Caribbiantes Šilhavý, 1973

Barroso, Aylin Alegre & Pérez-González, Abel, 2024, Two new species of Caribbiantes, with the redescription of the type species and a review of male genital patterns in Antillean Stenostygninae (Opiliones: Laniatores: Biantidae), Zootaxa 5514 (5), pp. 401-430 : 403-404

Genus Caribbiantes Šilhavý, 1973

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:69E4113A-E141-4ED1-8D07-7EBEFF2C6AD8

Caribbiantes Šilhavý 1973: 135 ; Kury 2003: 35.

Type species. Caribbiantes cubanus Šilhavý, 1973 , by original designation.

Included species. Caribbiantes cubanus Šilhavý, 1973 ; Caribbiantes barbai sp. nov.; Caribbiantes obtusus sp. nov.

Emended diagnosis. Caribbiantes is differentiated from the rest of the Stenostygninae genera by having the following combination of characters: dorsal scutum sub-rectangular, strong spiniform apophyses on mesotergal areas III and IV of almost equal size, and free tergite III with a pair of robust spiniform apophyses or a pair of tubercles ( Figs. 1B , 6C , 9C ). Tibia of the pedipalps with the ventro-mesal spines equidistant ( Fig. 2A ). Chelicera strongly swollen (chelicera hand hypertelic) in α males, whereas β males exhibit small chelicera as in females; no intermediate sizes (grade) where observed between hypertelic and small chelicerae ( Figs. 1B , 6C , 9C ). Metatarsus III of “samooidean type ”, i.e. with a long intrusion of the astragalus by the calcaneus on the ventral surface ( Pérez-González et al. 2016). Male sexually dimorphic metatarsus III with a subdistal enlargement, located mainly between the third and fourth distal quarter of the segment; the enlargement has a deep and narrow buttonhole-shaped ventral groove, which bears conspicuous, striated brush-like setae, twisted and distally enlarged in the shape of a long paint brush; the brush-like setae are longitudinally arranged in two alternate rows ( Figs. 3B , 7B , 10B ). Tarsal count: 6–7:10–15:7–8:7–8. General shape of the penis tubular with pars distalis slightly enlarged ( Figs. 5C , 8C , 11C ). Capsula interna composed of a laterally flattened lance-shaped (narrow-leaf) stylus and two basally fused conductors, medially thin and apically widened in laminar ends with the form of lobes or truncate, ventrally projected ( Figs. 5E , 8E , 11E ). Stylus slightly larger than conductors ( Figs. 5E , 8E , 11E ). Pars distalis ventrally with apical process in the form of a low hook with a broad base, or with a rounded tip and two pairs of apical setae: setae of the apical pair small and bifurcate; the three pairs of ventrolateral setae longer and foliar ( Figs. 5D, F , 8D, F , 11D, F ).

Comparisons. Caribbiantes is easily differentiated from the rest of the stenostygnine genera. Differences from Stenostygnus include the following: Caribbiantes has mesotergal areas and free tergites armed (only with granules or tubercles in Stenostygnus ); area I is divided by a median longitudinal groove in Caribbiantes (undivided in Stenostygnus ) (cf. Figs. 1A, C , 6A, B , 9A, B , and Mamani et al. 2021, figs. 2A, E, 8A, E); and male sexually dimorphic traits of swollen chelicerae and enlarged metatarsus III are not observed in Stenostygnus (cf., Figs. 1B , 3A , 6C , 7A , 9C , 10A and Mamani et al. 2021, figs. 6C, 12C, E). Furthermore, Caribbiantes has pars distalis swollen and convex, versus a pars distalis swollen but ending in a lamina apicalis medially divided in Stenostygnus (cf. Figs. 5C, G , 8C, G , 11C, G and Mamani et al. 2021, figs. 5A, 11A; Pinto-da-Rocha 1995, fig. 5); capsula externa is modified into a rigid stragulum, that does not fully invert its position when the penis is everted, versus two titillators with apical borders dorsally projected in Stenostygnus (cf. Figs. 5G, H , 8G, I , 11G, I , and Mamani et al. 2021, figs. 5A, 11A; Pinto-da-Rocha 1995, fig. 5). Caribbiantes can be distinguished from Bidoma Šilhavý, 1973 by the presence of a longitudinal median groove in area I (versus area I undivided in Bidoma ) (cf. Figs. 1A , 6A , 9A and 14G ). It also differs from Bidoma and Negreaella Avram, 1977 , by the absence of a tubercle on the eye mounds next to one opposite tubercle located on the anterior margin of area I. In addition, Negreaella and Manahunca are distinguishable from Caribbiantes by the absence of a strong armature on mesotergal areas; they only bear some granules or tubercles, respectively ( Figs. 1B , 6C , 9C ; 14D, B ). Caribbiantes presents two pairs of spiniform apophyses with almost the same length on area III and IV, unlike Galibrotus Šilhavý, 1973 , Decuella Avram, 1977 , and Heterolacurbs Roewer, 1912 , which have small tubercles on area III and a pair of strong spiniform apophyses on area IV; differentially, Heterolacurbs possesses a single spiniform apophysis in free tergite III ( Figs. 1A , 6A , 9A ; 14E, F, C ).

Distribution. Central and Eastern Cuba.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Caribbiantes cubanus, habitus: A–B, holotype, α male (MCZ IZ-14702). A. dorsal view; B. lateral view; C–D, β male (CZACC 3.3380). C. dorsal view; D. lateral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Caribbiantes cubanus, male holotype (MCZ IZ-14702), right pedipalp (trochanter to tarsus): A. pedipalp mesal view; B. pedipalp ectal view. Abbreviations: Tr, trochanter; Fe, femur; Pa, patella; Ti, tibia; Ta, tarsus; TC, tarsal claw; S, spine; edS, ectodistal spines; g, gap in the tubercles series. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 3. Glandular structure of male metatarsus III in Caribbiantes cubanus. A. Light microscope photo, male (CZACC 3.4372), general view of the whole metatarsus III (divided into four quarters to facilitate comparisons); B–E., Scanning electron micrographs, male (CZACC 3.3266): B. View of the glandular swelling, dashed line delineates the form of the ventral, buttonhole-like groove; C. Close-up of the groove delimited in B, note its depth; D. Closer zoom into the groove, white arrow indicates a seta (long paint brush, basally striated and twisted), small arrowheads point to glandular openings (pores) irregularly arranged around the setae; E. Detail of the integument of the ventral groove.

FIGURE 5. Caribbiantes cubanus, entire (C) and distal part (A–B, D–I) of penis,A–F. Drawings with optical microscope (male CZACC 3.3379): A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsal view expanded; C. Ventral and lateral views (entire penis); D. Left lateral view; E. Left lateral view expanded (with enlarged detail); F. Ventral view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm; G–I. Scanning electron micrographs (male CZACC 3.3266): G. Dorsal view; H. Left lateral view; I. Ventral view.Abbreviations:AP, apical process; AS, apical setae; CI, capsula interna; Clf, cleft; Co, conductors; Fo, follis; Led, ledge; Str, stragulum; Sty, stylus; VLS, ventrolateral setae.

FIGURE 6. Caribbiantes obtusus sp. nov., habitus of male holotype (CZACC 3.3384): A–B. Dorsal view; C–D. Lateral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 7. Glandular structure of male metatarsus III in Caribbiantes obtusus sp. nov. (male CZACC 3.4379). A. Light microscope photo, general view of the whole metatarsus III (divided into four quarters to facilitate comparisons); B–E. Scanning electron micrographs: B. View of the glandular swelling, dashed line delineates the form of the ventral, buttonhole-like groove; C. Close-up of the groove delimited in B, note the depth of the groove; D. Closer zoom into the groove, arrows show setae (long paint brush, basally striated and twisted); E. Integument of the ventral groove, white arrowheads indicate glandular openings (pores) irregularly arranged around the setae.

FIGURE 8. Caribbiantes obtusus sp. nov., entire (C) and distal part (A–B, D–J) of penis. A–F: Drawings with optical microscope, male holotype (CZACC 3.3384), A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsal view, expanded; C. Ventral and lateral views (entire penis); D. Left lateral view; E. Left lateral view expanded (with enlarged detail); F. Ventral view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm. G–J. Scanning electron microscopy male CZACC 3.4379). G. Dorsal view; H. Apical view (apical portion of a conductor colored in pink); I. Ventrolateral view; J. Ventral view. Abbreviations: AP, apical process; AS, apical setae; CI, capsula interna; Clf, cleft; Co, conductors; Fo, follis; Led, ledge; Str, stragulum; Sty, stylus; VLS, ventrolateral setae.

FIGURE 9. Caribbiantes barbai sp. nov., habitus of male holotype (CZACC 3.4380): A–B. Dorsal view; C–D. Lateral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 10. Glandular structure of male metatarsus III in Caribbiantes barbai sp. nov. A. Light microscope photo, holotype male (CZACC 3. 4380), general view of the whole metatarsus III (divided into four quarters to facilitate comparisons); B–E. Scanning electron micrographs, male (CZACC 3.3392); B. View of the glandular swelling, dashed line delineates the form of the ventral, buttonhole-like groove; C. Close-up of the groove delimited in B, note the depth of the groove; D. Closer zoom into the groove, white arrow shows a seta (long paint brush, basally striated and twisted), small arrowheads indicate glandular openings (pores) regularly arranged around the setae; E. Detail of the integument and pores (arrowheads) of the ventral groove.

FIGURE 11. Caribbiantes barbai sp. nov., entire (C) anddistal part (A–B, D–J) of penis,A–F.Drawings with optical microscope, male holotype (CZACC 3.4380): A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsal view, expanded; C. Ventral and lateral views (entire penis); D. Left lateral view; E. Left lateral view, expanded (with enlarged detail); F. Ventral view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm. G–J. Scanning electron micrographs (male CZACC 3.3392): G. Dorsal view, expanded; H. Apical view, expanded; I. Left lateral view, expanded; J. Ventral view, expanded.Abbreviations: AP, apical process; AS, apical setae; CI, capsula interna; Clf, cleft; Co, conductors; Fo, follis; Led, ledge; Str, stragulum; Sty, stylus; VLS, ventrolateral setae.

FIGURE 14. Antillean stenostygnines, external morphology: dorsal habitus. A. Caribbiantes cubanus, male (CZACC 3.3380); B. Manahunca bielawskii, male (CZACC 3.4352, neotype); C. Heterolacurbs ovalis, male (FSCA); D. Negreaella rioindiocubanicola, male (CZACC 3.4376); E. Galibrotus carlotanus, male (CZACC 3.3394); F. Decuella cf. cubaorientalis male (CZACC 3.3398); G. Bidoma indivisum male (MCZ IZ-14741, holotype); H. Vestitecola haitensis Šilhavý, 1973, female (MCZ IZ-14736, holotype). Scale bars = 1 mm.