A new species of Sickesia (Laniatores: Stygnidae: Opiliones) and new records for the State of Piauí, Brazil

Sickesia tremembe sp. nov. is described from Piauí, Northeast Brazil (type-locality: Sete Cidades National Park, Brasileira and Piracuruca municipalities). It differs from S. usta and S. helmuti by the clavate male femur IV and chelicerae segment I with a pair of large tubercles on retrolateral surface. The Stygnidae Stygnus polyacanthus (Mello-Leitão, 1923); the Cosmetidae, Gryne pluriarcuata Mello-Leitão, 1936 and undetermined species of Paecilaema and Gryne and also representatives of Escadabiidae and Sclerosomatidae (Gagrellinae) are recorded from this state, for the first time.

A new species and new distribution records of Pickeliana (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae)

A new species of Pickeliana Mello-Leitao,1932, P. albimaculata sp. nov, is described from Jussari, Bahia, Brazil. It can be easily distinguished from the already described species by the presence of white spots on mesotergal area I and anal opercle. It is similar to P. pickeli Mello-Leitao,1932 by the presence of a large, ventro-apical pointed tubercle on femora III-IV A cladistic analysis was performed adding a new character to the available character matrix, the presence of a large and ventro-apical pointed tubercle on male femur IV According to this analysis, P. albimaculata sp. nov is sister species of P.pickeli.Additionally,we present an identification key and an update on the geographical distribution of species of this genus in northeastern Brazil.

Cladistic analysis of the Stygninae and description of a new species of Protimesius Roewer, 1913 (Opiliones: Stygnidae)

A new species of Stygnidae is described from the state of Bahia, Brazil. Protimesius bahiensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by the combination of: male femur IV unarmed and cylindrical; male patella IV with a row of large dorsal acute tubercles, increasing in size distally and male tibia IV with one mesodistal tubercle; ventral plate of the penis with three pairs of distal curved setae and one pair of intermediate setae, smaller than the rest. A cladistic analysis of the subfamily is presented. Stygninae is divided in two groups of genera: (Ricstygnus, Stygnus, Sickesia), with a wide distribution and (Pickeliana (Protimesius (Phareus (Stenophareus (Auranus (Verrucastygnus, Stenostygnoides)))))), associated to the Guiana Shield, Amazon basin and Northeastern Brazil. The monophyly of Protimesius is supported by the apex of pedipalpal tibia sockets bifid (homoplastically present in Verrucastygnus and Stenostygnoides) and by the presence of scopulae with non-spatulated hairs.

First record of Stygnidae for the state of Espírito Santo and description of a new Protimesius (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores)

Protimesius osvaldoi sp. nov. is described from the Reserva Biológica de Sooretama, state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, being the first record of Stygnidae from this State and the southernmost record of the family in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (hitherto, the family was recorded down to Bahia only), extending in 210 km south of the previously known distribution. This is a large species, with armature of leg IV very reduced and penial morphology differing from the closest counterparts mainly in the ventral plate, which recedes deeply at the lateral borders and has the distal margin curved ventrally and by the presence of two small intermediate setae. Protimesius Roewer, 1913 consisted hitherto of 17 species, recorded from northern/northeastern Brazil and Amazonia of adjacent countries. A key is given for the 17 species of Protimesius for which males are known.

First record of Stygnidae for the state of Espirito Santo and description of a new Protimesius (Arachnida : Opiliones : Laniatores)

Protimesius osvaldoi sp. nov. is described from the Reserva Biologica de Sooretama, state of Espirito Santo, Southeastern Brazil, being the First record of Stygnidae from this State and the southernmost record of the family in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (hitherto, the family was recorded down to Bahia only), extending in 210 km south of the previously known distribution. This is a large species, with armature of leg IV very reduced and penial morphology differing from the closest counterparts mainly in the ventral plate, which recedes deeply at the lateral borders and has the distal margin curved ventrally and by the presence of two small intermediate setae. Protimesius Roewer, 1913 consisted hitherto of 17 species, recorded from northern/northeastern Brazil and Amazonia of adjacent Countries. A key is given for the 17 species of Protimesius for which males are known.

Two new genera, ten new species and new records of Amazonian Stygnidae Simon, 1879 (Opiliones: Laniatores)

As a result of recent expeditions to two mountains in the Amazon basin, Tapirapeco and Pico da Neblina, two new genera of Stygnidae, Imeri g. nov. (type species Imeri lomanhungae sp. nov.) and Jime g. nov. (type species Jime chifrudo sp. nov.), and ten new species are described: Auranus hehu sp. nov., Auranus tepui sp. nov., Imeri lomanhungae sp. nov.; Jime chifrudo sp. nov.; Stygnoplus ianomami sp. nov.; Stygnus magalhaesi sp. nov.; Stygnoplus neblina sp. nov.; Stygnoplus tapirapeco sp. nov.; Stygnus nogueirai sp. nov., Stygnus kuryi sp. nov.. Additionally, new distributional records in Amazonas (Brazil) are presented for Stygnidius guerinii Soerensen, 1932, Minax tetraspinosus Pinto-da-Rocha, 1997 and Protimesius longipalpis (Roewer, 1943). Keys for genera of Heterostygninae and Stygninae are provided.

New familial assignments for three species of Neotropical harvestmen based on cladistic analysis (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores)

We herein propose transfer of the two monotypic genera Globibunus (type-species G. rubrofemoratus Roewer, 1912) and Rivetinus (type-species R. minutus Roewer, 1919) to the subfamily Zamorinae (Agoristenidae) and Ramonus (type-species R. conifrons Roewer, 1956), previous placed in Agoristenidae, to the Prostygninae (Cranaidae) based on several characteristics of male genitalia. These transfers are corroborated by a cladistic analysis, which also recovered the three currently recognized agoristenid subfamilies.

Sexually Dimorphic Tegumental Gland Openings in Laniatores (Arachnida, Opiliones), With New Data on 23 Species

Sexually dimorphic glands often release sexual pheromones both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Species of Laniatores (Arachnida, Opiliones) seem to depend on chemical communication but few studies have addressed this topic. In this study, we review the literature for the Phalangida and present new data for 23 species of Laniatores. In 16 taxa, we found previously undescribed sexually dimorphic glandular openings on the femur, patella, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs I and metatarsus of legs III and IV For the other species, we provide scanning electron micrographs of previously undescribed sexually dimorphic setae and pegs located on swollen regions of the legs. We also list additional species in which males have swollen regions on the legs, including the tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs I, trochanter and tibia of legs II, femur, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs III, and metatarsus and tarsus of legs IV. The function and biological role of the secretions released by these glands are discussed. J. Morphol. 271:641-653, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Conventional and ultrastructural analyses of the chromosomes of Discocyrtus pectinifemur (Opiliones, Laniatores, Gonyleptidae)

Among the Opiliones, species of the suborders Cyphophthalmi, Eupnoi, Dyspnoi and Laniatores have shown very diverse diploid chromosome numbers. However, only certain Eupnoi species exhibit XY/XX and ZZ/ZW sex chromosome systems. Considering the scarcity of karyotypical information and the absence of structurally identifiable sex chromosomes in the suborder Laniatores, we decided to analyse the chromosomes and bivalents of Discocyrtus pectinifemur (Gonyleptidae) to identify possible sex differences. Testicular cells examined under light microscopy showed it high diploid number, 2n = 88, meta/submetacentric chromosome morphology and a nucleolar organizer region on pair 35. Prophase I microspreading observed in transmission electron microscopy exhibited 44 synaptonemal complexes with similar electron density and thickness. The total and regular synapsis between the chromosomes of the bivalents was also noted in pachytene nuclei. Male mitotic and meiotic chromosomes revealed no distinct characteristic that could be related to the occurrence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Evolutionary trends of chromosome differentiation in the four suborders of Opiliones are discussed here.

Conventional and ultrastructural analyses of the chromosomes of Discocyrtus pectinifemur (Opiliones, Laniatores, Gonyleptidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytogenetics of three Brazilian Goniosoma species: A new record for diploid number in Laniatores (Opiliones, Gonyleptidae, Goniosomatinae)

Currently, 60 species of harvestmen have been karyotyped and all of these are from the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. This work is the first cytogenetic report of three gonyleptid species of the suborder Laniatores: Goniosoina aff. badiuln, G. proxiinuni and G. spelaeum of the Neotropical region, from the southeastern region of Brazil. Conventional Giemsa stain chromosome preparations were obtained from embryonic cells and adult male testes. Embryo mitotic plates of G. aff. badium and G. proximum indicated 88 chromosomes, and mitotic spermatogonial plates of G. spelaeum males revealed intra- and interindividual variation of chromosome number, ranging from 92-109 chromosomes. In the three analyzed species, the mitotic chromosomes were meta- or subinetacentric with no obvious sex chromosomes being identified during mitosis. Prophase I spermatocytes of G. spelaeum also revealed intra- and interindividual bivalent number variation and furthermore indicated the presence of multivalence. The karyotypes of these three Goniosoina species exhibited the largest chromosome pair with a negative heteropycnosis in the distal region of the shortest arrn chromosomes of G. spelaeum submitted to silver impregnation evidenced this negative heteropycnotic region as nucleolus organizer region (NOR). These results, when compared with cytogenetic data of other Laniatores species from the Palearctic region, indicated that a new record for diploid chromosome number probably characterize the genus Goniosoma in the Neotropical region.

A comparative analysis of the chemical nature of defensive secretions of Gonyleptidae (Arachnida : Opiliones : Laniatores)

The arachnids of the order Opiliones (harvestmen) produce substances used in defense. In the present paper, we analyzed 22 species of Gonyleptidae to explore the use of defensive substances in taxonomy and evolutionary biology. Thirty-seven different compounds were detected, 18 of which were preliminarily identified. These compounds were mapped onto a phylogenetic tree showing the relationships within the Gonyleptidae. Data from Cosmetidae were used as an outgroup. Five ketones and six alkyl phenols were reported for the first time in harvestmen. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New systematic assignments in Gonyleptoidea (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores)

As part of an ongoing revision of the family Gonyleptidac, we have identified many species that are synonyms of previously described species or misplaced in this family. This article summarizes these findings, adding previously unavailable information or correcting imprecise observations to justify the presented taxonomic changes. The following new familial or subfamilial assignments are proposed: Nemastygnus Roewer, 1929 and Taulisa Roewer, 1956 are transferred to Agoristenidae, Agoristeninae; Napostygnus Roewer, 1929 to Cranaidae; Ceropachylinus peruvianus Roewer, 1956 and Pirunipygus Roewer, 1936 are transferred to Gonyleptidae, Ampycinae; Gyndesops Roewer, 1943, Haversia Roewer, 1913 and Oxapampeus Roewer, 1963 are transferred to Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae. The following generic synonymies are proposed for the family Gonyleptidae: Acanthogonyleptes Mello-Leitao, 1922 = Centroleptes Roewer, 1943; Acrographinotus Roewer, 1929 = Unduavius Roewer, 1929; Gonyleptes Kirby, 1819 = Collonychium Bertkau, 1880; Mischonyx Bertkau, 1880 = Eugonyleptes Roewer, 1913 and Gonazula Roewer, 1930; Parampheres Roewer, 1913 = Metapachyloides Roewer, 1917; Pseudopucrolia Roewer, 19 12 = Meteusarcus Roewer, 1913; Haversia Roewer, 19 13 = Hoggellula Roewer, 1930. The following specific synonymies are proposed for the family Gonyleptidae: Acanthogonyleptes singularis (Mello-Leitao, 1935) = Centroleptes flavus Roewer, 1943, syn. n.; Geraeocormobius sylvarum Holmberg, 1887 = Discocyrtus serrifemur Roewer, 1943, syn. n.; Gonyleptellus bimaculatus (Sorensen, 1884) = Gonyleptes cancellatus Roewer, 1917, syn. n.; Gonyleptes atrus Mello-Leitao, 1923 = Weyhia brieni Giltay, 1928, syn. n.; Gonyleptes fragilis Mello-Leitao, 1923 = Gonyleptes banana Kury, 2003, syn. n.; Gonyleptes horridus Kirby, 1819 = Collonychium bicuspidatum Bertkau, 1880, syn. n., Gonyleptes borgmeyeri Mello-Leitao, 1932, syn. n., Gonyleptes curvicornis Mello-Leitao, 1932, syn. n., Metagonyleptes hamatus Roewer, 1913, syn. n. and Paragonyleptes simoni Roewer, 1930, syn. n.; Gonyleptes pustulatus Sorensen, 1884 = Gonyleptes guttatus Roewer, 1917, syn. n.; Haversia defensa (Butler, 1876) = Sadocus vallentini Hogg, 1913, syn. n.; Liogonyleptoides minensis (Piza, 1946) = Currala bahiensis Soares, 1972, syn. n.; Megapachylus grandis Roewer, 1913 = Metapachyloides almeidai Soares & Soares, 1946, syn. n.; Mischonyx cuspidatus (Roewer, 1913) = Gonazula gibbosa Roewer, 1930 syn. n.; Mischonyx scaber (Kirby, 1819) = Xundarava holacantha Mello-Leitao, 1927, syn. n.; Parampheres tibialis Roewer, 1917 = Metapachyloides rugosus Roewer, 1917, syn. n.; Parapachyloides uncinatus (Sorensen, 1879) = Goyazella armata Mello-Leitao, 1931, syn. n.; Pseudopucrolia mutica (Perry, 1833) = Meteusarcus armatus Roewer, 1913, syn. n. The following new combinations are proposed: Acrographinotus ornatus (Roewer, 1929), comb. n. (ex Unduavius); Gonyleptellus bimaculatus (Sorensen, 1884), comb. n. (ex Gonyleptes); Gonyleptes perlatus (Mello-Leitao, 1935), comb. n. (ex Moojenia); Mischonyx scaber (Kirby, 1819), comb. n. (ex Gonyleptes); and Neopachyloides peruvianus (Roewer, 1956), comb. n. (ex Ceropachylus). The following species of Gonyleptidae, Gonyleptinae are revalidated: Gonyleptes atrus Mello-Leitao, 1923 and Gonyleptes curvicornis (Roewer, 1913).

Revision of Nanophareus, a mysterious harvestman genus from Chile, with descriptions of three new species (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptidae)

The Chilean genus Nanophareus Roewer, 1929 is revised and three new species are described: N. araucanus sp. nov. (type locality: Parque Nacional La Campana, Valparaiso, Chile); N. bipartitus sp. nov. (type locality: Parque Nacional La Campana, Valparaiso, Chile); N. bosqenublado sp. nov. (type locality: Parque Nacional Fray Jorge, Coquimbo, Chile). The type species, N. palpalis Roewer, 1929, is redescribed and a lectotype is designated. A cladistic analysis was performed using these three new species plus N. palpalis and 14 more laniatorid species, and a data matrix of 72 characters: Seven from the ocularium, 22 from the dorsal scutum, one from the venter, one from the chelicera, eight from the pedipalp, 24 from male legs, and nine from male genitalia. Two equally most parsimonious trees were found (L = 210; C.I. = 0.41; R.I. = 0.51). Nanophareus was recovered as nested within a paraphyletic subfamily Pachylinae. The genus Nanophareus was found to be monophyletic based on the following exclusive synapomorphies: An external row of enlarged tubercles inserted among small ones on lateral margin of the dorsal scutum (innapplicable in N. bosqenublado); the ventro-basal margin of pedipalpal tibia curved 90 degrees in lateral view; and retrolateral seta of the pedipalpal tibia with a socket apically bifid (socket and seta longer than pedipalpal tibia length).

Descriptions of Thereza murutinga sp. nov. and Pristocnemis caipira sp. nov., and new records of Caelopyginae (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptidae)

Two new species of Caelopyginae are described: Pristocnemis caipira sp. nov. from Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and Thereza murutinga sp. nov., from Parati, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pristocnemis caipira sp. nov. is diagnosed by shallow grooves on the dorsal scutum, a lower number of tarsal segments, presence of a spine on the anal operculum, large, pointed tubercles on the lateral margins of the dorsal scutum, and an absence of white patches on the dorsal scutum. Thereza murutinga sp. nov. is diagnosed by the combination of the following characters: incomplete median longitudinal groove on area III and absent on area II, prosoma much smaller than opisthosoma, and a large white patch covering the prosoma and whole areas of the opisthosomal scutum. A cladistic analysis including the two new species was performed to investigate their relationship within the subfamily. We obtained 927 trees of 185 steps (CI=0.4, RI=0.74), which corroborated the generic assignments of the new species, but infrageneric relationships remained unsolved. In addition, male genitalia of Ampheres luteus (Giltay) and genera Pristocnemis and Thereza are redescribed, new distribution records for Caelopyginae species are presented, and biogeographical implications are discussed.