Some Pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpionida) from Caves in Ohio and Indiana, U.S.A.

Abstract

Several collections of pseudoscorpions from caves in Ohio and Indiana have revealed two new species and extended the known ranges of two other species. Cavernicolous pseudoscorpions are reported from Ohio for the first time; these are Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) virginicus, Hesperochernes mirabilis, and an unusual new, blind species described as Apochthonius hobbsi n. sp. Additions to the sparse cave fauna of Indiana are Hesperochernes mirabilis and Hesperochernes holsingeri n. sp. and an undescribed chthoniid represented only by an isolated palp. The pseudoscorpion fauna of Ohio and Indiana is poorly known. Only seven species have been reported from Ohio, none from caves (Hoff, 1958). Thirteen species are known from Indiana, including two from caves (Hoff, 1958; Muchmore, 1963, 1967, 1976); the cavernicolous species are Apochthonius indianensis Muchmore from Donaldson's Cave and Donnehue's (Donahue's) Cave, both in Lawrence Co., and Kleptochthonius (Chamberlinochthonius) packardi (Hagen) from Wyandotte Cave, Crawford Co. (Harvey, 1991; Muchmore, 1963). A stimulus to improve our knowledge of pseudoscorpions in Ohio was provided by Horton H. Hobbs III, who, with his students at Wittenberg University, explored and surveyed many caves in Ohio and collected numerous zoological specimens. Included in these collections were a number of pseudoscorpions, which Dr. Hobbs kindly sent to me for examination. One of these represents a new species and is described below. The others belong to known species, but their occurrence in Ohio caves is noteworthy. A preliminary list of these collections was provided by Hobbs & Flynn (1981). The opportunity also is taken to report on small, but interesting, collections of pseudoscorpions made by J. R. Holsinger in Wilson's Cave, Jefferson Co., Indiana and by J. J. Lewis in Potato Run Cave, Harrison Co., Indiana. From these, a new species is described, a new record is established, and a fragmentary specimen is described and discussed.