Vicariance in a Cryptic Species Pair of European Pseudoscorpions (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae).

Following the first records of Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) boldorii Beier, 1934 in central Europe, a species which was previously assumed to occur exclusively in Mediterranean caves, 116 series (595 specimens) of the cryptic taxa C. (E.) boldorii and C. (E.) fuscimanus Simon, 1900 (Syn. C. (E.) austriacus Beier, 1931) were re-examined. Although multivariate analyses suggest specific separation, there is only one unequivocal character for discrimination: the presence or absence of a single isolated tooth on the moveable finger of the chelicerae. The distributions were found to be largely allopatric, therefore it is concluded that the species rank of the two morphospecies is justified. North of the Alps, an almost vicariant pattern emerged: east of 14° E fuscimanus occurs, west of this line boldorii occurs. The results provide a basis for discussing the relevance of minute morphological differences in pseudoscorpion taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]