Roncus elbulli (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones), a new species from Cap de Creus Nature Park (Catalonia, Spain), with a key to the Spanish species of the genus Roncus

Abstract

Roncus elbulli sp. n. is described from Cap de Creus Nature Park (Catalonia, Spain). Th e new species is morphologically close to Roncus cadinensis Zaragoza, 2007 (Barcelona province), but diff ers by being smaller in size and having a more robust chela with a diff erent microsetae pattern. Th e new species seems to be restricted to coastal semiarid slopes with garrigue vegetation. A key to the Spanish species of the genus Roncus is provided.

A karyological study of four European species of Roncus (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae)

“…Our study provides further information on the cytogenetics of the pseudoscorpion genus Roncus (Neobisiidae) based on a study of another four species, which extends the previous work on this genus that was based on eight species (Troiano, 1990(Troiano, , 1997Zaragoza & Šťáhlavský, 2008). As in the previous study we found differences between the karyotypes that may be useful for future cytotaxonomic studies (Table 1).…”

“…Moreover, all three species have the X0 sex chromosome system with a metacentric X chromosome, which is the smallest element in the karyotypes. This finding contrasts with other species of this genus from Italy (Liguria) (Troiano, 1990(Troiano, , 1997 and Spain (Catalonia) (Zaragoza & Šťáhlavský, 2008). The karyotypes of these species are even more variable.…”

“…Even species from nearby localities differ significantly in their chromosome number and morphology; furthermore they have different sex chromosome systems (X0 and XY). These major differences, especially in the number and morphology of autosomes, are accounted for in terms of centric fusions or fissions (Troiano, 1990;Zaragoza & Šťáhlavský, 2008). Considering that R. alpinus, R. lubricus and R. transsilvanicus probably represent different phylogenetic lineages (they are from different European regions and exhibit different external morphology) (e.g.…”

“…The karyology of the genus Roncus (Neobisiidae) is better known than that of other pseudoscorpion genera, with published data available for eight species (Table 1) that seem to reveal significant interspecific variability. The diploid numbers of chromosomes range from 16 in R. cadinensis (Zaragoza & Šťáhlavský, 2008) to 52 in R. andreinii Caporiacco, 1925(Troiano, 1990. Additionally, the karyotypes of the genus Roncus differ not only in chromosome number and morphology, but also in the sex chromosome systems with three species having an XY system and the other five an X0 system (e.g.…”

“…They primarily occur in leaf litter and soil (Gabbutt & Vachon, 1967), as well as in caves. Until now, the only species of Roncus for which the karyology is known originated from north-eastern Spain (Zaragoza & Šťáhlavský, 2008) and north-western Italy (Troiano, 1990(Troiano, , 1997. To complement and extend these studies, we add data for four additional species collected from northwestern and central Europe, bringing the total number of Roncus species for which the karyology is known to 12.…”