New Australasian Zalmoxidae (Opiliones: Laniatores) and a new case of male polymorphism in Opiliones
Author
Sharma, Prashant P.
text
Zootaxa
2012
2012-03-16
3236
1
35
journal article
10.11646/zootaxa.3236.1.1
730e921a-5306-4e24-8adf-1d147c92b743
1175-5326
212212
Zalmoxis perditus
sp. nov.
Figs. 13–14
Types
.
Male
holotype
(
MNHN
[ex
MCZ
DNA
102356
]) from
Baie d'Upi
,
Isle of Pines
(
22° 35' 21.0" S
,
167° 31' 20.1"E
),
New Caledonia
,
4 m
elevation, collected
20 April 2007
by
J. Murienne
and
P.P. Sharma
from sifted litter.
1 female
(in ethanol, used for DNA extraction [ex
MCZ
DNA
102356
])
paratype
, same collecting data as
holotype
(
MCZ
124564).
Additional material studied.
One juvenile, same collecting data as
holotype
.
Etymology.
The name refers to the collecting locality of this species, the Isle of Pines, which is located to the south of the main island of
New Caledonia
(Grande Terre). From Latin, “
perditus
,
-a
,
-um
” meaning “lost” or “abandoned”.
Diagnosis.
Distinguished from congeners by the coloration pattern, forming a pigment-free “U” shape on the opisthosomal sternites; a single lateral peg on the ectal surface of coxae II of both sexes; two ventroectal tubercles on femur IV of males; five tubercles, enlarging distally, on tibia IV of males; rutrum of arrowhead shape; and a “double” pergula not fused medially, bearing eight setae set equidistant from each other.
Description.
Total length of male
holotype
(female
paratype
[MCZ 124564] in parentheses) 1.96 (1.50), greatest width of prosoma 0.76 (0.66), greatest width of opisthosoma 1.34 (1.26); length-to-width ratio 1.46 (1.19). Body campaniform, dark orange to brown (in alcohol, depending on incidence of light), almost entirely with dense microgranulate surface microstructure. Eyes present on low, well-developed ocularium. Ocularium wider than long, removed from anterior margin of carapace, without spines or tubercles. Anterior margin of carapace with two pairs of pegs above coxae of leg I and single median peg. Scutal grooves of mesotergum distinctly “V”-shaped. Free tergites with regular belts of small setose tubercles (
Fig. 13
).
Ventral prosomal complex with coxae II and III meeting in midline, coxae I and IV not so. Anterior and posterior margins of coxae III with tubercular bridges to adjacent coxae, and coxae I–II with low setose tubercles. Coxae II with lateral peg on ectal surface in both sexes. Coxae IV greatly enlarged. Genital operculum sub-triangular. Spiracles not concealed, anterior to row of tubercles. Coloration pattern of opisthosomal sternites forming a pigment-free “U” shape in both sexes. Opisthosomal sternites armed with low tubercles tapering medially, except sternite 8, which bears six larger tubercles. Anal plate armed with five tubercles, two of these large (
Fig. 13
).
Chelicerae sexually monomorphic, with prominent bulla on proximal article. Proximal article with denticulate granulation basally and ventrally. Second article not incrassate, free of ornamentation, with dorsal margin bearing several setae. Distal article with delicate dentition, free of ornamentation. Palpi robust and spined ventrally and/or ventrolaterally, typical of zalmoxids. Palpal tarsus with two pairs of megaspines.
Legs (I–IV) finely granulated, of slightly striated appearance due to de-pigmented regions on leg joints. Femora of legs I–II with ventral row of small tubercles. Male leg IV incrassate, elongated, and armored. Femur of male leg IV with two large ventroectal tubercles flanked by row of smaller ventromesal tubercles; tibia IV bearing ventral row of seven tubercles tapering proximally. Femur, patella, and tibia IV dorsally and laterally covered with low setose tubercles. Metatarsi I–IV divided distally, with calcaneus less ornamented but generally more setose. Tarsal claws I–IV smooth, unmodified. Tarsal segmentation 3: 5: 5: 6.
FIGURE 13.
Zalmoxis perditus
sp. nov.
(a) Male holotype, dorsal view; (b) Male holotype, ventral view; (c) Female paratype, dorsal view; (d) Female paratype, ventral view.
Appendage measurements of
holotype
(length/width):
| Tr |
Fe |
Pa |
Ti |
Mt |
Ta |
Total |
| Leg I |
0.15/0.12 |
0.42/0.10 |
0.24/0.13 |
0.34/0.10 |
0.47/0.06 |
0.31/0.06 |
1.93 |
| Leg II |
0.17/0.13 |
0.56/0.09 |
0.33/0.13 |
0.53/0.11 |
0.49/0.05 |
0.59/0.05 |
2.67 |
| Leg III |
0.17/0.18 |
0.51/0.10 |
0.27/0.16 |
0.42/0.14 |
0.52/0.07 |
0.35/0.06 |
2.24 |
| Leg IV |
0.23/0.23 |
0.89/0.22 |
0.44/0.25 |
0.67/0.19 |
0.70/0.10 |
0.40/0.06 |
3.33 |
| Palp |
0.14/0.12 |
0.32/0.12 |
0.21/0.13 |
0.28/0.16 |
— |
0.29/0.13 |
1.24 |
| Proximal |
Second |
Distal |
| Chelicera |
0.22/0.16 |
0.52/0.15 |
0.12/0.03 |
Appendage measurements of female
paratype
(MCZ 124564) (length/width):
| Tr |
Fe |
Pa |
Ti |
Mt |
Ta |
Total |
| Leg I |
0.15/0.12 |
0.44/0.11 |
0.24/0.12 |
0.29/0.10 |
0.40/0.06 |
0.35/0.06 |
1.87 |
| Leg II |
0.15/0.13 |
0.49/0.10 |
0.30/0.12 |
0.45/0.10 |
0.44/0.06 |
0.60/0.06 |
2.43 |
| Leg III |
0.16/0.14 |
0.45/0.11 |
0.25/0.15 |
0.34/0.13 |
0.47/0.06 |
0.40/0.06 |
2.07 |
| Leg IV |
0.17/0.15 |
0.69/0.12 |
0.34/0.16 |
0.52/0.13 |
0.64/0.07 |
0.42/0.06 |
2.78 |
| Palp |
0.12/0.14 |
0.34/0.12 |
0.17/0.13 |
0.27/0.15 |
— |
0.27/0.08 |
1.17 |
| Proximal |
Second |
Distal |
| Chelicera |
0.22/0.15 |
0.51/0.17 |
0.14/0.03 |
Penis (
Fig. 14
) with two unpaired setae on right margin of rutrum (possible anomaly) and a “double” pergula with unfused, slightly projecting margins. Eight setae on distal pergula (set approximately equidistant from each other). One pair of setae displaced from midline and slightly posterior to proximal pergula. Rutrum with lateral arrowhead-like extensions.
Distribution.
Known only from
type
locality.