Pseudopucrolia discrepans, (ROEWER, 1943), 2011

Mendes, Amanda Cruz, 2011, Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Heteropachylinae (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163 (2), pp. 437-483 : 457-465

PSEUDOPUCROLIA DISCREPANS ( ROEWER, 1943)

COMB. NOV. ( FIGS 7 , 8 , 12E, F , 27 )

Tribunosoma discrepans Roewer, 1943: 25 , pl. 2, figure 16; Soares & Soares, 1954: 298; Acosta, 1996: 223. Kury, 2003a: 143.

Distribution ( Fig. 27 ): BRAZIL. Sergipe (Aracaju, Maroim and Santo Amaro das Brotas), Paraíba (João Pessoa), Pernambuco (Moreno, Recife and Rio Formoso) and Ceará (Crato). WWF: Ecoregions NT0106, NT0123, NT0151 and NT0152, respectively, Caatinga Enclaves moist forests, Fernando de Noronha-Atol das Rocas moist forests, Pernambuco coastal forests and Pernambuco interior forests.

Material examined: m lectotype (here designated); 3m, f, and 1juv paralectotypes (here designated) ( SMF RII 6194 /105); 2m, f, and 3juv paralectotypes (here designated) ( SMF8832 /116) from BRAZIL, Pernambuco; 9m and 9f ( MNRJ04683 ) from Ceará, Crato, Mané Côco Carrasco, 23.vi.2000, Kury AB.; m ( MNRJ05788 ) from Paraíba, Gurinhém , 15.iii.1999, Kury AB & Giupponi APL; 2m ( MNRJ06976 ) from João Pessoa , Mata do Buraquinho , iii.1996, Kury AB; m and f ( MNRJ06815 ), 8m and 11f ( MNRJ06874 ), 15m and 4f ( MNRJ05613 ), 4m and 6f ( MNRJ04922 ) from Jardim 13 de Maio, viii.1993 - ix.1996. Batista LV; m ( MNRJ42328 ), 10m and 12f ( MNRJ42706 ) from Pernambuco, von Ihering R; m ( MNRJ05792 ) from 3 km ao Norte de Rio Formoso . 27.iii.1999. Kury AB & Giupponi APL; 9m and 16f ( MNRJ06434 ) from Moreno, Bonança [Tapera], 20.ii.1989, Baptista RLC; 6m and 4f ( MNRJ01456 ), 3f ( MNRJ01518 ), m ( MNRJ27066 ) from Moreno, Bonança [Tapera], Pickel B; m and f ( MNRJ14334 ) from Recife, Parque Zoobotânico Dois Irmãos, de Castro AL; m ( HEMS0167 ) from Sergipe, Aracaju, Atalaia, dunas, 5.x.1952, Schubart O; 4m and 4f ( MNRJ04648 ) from Aracaju, Campus Universitário da Universidade Federal do Sergipe, 12.ii.1974; m ( HEMS0942 ) from Aracaju, Campus Universitário da Universidade Federal do Sergipe, 18.xi.1977, Almeida A; 1f ( HEMS1057 ) from Aracaju, Morro dos Urubus , 2.x.1952, Schubart O; f ( HEMS0168 ) from Maroim, Mata da Lombada , roça, 5.x.1952, Schubart O; m and f ( HEMS0169 ) from Santo Amaro das Brotas, 8.x.1952, Schubart O; 2m and 2f ( MZSP 11328 ), 3m and f ( MZSP 11328 ), f ( MZSP 11329 ) from Santo Amaro das Brotas, Gravatá, x.1978 - ix.1979; m ( HEMS1056 ) without data .

Diagnosis: Dorsal surface of the body not densely covered by dark granules. Free tergite II with armature on corners on males (protuberant corners) ( Fig. 7A, E, F ); median apophysis of free tergite II with length comparable to the tergite length ( Fig. 7A, E ); free tergite III with posterior border only slightly convex and bearing tubercles on the lateral corners ( Fig. 7F ). Calcaneus I about half the length of metatarsus I. Main dorsal row of tubercles of femur IV with an enlarged medial apophysis ( Fig. 7C, D ).

Measurements: Male lectotype: CL: 2.1; MCW: 3.0; ASL: 3.4; MASW: 6.2. FL: 4.4; Males (N = 5): CL: 1.9 (1.7–2.1); MCW: 2.5 (2.4–3.0); ASL: 3.2 (3.1–3.4); MASW: 5.4 (5.2–6.2). FL: 3.6 (3.3–4.4). Females (N = 4): CL: 1.7 (1.6–1.7); MCW: 2.3 (2.2–2.3); ASL: 2.8 (2.7–3.0); MASW: 4.7 (4.5–4.9). FL: 3.0 (3.0–3.1).

Description

Male lectotype: Dorsum ( Fig. 7A ). Scutum outline pyriform, widest at mesotergal area II. Anterior margin of carapace with one to two small tubercles at each side. Frontal hump covered with granules. Eye mound with pair of small paramedian tubercles ( Fig. 7C ) and some granules near the eyes. Carapace smooth. Mesotergum divided into three areas; mesotergal area I divided into left and right halves by median longitudinal groove; mesotergal areas I–II with pair of small paramedian granules; mesotergal area III bearing pair of paramedian tubercles. Posterior margin and free tergites I–II with a transversal row of granules each. Free tergites I–II fused to the dorsal scutum; free tergite II bearing median robust blunt apophysis with wide basis ( Fig. 7A ) pointed backwards ( Fig. 7C ), and a blunt apophysis on each corner ( Fig. 7A, E, F ); free tergite III with posterior border slightly convex ( Fig. 7A ), with transversal keel ( Fig. 7F ) and projected corners ( Fig. 7A, E, F ). Lateral areas of mesotergum with row of tubercles larger at area II. Dorsal anal operculum coarse, projected backwards on median portion forming a blunt apophysis of wide base ( Fig. 7F ). Appendages. Pedipalps ( Fig. 7A, E ) – Trochanter with two ventral setiferous granules. Femur with ventral row of setiferous granules and with subapical mesal spine. Tibia with four mesal (IiIi) and three ectal (i+Ii) spines. Tarsus with four mesal (IiIi) and four ectal (IiIi) spines. Legs – calcaneus I about half length of metatarsus I, thicker than astragalus but not differently coloured. Coxa IV ( Fig. 7A ) armed with apical prolateral blunt apophysis. Trochanter IV ( Fig. 7A ) armed with apical prolateral blunt apophysis and distal retrolateral curved apophysis. Femur IV ( Fig. 8 ) short, distinctly curved in dorsal view and straight in lateral view, bearing rows of tubercles; femur IV without dorsobasal apophysis, with three dorsal rows of rounded tubercles, medial row with larger tubercles and medial apophysis, ending in a rounded tubercle with acuminate apex; retrolateral surface with row of rounded tubercles equal sized, and prolateral row of rounded tubercles, the sizes of which increase progressively towards apex of the femur; apical portion with retrolateral tubercle and prolateral rounded apophysis with acuminate apex ( Fig. 7D ). Tarsal counts: 6/9/6/6. Male genitalia ( Fig. 12E, F ). Ventral plate with distal border slightly concave. Group of four distal short setae on the dorsal portion, two short distal blunt setae on the ventral portion of ventral plate, one large basal seta after group of distal setae. Glans with dorsal thumb-like process. Stylus with apical setae of subequal size. Colour (in alcohol). Background colour of body orange-brown, uniform, black shaded. Coxa, trochanter, and femur IV orange-brown. Chelicerae, pedipalps, and trochanters I–III yellow. Metatarsi with dark rings. Tarsi pale yellow. Females ( Fig. 7B ). Free tergites not fused to the dorsal scutum, free tergite II bearing a small median spine. Apical apophysis of coxa IV reduced in relation to males and spiniform. Trochanter IV narrow without armature. Femur IV without conspicuous armature.

Variation: Less developed exemplars are smaller, the body granulation is more evident, and the armature of the free tergite II and coxa, trochanter and femur IV is little developed.

Notes: The material SMF RII 8832/116 was not cited in the original description of the species, but this material must have come to the hand of the author at the same time as the other material (SMF RII6194/ 105). On the label there is the name ( Tribunosoma discrepans ) besides ‘n.g. n.sp.’, a fact already noted by Acosta (1996).

This species is very much like P. mutica , especially in the case of the intermediate (but not ‘female-like’) males of that species. It is possible to differentiate them by the presence of a medial dorsal apophysis in femur IV of P. discrepans , a condition shared with P. rugosa comb. nov. Exemplars from Sergipe state, an intermediate locality between the distribution areas

D

of both species, are not typical of P. discrepans as the medial apophysis is not conspicuous. This may suggest a morphological cline, but further analyses are necessary to elucidate the identity of ‘non-typical’ P. discrepans .

PSEUDOPUCROLIA MUTICA ( PERTY, 1833)

( FIGS 9 , 10 , 12G, H , 27 )

Eusarcus muticus Perty, 1833: 203 . Gonyleptes muticus: Koch, 1839a: 13, 1839b: 41 , pl. 225, figure 557; Butler, 1873: 114; Sørensen, 1884: 606.

Eusarchus muticus [misspelling]: Gervais, 1844: 113. Heterogonyleptes muticus: Roewer, 1913a: 180, 1923: 468 ; Mello-Leitão, 1923: 134, 1932: 312; Soares & Soares, 1949: 184; Soares & Bauab-Vianna, 1972: 206, figure 1.

Pseudopucrolia spinosa Roewer, 1912: 167, 1923: 125 , figure 130. Synonym established by Kury, 2003a.

Triaenosoma singularis Roewer, 1913a: 182 , figure 76, 1923: 469, figure 587; Mello-Leitão, 1923: 134, 1926: 377; Roewer, 1930: 350; Mello-Leitão, 1932: 249, figure 184, B. Soares, 1945: 365; Soares & Soares, 1949: 217. [= Eusarcus muticus Perty, 1833 : Soares & Bauab-Vianna, 1972].

Triaenosoma bahiensis Mello-Leitão, 1926: 376 ; Roewer, 1930: 350; Mello-Leitão, 1932: 249, figure 185, B. Soares, 1945: 365; Soares & Soares, 1949: 216. Synonym established by Soares & Bauab- Vianna, 1972.

Pseudotriaenosoma pickeli Mello-Leitão, 1927: 17 [= Triaenosoma singularis Roewer, 1913 : Roewer, 1930].

Pseudopucrolia mutica: Kury, 2003a: 143 .

Distribution ( Fig. 27 ): BRAZIL. Espírito Santo (São Matheus), Bahia (Arraial d’Ajuda, Conde, Cruz das Almas, Feira de Santana, Itabuna, and Porto Seguro). WWF Ecoregions: NT0103 and NT0104, respectively, Bahia coastal forests and Bahia interior forests.

Material examined: Pseudopucrolia spinosa f holotype ( SMF) from BRAZIL, Bahia; Triaenosoma singularis m holotype ( SMF899 ) [from São Paulo]; Pseudopucrolia mutica 7m and 13f (04965) from Conde, Fazenda Tiririca, 12.i.1989, Zaher H & Silva H; m, 3f, and 7juv ( MNRJ06796 ) from same locality, 14.viii.1989. Silva H, Cox, M & Zaher H; 4m, 3f and 7juv ( MNRJ04998 ) from Cruz das Almas, 2.vii.1967, Becker J; 3m and 4f ( MNRJ04423 ) from Feira de Santana, Campus Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, 18.xi.1977; f ( MNRJ04318 ) from Itabuna, 1.vii.1989, Hélio R & Cox M; m ( IBSP 1014 ) from Porto Seguro, Estação Ecológica do Pau-Brazil , 17–20.iv.1998, Brescovit A, Bertani R & Pinto-da-Rocha R; 83m and 93f ( MNRJ 17724 ), from Porto Seguro , Arraial d’Ajuda , Fazenda do Sr. Valter (16°32′S, 39°08′W), 24–27.ii.2005, Expedição Arachné ; m and 4f ( HEMS0425 ) from Salvador , Rio Vermelho , vi.1955, Becker J; m ( IBSP352 ), 2m and f ( IBSP 442 ), m ( IBSP 452 ) from Espírito Santo, São Matheus , Reserva Florestal Vale do Rio Doce , i.1998 Brescovit et al.; m ( HEMS0738 ) without data .

Other material: Eusarcus muticus f holotype (ZSMC) from BRAZIL, lost; Triaenosoma bahiensis 3 syntypes from Bahia, Prof O. lost (?); Pseudotriaenosoma pickeli specimen(s) (Coll. Fr. Bento Pickel) from Pernambuco, lost (?).

Diagnosis: Dorsal surface of the body not densely covered by dark granules. Free tergite II with armature on corners (protuberant corners) ( Fig. 9A, E ); median apophysis of free tergite II with length comparable to the tergite length ( Fig. 9A, B ); free tergite

B

D

III posterior border only slightly convex and bearing an apophysis on each corner. Calcaneus I less than half the metatarsus length. Medial apophysis in the main dorsal row of tubercles of femur IV absent ( Fig. 10 ).

Measurements: Males (N = 5): CL: 1.8 (1.6–1.9); MCW: 2.3 (2.3–2.4); ASL: 3.0 (2.8–3.2); MASW: 5.2 (4.9–5.5). FL: 3.4 (3.2–3.9). Females (N = 5): CL: 1.6 (1.5–1.6); MCW: 2.2 (2.1–2.2); ASL: 2.5 (2.5–2.6); MASW: 4.1 (4.1–4.1). FL: 3.0 (2.9–3.5).]

Description

Male MNRJ04965: Dorsum ( Fig. 9A ). Scutum outline pyriform widest at area II. Anterior margin of carapace with three tubercles on each side. Frontal hump with granules. Eye mound with pair of small paramedian tubercles ( Fig. 9A, C ), with some granules near the eyes. Carapace smooth. Mesotergum divided into three areas; mesotergal area I divided into left and right halves by median longitudinal groove; mesotergal areas I–II with pair of paramedian granules; mesotergal area III bearing pair of paramedian tubercles. Posterior margin and free tergite I with a transversal row of granules each. Free tergites I–II fused to the dorsal scutum; free tergite II smooth bearing median apophysis pointed backwards and a robust apophysis on each corner ( Fig. 9A, E ); free tergite III smooth, with posterior border slightly convex, with transverse keel ( Fig. 9F ) and protuberant corners. Lateral areas of mesotergum with row of tubercles, the last ones larger ( Fig. 9A ). Dorsal anal operculum coarse, projected backwards in the median portion forming a blunt apophysis of wide base ( Fig. 9F ). Appendages. Pedipalps ( Fig. 9A, E ) – trochanter with two ventral setiferous granules. Femur with ventral row of setiferous granules and with subapical mesal spine. Tibia with four mesal (IiIi) and three ectal (i+Ii) spines. Tarsus with four mesal (IiIi) and four ectal (IiIi) spines. Legs – calcaneus I less than half the length of metatarsus I, colour lighter and thicker than astragalus. Coxa IV ( Fig. 9A ) armed with apical prolateral blunt apophysis. Trochanter IV armed with apical prolateral blunt apophysis and distal retrolateral curved apophysis. Femur IV ( Fig. 10 ) short, slightly curved in dorsal view and straight in lateral view, bearing rows of tubercles; without dorsobasal apophysis, with three dorsal rows of rounded tubercles, larger at the medial row, ending in a rounded tubercle with acuminate apex; retrolateral surface with row of rounded tubercles equal sized and prolateral surface with row of rounded tubercles, the sizes of which increase progressively towards apex of the femur; apical portion ( Fig. 9D ) with retrolateral tubercle and prolateral rounded apophysis with acuminate apex. Tarsal counts: 6/9–10/6/6. Male genitalia ( Fig. 12G, H ). Ventral plate with distal border slightly concave. Group of four distal short setae on the dorsal portion, two short distal blunt setae on the ventral portion of ventral plate, one large basal seta after group of distal setae. Glans with dorsal thumb-like process. Stylus with apical setae of subequal size. Colour (in alcohol). Background colour of the body and coxa, trochanter and femur IV reddish brown, uniform. Chelicerae, pedipalps, and trochanters I–III yellow. Legs I–III yellow, calcaneus I, and tarsi pale yellow. Female ( Fig. 9B ). Apical apophysis of coxa IV reduced in relation to males and spiniform. Trochanter IV narrow without armature. Femur IV without conspicuous armature. Free tergites not fused to the dorsal scutum, free tergite II bearing small median spine and a tubercle at each corner.

Variation ( Fig. 26 ): Less developed exemplars do not show an apophysis on each corner of free tergite II as robust as that of the exemplar described above. The apophyses are spiniform and as large as the median apophysis of free tergite II.

Notes: The types of Pseudotriaenosoma pickeli were not found. The type locality (Pernambuco) coincides with the distribution area of Pseudopucrolia discrepans that is very similar to P. mutica (see notes on P. discrepans ). It is possible that P. pickeli is a junior synonym of P. discrepans ; however, this could only be confirmed by analysis of the types because the original description is not very informative and it is not accompanied by illustrations.

The type locality of Triaenosoma singularis (São Paulo) is not within the distribution area of the subfamily. Roewer (1923), in his catalogue, considered the type locality of T. singularis doubtful (p. 468: ‘genauer Fundort?’ – exact place of discovery?), so it is probably a mistake and it was not considered as part of the distribution of the species in this paper. The type of T. singularis is an exemplar of P. mutica , and the only mention of locality on the label was ‘Brazilien’ ( Brazil), which reinforces the possibility of a mistake.

Figures

Figure 7. Pseudopucrolia discrepans comb. nov. A, C–F, male lectotype RMF RII 6194/105. A, habitus, dorsal view; C, frontal view; D, patella and apex of femur IV; E, habitus, lateral view; F, ventroposterior view. B, female paralectotype SMF 6194. Habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 8. Pseudopucrolia discrepans comb. nov. Male lectotype RMF RII 6194/105. Left trochanter, femur and patella IV. A, dorsal view. B, ventral view. C, prolateral view. D, retrolateral view. The arrows point to the medial apophysis on medial dorsal row of tubercles. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 9. Pseudopucrolia mutica. A, C–F, male MNRJ4965. A, habitus, dorsal view; C, frontal view; D, patella and apex of femur IV; E, habitus, lateral view; F, ventroposterior view. B, female MNRJ 17724. Habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 10. Pseudopucrolia mutica. Male MNRJ4965. A, left trochanter, femur and patella IV, dorsal view. B, left trochanter and femur IV, ventral view. C, D, left trochanter, femur and patella IV. C, prolateral view; D, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 12. Male genitalia of species of the genera Magnispina and Pseudopucrolia. A, B, Magnispina neptunus gen. et sp. nov. Holotype IBSP 1502. A, dorsal view; B, lateral view. C, D, Pseudopucrolia incerta comb. nov. lectotype MNRJ 1507. C, dorsal view; D, lateral view. E, F, Pseudopucrolia discrepans comb. nov. MNRJ 41934. E, dorsal view; F, lateral view. G, H, Pseudopucrolia mutica. MNRJ 4965. G, dorsal view; H, lateral view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

Figure 26. Pseudopucrolia mutica. Scheme of polymorphic males showing a continuous development.

Figure 27. Geographical distribution of the species of Magnispina gen. nov. and Pseudopucrolia.