A new pseudoscorpion species of the genus Chthonius C.L. Koch (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae) from western Iran

Subject Areas : entomology and othea arthropods

M.  Zamani ¹ (Departmet of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak)
R.  Vafaei Shoushtari ² (Departmet of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak)
m.  kahrarian ³ (Department of Agriculture, Kermanshah branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran)
M.  Nassirkhani ⁴ (Departmet of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak)

Received: 2020-09-19 Accepted : 2021-02-03 Published : 2021-02-19

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Abstract :

Pseudoscorpion, also known as the false scorpion or book scorpion, is belonging to the arachnida class. They can be found in virtually all terrestrial habitats, but are most common in leaf litter, in soil, and under the bark of trees and logs. In spite of this widespread, the results of pseudoscorpion fauna are still poor in Iran. This study was based on specimens collected in different localities from the province of Lorestan, during 2016-2017. The pseudoscorpionids specimens were gathered directly by hand or with an entomological aspirator from leaf litter or under stone. For their taxonomic study, the specimens were cleared in lactic acid, subsequently mounted on glass microscope slide in Hoyer’s medium (Gum Arabic 15g, Chloral Hydrate 75g, Distilled Water 25ml, Glycerin 5ml), and studied using Olympus CH-2 compound microscope. The measurements were taken using calibrated ocular micrometer (WF10X–18MM). Figures were drawn with a drawing tube attached to the microscope. The others inspected as temporary slides made by glycerin. a new pseudoscorpion species, Chthonius youtabae n. sp.is described and figured based on females collected from Lorestan province-western Iran.