Taxon classification Animalia Opiliones Gonyleptidae

Goniosoma vatrax Koch, 1848 Figure 4D

Previously known distribution.

Minas Gerais: Catas Altas (DaSilva and Gnaspini 2010), Ouro Preto ( Mello-Leitão 1932) and Santa Bárbara ( Mello-Leitão 1936).

Examined material.

Mariana: 1 male (ISLA 16019) from Mina dos Canelas Casa (4), 01/V/2009; 1 male (MNRJ 2339) from Minas dos Canelas VI (3), 02/V/2009; 1 female (ISLA 16020) from Mina dos Canelas VII (3), 11/VI/2009; 1 male (ISLA 9573) from Mina dos Canelas XI (2), 11/VI/2009; 1 male (ISLA 16047) from Mina dos Canelas XII (2), 11/VI/2009 (Bernardi et al. 2011); Nova Lima: 1 male (ISLA 160) from Mina de Capão Xavier (15), 10/V/2009, new record for locality.

Sparse individuals were registered in the photic and aphotic zones of the mines at a maximum distance of 45 meters from the entrance. Nova Lima corresponds to a new occurrence for this species, expanding its distribution with about 40 km from the east of Santa Bárbara, Minas Gerais. However, the Mina de Capão Xavier was destroyed by the expansion of mining activities, and its fauna was translocated to another artificial mine constructed in the same region of the original one (Ferreira, R.L. pers. observation).