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DNA barcoding sheds light on hidden biodiversity of pseudoscorpions in Croatia

Project DNA barcoding of Croatian faunal biodiversity, funded by Croatian Science Foundation, has contributed to the better understanding of geographic distribution of more than 20 groups of organisms, including pseudoscorpions, and has positively impacted the research in systematics, phylogenetics and phylogeography. Dinaric Karst system is a global biodiversity hotspot with a plethora of endemic taxa that evolved in this glacial area. Genetic diversity detected by phylogenetic approaches in many taxa are mostly caused by a complex paleogeographic history and habitat heterogeneity. Pseudoscorpions are one of the most diverse arachnid lineages in Croatia with 144 described species and a highly diverse fauna, especially within genera Neobisium and Chthonius. Many of these species have been described from Dinaric Karst in the last 30 years and represent one of the most spectacular subterranean radiations. The current morphology-based taxonomy of the group is highly problematic because many species descriptions are poor, type specimens lost, and type localities are often vague. Through the morphological examination of 2197 specimens (188 specimens from 20 caves which are type localities) and DNA barcoding of 502 pseudoscorpions, we provide first correlation between the morphological variability and genetic diversity within pseudoscorpions species in the Dinaric Karst and the baseline for a sound taxonomic framework and studies that focus on biogeography or evolutionary patterning. Preliminary COI barcoding data highlight a high level of intraspecific variability and the presence of several cryptic and/or undescribed species and one undescribed genus (family Chernetidae). The results so far indicate the need for testing the validity of the species described from the Dinaric Karst using species delimitation methods and specimens from type localities. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify hotspots of high subterranean biodiversity at the genetic level, thereby facilitating the protection of endemic pseudoscorpion species and their subterranean habitats.

False scorpions ; Dinaric Karst ; Morphology ; COI ; Type localities

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