First report of the family Karschiidae (Arachnida, Solifugae) from Gansu Province, China, with description of two new species Author Fan, Wenlong 0009-0004-6854-6330 Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, P. R. China & Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, P. R. China Author Zhang, Chao 0000-0003-1702-1206 Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, P. R. China & Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, P. R. China Author Zhang, Feng 0000-0002-3347-1031 Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, P. R. China & Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, P. R. China text Zootaxa 2024 2024-08-06 5492 3 369 394 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5492.3.5 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.5492.3.5 1175-5326 13234925 8CBBFFB6-24C8-45EB-B71B-CA636A8AD05F Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. Figures 1 , 12–15 , 16A–E , 17C . Table 1 , 2 . Type material. Holotype ♂ (MHBU-Sol-GS2023043001), CHINA : Gansu Province , Linze County , Pingchuan Town , Yigongcheng Village , 39.3358°N , 100.0976°E , ca 1300m elev., 30.IV.2023 , leg. Jiliang Liu. Paratypes . 1♂ (MHBU-Sol-GS2023043002), same data as holotype ; 2♂♂ 3♀♀ (MHBU-Sol-GS2016051901– 03, SWUC-Sol-GS2016051901–02), CHINA : Gansu Province , Linze County , Pingchuan Town , Yigongcheng Village , 39.3358°N , 100.0976°E , ca 1320m elev., 19.Ⅴ.2016 , leg. Jiliang Liu. Other material. 9 juveniles (MHBU-Sol-GS2016091301-09) CHINA : Gansu Province , Linze County , Pingchuan Town , Yigongcheng Village , 39.3358°N , 100.0976°E , ca 1300m elev., 13.IX.2016 , leg. Jiliang Liu ; 3 juveniles (MHBU-Sol-GS2023070301-04), CHINA : Gansu Province , Linze County , Pingchuan Town , Yigongcheng Village , 39.3358°N , 100.0976°E , ca 1300m elev., 3.VII.2023 , leg. Wenlong Fan. FIGURE 12. Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. Habitus. A, B. Holotype male (MHBU-Sol-GS2023043001). C, D. Paratype female (MHBU-Sol-GS2023043002). Scale bars = 10 mm. FIGURE 13. Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. , holotype male (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2023043001). A. Left chelicera, retrolateral aspect. B. Left chelicera, prolateral aspect. C. Flagellum and fcs , prolateral aspect. D. Propeltidium, dorsal aspect. E. Ctenidia on sternite III, ventral aspect. F. Ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral aspect. Scale bars = 1.0 mm (A, B, D); 0.5 mm (E, F); 0.2 mm (C). Etymology. Named after Dr. Jiliang Liu (the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS, China ), who collected over 100 solifuges from Zhangye City, Gansu Province . Diagnosis. Males of Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. should belong to the subgenus Karschia ( Rhinokarschia ) by having a coiled flagellum and presence of notedly hornlike process on fixed finger ( Gromov 2003 ; Figs 13A, B , 15 A, B ). K . ( R .) liui differs from other Karschia ( Rhinokarschia ) species except Karschia (Rhinokarschia) zarudnyi Birula, 1922 by the presence of a small triangular hornlike process on cheliceral fixed finger ( Fig. 13A ). This new species differs from K. (R.) zarudnyi by the shorter flagellum (extending not further than the FD tooth, where it extends nearly to the FT in K. (R.) zarudnyi ), flagellum lateral apophysis triangular-shaped ( Figs 13C , 17C ), the small straight (slightly curved posteriorly in K . ( R .) zarudnyi ) fixed finger hornlike process ( Fig. 13C ), the non-broadened apex of ctenidia on sternite III ( Figs 13E , 15G ), the presence of more short spines on pedipalpal tarsus (8–9), and the absence of papillae on pedipalpal metatarsus ( Figs 15F , 16B ). Females differ from other Karschia ( Rhinokarschia ) species by the presence of spines on pedipalpal metatarsus and tarsus ( Fig. 16D, E ), the short, needle-like ctenidia on sternite IV (shorter than other species in this subgenus, ctenidia in K. (R.) liui reach the distal border of the sternite IV, but ctenidia in other species reach the following sternite) ( Figs 14F , 15J ), and the genital operculum not subtriangular, distally not widened and genital opening visible between plates. ( Figs 14E , 15I ). FIGURE 14. Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. , paratype female (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2023043002). A. Left chelicera, retrolateral aspect. B. Left chelicera, prolateral aspect. C. Dentition on left cheliceral fixed finger, ventral aspect. D. Propeltidium, dorsal aspect. E. Genital operculum, ventral aspect. F. Ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral aspect. Scale bars = 1.0 mm (A, B, D); 0.5 mm (C, E); 0.4 mm (F). FIGURE 15. Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. , holotype male (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2023043002) (A, B, E–H), paratype female (C, D, I, J). A. Left chelicera, retrolateral aspect. B. Left chelicera, prolateral aspect. C. Left chelicera, retrolateral aspect. D. Left chelicera, prolateral aspect. E. Pedipalpal metatarsus and tarsus, dorsal aspect. F. Pedipalpal metatarsus and tarsus, ventral aspect. G. Ctenidia on sternite III, ventral aspect. H. Ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral aspect. I. Genital operculum, ventral aspect. J. Ctenidia on sternite IV, ventral aspect. FIGURE 16. Pedipalpal metatarsus and tarsus. A, B. K. (R.) liui sp. nov. , holotype male (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2023043001). C–E. K. (R.) liui sp. nov. , paratype female (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2023043002). F, G. E. turkestana Kraepelin, 1899 ., male (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2019071101). H, I. E. dentapicalis sp. nov. , holotype male (MHBU-Solifugae-GS2019071101). Scale bars = 1.0 mm (A–D, F–I); 0.5mm (E) . Description. Male. Holotype (MHBU-Sol-GS2023043001). Measurements. Total body length 16.91, CH 1.74, CL 4.66, CW 1.54, PL 2.20, PW 3.05, A/CP 8.12, CL/ CH 2.68. Pedipalp 17.4 (4.75, 5.16, 3.63, 1.03), leg Ⅰ 14.57 (4.43, 3.88, 2.51, 1.17, 0.18, leg II 15.83 (2.56, 4.37, 3.24, 0.78, 1.01), leg III 20.64 (3.91,5.60, 3.95, 1.37, 1.26), leg IV 23.64 (5.57, 5.86, 4.23, 1.20, 1.05). Coloration. In 75% ethanol-preserved specimens ( Figs 12A, B ). General background light yellow. Propeltidium yellow, densely covered with short yellowish-brown setae and sparsely with long tawny setae; ocular tubercle black ( Fig. 13D ). Opisthosoma densely covered with yellowish-brown setae dorsally, except for black abdominal tergites and sclerites. Chelicera yellow brown, covered with long brownish setae; each terminal tooth of fixed finger and movable finger reddish ( Figs 13A, B ), pedipalps and legs yellowish brown expect coxa and trochanter, covered with brownish setae. Malleoli white. Propeltidium. Wider than long ( Fig. 13D ), with a dense pubescence of thin, short, anteriorly directed fine setae; median eyes separated by less than one diameter; propeltidium lobe without eyespot. Anterior, posterior, and lateral edges with several long, curved spiniform setae that perpendicular to the surface of the propeltidium ( Fig. 13D ). Ocular tubercle with four middle distal spiniform setae. Chelicerae. Fixed finger with median teeth series comprising well-developed primary teeth ( FP , FM and FD ), FD tooth size greater, while FM and FP similar in size ( Figs 13A–C , 15A, B ); moreover, median teeth series comprising all secondary teeth (2 FSD and 2 FSM ); secondary teeth overall size smaller than primary teeth, distal FSD and FSM smaller than proximal FSD and FSM . Retrofondal teeth series uninterrupted with six teeth (2 RFSP , 1 RFP , 1 RFM , 2 RFA ); profondal teeth series consisting of five teeth (2 PFSP , 1 PFP , 1 PFSM , 1 PFM ) ( Figs 13A, B , 15A, B ). Fixed finger asetose area sinuous, with ventral margin predominantly linear in lateral aspect; prodorsal carina not sharp, not elevated in lateral aspect, with small and straight hornlike process; fixed finger mucron without subterminal ( FST ) teeth, and apex ( FT tooth) curved, hook-shaped. Movable finger with median teeth series comprising well-developed MP and MM primary teeth, the former of which larger, and one MSM secondary tooth smaller than MM (i.e., MP > MM > MSM ), movable finger MP and MSM teeth close to one another, MSM upright and triangular-shaped; movable finger without subproximal ( MSP ) or subterminal ( MST ) teeth; movable finger mucron moderately long, with obvious prolateral flange in front of the MM tooth ( Figs 13A–C , 15A, B ). Retrolateral and dorsal surfaces with abundant retrolateral manus ( rlm ) and retrolateral finger setae ( rlf ), of different sizes, which predominantly straight and rigid; some of these setae arranged in bilaterally symmetrical pattern, as some principal retrolateral finger (principal rlf ) setae that more flexible than others ( Figs 13A , 15A ); prolateral surface with array of setal types , as follows: proventral distal ( pvd ) setae consisting of row of plumose setae, starting at level of the flagellum and ending near level of RFSP tooth; proventral subdistal ( pvsd ) setae arranged in rather disorganized pattern, pvsd comb not markedly differentiated; two pvsd elongated called flagellar complex plumose ( fcp ) setae, moreover two fcs behind flagellum above the fcp ; carpet-like field of bristle-like promedial ( pm ) setae broad. Stridulatory plate longer than high, occupying most of the prolateral surface of manus, above stridulatory plate two rows of pdp existing; stridulatory apparatus not obvious. Distal limit of the prolateral setose area of movable finger reaching midpoint between MSM and MM teeth; movable finger prodorsal ( mpd ) setal series consisting of spinous setae arranged in a rather staggered row, adjacent to abundant non-plumose setae of the movable finger promedial ( mpm ) and proventral ( mpv ) setal series ( Figs 13B , 15B ). Flagellum coiled, fringed and sessile, with a small triangular lateral apophysis. The flagellar complex includes two fcp and two short, thick fcs ( Figs 13B, C , 15B , 17C ). Flagellar basal peg unexpanded, tapering from the base ( Fig 13C , 17C ) . FIGURE 17. Flagellum of male. A. Eusimonia turkestana Kraepelin, 1899 B. Eusimonia dentapicalis sp. nov. C. Karschia (Rhinokarschia) liui sp. nov. Scale bars = 0.2 mm . Opisthosoma . The entire surface covered with almost adpressed fine setae, and numerous long, curved, bifurcate setae, and tergites with abundant setae. Sternite III with two posterior paramedian groups of ctenidia, being gradually larger to posterior, ctenidia coarse needle-like gradually sharp from the base to the spire ( Figs 13E , 15G ); sternite IV with a row of 13 (partial shedding) long and thin cylindrical ctenidia ( Figs 13F , 15H ). Pedipalps . Entirely covered with short fine setae and long, thick setae. Tarsus with eight ventral spines not symmetrical arrangement; metatarsus with 12 ventral spines (partial shedding) not arranged in pairs and without papillae ( Figs 15E, F , 16A, B ). Legs. Legs totally covered with long, thick, setae and short fine setae. Leg Ⅰ spineless with two small claws. Tibiae II, III, and IV with a pair of distal spiniform setae ventrally; tibiae II and III with a single dorsal spiniform setae. Metatarsi II and III with a series of three dorsal spiniform setae, a pair of distal spiniform setae ventrally, and some paired short, thick, spiniform setae over their entire ventral surface; metatarsus IV also with these paired spiniform setae over its entire ventral surface and two distal spine-like setae ventrally. TABLE 1. DNA voucher specimen metadata.

Species	DNA Voucher Code	Sex	GenBank accession no.	Sequence length	Collection localities
1	K(R). liui sp. nov.	FWL068	Male	PP627402	682	Yigongcheng Village, PingchuanTown, Linze County, Gansu Province, China
2	K(R). liui sp. nov.	FWL079	Female	PP627401	695	Yigongcheng Village, PingchuanTown, Linze County, Gansu Province, China
3	E. turkestana	FWL058	Female	PP627404	694	Annamba wild camel National Nature Reserve, Akesay County, Gansu Province, China
4	E. turkestana	FWL071	Male	PP627407	685	Yigongcheng Village, PingchuanTown, Linze County, Gansu Province, China
5	E. turkestana	FWL113	Female	PP627406	683	Yigongcheng Village, PingchuanTown, Linze County, Gansu Province, China
6	E. turkestana	FWL065	Female	PP627408	693	Suwu Desert, Lanhu Town, Minqin County, Gansu Province, China
7	E. turkestana	FWL067	Male	PP627409	686	Gansu Anxi Extreme Drought Desert National Nature Reserve, Guazhou County, Gansu Province, China
8	E. dentapicalis sp. nov.	FWL074	Male	PP627410	683	Jinta Town, Jinta County, Gansu Province, China
9	E. dentapicalis sp. nov.	FWL075	Male	PP627411	695	Jinta Town, Jinta County, Gansu Province, China
10	E. dentapicalis sp. nov.	FWL117	Female	PP627412	683	Tangwan Villag, Pingchuan Town, Linze County, Gansu Province, China

TABLE 2. Genetic distance among the three species ( K. (R.) liui sp. nov. , E. turkestana and E. dentapicalis sp. nov. ).

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
1
2	0.0014
3	0.2144	0.2138
4	0.2082	0.2076	0.0439
5	0.2067	0.2061	0.0469	0.0029
6	0.2023	0.2020	0.0411	0.0250	0.0234
7	0.2141	0.2135	0	0.0439	0.0468	0.0410
8	0.2070	0.2056	0.1426	0.1439	0.1424	0.1380	0.1424
9	0.2082	0.2061	0.1406	0.1418	0.1404	0.1362	0.1404	0.0015
10	0.2100	0.2085	0.1412	0.1424	0.1410	0.1410	0.1410	0.0279	0.0279

Female. Paratype female (MHBU-Sol-GS2016051901). Measurements. Total body length 19.87, CH 1.69, CL 4.94, CW 1.52, PL 1.91, PW 3.27, A/CP 5.90, CL/ CH 2.92. Pedipalp 12.81 (3.13, 3.80, 2.53, 0.80), leg Ⅰ 10.08 (2.20, 2.52, 1.70, 0.85, 0.14), leg II 8.97 (1.40, 2.15, 1.58, 0.55, 0.58), leg III 12.04 (2.37, 2.639, 2.06, 0.49, 0.65), leg IV 17.49(3.79, 3.34, 2.98, 1.02, 1.09). Coloration. In 75% ethanol-preserved specimens ( Figs 12C, D ). Coloration mostly as in the male, but may be due to preservation differences, female darker overall. Propeltidium. Same as in the male. Chelicera . Fixed finger with median teeth series comprising well-developed primary teeth (FP, FM and FD), FD tooth size smaller, while FM and FP similar in size ( Figs 14A–C , 15C, D ); moreover, median teeth series comprising all secondary teeth (2FSD and 2 FSM ); secondary teeth overall size smaller than primary teeth, distal FSD and FSM smaller than proximal FSD and FSM . Retrofondal teeth series uninterrupted with nine teeth (3RFSP, 1RFP, 1RFSM, 1RFM, 3RFA); profondal teeth series consisting of six teeth (3PFSP, 1PFP, 1PFSM, 1PFM). Fondal teeth graded as II, IV, VI, VIII, IX, tiny I, tiny III, tiny V, tiny VII retrolaterally; I, II, III, IV, V tiny VI prolaterally ( Fig. 14C ). Movable finger with median teeth series comprising well-developed MP and MM primary teeth, the former of which larger, and two MSM, four MST and four MSP secondary tooth that smaller than MM (i.e., MP> MM> MSM> MST> MSP), movable finger MSM teeth located MM and MP center, MST teeth located MM front, and MSP located MP after; all secondary teeth upright and triangular-shaped. Fixed finger and movable finger mucron without subterminal (FST and MST) teeth. Cheliceral setose areas and stridulatory plate mostly like male, but female without fcp, fcs, and pdp only one row ( Figs 14B , 15D ). Opisthosoma. The entire surface covered with almost adpressed fine setae and numerous long, curved, bifurcate setae. Genital operculum not triangular-shape, not widened distally and genital opening visible between plates. Genital plate resembling a trapezoid-shaped with a slight sunken in the middle structure, and with slightly chitinized folds distal to plates ( Figs 14E , 15I ). 13 short needle-like ctenidia on genital sternite IV which extending the succeeding sternite edge ( Figs 14F , 15J ). Pedipalps. Entirely covered with short fine setae and long, thick setae. Tarsus with three ventral spines not symmetrical arrangement, and metatarsus with five ventral spines (partial shedding) not arranged in pairs ( Figs 16D, E ). Legs . Same as in the male. Distribution and habitat. K. (R). liui sp. nov. is known only from the type locality ( Fig. 1 ). Habitat: Gobi Desert ( Fig. 2A ). In contrast to the majority of mostly Karschia species , which are typically found in hills and mountains as noted by Gromov (2003) , K. (R.) liui sp. nov. exhibits a preference for low-altitude, flat regions of the Gobi Desert. Collection method. During the day by hand collecting from under stones. Given their nocturnal habits, we also collect specimens using pitfall traps. Variability. Males. Total length 16.39–17.23. Body coloration light yellow to yellow. Chelicera with manus yellowish to brown. Pedipalpal tarsus with 8–9 spines and metatarsus with 10–13 spines. The number of cheliceral fixed finger fondal teeth 9–11 (profondal teeth 4–5; retrofondal teeth 5–6). The number of ctenidia on sternite IV 13–14. Females. Total length 18.56–21.26. Variability of body coloration as in males. Pedipalpal tarsus with 3–4 spines, metatarsus with 4–6 spines. The number of cheliceral fixed finger fondal teeth 14–16 (profondal teeth 4–6; retrofondal teeth 10–11). MST 3–4, MSP 3–4. The number of ctenidia on sternite IV 12–13. Remark. Based on the comparison of genetic distances, with a genetic distance of 0.14% ( Table 2 ) between males and females collected from the same locations, we believe that they are the same species.