A New Species of the Genus Dactylochelifer Beier from Shanxi, China (Pseudoscorpiones: Cheliferidae)

A new pseudoscorpion species, Dactylochelifer luyaensis sp. nov., belonging to the family Cheliferidae Risso, 1826, is described and illustrated in this paper. The specimens were collected from leaf litter in Shanxi province, China. 1. Introduction Research on the systematics of Chinese pseudoscorpions is poor, and by now, only 73 species (subspecies) have been reported from China [1]. Considering the huge area of China and more than 3400 species known globally [2], obviously, further investigations of pseudoscorpion taxonomy from most areas of China are urgently needed [3]. The genus Dactylochelifer was erected by Beier in 1932 [4], and Chelifer latreillii Leach, 1817 was designated as the type species. This genus is widely distributed in Asia, Europe and North America. It is a large genus in the family Cheliferidae Risso, 1826, and at present includes 44 known species [2], among them only one species has been reported from China, D. gansuensis Redikorzev, 1934 [5]. Luyashan National Nature Reserve is located in the north of LvLiang Mountain Range, Xinzhou city, Shanxi Province. So far, no pseudoscorpions have reported there. Therefore, we went to Luya Mountain for collection in this Summer. While examining the pseudoscorpion specimens collected from leaf litter in Luya Mountain, we found a Dactylochelifer species to be new to science, and named it Dactylochelifer luyaensis sp. nov. 2. Material and Methods The specimens referred to here are preserved in 75% alcohol and deposited in the Museum of Hebei University (MHBU), Baoding city, China. Microscopical examination was carried out with a Leica M165C stereomicroscope, which was also used for photo taking and the measurements. Drawings were made with the aid of a camera lucida mounted above the eyepiece of a compound microscope. The pattern of description and terminology follow Chamberlin [6] and Harvey [7]. The term “rallum” (for flagellum) is adopted following Judson [8]. Temporary slide mounts were made in glycerol. All measurements are given in mm. The following abbreviations are used in the paper. Tactile setae: b: basal; sb: subbasal; st: subterminal; t: terminal; ib: interior basal; isb: interior subbasal; ist: interior sub-terminal; it: interior terminal; eb: exterior basal; esb: exterior sub-basal; est: exterior sub-terminal; et: exterior terminal. Cheliceral setae: gls: galeal seta; es: exterior seta; is: interior seta; sb: sub-basal seta; b: basal seta. Dactylochelifer luyaensis sp. nov. Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1: Dactylochelifer luyaensis sp. nov.; dorsal view of holotype. Figure 2: (2–14)