Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)

The genus Spaeleoleptes was proposed by H. Soares in 1966 to accommodate the first Brazilian troglobitic species of harvestmen, Spaeleoleptes spaeleus H. Soares, 1966. In this work, we redescribe this species, including digital images of the type material and drawings of the male genitalia. Since i...

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Main Authors: Maria Paula Pereira, Jonas E. Gallão, Maria E. Bichuette, Abel Pérez-González
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Consortium of European Natural History Museums 2024-01-01
Series:European Journal of Taxonomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2409
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author Maria Paula Pereira
Jonas E. Gallão
Maria E. Bichuette
Abel Pérez-González
author_facet Maria Paula Pereira
Jonas E. Gallão
Maria E. Bichuette
Abel Pérez-González
author_sort Maria Paula Pereira
collection DOAJ
description The genus Spaeleoleptes was proposed by H. Soares in 1966 to accommodate the first Brazilian troglobitic species of harvestmen, Spaeleoleptes spaeleus H. Soares, 1966. In this work, we redescribe this species, including digital images of the type material and drawings of the male genitalia. Since its description, Spaeleoleptes has remained monotypic, and after 56 years, herein is described the second species of the genus, the troglobitic Spaeleoleptes gimli sp. nov. Both species share sexually dimorphic legs I and II with modified regions and swelling on the tibiae and patellae I and II; a penis with robust conductors covering all or part of the capsula interna and a capsula interna with two lateral projections. They are clearly separated by the shape of the modified region of the tibia; by the presence of an apical projection on the apical lamina of the pars distalis in S. spaeleus; and the lateral projections of the capsula interna, which is flattened in S. gimli. Spaeleoleptes gimli greatly increases the distributional range of the genus, as it is now recorded from caves located in two Brazilian phytophysiognomies from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais to the Caatinga of Bahia.
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spelling doaj.art-351671f7a74448c99b3cfc79e65bc7ff2024-01-31T23:35:45ZengConsortium of European Natural History MuseumsEuropean Journal of Taxonomy2118-97732024-01-01921110.5852/ejt.2024.921.2409Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)Maria Paula Pereira0Jonas E. Gallão1Maria E. Bichuette2Abel Pérez-González3División Aracnología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Av. Angel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR Buenos Aires, ArgentinaLaboratório de Estudos Subterrâneos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís km 235, São Carlos, BrazilLaboratório de Estudos Subterrâneos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís km 235, São Carlos, BrazilDivisión Aracnología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Av. Angel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR Buenos Aires, Argentina The genus Spaeleoleptes was proposed by H. Soares in 1966 to accommodate the first Brazilian troglobitic species of harvestmen, Spaeleoleptes spaeleus H. Soares, 1966. In this work, we redescribe this species, including digital images of the type material and drawings of the male genitalia. Since its description, Spaeleoleptes has remained monotypic, and after 56 years, herein is described the second species of the genus, the troglobitic Spaeleoleptes gimli sp. nov. Both species share sexually dimorphic legs I and II with modified regions and swelling on the tibiae and patellae I and II; a penis with robust conductors covering all or part of the capsula interna and a capsula interna with two lateral projections. They are clearly separated by the shape of the modified region of the tibia; by the presence of an apical projection on the apical lamina of the pars distalis in S. spaeleus; and the lateral projections of the capsula interna, which is flattened in S. gimli. Spaeleoleptes gimli greatly increases the distributional range of the genus, as it is now recorded from caves located in two Brazilian phytophysiognomies from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais to the Caatinga of Bahia. https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2409NeotropicalZalmoxoidearelictsexual dimorphismcave-dwellers
spellingShingle Maria Paula Pereira
Jonas E. Gallão
Maria E. Bichuette
Abel Pérez-González
Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)
European Journal of Taxonomy
Neotropical
Zalmoxoidea
relict
sexual dimorphism
cave-dwellers
title Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)
title_full Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)
title_fullStr Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)
title_full_unstemmed Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)
title_short Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)
title_sort hidden in the caves a new troglobitic species of spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription opiliones laniatores
topic Neotropical
Zalmoxoidea
relict
sexual dimorphism
cave-dwellers
url https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2409
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