Zannicranaus morlacus sp. nov.

(Figures 21–38)

Etymology. Neo-latinization of Ecuadorian Spanish “morlaco” (a native of Azuay), emphasizing this as the first reported species of Opiliones from Azuay province.

Type data. 3 holotype (QCAZ AK 0029) Ecuador, Azuay, Molleturo, alt: 3210 m (79º20.426’ W, 02º48.221’ S) 27.xii.2001, I. Tapia & G. Onore leg.

Diagnosis. Scutal area I unarmed (Figs. 22–23). All areas divided into two halves by longitudinal median groove, but area II not invading area I (Fig. 23). Spines of area III strongly bent backwards, almost horizontal (Figs. 22–23). Femur of pedipalpus with ventral row of 3 strong ventral spines (Figs. 26–29). Femora I–II of male unarmed. Femur IV of male with 1 ventral subdistal spine, 2 prolateral spines (Figs. 21–22). Tibia IV of male with ventral row of spines. Color of body and appendages dull. Stylus without stylar caps, apex shaped as an elongate erythrocyte. Male tarsal counts 7(3)/13(3)/7/8.

Description: male holotype. Measurements of body: CL = 2.9, CW = 4.0, AL = 4.3, AW = 6.1.

Dorsum. Dorsal scutum roughly guitar-shaped with distinct coda (parallel-side terminal area) (Fig. 23). Growing slightly higher in lateral view at eye mound (Fig 22). Carapace wide, roughly rectangular with anterior sides obliquely truncated, carapacal area well-marked, parabolic-shaped (Fig. 23). Abdominal scutum steadily growing wider, widest at 2/3 towards end, with sides rounded in dorsal view (Fig. 23). Frontal hump well-defined, armed with very high single spine bent frontwards (Figs. 22, 24). Eye mound wide, without median depression, armed with a paramedian pair of acuminate tubercles (Figs. 23–24). Mesotergum well delimited, following outline of abdominal scutum, divided into 3 areas sparsely covered with granules. Area I divided into left and right halves, each with posterior border convex, unarmed. Area II unarmed, not penetrating into area I, posterior border sinuous (Fig. 23). Area III with a pair of paramedian acute spines, strongly bent backwards almost horizontal, and with outline clearly distorted posteriorly by the base of these spines (Figs. 22–23). Lateral margins unarmed. Posterior bor- der of scutum smooth and unarmed, strongly convex in the middle (Fig. 23). Free tergites I–III armed each with 1 row of granules, those of tergite III largest.

Venter (Fig. 25). Coxae I–III fine granular, transverse parallel, subequal in size, touching in midline. Coxa IV much more robust than any of the others, clearly slanted. Stigmatic area Y-shaped, with large unobstructed elliptical stigmata. Coxa IV ventro-distally with pair of acuminate tubercles. Genital opercle elliptical, truncated posteriorly.

Chelicerae (Figs. 22–25). Basichelicerite well-developed, smooth, slightly surpassing in situ pedipalpal trochanter (Fig. 23). Bulla well-defined, armed with dorso-median posterior erect spine (Figs. 22, 24). Hand only a little swollen, and without remarkable armature.

Pedipalpus (Figs. 26–32). Trochanter with 3 unequal ventral and 1 large dorsal spines. Femur with 1 ectal row of 6 subequal tubercles; 1 mesal row of 5 tubercles; 1 dorsal row of 4 spines and 1 ventral row of 3 powerful spines. Patella and tibia dorsally with scattered short tubercles. Tibia ventro-ectal with 4 (IiIi), ventro-mesal with 6 (IiiiIi) spines. Tarsus ventro-ectal with 3, ventro-mesal with 3 spines. Article measurements: Tr = 1.3, Fe = 3.0, Pa = 1.6, Ti = 2.5, Ta = 2.2, claw = 1.5.

Legs. All leg articles unarmed except femur and tibia IV. Femur IV with 1 ventral subdistal spine, 2 prolateral spines. Tibia IV with a row of 7 spines, running obliquely from retrolateral to ventral. Calcaneus I twice as long as astragalus and a little thickened, astragalus with 3 rings. Metatarsus II–III each with 12 rings, IV with 23 rings. Tarsal counts 7(3)-7(3)/13(3)-12(3)/7-7/8-8. Measurements of legs in Table 1.

Color (in alcohol). Body and appendages uniform Brownish Orange (54). Legs, posterior part of lateral bor- der of scutum and free tergites/sternites darker shaded.

Male genitalia (Figs. 33–38). Truncus penis straight, without distal walking-stick bend (Fig. 33). Ventral plate of penis subrectangular, strongly leaned against truncus (Figs. 33–34), with wide and shallow V-cleft (Figs. 34–35), and with two lateral patches of scale-setae on ventral surface (Figs. 34). Glans sac very long, fanfold, with small conical dorsal process (Figs. 33, 38). Stylus uniformly thin, sinuous (Fig. 38). Stylus head simple, elongate-erythrocyte-shaped, without opposed flat pieces (“stylar-caps”) (Figs. 36–37).

Female: unknown.