Balgachernes occultus, a new genus and species of pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) associated with balga (Xanthorrhoea preissii) in south-western Australia, with remarks on Austrochernes and Troglochernes

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 6 years ago

ABSTRACT – A new genus and species of chernetid pseudoscorpions, Balgachernes occultus, is described from south-western Western Australia. It appears to have the greatest similarity to Austrochernes, but differs by the widely spaced (diastemodentate) chelal teeth, the slightly gaping chelal fingers and the position of trichobothrium est which is situated closer to esb than to et. All specimens have been collected from balga, Xanthorrhoea preissii, a species of grass tree. The genus Austrochernes Beier, 1932 is redescribed based on the male syntypes of the only known species, A. australiensis (With, 1905), which clearly shows that Austrochernes is a new senior synonym of Troglochernes Beier, 1967. The following species are newly transferred to Austrochernes: T. cruciatus Volschenk, 2007, Sundochernes dewae Beier, 1967, S. guanophilus Beier, 1967, T. imitans Beier, 1969, S. novaeguineae Beier, 1965, and T. omorgus Harvey and Volschenk, 2007.