Fresiax spinulosa ( Maury, 1990 ) Porto & Derkarabetian & Giribet & Pérez-González, 2024

Porto, Willians, Derkarabetian, Shahan, Giribet, Gonzalo & Pérez-González, Abel, 2024, Systematic revision of the South American “ Nuncia ” (Opiliones, Laniatores, Triaenonychidae), ZooKeys 1207, pp. 1-149 : 1-149

Fresiax spinulosa ( Maury, 1990) comb. nov.

Figs 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34

Nuncia spinulosa Maury, 1990: 108, figs 13–24; Maury 1992: 5; Acosta and Maury 1998: 579; Kury 2003: 22.

Material examined.

Holotype. ♂ Argentina. Neuquén Province, Hua Hum , E. Maury coll. ( MACN 8689 ) . Paratype (allotype ♀). Argentina. Neuquén Province, Hua Hum , E. Maury coll. ( MACN 8690 ) . Paratypes. Argentina. Tromen Lake , Neuquén Province, 3 ♂ and 4 ♀ ( MACN 8691 ) .

Additional material.

Argentina. Neuquén: Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Lago Ortiz Basualdo, M. Ramírez coll., I. 1990, 2 ♀ 1 imm. ( MACN). Río Negro: Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Río Frías Superior, M. Ramírez coll., I. 1990, 1 ♀ ( MACN), D. Anghicante. coll., 26. 01. 1990, 1 ♀ 1 imm. Río Negro: P. N. Nahuel Huapi, Puerto Blest, M. Ramírez V. Werenkraut, S. Aysén coll., 28. XII. 2010, 1 ♂ 2 ♀, Near Puerto Alegre, Lago Frías, M. Ramírez, V. Werenkraut, S. Aysén coll., 29. XII. 2010, 1 ♂, A. Quaglino, L. Lopardo coll., 07. I. 2000, 1 ♀. Neuquén: P. N. Nahuel Huapi, Puerto Blest, M. Ramírez coll., 05. I. 1998, 1 ♀ ( MACN). Río Negro: Bariloche, Lago Mascardi, Near Tronador Hotel, E. Maury coll., 02. XI. 1986, 1 ♂ 2 imm. ( MACN). Neuquén: Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Los Lagos, M. Ramírez coll., 30. I. 1985, 1 ♀ ( MACN), Base Glaciar Frias, D. Anghicante coll., 24. I. 1988, 1 ♂ 1 ♀. Chile. Valdivia: Res. Valdivia, B. Borry coll., I. 2007, 4 imm. Cautín: M. Ramírez, F. Labarque coll., 08. II. 2005, 1 ♂ 1 imm. ( MACN); Bellavista, Fundo Flor del Lago, M. Ramírez, F. Labarque coll., 09. II. 2005, 1 ♀ ( MACN). Osorno: Termas de Puyehue, R. Schuh, N. Platnick coll., 24–25. XI. 1981, 4 ♂ 1 ♀ ( AMNH), 36 km W. La Union, L. Peña coll., 25. III. 1987, 2 ♂ ( AMNH). Valdivia: Nehuin, X Reg. Los Lagos, E. Maury coll., 16. I. 1989, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ 1 imm. ( MACN). Chiloé: Chiloé island, 5 km N of Quellón, R. Schuh, N. Platnick coll., 01. XII. 1981, 1 ♂ ( AMNH). Osorno: 7 km E de Entrelagos, Camping “ No me olvides ”, E. Maury coll., 30. I. 1991, 1 ♂ 1 imm. ( MACN). Llanquihue: P. N. Alerce Andino, M. Ramírez, F. Labarque coll., 02. IV. 2005, 2 ♂ ( MACN). Valdivia: Corral, X Reg. Los Lagos, Río Nahuelan 24 km E Corral, E. Maury coll., 16. I. 1989, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( MACN). Chiloé: 25 km N de Chepu, M. Ramírez coll., 08. II. 1991, 1 ♀ ( MACN). Valdivia: Niebla, Camping “ La Herradura ”, 8 km east form Niebla, E. Maury coll., 23. I. 1991, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ 1 imm. ( MACN). Concepción: Hualpén, Estación de Biología terrestre Univ. de Concepción, A. Ojanguren, A. Pérez-González, M. Ramírez, G. Azevedo, W. Porto coll., 14. I. 2018, 1 ♂ ( MACN). Valdivia: Parque Oncol, Sendero Punucahua, M. Ramírez, E. Soto, J. Wilson, D. Poy coll., 13. I. 2020, 1 ♀ ( MACN). Concepción: Hualpén, Estación de Biología terrestre Univ. de Concepción, A. Ojanguren, A. Pérez-González, M. Ramírez, G. Azevedo, W. Porto coll., 14. I. 2018, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( MACN). Valdivia: Res. Valdivia, B. Borry coll., I. 2007, 1 imm. Cautín: Pucón, Ojos del Caburgua, 15 km NE de Pucón, E. Maury coll., 16. I. 1987, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ 3 imm. ( MACN), Termas de Palguin, SE de Pucón, E. Maury coll., 17. I. 1987, 1 ♀ ( MACN). Chiloé: Chepu, E. Maury coll., 11. XII. 1985, 1 ♂ ( MACN). Malleco: Malalcahuello, E. Maury coll., 08. 01. 1987, 3 ♂ 1 ♀ ( MACN). Chiloé: Cucao, E. Maury coll., 12. XII. 1985, 2 ♂ 1 ♀ ( MACN). Llanquihue: Puerto Montt, Carretera Austral, Caleta La Arena, E. Maury coll., 07. VIII. 1985, 3 ♂ 3 ♀ ( MACN). Osorno: Los Derrumbes, 5 km al S de Termas Puyehue, E. Maury coll., 03. I. 1988, 1 ♀ ( MACN). Same collector, 04. XII. 1985, 5 ♂ 5 ♀ 8 imm. ( MACN), 36 km W. La Union, 600 m, L. Peña coll., 25–28. III. 1987, 1 ♂ ( AMNH). Valdivia: Las Lajas (Las Trancas), W. La Unión, L. Peña coll., 19. XI. 1990, 1 ♂ ( AMNH).

Diagnosis.

This species can be easily distinguished from the other species in the genus by its long interocular apophysis (not as long as in F. mauryi ), the long mesotergal tubercles, and the penis with longer ventral plate than other species in the genus.

Distribution.

Argentina: Provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro. Chile: Regions of Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos (Fig. 4 A ).

Description of male.

Measurements: Total length 3.29, carapace length 0.77, dorsal scutum 2.22 length. max. width of the carapace 1.72. max. width of the mesotergum 2.01. Appendage measurements: Pedipalps. Trochanter length 0.28, femora length 1.27, patella length 0.64, tibia length 1.05, tarsus length 0.95. Leg I: trochanter (tr) 0.30, femora (fe) 1.13, patella (pa) 0.58, tibia (ti) 0.92, metatarsus (mt) 1.03, tarsus (ta) 0.76. II: tr 0.34, fe 1.71, pa 0.63, ti 1.47, mt 1.75, ta 1.55. III: tr 0.36, fe 1.17, pa 0.51, ti 1.13, mt 1.44, ta 0.97. IV: tr 0.41, fe 1.56, pa 0.71, ti 1.47, mt 1.98, ta 1.10.

Dorsum (Fig. 29 , 30 ). Eta (η) hourglass-shaped dorsal scutum. Ocularium elevated, accompanied by a long apophysis located between the eyes. Additionally, there are two dorsal rows of setae present in the ocularium. Carapace with fine microgranulation, small tubercles located on each side of the ocular region. A group of five small tubercles can be observed near leg I. Mesotergum with fine microgranulation and features areas that are delineated by prominent tubercles. These tubercles create triangular patterns on the dorsal surface of the mesotergum. Areas I – IV with rows of three, nine, ten, and 12 setiferous tubercles, respectively. The two central tubercles of rows II and III more robust than the others. Posterior margin of the mesotergum with a row of 16 setiferous tubercles. Free tergites, similarly to the posterior margin of the dorsal scutum, display a row of setiferous tubercles.

Chelicerae (Fig. 31 A, B ). Segment I with two ventral granules and a tiny granule on the dorso-distal surface. Segment two with small granules.

Pedipalps (Fig. 31 C, D ). The pedipalps exhibit several distinctive features. Trochanter of the pedipalp possesses one ventral and three small dorsal setiferous tubercles. Femora and tibia covered with granules, visible in both dorsal and ectal views. Femora of the pedipalp particularly notable, with a series of six ventral spines with subdistal setae. Proximal process subtriangular in shape, while the fourth and sixth spines are smaller compared to the others. On the mesal surface of the femora, a row of small tubercles of varying sizes can be observed. Additionally, three small distal tubercles with setae and 6–8 granules are present. Dorsal surface of the femora with a row of six spines with subdistal setae. Patella with two mesal and one ectal small spines, each adorned with subdistal setae. In ventral view, tibia displays four ectal and mesal spines with subdistal setae, with a row of setiferous granules. Tarsus with three mesal and ectal tubercles, all covered in subdistal setae.

Legs (Fig. 32 ). Legs I to IV characterized by short setiferous tubercles. Leg I with three long tubercles with subdistal setae. Legs II and III are connected by four or five bridges, while leg IV is connected to the opisthosoma by 6–8 bridges. Spiracles not covered by these bridges. The smooth surface occupies <¼ of leg IV, indicating the presence of microgranulation or other textural variations. Legs II and III each with ~ 1 / 3 of their surfaces covered in a row of four small tubercles. Leg II with seven small tubercles. On the opisthosomal sternites, a row of tiny setiferous tubercles can be observed. Sternum arrow-shaped, with a triangular-shaped posterior. Femora I – IV bearing small setiferous tubercles, metatarsus I with a distal notch.

Penis (Figs 33 , 34 ). Pars distalis with a ventral plate that bears a groove dividing it into two long lamellae. Each lamella has three small macrosetae on the ventral surface and one macroseta on the dorsal surface, and the ventral plate is composed of scale-like structures. Capsula externa shorter than capsula interna, with a groove dividing the dorsal fold into two halves. Capsula interna with apical projections on the ventral view.

Female. Similar to male, with shorter pedipalpal femora.

Female measurements. Total length 3.10, carapace length 0.94, dorsal scutum length 2.00, carapace max. width 1.48, mesotergum max. width 1.95. Appendage measurements: Pedipalps. Trochanter length 0.21, femora length 1.00, patella length 0.61, tibia length 0.74, tarsus length 0.80. Leg I: trochanter (tr) 0.28, femora (fe) 1.02, patella (pa) 0.48, tibia (ti) 0.84, metatarsus (mt) 0.95, tarsus (ta) 0.68. II: tr 0.34, fe 1.55, pa 0.59, ti 1.37, mt 1.54, ta 1.34. III: tr 0.31, fe 1.16, pa 0.48, ti 0.93, mt 1.26, ta 0.78. IV: tr 0.38, fe 1.42, pa 0.61, ti 1.31, mt 1.79, ta 1.02.

Figures

Figure 3. Phylogenetics relationships of Triaenonychidae, with clade names as discussed in the main text. Phylogeny is derived from the IQ-TREE analysis. Nodes without circles have < 95 % bootstrap support to AH-aLR and UFBoot.

Figure 4. Maps showing the distribution of the species used in this work. South America (Chile and western Argentina inset). Chile in green, Argentina / South America in grey. Terrestrial ecoregions (following Olson et al. 2001) highlighted in yellow (Chilean Matorral) and orange (Valdivian temperate forests).

Figure 29. Fresiax spinulosa comb. nov. habitus, male A dorsal view C lateral view E ventral view. Female B dorsal view D lateral view F ventral view. Scale bars: 1 mm. Species of Clade A, see Fig. 3.

Figure 30. Fresiax spinulosa comb. nov. male, SEM images of habitus A dorsal view B lateral view C, D ventral view. Scale bars: 500 µm.

Figure 31. Fresiax spinulosa comb. nov. chelicerae: mesal A ectal B pedipalps: mesal C ectal D. Scale bars: 200 µm (A, B); 500 µm (C, D).

Figure 32. Fresiax spinulosa comb. nov. legs I A II B III C IV D. Scale bars: 500 µm (A, C); 100 µm (B, D).

Figure 33. Fresiax spinulosa comb. nov. penis: ventral A, B apical C lateral D, E dorsal F, G. Scale bars: 200 µm (A, D, F); 50 µm (B, C, E, G).

Figure 34. Fresiax spinulosa comb. nov. penis: ventral A apical B lateral C dorsal D. Colors: ventral plate (yellow), capsula externa (blue), capsula interna (red). Scale bars: 50 µm (A – C); 200 µm (D).