Pseudoscorpions from Motu Motiro Hiva, a Remote Polynesian Island, with the Description of a New Genus of Chernetidae (Pseudoscorpiones)

Pseudoscorpions collected from the remote southeast Pacific Island of Motu Motiro Hiva (also known as Isla Salas y Gómez) yielded two different species. A juvenile specimen of the genus Garypus (Garypidae) was found near the seashore, which represents the most southerly record of Garypus in the Pacific Ocean. Numerous specimens of an unusual chernetid were taken from inside mummified carcasses of seabirds that breed on the island. Although they show morphological similarities to some other American genera such as Americhernes Muchmore, Cordylochernes Beier, and Lustrochernes Beier, the gaping fingers on the male chela and the positions of the trichobothria clearly differentiate them from all other genera. We therefore propose the new genus and species Motuchernes spatiodigitus sp. nov., which is endemic to this small remote and isolated island.