ABSTRACT
The genus Gonyleptellus Roewer, 1930 is revised and reordered; a new species Gonyleptellus angeloi sp. nov. is described from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, three additional species are transferred from other genera and one species is removed, resulting in five species in this genus. The following nomenclatural acts are proposed herein: Gonyleptes pustulatus Sørensen, 1884 is transferred from Gonyleptes to Gonyleptellus; Gonyleptes cancellatus Roewer, 1917 and Progonyleptoides pustulosus Mello-Leitão, 1935, both currently under the synonymy of Gonyleptellus bimaculatus (Sørensen, 1884), are revalidated and transferred to Gonyleptellus. Stephanocranion bimaculatus Mello-Leitão, 1931, previously considered a junior synonym of Gonyleptes cancellatus Roewer, 1917, and thereby previously carried under the synonymy of Gonyleptes bimaculatus Sørensen, 1884, is here unlinked with the former but kept under the synonymy of the latter (of which it is also a junior secondary homonym). Stephanocranion serrulatum Mello-Leitão, 1940, currently under the synonymy of G. bimaculatus, is newly synonymized with P. pustulosus. Stephanocranion bufoninus Mello-Leitão, 1949 (currently combined under Gonyleptellus) is considered a junior subjective synonym of Discocyrtus crenulatus Roewer, 1913. The male of Gonyleptellus bimaculatus is described for the first time. The genus Gonyleptellus is restricted to the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil. A key and a map for all the five valid species are presented.
Subject(s)
Arachnida , Animal Distribution , Animals , Brazil , MaleABSTRACT
In Brazil, the order Opiliones has been well studied, making this country the leader in research with the group, but few extensive works have been made on the distribution of harvestmen associated with caves. In this context, the present paper aims to list all records of the superfamily Gonyleptoidea associated with Brazilian caves, using records from the literature and unreported data from scientific collections. The compiled checklist contains the largest number of harvestmen species recorded for caves in one country, worldwide. A total of 155 species belonging to 7 families were recorded from 952 caves throughout 152 municipalities and 17 states of Brazil. A considerable number of 46 putative (undescribed) new species were recognized, including 9 troglomorphic species. Additionally, 161 new municipal records where found for 58 known species. The most diverse family was Gonyleptidae (104 spp.), with the subfamilies Pachylinae (55 spp.), followed by Goniosomatinae (18 spp.) and Mitobatinae (16 spp.). The number of described species analysed in the present work represents about 12% of the Brazilian opiliofauna of Gonyleptoidea, with many species widely distributed, being indicative of affinity of the group with the cave environments. Thus, the compilation of distribution data of such species (mainly the troglobitic and troglomorphic) can directly contribute to a higher valuation of their habitats, leading to better preservation policies, as well as being useful for future ecological and biogeographical studies.
Subject(s)
Arachnida , Caves , Animals , Brazil , EcologyABSTRACT
Newportia (Newportia) spelaea n. sp. and Newportia (N.) potiguar n. sp. are here described from Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte State, respectively. These two species show highly troglomorphic traits, such as elongation of antennae, legs, ultimate legs, tergites, pronounced depigmentation and reduced sclerotization of the cuticle. Both species occur in caves located in a semi-arid biome (Caatinga) and can be considered troglobites.
Subject(s)
Arthropods/anatomy & histology , Arthropods/classification , Animal Distribution , Animals , Arthropods/physiology , Brazil , Caves , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Cryptops (Cryptops) spelaeoraptor is here described from Toca do Gonçalo cave, Bahia state, Brazil. This species presents highly troglomorphic traits and can be separated from all other species of Cryptops by possessing a unique trait in Scolopendromorpha: the ultimate pair of legs presents saw teeth on each of the prefemur to tarsus 2 (rather than being concentrated on the tibia and tarsus 1) numbering 28+30+14+17+17.
Subject(s)
Arthropods/anatomy & histology , Arthropods/classification , Animals , Arthropods/physiology , Brazil , Caves , EcosystemABSTRACT
Mitogoniella mucuri sp. nov. is described for some caves in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This species differs from other Mitogoniella species by large tubercles on the ocularium that have fused bases and free apices (or almost fully fused tubercles with bifurcated apices), and by a large dry-mark between tubercles on the longitudinal groove of area III. Mitogoniella species are hard to recognize: their males lack any armature on leg IV (normally an important diagnostic character among gonyleptid species), and they also present many polymorphisms in coloration (dry-mark), male secondary sex characters, the number of dorsal scutal granules, and the shapes of tubercles on the ocularium. The patterns of these polymorphisms are discussed for the genus and for the family. The present work also presents new occurrences for all the species of the genus, and their biogeography is discussed.
Subject(s)
Arachnida/classification , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures/anatomy & histology , Animals , Arachnida/anatomy & histology , Brazil , Caves , Ecosystem , Female , Male , PhenotypeABSTRACT
Cryptops (Trigonocryptops) iporangensis n. sp., and C. (T) hephaestus n. sp. are described from SE Brazil. C. (T) iporangensis n. sp. presents highly troglomorphic characters and is described from a remarkable cave system located in Sao Paulo State, the Areias cave system, from were other 16 troglobitic species are also known. C. (T) hephaestus n. sp. was described on specimens collected in three caves of the "Quadrilátero Ferrifero" (Iron quadrangle), in Minas Gerais State, but does not presents a clear specialization to subterranean habitat. The new troglobitic species can be separated from other species of Cryptops (T.) from Brazil and all troglobitc species of the genus Cryptops by presenting incomplete paramedian sutures on tergites, antennal article 1 with an inverted Y-shaped suture on its proximal part and distal spinose processes on ultimate leg. C. (T.) hephaestus differs from the other species of Cryptops (Trigonocryptops) from Brazil by presenting anterior oblique sutures on tergites 2-7 and posterior oblique sutures on tergites 1-3. Cryptops (Cryptops) galatheae Meinert, 1886 is moved here to the subgenus Trigonocryptops.
