Abyss represents a natural habitat with a distinct microclimatic gradient, and is an excellent refuge area for psychrophilous as well as thermophilous species, which significantly contributes to maintenance of landscape biodiversity. Key words: Ants, centipedes, beetles, biodiversity, harvestmen, land snails, light hole, millipedes, pseudoscorpions, terrestrial ispods, spiders. Nevretenčarji brezna Macoha (Moravski kras, Republika Češka) Med vzorčenjem v letih 2007 in 2008 smo v jami Macoha določili 222 vrst nevretenčarjev. Ovrednotili smo relativno pogostost posameznih taksonov polžev, suhih južin, paščipalcev, pajkov, stonog, kopenskih enakonožcev, hroščev in mravelj. Na mraz prilagojene gorske in podzemeljske vrste naseljujejo dno in spodnji del brezna, toploljubne vrste pa naseljujejo kamnite površine soncu izpostavljenega roba. V Macohi je več ogroženih vrst, ki jih sicer v okoliški pokrajini ne najdemo. Kot habitat s specifično mikroklimo je Macoha izjemno zatočišče za vlagoljubne in toploljubne vrste, ki pomembno prispevajo k vzdrževanju biotske raznovrstnosti v pokrajini. Ključne besede: Mravlje, stonoge, hrošči, suhe južine, kopenski polži, stonoge, psevdoškorpijoni, kopenski enakonožci, pajki, biotska raznovrstnost.

A research was carried out to explore the pseudoscorpion species composition of the Bükk Mts., NortheastHungary. During the survey seventeen species were recorded of which twelve are new to the area and four species [Chthonius(Chthonius) carinthiacus Beier, 1951, Chthonius (C.) diophthalmus Daday, 1888, Mundochthonius carpaticus Rafalski, 1948,Chernes similis (Beier, 1932)] are new to the fauna of Hungary. Five species, Microbisium manicatum (L. Koch, 1873),Neobisium (Neobisium) seminudum (Daday and Tömösváry, 1880), Neobisium (Blothrus) minutum (Tömösváry, 1882), Roncus euchirus (Simon, 1879) and Rhacochelifer uadrimaculatus (Tömösváry, 1882) were removed from the list of the Hungarian pseudoscorpion fauna.

Only five species of Chthonius C. L. Koch (subgenus Ephippiochthonius Beier, 1930) (Chthoniidae) are presently known from Serbia. Among these, one should mention Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) bidentatus Beier, 1939 (endemic to the Petnička Pećina Cave in Western Serbia), C. (E.) kemza Ćurčić, Lee & Makarov, 1993 (from a cave in Eastern Serbia), C. (E.) microtuberculatus Hadži, 1937 (distributed in southern Serbia, FYROM, and Bulgaria), C. (E.) tetrachelatus (Preyssler), 1970 (widely distributed all over the world), C. (E.) metohicus Ćurčić, 2011 (from the UN Administered Province of Kosovo), and C. (E.) civitatisveti Ćurčić & Rađa, 2011 (from southern Croatia), respectively. However, a new epigean species belonging to the genus Chthonius - Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) timacensis Ćurčić & Stojanović n. sp. is described from eastern Serbia and is endemic to the area studied. Its taxonomic relationships with the phenetically close congeners C. (E.) metohicus Ćurčić and C. (E.) tetrachelatus (Preyssler), as well as its comparative morphological traits, are described. [Acknowledgments. The financial help of the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science (Grant 173038) is gratefully acknowledged.]

The pseudoscorpion sample discovered under a stone in Dalmatia (Croatia) was studied. A new species is described herein: Chthonius (Chthonius) makirina n. sp. This taxon is considered endemic to Dalmatia and the Balkan Peninsula. Along these lines, the diagnostic characters of the analyzed species are thoroughly described and figured. Taxonomic interrelationship and geographic distribution are briefly discussed.

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 species of the pseudoscorpion genus Roncus L. Koch (Neobisiidae) from Serbia (Kulina, Mt. Medvednik) is described and its diagnostic characters are illustrated. Interrelations with phenetically close congeners are analyzed; in addition, the presence/absence of microsetae proximal to the trichobothria eb and esb and presence/absence of one or two outstanding tubercles on the interior lateral side of pedipalpal femur are established as important taxonomic characters.

The pseudoscorpion sample from a cave in Bosnia has been studied. Two new species have been described herein: Chthonius (Chthonius) protobosniacus n. sp. and C. (C.) kladanjensis n. sp. Both taxa are considered endemic of Bosnia and the Balkan Peninsula. In this paper, diagnostic characters of the analyzed forms are thoroughly described and figured. Taxonomic interrelationship amd geographic distribution are briefly discussed.

The pseudoscorpion sample from a cave in Montenegro has been studied. A new species, Chthonius (Globochthonius) medeonis n. sp. is described. A reanalysis of the type material of Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) polychaetus Hadži supports its transfer to the subgenus Chthonius (Globochthonius Beier). The species studied is considered to be endemic to the Balkan Peninsula. The diagnostic characteristics of the analyzed taxon are thoroughly described or figured. Taxonomic interrelationships and geographic distribution are briefly discussed.

A new species of epigean pseudoscorpion pertaining to the genus Chthonius C. L. Koch 1843 from Macedonia is erected. Its relationship to phenetically close congeners is briefly discussed. The new species, Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) lagadini n. sp. is a relict form presently known only from its type locality (Lagadin, nr. Ohrid, Macedonia).

A new pseudoscorpion from the family Chthoniidae - Chthonius (Chthonius) aquasanctae n. sp. from west Serbia is described. The newly erected taxon is endemic to the area studied. Its taxonomic relationship to its phenetically close congeners Chthonius (Chthonius) lesnik Ćurčić and Chthonius (Chthonius) iugoslavicus Ćurčić, as well as the comparative morphological traits, are described in detail.

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.

Two new epigean pseudoscorpion species belonging to the family Chthoniidae - Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) metohicus n. sp. and Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) civitatisveti n. sp. from the UN Administered Province of Kosovo and Southern Croatia, respectively, are described. The newly erected taxa are endemic to each of the areas studied. Their taxonomic relationship with their phenetically close congeners Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) bidentatus Beier, 1939, Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) kemza Ćurčić, Lee et Makarov, 1993 and Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) tetrachelatus (Preyssler, 1790) and comparative morphological traits are described.

Two new endemic cave pseudoscorpion species from the Petropavlova Pećina Cave, village Bihovi, 6 km from Trebinje, Herzegovina, are presented, thoroughly described and illustrated. These are named Chthonius (Globochthonius) petroupauli n. sp. and Roncus paulipetrou n. sp. Their main morphometric characteristics and important diagnostic features are analyzed and compared to those of their phylogenetically closest congeners.

Two species of pseudoscorpions new to science (Neobisium montisageli n. sp. and Roncus peissei n. sp.), collected in Southeastern France, are described, the diagnostic characteristics are illustrated, and their distribution is given. The possible establishment of two species groups of Roncus in Europe is discussed briefly in view of the importance of some of the diagnostic characteristics. .

A new endemic cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion species from the Seselačka Pećina Cave, village Seselac, nr. Soko Banja, East Serbia is presented, described and illustrated. Its main morphometric characteristics and important diagnostic features are analyzed and compared to those of its closest congener Neobisium carpaticum (Beier, 1930) from Serbia.

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 new endemic cavernicolous pseudoscorpion species, Neobisium bozidarcurcici, from Vodena Pećina Cave on Mt. Durmitor in Montenegro is described and illustrated. Its morphological characters and diagnostic features are analyzed and compared to those of its phenetically closest congeners, N. davidbengurioni Ćurčić & Dimitrijević and N. mendelssohni Ćurčić & Ćurčić, from caves on Mt. Durmitor.

A new species of cave-dwelling pseudoscorpions pertaining to the genus Roncus L. Koch, 1873 from Montenegro is erected. Its relations with close congeners are briefly discussed. The new species, Roncus hajnehaj n. sp., is an endemic form presently known only from its type locality (Haj Nehaj Pećina Cave, nr. Sutomore, Montenegro).

Two new species of endemic and relict cave-dwellers of genus Neobisium Chamberlin, have been described from Turkey and Macedonia (FYROM), respectively. From its phenetically close congener, N. granulatum Beier, N. yozgati n. sp. (from Yozgat, Turkey) is distinguished in many important respects. In addition, N. anaisae n. sp. (from a cave in Krapa, FYROM) differs from its closest forms (N. korabense Ćurčić, N. ohridanum Hadži, and N. vladimirpantici Ćurčić) by many morphological characters and form of different body parts. Both species are illustrated, diagnosed, and thoroughly described. They both represent endemic and relict forms.

A new endemic epigean species from the Jelašnička Klisura Gorge, near Niš, East Serbia, is erected, described and illustrated. Its main morphometric characters and important diagnostic features are analyzed and compared to those of its two closest congeners, Roncus jarilo Ćurčić and Roncus titilin Ćurčić, from East and Southeastern Serbia, respectively.

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.

A new species of the endemic pseudoscorpion genus Protoneobisium Ćurčić, 1988, P. basilice sp. n. from Croatia has been found, described and diagnosed. From its phenetically close congener, P. biocovense (Müller, 1931), the new taxon differs in many respects of both qualitative and quantitative nature. Both species of Protoneobisium have a limited distribution; they inhabit Mt. Biokovo, Croatia, and are probably the remnants of some ancient Maditerranean fauna of pre-Tertiary origin.

A new cave-dwelling species of pseudoscorpion belonging to the family Neobisiidae - Neobisium ninae n. sp. - is described from the Pećina u Dubokom Potoku Cave in the village of Donje Biševo, near Rožaje in Eastern Montenegro. A diagnosis of the new species is presented. This taxon is a relict and endemic to the area studied. Additionally, some taxonomic and biogeographical traits of the new species are discussed in the light of the evolution of the karst relief of the Balkan Peninsula.

A new species of false scorpion belonging to the family Chthoniidae, Chthonius (Chthonius) globocicae n. sp., is described from a cave in the village of Trnovo, near Virpazar in Montenegro. This endemic form is illustrated, diagnosed, and thoroughly compared to its phenetically closest congener [C. (C.) porevidi Ćurčić, Makarov & Lučić, 1998] from the area of Krivošije in Montenegro. Additionally, certain diagnostic and other features, taxonomic traits and biogeographical details are briefly discussed in the light of evolution of the karstification process in Montenegro.

We studied pseudoscorpions of the genera Roncus L. Koch, 1873 and Acanthocreagris Mahnert, 1976 (Neobisiidae) from some caves in Romania. One new species - Roncus zburatorul n. sp. - is described; supplementary descriptions of the hitherto unknown male of R. ciobanmos Ćurčić, Poinar, and Sarbu, 1993 and a second female of A. callaticola (Dumitresco and Orghidan, 1964) are also presented. The specimens studied are thoroughly described and illustrated. Taxonomic interrelationships and geographic distribution are briefly discussed.

[Display omitted] • The first dated phylogeny of the tribe Tyrannochthoniini. • Western Ghats Tyrannochthoniini have a Gondwanan origin. • Ancient diversification patterns predating the Plio-Pleistocene climate fluctuations. • 'Museum' model of diversification supported by declining diversification rates. • Palghat Gap of the Western Ghats not an absolute barrier for dispersals. The tropical forests of the Western Ghats (WG) of India are considered 'refugia' harbouring highly diverse and endemic taxa but these refugia are under immense anthropogenic pressure. Most phylogenetic studies have explained diversity patterns across the WG using vertebrates, however, the processes impacting the highly endemic invertebrate fauna are still poorly understood. Here we investigate the evolutionary history of an ancient and widespread arachnid lineage (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae: Tyrannochthoniini) in the WG through a variety of biogeographical and diversification analyses, including sequence data from three markers for 45 terminals from the WG and 22 from Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Australasia and the Neotropics. Our results show that WG Tyrannochthoniini are rendered paraphyletic by African taxa, a result consistent with continental drift. WG Tyrannochthoniini are further split into two major clades, a southern WG clade and an African-central WG clade, due to vicariance along a major biogeographical barrier, the Palghat Gap. Central WG pseudoscorpions diverged from their African relatives at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary, coinciding with the separation of India from Africa. Despite ancient vicariance, six dispersal events occurred across the Palghat Gap, beginning in the Early Cretaceous as India was rafting towards Southeast Asia and ending by the early Miocene, implying that the Palghat Gap became impermeable to dispersal for these humid-adapted organisms during Miocene aridification. Although the ancestor of WG Tyrannochthoniini originated in lowland WG forests, three dispersal events into high montane Shola forests occurred most likely as a result of Late Cretaceous orogenesis and Neogene uplift, allowing lineages to occupy niches at higher elevations. An exponentially declining diversification rate, typical of older lineages, supports the 'museum' model of diversification for WG Tyrannochthoniini. Our study sheds light on the historical biogeography of relictual soil-arthropods in the WG and emphasises the role of WG forest refugia in preserving ancient invertebrate biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]