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In the course of a long term survey on the effects of grazing on the diversity of alpine grasslands, the false scorpion Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) poeninus Mahnert, 1979 was recorded for the first time outside of Switzerland. The preferred habitat at the locality Alpe Einödsberg (Germany, Bavaria) differs strongly from previous findings. Our data suggest an association with Nardus grasslands (Geo montani-Nardetum), whereas earlier records originated from leaf litter, moss and mouldy trunks. Furthermore, the new records between 1540 m and 1973 m above sea level are the first from the subalpine region of the Alps (hitherto C. poeninus was known from 550 m to 1450 m). In the study region, extensive grazing seems to have a positive effect on the abundance of the species, while it is missing from intensively grazed pastures.
The pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) fauna of mainland Ecuador, excluding the Galápagos Islands, is poorly known, with only 41 described species in 9 families. The family Syarinidae has a pantropical distribution and presently comprises ca 120 species in 17 valid genera that are found in leaf litter and subterranean habitats, mostly in tropical and subtropical climates. Four syarinid species have been recorded from Ecuador, including the Galápagos, in two widespread genera, Ideobisium and Ideoblothrus, but field collections suggest that these pseudoscorpions are common and abundant in all forest systems across the country. Here, we review field collections of syarinids from mainland Ecuador and describe five new species in these genera: Ideobisium kichwa sp. nov. (Napo Province, Colonso Chalupas Natural Reserve), I. sonqo sp. nov. (Napo Province, Colonso Chalupas Natural Reserve), I. susanae sp. nov. (Napo Province, Jatun Sacha Natural Reserve), Ideoblothrus nadineae sp. nov. (Napo Province, Colonso Chalupas Natural Reserve) and I. safinai sp. nov. (Pichincha Province, Otongachi Natural Reserve) based on morphology. These species seem to have narrow distributions and we therefore restrict the ranges of two species previously recorded from Ecuador (Ideobisium crassimanum Balzan, 1892 and Ideoblothrus costaricensis (Beier, 1931)) to their countries of origin, which is Costa Rica and Venezuela, respectively.
On the knowledge of the pseudoscorpion fauna of East Germany. Based on the examination of over 23. 000 specimens, distribution, frequency/dominance, morphometric data and ecology of the East German false scorpions are presented. Most samples were collected by the authors, the rest are from museums and other persons. 38 species were recorded The preferred habitats and strata of the most species are described. Phoresy was observed for Allochernes peregrinus, Lamprochernes chyzeri, L. nodosus and Pselaphochernes scorpioides. Nine species live in ants nests. Zoogeographic aspects of the species assemblage are discussed in the world wide context. Distribution limits of four species run across the area of investigation.