On hypogean Roncocreagris (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae) from Portugal, with descriptions of three new species
Author
Reboleira, Ana Sofia P. S.
Author
Zaragoza, Juan A.
Author
Gonçalves, Fernando
Author
Oromí, Pedro
text
Zootaxa
2013
3670
2
283
299
journal article
10.11646/zootaxa.3670.2.11
bc516484-c1c5-4ee3-8912-7ff89f906a8a
1175-5326
219876
67402B31-9D14-4116-8752-2927A1084240
Roncocreagris cavernicola
(
Vachon, 1946
)
Microcreagris cavernicola
Vachon 1946
: 333
–334, figs 1–6.
Roncocreagris cavernicola
(Vachon)
:
Mahnert 1976
: 212
.
Material.
We have not examined the
type
specimens described by
Vachon (1946)
from
Portugal
, district of Leiria, Abiúl, Algar sul das Corujeiras (male) and Santiago da Guarda, Algar da Lapa (female), but Dr Mark Judson (
MNHN
), at our request, has kindly checked the most important diagnostic characters of the species, mentioned below. Recent searches for
R. cavernicola
at the
type
localities have been unsuccessful. In the case of the Algar da Lapa locality, the cave can no longer be found and the cave entrance was probably destroyed by building construction in the area (Grupo Protecção Sicó, pers. com.).
Diagnosis.
No eyes or eye-spots. Strong troglomorphic adaptations. Carapace with 18 setae, of which 4 on posterior margin. Tergite
I 4
setae. Galea short in both sexes, simple in male and with tiny apical rami in female. Pedipalp: femur ratio
5.9 in
male and
6.9 in
female, femur distinctly shorter than the chelal movable finger; chela+ ratio about 6.0 in male and 7.0 in female; ratio movable finger/hand+
1.7 in
both sexes; ratio trichobothria
ib–ist
/
ist–it
1.1–1.3, ratio
isb–ist
/
ib–isb
0.5–0.7.
Remarks.
The following data are based on Vachon’s original description (1946) with additions or modifications from examination of the
syntypes
(3 MNHN Ps620-291, on 3 slides, Ƥ MNHN Ps620-292 on 2 slides).
Male, female in square brackets.
Carapace with 4 posterior setae in both sexes. Chaetotaxy of tergites I–IV: 4:7:7:7 [4:6:6:7]. Manducatory process with 3 setae on each side in both sexes. Trichobothrial ratio
ib–ist
/
ist–it
1.1 [1.3]; ratio
isb–ist
/
ib–isb
0.5 [0.7]. Pedipalp measurements: femur 1.42/0.24 (5.9) [1.59/0.24 (6.9)]; patella 1.40/ 0.29 (4.9) [1.62/0.27 (6.0)], pedicel 0.36 [0.41], club 1.04/0.29 (3.6) [1.21/0.27 (4.5)], ratio club/pedicel 2.9 [3.0]; chela+ 2.45/0.42 (5.8) [2.76/0.40 (6.9)]; hand+ 0.94 (2.2) [1.05/0.4 (2.6)]; movable finger 1.59 [1.77]; ratio movable finger/hand+ 1.7 [1.7]; finger/femur 1.1 [1.1]; femur/patella 1.0 [1.0]; patella/hand+ 1.5 [1.5].
Vachon’s (1946) description stated that in
R. cavernicola
the manducatory process bears only 2 setae, which would be quite exceptional in the family Neobisidae (
Harvey & Volschenk 2007
).
Zaragoza (2000
,
2002
) also used this character for taxonomic comparisons. However, Vachon’s observation is incorrect because 3 setae are present on the manducatory process of both of the
type
specimens (M. Judson, in litt.).