Chthonius halberti, Halbert’s Chthoniid

Chthonius halberti, Halbert's Chthoniid [ex Kewochthonius halberti]
The cephalothorax and opisthosoma are yellow-brown to reddish-brown, pedipalps and chelicerae brown; length of body 1.2 mm.
Distribution
Chthonius halberti has been recorded in: Ireland, England and France. In Ireland it was first recorded in 1915 at Malahide, County Dublin, where it was found beneath stones on the seashore between the levels of orange lichens and Pelvetia canaliculata (just above high-water mark). H. W. Kew collected two specimens which were believed to be the same species at Axmouth in Devon, under stones on the beach near and below the high-water mark (Muchmore 1968). Attempts in recent years to find the species at both localities have proven unsuccessful. More recently, July 2016, a specimen was found at Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset beneath a large bolder. Further investigations of this site and adjacent beaches have provided further specimens. See a news item.

Beier’s (1963) description of K. halberti is based upon specimens from the south coast of France and this description does not fit the type specimens of K. halberti in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (Muchmore 1968). K. halberti is considered by some authors to be the type species of the genus Kewochthonius, and in 1968 Muchmore redescribed K. halberti using the Irish and Devon material. Evans and Browning (1954) give the group subgeneric status, using the name Neochthonius, but this is incorrect on grounds of page priority. Harvey considers it as Chthonius.
For further information see Mark Harvey, Pseudoscorpions of the World.

Chthonius halberti; original photograph © Steve Trewhella/UK Coastal Wildlife
Chthonius halberti; original photograph © Steve Trewhella/UK Coastal Wildlife
Chthonius halberti; original photograph © Liam Andrews.
Chthonius halberti; original photograph © Liam Andrews.
Chthonius halberti, prosma and chelicerae. Note fairly prominent epistome.
Chthonius halberti, prosoma and chelicerae. Note fairly prominent epistome.
Pedipalp of Chthonius halberti
Pedipalp of Chthonius halberti
Chthonius halberti showing teeth. Note they are closely set and not pointed unlike other Chthonids.
Chthonius halberti showing teeth. Note they are closely set and not pointed unlike other Chthonids.

UK & Ireland Distribution Map

Kewochthonius halberti

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