Summary: | Pseudoscorpions represent an ancient, but homogeneous group of arachnids. The genus <i>Lamprochernes</i> comprises several morphologically similar species with wide and overlapping distributions. We implemented an integrative approach combining molecular barcoding (<i>cox1</i>), with cytogenetic and morphological analyses in order to assess species boundaries in European <i>Lamprochernes</i> populations. The results suggest ancient origins of <i>Lamprochernes</i> species accompanied by morphological stasis within the genus. Our integrative approach delimited three nominal <i>Lamprochernes</i> species and one cryptic lineage <i>Lamprochernes abditus</i> sp. nov. Despite its Oligocene origin, <i>L. abditus</i> sp. nov. can be distinguished from its closest relative only by molecular and cytogenetic differences, or alternatively, by a complex multivariate morphometric analysis involving other <i>Lamprochernes</i> species. The population structure and common haplotype sharing across geographically distant populations in most <i>Lamprochernes</i> species suggest that a phoretic manner of dispersal is efficient in this group.
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