The first troglomorphic pseudoscorpion of the family Olpiidae (Pseudoscorpiones), with remarks on the composition of the family

Abstract

A new genus and species of Olpiidae, Linnaeolpium linnaei, is de- scribed from a pisolite mesa in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The sole specimen exhibits troglomorphic facies with highly reduced eyes, pallid colouration and slightly attenuated appendages, differing from all other cave- dwelling olpiids which lack troglomorphic facies. The affinities of the new genus are difficult to determine, but it is most similar to a group of genera characterised by the position of trichobothrium isb: Pseudohorus, Austrohorus, Xenolpium, Euryolpium and possibly Heterolpium. The family Olpiidae is di- vided into two subfamilies, Olpiinae and Hesperolpiinae.