Sarax stygochthobius ( Weygoldt & Van Damme, 2004 ) Miranda & Giupponi & Prendini & Scharff, 2021

Miranda, Gustavo Silva de, Giupponi, Alessandro P. L., Prendini, Lorenzo & Scharff, Nikolaj, 2021, Systematic revision of the pantropical whip spider family Charinidae Quintero, 1986 (Arachnida, Amblypygi), European Journal of Taxonomy 772, pp. 1-409 : 231-232

Sarax stygochthobius ( Weygoldt & Van Damme, 2004) comb. nov.

Figs 135 , 149 ; Table 9

Charinus stygochthobius Weygoldt & Van Damme, 2004: 328–331 , figs 1–8.

Diagnosis

Based on Weygoldt & Van Damme (2004), this small species resembles S. socotranus comb. nov. in the similar genitalia, the leg basitibia with only two articles, and the similar arrangement of trichobothria on leg IV. It differs from S. socotranus comb. nov. in the extreme level of troglomorphism, including complete loss of eyes ( Fig. 149A, C ), elongate legs and structures such as the trochanter apophysis ( Fig. 149A, E ). The sternum setation is typical ( Fig. 149B ). The pedipalps of preserved specimens are turned upwards, with the femora held almost vertically.

Etymology

The species name is combination of the Greek words ‘ stygo ’, referring to the Styx, the main river of the underworld, according to the Greek mythology, ‘ ochthy ’, meaning ‘riverbank’, and ‘ bios ’, meaning ‘life’, all together meaning ‘living on the banks of the river Styx’ ( Weygoldt & Van Damme 2004).

Type material

Holotype YEMEN • ♂; Socotra Island , Shebehan Plateau, Ghiniba Cave; [12°26′02.8″ N, 53°56′12.1″ E]; 400 m a.s.l.; K. van Damme leg.; HLMD EA–172–HT [not examined].

Paratypes YEMEN • 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; HLMD–EA–172–PT1– PT3 [not examined] • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; NHCY [not examined] .

Measurements

See Table 9.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality.

Natural history

Inhabits a cave in an arid region.

Remarks

This species was originally described in the genus Charinus and is hereby transferred to Sarax based on the phylogenetic analyses of Miranda et al. (2021). See Weygoldt & Van Damme (2004) for description.

Figures

Fig. 135. Map plotting known distributions of species of Sarax Simon, 1892 in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Fig. 149. Sarax stygochthobius(Weygoldt &Van Damme, 2004) comb.nov.(HLMD EA–172–HT), general morphology, ♂. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Sternum, ventral view. C. Frontal process. D. Pedipalp, dorsal view. F. Pedipalp, ventral view. Scale bars: A–B, D–E = 1 mm; C = 0.1 mm.