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Diversity of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) in Parque da Onca Parda, southeastern Brazil

The environment most diverse in harvestmen species is the Atlantic Forest of Sao Paulo. However, there remains a lack of studies regarding their communities in certain regions. Among these regions is one south of the Paranapiacaba mountain range in the state of Sao Paulo, the Parque da Onca Parda (POP). Through nocturnal collections and pitfall traps, the region's harvestmen community has been studied. The observed richness of this site included 27 species, with dominance of three species: Holcobunus nigripalpis Roewer, 1910, Neosadocus maximus (Giltay, 1928) and Munequita sp., accounting for 68.4% of harvestmen abundance. This makes the diversity of POP more similar to the semideciduous Atlantic Forest communities of the interior than to those of the Coastal Atlantic Forest that contains the park. Its geographic location places it within the Southern Sao Paulo State (SSP) area of endemism, along with the Parque Turistico do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), with which it shares up to 12% similarity regarding harvestmen fauna. Richness and abundance of harvestmen were positively related to temperature and humidity. The period of animal activity (as measured by abundance and richness) varied throughout the night, being highest in the early hours during both studied seasons (summer and winter).FAPESPFAPESP [2008/06604-7, 2009/17206-5, 2010/06253-0

Diversity of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) in Parque da Onça Parda, southeastern Brazil

The environment most diverse in harvestmen species is the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo. However, there remains a lack of studies regarding their communities in certain regions. Among these regions is one south of the Paranapiacaba mountain range in the state of São Paulo, the Parque da Onça Parda (POP). Through nocturnal collections and pitfall traps, the region's harvestmen community has been studied. The observed richness of this site included 27 species, with dominance of three species: Holcobunus nigripalpis Roewer, 1910, Neosadocus maximus (Giltay, 1928) and Munequita sp., accounting for 68.4% of harvestmen abundance. This makes the diversity of POP more similar to the semideciduous Atlantic Forest communities of the interior than to those of the Coastal Atlantic Forest that contains the park. Its geographic location places it within the Southern São Paulo State (SSP) area of endemism, along with the Parque Turístico do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), with which it shares up to 12% similarity regarding harvestmen fauna. Richness and abundance of harvestmen were positively related to temperature and humidity. The period of animal activity (as measured by abundance and richness) varied throughout the night, being highest in the early hours during both studied seasons (summer and winter)

Systematic Review of the genus Promitobates Roewer, 1913 and cladistic analysis of Mitobatinae Simon 1879 (Arachnida, Opiliones, Gonyleptidae)

As 10 especies nominais de Promitobates foram utilizadas na analise cladistica da subfamilia Mitobatinae. A especie P. ornatus (Mello-Leitao, 1922), amplamente distribuida e polimorfica, foi decomposta em quatro unidades monomorficas e sua taxonomia testada durante a analise cladistica. Outras duas especies que apresentaram polimorfismos (P. hatschbachi H. Soares, 1945 e P. viridigranulatus Soares & Soares, 1946) tambem foram separadas em duas unidades distintas. A analise cladistica foi efetuada com mais 20 especies de Mitobatinae, representando os 11 generos que formam a subfamilia e mais cinco representantes de Gonyleptidae. A matriz e composta por 75 caracteres, sendo 19 pertencentes a genitalia masculina; 27 as estruturas morfologicas externas presentes no escudo dorsal, tergitos livres e pedipalpos; 20 referentes as estruturas presentes nas pernas dos machos e 10 de coloracao. Duas arvores igualmente parcimoniosas foram encontradas (L=257, C.I=0.38; R.I=0.72). Mitobatinae e monofiletico, sustentado por cinco sinapomorfias nao ambiguas e grupo-irmao de Despirus parvulus (Roewer, 1927). Mitobatinae e composto por dois grandes clados; [1] um grupo que possui corpo grosseiramente retangular e machos e femeas com a coxa e o trocanter IV inermes, ou com apofises muito reduzidas, incluindo os generos: Ischnotherus, Encheiridium, Metamitobates, Ruschia, Mitobatula e Mitobates e [2] um segundo grupo que apresenta corpo grosseiramente piriforme e dimorfismo sexual na coxa e trocanter IV, com os machos apresentando principalmente forte armacao externa na coxa e apofises no trocanter, incluindo os generos: Discocyrtoides, Longiperna, Neoancistrotus e Promitobates. O genero Promitobates Roewer 1913 e revisado e uma classificacao e proposta baseada nos resultados da analise cladistica. O genero era composto por 10 especies nominais, destas, quatro sao consideradas validas: P. bellus (B. Soares, 1945); P. hatschbachi H. Soares, 1945; P. ornatus (Mello-Leitao, 1922) e P. viridigranulatus (Soares & Soares, 1946). Tres sinonimias sao propostas: P. hauseri (Sylhavy, 1979) e considerado sinonimo de P. viridigranulatus, P. margaritatus Roewer, 1931, sinonimo de P. ornatus e P. mendax H. Soares, 1945, sinonimo de P. hatschbachi. P. granulosissimus Mello-Leitao, 1932 e P. hexacanthus Koch, 1839 sao consideradas species inquirendae. Com base nos resultados da analise de P. ornatus separado em unidades distintas na analise cladistica, P. intermedius e P. nigripes sao revalidadas e, juntamente com P. ornatus, abrigam as quatro unidades monomorficas do complexo P. ornatus. Quatro especies novas sao descritas: P. sp.n1 (localidade-tipo: Ano Bom, Santa Catarina); P. sp. n2 (localidade-tipo: Reserva Morro Grande, Sao Paulo); P. sp.n3 (Localidade-tipo: Ribeirao Pires, Sao Paulo) e P. sp.n4 (Localidade-tipo: Jacarepagua, Rio de Janeiro).A cladistic analysis of the subfamily Mitobatinae is presented. All 10 of the currently valid species of the genus Promitobates Roewer, 1913 were taken into account. Promitobates ornatus (Mello-Leitao, 1922), a polymorphic and widespread species, was initially broken into four sub-units and its taxonomy addressed with the results of the cladistic analysis. The other two polymorphic species, P. hatschbachi H. Soares, 1945 and P. viridigranulatus Soares & Soares, 1946, were also broken into two sub-units. In addition to these species, the cladistic analysis was performed with 20 other Mitobatinae species, representing the 11 genera of the subfamily, and 5 species of other Gonyleptidae genera . The character matrix comprised 75 characters: 19 from male genitalia, 27 from the general external morphology, 20 from male legs and 10 from coloration. Two equally parsimonious trees were obtained (L=257, C.I=0.38; R.I=0.72). Mitobatinae arose as a monophyletic group, sister to Despirus parvulus (Roewer, 1927). The subfamily was divided into two major groups: [1] one that possesses the body roughly rectangular and males and females with coxa and trochanter IV without large apophysis, including the genera: Ischnotherus Kury, 1991, Encheiridium Kury, 2003, Metamitobates Roewer, 1913, Ruschia Mello-Leitao, 1940, Mitobatula Roewer, 1931 and Mitobates Sundevall, 1833 and [2] one that possesses the body roughly piriform and an evident sexual dimorphism of coxa and trochanter IV, with males with a large apophysis on coxa and tubercles on trochanter IV, including the genera: Discocyrtoides Mello-Leitao, 1923, Longiperna Roewer, 1929, Neoancistrotus Mello-Leitao, 1927 and Promitobates. A taxonomic review of the genus Promitobates Roewer 1913 and a new classification, supported by the cladistc analysis results, are presented . Promitobates comprised 10 described species of which four are considered valid: P. bellus (B. Soares, 1945); P. hatschbachi H. Soares, 1945; P. ornatus (Mello-Leitao, 1922) and P. viridigranulatus (Soares & Soares, 1946). The following species are synonymized: P. hauseri (Sylhavy, 1979), considered a senior synonym of P. viridigranulatus (Soares & Soares, 1946); P. margaritatus Roewer, 1931 considered a senior synonym of P. ornatus (Mello-Leitao, 1922) and P. mendax H. Soares, 1945, considered a senior synonym of P. hatschbachi H. Soares, 1945. Promitobates granulosissimus Mello-Leitao, 1932 and P. hexacanthus Koch, 1839 are considered species inquirendae. Based on the results of the cladistc analysis, with P. ornatus separated in four subunits, P. intermedius (Mello-Leitao 1935) and P. nigripes (Mello-Leitao, 1935) are revalidated. Four new species are described: P. sp. n1 (type-locality: Ano Bom, Santa Catarina); P. sp. n2 (type-locality: Reserva Morro Grande, Sao Paulo); P. sp.n3 (type-locality: Ribeirao Pires, Sao Paulo) and P. sp.n4 (typelocality: Jacarepagua, Rio de Janeiro)

Two new species of Protimesius from northern Brazil (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae)

Bragagnolo, Cibele (2013): Two new species of Protimesius from northern Brazil (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae). Zootaxa 3620 (2): 283-292, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3620.2.

Protimesius regalo Bragagnolo, 2013, sp. nov.

Protimesius regalo sp. nov. (Figs. 2 A–G; 4 A–C; 5) Protimesius evelinae (part): Kury et al 2010: 567, fig. 2 d (misidentification). Remarks. Kury et al. (2010), in an expedition to State of Tocantins for the Project “Aracnídeos e Miriápodes da Mata Atlântica” (AMMA) collected several individuals of Stygnidae, identified as Protimesius evelinae Soares & Soares. I have reviewed this material and was able to confirm the misidentification. The specimens are herein designated as paratypes. Types data: Brazil, Tocantins state, Lajeado (UHE Luis Eduardo Magalhães), IV. 2002, D. Pavan leg. 3 holotype (MZSP 30253); idem, Porto Nacional, (Luzimangue), 13.IV. 2007, A. Kury et al. leg. Paratypes (MNRJ 0 7587, 18 3 10 Ƥ and MZSP 49298 Ƥ). Etymology. The specific name means “gift” in Italian and refers to Ricardo Pinto-da-Rocha, who kindly offered me the opportunity to study the specimens herein designated as holotype. Diagnosis: The new species differs from the other species of the genus by the presence of a dorso apical tubercle on fermur IV. It is is similar to P. evelineae Soares & Soares and P. foliadereis Villarreal-Manzanilla & Pinto-da-Rocha, due to the presence of a dorsal and an apical retrolateral row of acute tubercles on male tibia IV. It differs from these species due to the absence of a ventral row of tubercles on male tibia IV, and the presence of two dorsal rows of tubercles on male patella IV. Description of male holotype (MZSP 30253): Measurements: Dorsal scute length 4.6; prosoma length 2.2; dorsal scute width 3.9; prosoma width 3.7; interocular distance 2.8. Dorsum (Fig. 2 A, B): Prosoma: anterior margin with two tubercles on each side; with low and tuberculated anterior eminence. Ocularium and lateral margin smooth. Area I longitudinally divided, with two small tubercles each side. Area II with four small tubercles. Area III with two parallel spiniform apophysis and one row of 2–3 small tubercles on each side near posterior groove. Posterior margin with a row of 11 small tubercles; free tergite I with a row of 12 small tubercles, II with 18, III with 4. Venter: Coxa I with a median row of nine tubercles, two apical; II with a median row of six tubercles; III and IV irregularly minutely tuberculated. Free sternites I–III with a row of minute granules. Anal plate covered irregularly with minute granules. Chelicera: Swollen. Segment I smooth; II with one median and three small distal teeth; III with two distal teeth. Pedipalpus (Fig. 2 F, G): Coxa with large dorso-basal apophysis and tree ventral pointed tubercles. Trochanter with one ventral and one dorsal tubercles. Femur with one ventro-basal tubercle. Patella unarmed. Tibia mesal IIiII, ectal IIiIi; Tarsus mesal IiIiii; ectal iIiiii. Legs (Fig. 2 C–E): Coxa I with two dorsal tubercles; II with one large, anterior and two posterior dorsal tubercles; III with one dorsal apical tubercle; IV dorsally minutely tuberculated. Trochanter I–II smooth, III with two dorsal tubercles; IV with one dorsal and two ventral tubercles. Femora I–III smooth; IV with one dorso-apical spiniform apophysis; one prolatero-apical row of seven tubercles; one retrolateral row of five tubercles on distal part. Patela IV with two dorsal rows of tubercles, one dorsal and one ventroapical spiniform apophysis. Tibia IV with one dorsal row of nine tubercles; one retrolateral row with four spiniform tubercles on distal 2 / 3; one large bifid retrolateral and one prolateral apical apophysis. Tarsal segmentation: 8: 23: 6: 7. Penis (Fig. 4 A–C): ventral plate with lateral and distal margin concave, with two distal pairs of long curved setae and one short pair; three basal pairs of setae; dorsal process present; stylus swollen apically. Color: In alcohol mostly yellowish brown. Female. Paratype (MZSP 49298): Measurements: Dorsal scute length 4.7; prosoma length 2.1; dorsal scute width 4.0; prosoma width 3.5; interocular distance 2.5. Similar to male, except for: chelicera not swollen; prosoma with lower anterior eminence. Pedipalpal tibia mesal IiiIi, ectal IIiIi; tarsus mesal IiIiIi, ectal Iiii. Legs finely granular; femur IV smooth; tibia IV with a small dorsal pointed apical tubercle. Distribution. State of Tocantins, Brazil. Biology. Fig. 5 shows an aggregation of Protimesius regalo sp. nov. found under the litter death leaf (Pérez- Gonzáléz, pers. com.), in Porto Nacional, State of Tocantins, Brazil. As recorded for other arthropods (Rasa 1997), harvestmen aggregations are more commonly found during dry and cold periods or in xeric environments, such as Tocantins (central western-Brazil). In this environment, the gregarious habit could have a very important adaptive value, likely reducing evaporation among grouped individuals. Moreover, harvestmen aggregations are generally more frequently found during the day (Machado & Macías-Ordóñez 2007). Likewise, the individuals of Protimesius regalo sp. nov. were aggregated under the litter during the day, and during the night they dispersed for foraging. This behavior was observed also in captivity (A. Pérez-González pers. comm.). For Laniatores, the records of aggregations are restricted to cavities in the ground or tree trunks, inside the caves or under the rocks (see table 11.1 in Machado & Macías-Ordóñez 2007). The only other record of aggregation in Stygnidae is from Protimesius longipalpis (Roewer, 1943) found inside cavities of tree trunks (Machado & Macías-Ordóñez 2007). Thus, this is the second record of aggregation for Stygnidae and, among the Laniatores, the first record found in forest litter.Published as part of Bragagnolo, Cibele, 2013, Two new species of Protimesius from northern Brazil (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae), pp. 283-292 in Zootaxa 3620 (2) on pages 286-288, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3620.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/22312

Protimesius jirau Bragagnolo, 2013, sp. nov.

Protimesius jirau sp. nov. (Figs. 3 A–I; 4 D–F) Types data: Brazil, Rondonia state, Porto Velho (Caiçara), 27.II. 2010, M.C. Silveira leg. [3 holotype (MZSP 33199), paratypes (MZSP 33119, 2Ƥ 23; MNRJ 0 7215, 1Ƥ 13)]. Etymology. The specific name “ jirau ”, a noun in apposition, originates from the Tupi language and makes reference to the “ Jirau Hydroelectric Station”, locality where the species was collected. Diagnosis: This species is similar to P. c ir io Villareal-Manzanilla & Pinto-da-Rocha and P. laevis (Sorensen, 1932) by the presence of a large, pointed, dorso-apical apophysis on male trochanter IV. It differs from the others species of Protimesius due to the absence of a ventral row of tubercles on male femur IV—present in all species of the genus except P. longipalpis and P. a p i a c a s — and the presence of a ventrobasal curved apophysis on femur IV. Description of male (holotype MZSP 33199): Measurements: Dorsal scute length 4.7; prosoma length 2.1; dorsal scute width 3.85; prosoma width 3.8; interocular distance 2.3. Dorsum (Fig. 3 A, B). Prosoma: anterior margin smooth, with low anterior eminence with two tubercles. Ocularium and lateral margin smooth. Area I divided, smooth. Area II smooth. Area III with two high parallel spiniform apophysis. Posterior margin straight and smooth; free tergites I–III smooth. Venter: Coxa I with a median row of four tubercles; II with a median row of five tubercles, two apical; III and IV irregularly and minutely tuberculated. Free sternites I–III with a row of minute granules. Anal plate covered irregularly with minute granules. Chelicera: Swollen. Segments I–II smooth; III with two distal teeth. Pedipalpus (Fig. 3 H, I). Coxa with large dorso-basal apophysis and three pointed tubercles; ventral with three pointed tubercles. Trochanter with one ventral tubercle. Femur with one ventro-basal tubercle. Patella unarmed. Tibia mesal IIiIi, ectal IIiIi; Tarsus mesal IiIiIi; ectal IiiIi. Legs (Fig. 3 C–G): Coxa I with two dorsal tubercles; II with two dorsal tubercles, one anterior and one larger, posterior; III with one dorsal apical tubercle; IV dorsally minutely tuberculated. Trochanter I–III smooth, IV with two ventral tubercles and one pointed dorso-apical apophysis. Femora I–III smooth, IV with a ventro-basal curved apophysis and a basal retrolateral row of seven tubercles. Patella IV with a pointed ventro-apical apophysis. Tibia IV with one retrolateral row with nine tubercles on distal 2 / 3; one bifid prolateral and one large retrolateral apical apophysis. Tarsal segmentation: 8: 20: 7: 8. Penis (Fig. 4 D–F): ventral plate with lateral and distal margin straight, with three distal pairs of long curved setae and one intermediary short pair; six basal pairs of setae; dorsal process present; stylus serrate apically. Color: In alcohol mostly yellowish brown, apophyses of area III dark brown. Female (Paratype MZSP 33119): Measurements: Dorsal scute length 4.7; prosoma length 2.0; dorsal scute width 4.0; prosoma width 3.5; interocular distance 2.0. Similar to male, except for: Chelicera not swollen; prosoma without low anterior eminence. Pedipalpal tibia mesal IiiIi, ectal IIiIi; tarsus mesal IiIiIi, ectal Iiii. Legs finely granular; femur IV smooth. Distribution: Known only for the type-locality.Published as part of Bragagnolo, Cibele, 2013, Two new species of Protimesius from northern Brazil (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae), pp. 283-292 in Zootaxa 3620 (2) on pages 288-289, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3620.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/22312

Two new species of Protimesius from northern Brazil (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae)

Bragagnolo, Cibele (2013): Two new species of Protimesius from northern Brazil (Opiliones: Laniatores: Stygnidae). Zootaxa 3620 (2): 283-292, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3620.2.