Geogarypus grandis, Neethling, 2024

Neethling, J. A., 2024, Three new Geogarypidae (Pseudoscorpiones: Garypoidea) from South Africa, with an updated key to the country’s geogarypid species, Zootaxa 5443 (3), pp. 387-405 : 398-403

Geogarypus grandis sp. nov.

Figs 8–11

Holotype: 1♀, SOUTH AFRICA, Western Cape, George, Kaaimansgat , 33°59’S, 22°33’E, 10 m a.s.l., Coastal Bush, Leaf litter sifting, leg. J.A. Neethling & C. Neethling, 29.I.2017 ( NMBAP 00451 ).

Paratype: 1♂, SOUTH AFRICA, Western Cape, George, Kaaimansgat , 33°59’S, 22°33’E, 10 m a.s.l., Coastal Bush, Leaf litter sifting, leg. J.A. Neethling & C. Neethling, 24.XI.2022 ( NMBAP 00452 ) .

Non-type material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: 2♀, 1♂, 1 Tritonymph, George, Kaaimansgat , 33°59’S, 22°33’E, 10 m a.s.l., Coastal Bush, Leaf litter sifting, leg. J.A. Neethling & C. Neethling, 24.XI.2022 ( NMBAP 00453 ) .

Etymology: The Latin adjective grandis means great, grand or large. The name refers to the large size of the species and particularly its chelae.

Diagnosis: Large species (chela length ♀ 4.23–4.32 mm, ♂ 3.67–4.07 mm), with acuminate setae on the surface of the pedipalp trochanter, femur, patella and chelal hand situated on large protuberances; cheliceral hand with seven acuminate setae; female galea with 12 rami, male galea simple with no rami; rallum present as either one or two long blades with finger-like projections clustered at distal ends. Differs from all other South African species by the larger size, presence of two extra basal acuminate setae on each chelicera, as well as having pedipalps densely ornamented with protuberances.

Description: Carapace: Strongly sub-triangular, narrow furrow posterior to the eyes absent ( Figs. 8A, C , 11J ). In female, granular in texture with acuminate setae situated on small protuberances, dark brown on the anterior half and sides with a large tan marking dorsally on posterior half. A single dark brown spot is located centrally on the posterior edge, within the tan marking. Same in male, but with lighter brown colouration than female. Heavily constricted anteriorly into cucullus, constriction beginning at about halfway along the carapace. Two pairs of corneate eyes situated on ocular tubercles, located about one-third away from the anterior edge. Six prominent acuminate setae located on anterior edge, row of acuminate setae (♀ 13– 16 ♂ 10–12), seated within rims, located on the posterior margin.

Abdomen: Wider than carapace and subovate. Tergites granular in texture in both sexes, mostly tan in colour with dark brown markings that vary slightly. In female, tergites I and II with three distinct dark patches with light brown mottling between them, one on each side of the tergite and one at the centre. Tergite III with two dark patches, one on each side, as well as mottling. Tergites IV–X with mottling and four dark patches each, one at each edge and two spaced equidistant from the edges. Tergite XI light brown with mottling and no patches. Tergite XII presents as a small light brown plate. Male tergite colouration mostly the same, but lighter in colour and with less mottling between dark patches. Male tergite I also lacks the central dark patch and instead has a darker mottled centre region. Tergal setae acuminate and located on the posterior of each tergite ( Figs. 8A, C ). Sternites of both sexes tan with mottling, some with dark spots. In female, sternites II–IV tan with light brown mottling. Sternites V and VI with mottling and two dark spots each, spaced equidistant from the centre. Sternites VII–X with mottling and four dark spots, one spot at each edge with two further spots spaced equidistant from centre. Sternite XI light brown with mottling and no dark spots, while sternite XII is present as a small light brown plate. In male, sternites II–IV tan with light brown mottling. Sternites V–X with mottling and four dark spots, one spot at each edge with two further spots spaced equidistant from centre. Sternite XI light brown with mottling and no dark spots, while sternite XII is present as a small light brown plate ( Figs. 8B, D ).

Female operculum with 14 acuminate setae on the anterior genital plate, separated into ten setae distributed along the posterior margin of the genital plate and a further four setae situated behind these, two located each side of two large, central lyriform fissures. Male operculum with 14 acuminate setae on the anterior genital plate, separated into seven setae distributed along the posterior margin of the genital plate and a further seven setae scattered behind them. Two large lyriform fissures, flanked by either two or three smaller lyriform fissures, located centrally behind the posterior row of acuminate setae. Male sternite III with 25 acuminate setae, separated into six setae located along the anterior margin of the sternite, at the edge of the genital opening, a group of nine setae located centrally behind these and ten setae along the posterior margin of the sternite. Pleural membrane wrinkled-plicate, cream in both sexes. Male with faint lateral sclerites, each with a central acuminate seta.

Tergal chaetotaxy: 15(15): 16(15): 18(14): 19(15): 19(14): 20(16): 18(15): 16(14): 13(13): 12(11): 15(16): 2(2).

Sternal chaetotaxy:?(?): 14(14): 16(25): 23(15): 32(28): 24(27): 30(23): 23(20): 21(17): 14(12): 10(17): 2(2).

Pedipalp: In both sexes all segments granular in texture and densely ornamented with protuberances, each with a terminal acuminate seta ( Fig. 10A ). Dark brown in females, with chelae marginally darker, brown throughout in males. Trochanter rounded in shape, small apophysis present ventrally. Femur narrow and elongate in both sexes, 4.71–4.86 (♀) to 4.90–5.08 (♂) times longer than wide.Constricted at pedicel, widening gradually before constricting again at end. Patella narrow and elongate in both sexes, constricted and angled at pedicel, widening gradually into a cone, 3.77–4.05 (♀) to 4.06–4.10 (♂) times longer than wide. Several small lyriform fissures present on a bulge on the dorsal surface, just distal of base. Disto-prolateral excavation present ( Fig. 11B ).

Chela: Uniformly dark brown in females, brown in males. Hand granular in texture up to base of fingers, with larger protuberances, each terminating in an acuminate seta, on dorsal surface ( Fig. 10B ). Smaller protuberances on lateral and ventral surfaces. Dorsal protuberances are absent at base of fixed chelal finger. In both sexes the chelae are large and elongate, with narrow fingers much longer than the hand with pedicel ( Figs. 9A, C ). Dorsal surface of hand slightly more convex than ventral, prolateral surface more convex than retrolateral. Fingers curved prolaterally ( Figs. 9B, D ) Both sexes with a short pedicel (pedicel 0.13–0.15 ♀ 0.15–0.18 ♂ times longer than chelal hand). Venom apparatus present on both fingers. Fixed and movable chelal fingers with eight and four trichobothria respectively as in fig. 11A.

Chelal teeth strongly sclerotized, acute and retrorse in both sexes. Female fixed finger with 89–95 teeth. First two teeth behind venom apparatus of mostly equal size and in a single row, rest of the teeth distributed in three disparate rows (including accessory teeth) along the fixed chelal finger, giving the appearance that the teeth overlap. Teeth reducing only somewhat in size proximally, more blunt but still acute. Basal tooth large and flat ( Fig. 10D ). Female movable finger with 59–62 teeth. First three teeth behind venom apparatus of same size and in a single row, bordered retrolaterally by four accessory teeth ( Fig. 11F ). Rest of the teeth distributed in two disparate rows (including accessory teeth) to about a third from the finger base, where the teeth then transition into a single row. Teeth reduce in size proximally to only flat teeth plates. A distinct protuberance present at base of movable chelal finger ( Fig. 10C ). Male fixed finger with 90–93 teeth. First tooth behind single, with rest of the teeth distributed in three disparate rows (including accessory teeth) along the fixed chelal finger, giving the appearance that the teeth overlap. Teeth reducing only somewhat in size proximally, more blunt but still acute. Basal tooth large and flat. Male movable finger with 48–53 teeth. First three teeth behind venom apparatus raised, with the first tooth having a wide base and narrow tip ( Fig. 11G ). First five teeth behind venom apparatus in a single row, rest of the teeth distributed in two disparate rows (including accessory teeth) to just before halfway along finger length, where they transition into a single row again. Teeth reduce in size proximally to only flat teeth plates. A distinct protuberance present at base of movable chelal finger.

Chelicera: Hand with seven long and acuminate setae ( Fig. 11C ). Female fixed finger with 9–11 teeth, male with 7–9. Female movable finger with seven or eight reduced teeth, male with 4–7. Galea complex, with 12 rami (♀) ( Fig. 11D ), simple with no rami (♂) ( Fig. 11E ). Rallum with either one or two long blades with finger-like projections clustered at distal ends, in both sexes ( Figs. 11H, I ). Serrula exterior with 22–26 lamellae (♀), 21–24 lamellae (♂). Lamina exterior present in both sexes.

Coxae and legs: Pedipalpal coxae lighter in colour than rest of pedipalps. Coxae I–IV tan. Legs I–IV narrow and elongate, light brown in colour. All legs diplotarsate with simple claws; arolium longer than claws.

Measurements (mm): Body length ♀ 4.88–5.12 ♂ 4.34–4.62; Carapace ♀ 2.08–2.21 x 2.29–2.54 (0.87–0.91) ♂ 1.73–1.81 x 1.64–1.75 (1.03–1.05); Chelicera ♀ 0.60–0.63 x 0.32–0.35 (1.80–1.88) ♂ 0.49–0.52 x 0.25–0.26 (1.96–2.00), movable finger length ♀ 0.41–0.43 ♂ 0.35–0.37; Pedipalps: femur ♀ 2.50–2.77 x 0.53–0.57 (4.71– 4.86) ♂ 2.29–2.40 x 0.45–0.49 (4.90–5.08), patella ♀ 2.35–2.49 x 0.58–0.66 (3.77–4.05) ♂ 1.95–2.09 x 0.48–0.51 (4.06–4.10), chela ♀ 4.23–4.32 x 1.01–1.07 (4.04–4.19) ♂ 3.67–4.07 x 0.76–0.81 (4.82–5.02), hand ♀ 1.86–1.93 x 1.01–1.07 (1.80–1.84) ♂ 1.63–1.74 x 0.76–0.81 (2.14–2.15), movable finger length ♀ 2.38–2.42 ♂ 2.05–2.09; Leg I: femur ♀ 1.01–1.06 x 0.32–0.37 (2.86–3.16) ♂ 0.91–0.94 x 0.22–0.25 (3.76–4.13), patella ♀ 0.76–0.86 x 0.28– 0.30 (2.71–2.87) ♂ 0.60–0.66 x 0.21–0.24 (2.75–2.86), tibia ♀ 0.83–0.87 x 0.22–0.25 (3.45–3.77) ♂ 0.69–0.73 x 0.16–0.18 (4.06–4.31), metatarsus ♀ 0.54–0.56 x 0.18–0.19 (2.95–3.00) ♂ 0.47–0.52 x 0.13–0.15 (3.47–3.61), tarsus ♀ 0.49–0.50 x 0.15–0.16 (3.13–3.27) ♂ 0.44–0.49 x 0.11–0.13 (3.77–4.00); Leg IV: femoropatella ♀ 2.16– 2.39 x 0.33–0.36 (6.55–6.64) ♂ 1.78–1.85 x 0.30–0.33 (5.61–5.93), tibia ♀ 1.37–1.55 x 0.21–0.23 (6.52–6.74) ♂ 1.11–1.19 x 0.17–0.19 (6.26–6.53), metatarsus ♀ 0.64–0.73 x 0.17–0.19 (3.76–3.84) ♂ 0.55–0.59 x 0.15–0.16 (3.67–3.69), tarsus ♀ 0.50–0.54 x 0.15–0.16 (3.33–3.38) ♂ 0.49–0.52 x 0.12–0.13 (4.00–4.08).

Remarks: Geogarypus grandis sp. nov. is the largest geogarypid in South Africa, with the chelae of females reaching over 4.00 mm in length. The species furthermore demonstrates four unique characteristics not found in any other know South African congeneric namely, having two additional basal acuminate setae on the cheliceral hand for a total of seven acuminate setae, as opposed to five found in the other species; having rallums with one or two long blades with small distal projections, as opposed to a single, much shorter and simple blade found in the other species; having pedipalps densely ornamented with distinct protuberances, each terminating in an acuminate seta, and the presence of a unique protuberance at the base of the movable chelal finger in both sexes.

Ecology: Currently only known from the indigenous coastal bush found at Kaaimansgat in the Western Cape, within the Cape Floristic Region ( Fig. 12 ). The bush lies at the bottom of two gorges formed from the confluence of the Swart and Kaaimans rivers, near to the river estuary. The species is considered scarce as many trips to the type locality and surrounding areas only yielded a few specimens from the type locality itself. All the specimens were found inhabiting the dry to semi-moist leaf litter found under indigenous trees and bushes, and were sampled during the months of November and January. Elevation: 10 m.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Digital microscope photographs of Geogarypus grandis sp. nov., Female (A, B) and Male (C, D). A, C. Dorsal view; B, D. Ventral view. Scale bar: 1.00 mm.

FIGURE 9. Digital microscope photographs of Geogarypus grandis sp. nov. right chela: Female (A, B) and Male (C, D). A, C. Retrolateral view; B, D. Dorsal view. Scale bar: 1.00 mm.

FIGURE 10. Digital microscope photographs of some of the distinct morphological characters found in both sexes of Geogarypus grandis sp. nov. A. Protuberances on the prolateral surface of the female pedipalpal femur; B. Protuberances on the dorsal surface of the female chelal hand; C. Isolated protuberance at the base of the male movable chelal finger; D. Basal tooth on the male fixed chelal finger. Scale bars: A, B: 0.50 mm; C, D: 0.10 mm.

FIGURE 11. Geogarypus grandis sp. nov. A. Female right chela, retrolateral view; B. Female right pedipalp, dorsal view; C. Female left chelicera, dorsal view; D. Female galea; E. Male galea F. Female chelal fingers, anterior retrolateral view; G. Male chelal fingers, anterior retrolateral view; H. Rallum; I. Same; J. Female carapace, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, B, J: 1.00 mm; C, F, G: 0.20 mm; D, E, H, I: 0.10 mm.

FIGURE 12. Topographical map of South Africa displaying the distribution of Afrogarypus haddadi sp. nov., A. pseudotriangularis sp. nov. and Geogarypus grandis sp. nov. Also highlighted are the distributions of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany (MPA) hotspots. Shapefile acquired from http://www.conservation.org/where/ priority_areas/hotspots/Pages/hotspots_main.aspx (accessed 20.XI.2020).