On three new cave pseudoscorpion species (Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisiidae) from Mt. Mosor, Dalmatia (Croatia)

Most subterranean pseudoscorpions are concentrated in regions with a Mediterranean climate. Although data on the abundance of pseudoscorpion species in the humid tropics are lacking, preliminary observations suggest that the number of species is greater in the Mediterranean area than in tropical rain forests. Speciation in pseudoscorpions has not been studied in great detail. New taxa are constantly being described. Exact data on the different niche preferences which are a prerequisite for evolutionary studies are available for only a few cases. The pseudoscorpions are not particularly suitable for genetic investigations due to their extended generation times. The cave-dwelling forms of the genus Neobisium L. Koch comprise many phyletic lines, some less specialized and others highly adapted to cave life. To trace their origin, biogeography and evolution, it is necessary to compare the evidence about troglobitic species with that of the epigean forms from different European habitats, especially in the Mediterranean or Dinaric regions. To the south of the river Zrmanja, up to the lower Neretva valley, a massive Holokarst region rises to a considerably height. Many summits attain between 1800 and 2000 m, and Mt. Dinara gave its name to both the Dinaric region and the Dinaric Karst. The karst of Mt. Mosor (and Mts. Kozjak and Biokovo), is quite different from that previously discussed. This is a zone of younger, intensively folded mountains. Their karst, although young, appears to be deep and almost fully developed. In this study, descriptions of Neobisium montdori n. sp., N. mosorensis n. sp., and N. dalmatinum Beier, 1939, all from caves on Mt. Mosor, Dalmatia (Croatia), have been presented, with some details on the comparative morphology of both sexes and tritonymph.