Metalibitia paraguayensis ( Sørensen, 1884 ), Sorensen, 1884

Coronato-Ribeiro, Amanda & Pinto-Da-Rocha, Ricardo, 2017, Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of the genus Metalibitia Roewer, 1912 (Opiliones, Cosmetidae, Cosmetinae), Zootaxa 4291 (2), pp. 201-242 : 221-224

Metalibitia paraguayensis ( Sørensen, 1884)

( Figs. 2 A, F; 3D; 6A, F; 8A, F; 12A–C)

Cosmetus paraguayensis Sørensen, 1884: 594 [desc]

Cosmetus Paraguayensis : Sørensen, 1895: 1 [cit]

Metalibitia paraguayensis: Roewer, 1912: 13 [redesc, syst], figs 1–2; 1923: 294 [cit], figs 314–315; 1925: 2 [cit]; Mello-Leitão, 1931: 83 [cit]; 1932: 56 [cit], fig 42; 1933: 109 [syst]; Sørensen, 1932: 413 [key], fig. 29; Canals, 1936: 61 [cit]; Roewer, 1938: 5 [cit]; B. Soares, 1945: 343 [cit]; Ringuelet, 1959: 421 [rdesc], fig. 61; 1963: 49 [rdesc, key]; H. Soares, 1966b: 125 [cit]; Capocasale, 1966: 632 [cit]; 1968: 70 [cit]; Moritz, 1971: 207 [cit]; Soares & Soares, 1985: 4 [cit]; 1987: 2 [syst]; Acosta, 1993: 14 [cit]; 2002: 75 [cit]; Acosta & Rosso de Ferradás 1996: 78 [cit]; Capocasale & Gudynas, 1993: 7 [cit]; Kury, 2003: 69 [cat]; Pinto-da-Rocha et. al., 2014: 522 [cit]; Simó et al. 2014: 2 [cit]; Kury & Villarreal, 2015: 4, 21 [cit].

Libitia (Messa) paraguayensis: Sørensen, 1932: 413 [syst], fig. 29.

Metalibitia tucumana H. Soares, 1966b: 125 [desc], fig. 1. Synonymy established by Soares & Soares (1987).

Type material. Cosmetus paraguayensis : ZMUC, ZMB 8394, NHMW syntypes, not examined. SMF 5004/157 1♂ 2♀ syntypes examined. M. tucumana HEMS 63, ♂ holotype examined.

Type locality. C. paraguayensis , PARAGUAY, Monte Rita (currently Pilar, Ñeembucú Department); M. tucumana , ARGENTINA , Tucumán Province, San Miguel de Tucumán.

Geographical distribution ( Fig. 14 ) according to studied localities: BRAZIL, Mato Grosso state ; BOLIVIA, Santa Cruz ; northern ARGENTINA , Tucuman Province (Sierra de Medina, San Pedro de Colalao, road to TaFi del Valle), Santa Fé, Córdoba, Buenos Aires ; southern PARAGUAY, Department Ñeembucú (Pilar).

Diagnosis. Resembles M. brasiliensis in having two tubercles on anterior lateral oF dorsal scutum, near paracheliceral projections ( Figs 1 D; 2A); similar sized tubercles on Free tergites ( Figs 1 D; 2A); Femur IV unarmed ( Figs 5 D; 6A). Distinguished From this species by the retrolateral group oF tubercles on apical region oF trochanter IV ( Fig. 6 F) ( M. brasiliensis has this group oF tubercles displaced to the middle, Fig. 5 H), coxa III with prolateral tubercle ( Fig. 2 A) (absent in M. brasiliensis , Fig. 1 D), and tibia IV with small tubercles ( Fig. 8 F) ( M. brasiliensis has a ventral row oF tubercles, Fig. 7 H).

Redescription. Male (MACN 27632)

Measurements (SMF 5004/ 157 paratype): dorsal scutum, total length 4.1; dorsal scutum, total width 4.0; prosoma length 1.3; prosoma width 2.0; Femur I length 2.1; Femur II length 3.8; Femur III length 3.2; Femur IV length 3.9; pedipalpal Femur length 0.8 mm.

Coloration in ethanol: Entirely pale brown.

Dorsum ( Fig. 2 A, F): Anterior margin oF dorsal scutum with median portion smooth, with two high tubercles with pointed apex near paracheliceral projections. Lateral margins oF dorsal scutum with rounded tubercles near areas I–IV. Domed ocularium without median depression and with Four small tubercles near the eyes. Posterior margin oF dorsal scutum with a row oF 15 tubercles. Free tergite I with row oF 17 tubercles, II with row oF 15 tubercles, III with row oF 12 tubercles. Posterior margin oF dorsal scutum and Free tergite I with median region smooth. Anal operculum with 22 tubercles irregularly distributed. All tubercles oF posterior margin oF dorsal scutum, Free tergites and anal operculum with rounded apex.

Chelicera ( Fig. 2 A): Bulla with Four–Five proximal tubercles, tubercles on lateral borders, two proapical tubercles Fused at base, more evident on the leFt chelicerae than the right. Segments II and III with Four teeth.

Pedipalps (MACN 30705) ( Fig. 3 D): Trochanter with two ventral setiFerous tubercles united at the base. Femur with seven dorsal setiFerous tubercles united at their base, ten setiFerous dorsal prolateral tubercles, nine setiFerous ventral rounded tubercles, and two ventroapical tubercles. Tibia with rounded projection on the distal halF; presence oF dorsal, lateral and ventral setae, and one dorsoapical tubercle on each side. Tarsus triangular, with dorsal macrosetae, lateral ventral rows oF spines, three apical retrolateral macrosetae, the spine displaced apically, smaller than other and Four macrosetae spines, one basal and three median apical.

Legs ( Figs 2 A; 6A, F; 8A, F): Coxa I with one retrolateral tubercle. Coxa II with one retrolateral apical tubercle. Coxa III with one prolateral tubercle and one small retrolateral tubercle contiguous to coxa IV. Coxa IV with only apex visible in dorsal view, tuberculated and with one prolateral apophysis. Trochanter IV with Four retrolateral tubercles, Four retrolateral tubercles united at base on distal region, the subapical tubercle highest, and small prolateral tubercles. Femur IV sigmoid and covered with small tubercles, higher on distal area. Tibia IV covered with small tubercles. Tarsal Formula: 5 / 6 / 5 / 5.

Penis (MNRJ 5515) ( Figs 12 A–C): Truncus straight, smoothly continued into the ventral plate. Ventral plate wide, with wide U-cleFt on distal margin, with three–Four ventroapical macrosetae (group E). Five pairs oF small macrosetae, two pairs displaced to anterolaterally (group C), one dorsal pair (group D), one dorsomedian pair oF macrosetae, next to membranous extension (group A) and one lateral ventral proximal pair (group B). Glans slightly dorsoventrally Flattened and base oF stylus straight. Stylus with rounded apex.

Female (SMF 5004/157 paratype)

Measurements: (SMF 5004/ 157 paratype): dorsal scutum, total length 4.0; dorsal scutum, total width 3.6; prosoma length 1.1; prosoma width 2.0; Femur I length 1.7; Femur II length 3.2; Femur III length 2.4; Femur IV length 3.0; pedipalpal Femur length 0.7.

Dorsum: Dorsal scutum covered with small tubercles. Posterior margin with a row oF 18 tubercles. Free tergites covered with small tubercles, II with row oF 20 tubercles, III with row oF 14 tubercles. The tubercles oF posterior margin oF dorsal scutum and Free tergites are very small. Apex oF coxa IV visible in dorsal view. Chelicera: Bulla with Four scattered tubercles, or Five tubercles close to each other. Pedipalps: Femur with dorsal projection with Four tubercles united at base and Four dorsal prolateral tubercles; row oF six ventral tubercles. Leg IV: Coxa with dorsoapical small apophysis. Trochanter covered with small tubercles, without dorsal tubercle, two retrolateral apical tubercles united at base and one apical tubercle. Tarsal Formula: 5 / 6 / 5 / 5.

Variation. Trochanter IV with retrolateral apical group oF tubercles in higher number (up to Five) and larger size, one retrobasal tubercle being the highest. Coxa IV is visible in dorsal view in some specimens. Measurements ♂ (n=3): dorsal scutum, total length 3.5–3.7; dorsal scutum, total width 3.5–3.6; prosoma length 1.1–1.2; prosoma width 1.6–1.7; Femur I length 1.7; Femur II length 2.7–3.0; Femur III length 2.2–2.5; Femur IV length 2.5–3.0; pedipalpal Femur length 0.7–1.0. Tarsal Formula ♂ (n=3) 5/ 5–6/ 5–6/ 5–6. Measurements ♀ (n=3): dorsal scutum, total length 3.6–3.7; dorsal scutum, total width 3.2–3.5; prosoma length 1.0–1.1; prosoma width 1.6–1.7; Femur I length 1.4–1.5; Femur II length 2.4–2.5; Femur III length 2.1; Femur IV length 2.3–2.7; pedipalpal Femur length 1.5– 1.6.

Material examined. ARGENTINA . Buenos Aires State, Tigre , 34° 25′ S 58° 35′ W, VII.1938, M. Viana leg., 3♂ 2♀ ( MACN 4505 ) ; same loc., 02.XI.1954, J. B. Daguerre leg., 2♂ 1♀ (MACN 4507); Córdoba Province, Leones , 32°42′21″S 62°06′30″W, 23.XII.1945, without leg., 1♂ ( MACN 5621 ) ; Santa Fe Province, Las Gamas, 29°25′00″S 60°23′00″W, 27-30.X.1994, M. Ramirez & J. Faivovich cols., 5♂ 2♀ ( MACN 30758 ) Tucumán Province, Sierra de Medina: Burruyacu , 26° 29′ 59″ S, 64° 44′ 59″ W, 12.XI.1960, M. Birabén leg., 3♂ ( MACN 30757 ) ; same loc., 19.V.1995, E. Maury leg., 14♂ 19♀ (MACN 30705); San Pedro de Colalao, 26°13'47.4"S 65°29'02.5"W, 10.X.?, F. Silvestri leg., 2♂ ( MACN 27623 ) ; Road to Tafi del Valle , 487m, 27° 5' 1.3"S 65° 39' 56.5"W, 16.IX.2001, G. Giribet leg., 1♀ ( MCZ 132484 ) . BRAZIL. Mato Grosso State, 12°48'14.5"S 55°47'59.7"W, no date, E. de Moraes Mello leg., 1♂ ( MNRJ 1375 ) . BOLIVIA. Santa Cruz, Buena Vista , 17° 29' 33.6" S 63° 39' 29.9" W, 02.XII.2010, R. Pinto-da-Rocha, A. Benedetti, J. Ochoa & A. Sarabia leg., 1♂ 2♀ ( MZSP 67950 ) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus. Dorsal View of male of Metalibitia spp.: (A) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (B) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (C) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (D) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Habitus. Dorsal View of male of Metalibitia spp.: (A) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (B) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (C) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (D) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (E) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503), (F) Lateral View of M. paraguayensis. Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 3. Lateral View of male right pedipalp of Metalibitia spp. (A – F): (A) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (B) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (C) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313), (D) M. paraguayensis (MACN 30705), (E) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (F) M. santaremis (MNRJ 8266). Scale: A – B: 100 µm; C – E: 200 µm; F: 500 µm.

FIGURE 5. Dorsal View of male leg IV (trochanter and femur) of Metalibitia spp. (A – D) Dorsal View: (A) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (B) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (C) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (D) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Ventral View (E – H): (E) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (F) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (G) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (H) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Dorsal View of male leg IV (trochanter and femur) of Metalibitia spp. (A – E) Dorsal View: (A) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (B) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (C) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (D) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (E) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Ventral View (F – J): (F) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (G) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (H) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (I) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (J) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 7. Dorsal View of male leg IV (patella and tibia) of Metalibitia spp. (A – D): (A) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (B) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (C) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (D) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). (E – H) Ventral View: (E) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (F) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (G) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (H) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Dorsal View of male leg IV (patella and tibia) of Metalibitia spp. (A – E): (A) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (B) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (C) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (D) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (E) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Ventral View (F – J): (F) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (G) M. rosascostai (FCE OP 321), (H) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (I) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (J) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 12. Penis of Metalibitia spp. (A – C) M. paraguayensis (MNRJ 5515): (A) Dorsal View, (B) Lateral View, (C) Ventral View. (D – F) M. rosascostai (MZSP 16055): (D) Dorsal View, (E) Lateral View, (F) Ventral View. (G – I) M. santaremis (MNRJ 4602): (G) Dorsal View, (H) Lateral View, (I) Ventral View. Scales: A – C; G – I: 10 µm; D – F: 20 µm.

FIGURE 14. Records of geographical distribution of Metalibitia spp.: Argentina, Brazil, BoliVia, Paraguay and Uruguay.