Integrative taxonomy of the pseudoscorpion family Chernetidae (Pseudoscorpiones: Cheliferoidea): evidence for new range-restricted species in the Dinaric Karst

Despite the recent advent of molecular data to assess the phylogeny of many invertebrate groups, the systematics of the pseudoscorpion family Chernetidae is unresolved, even though it comprises a quarter of the world’s generic pseudoscorpion diversity. We derive a preliminary molecular phylogeny of chernetids to assess subfamilial and generic monophyly using mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (28S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and H3) markers. Three chernetid subfamilies have previously been recognized and Lamprochernetinae, originally defined based on T-shaped spermathecae, is recovered here but expanded to include the Old-World tropical genus Verrucachernes. In contrast, the genera Conicochernes and Calymmachernes of the subfamily Goniochernetinae are nested within the largest subfamily, Chernetinae. Three new subterranean species of the Palearctic genus Lasiochernes are also described from the Dinaric Karst: L. marinae Hlebec & Harvey, sp. nov., L. jalzici Hlebec & Harvey, sp. nov., and L. pavlekae Hlebec & Harvey, sp. nov.. The former two species are single-cave endemics but L. pavlekae sp. nov. is more widespread. The relative lack of genetic structuring in this species, including haplotype sharing between sampling localities, together with a patchy distribution, suggests that its biogeography is probably shaped by multiple vector-mediated dispersal events, rather than geomorphological history. Due to their rarity, we discourage further collecting of Lasiochernes in this subterranean biodiversity hotspot.