Maternity, science and pandemic: an urgent call for action!

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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.

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.

Promitobates weissbier Bragagnolo & Pinto-Da-Rocha, 2012, sp. n.

Promitobates weissbier sp. n. (Figs. 6 C, 8 E, 10 E, 12 C, 14 C, 19 A–C) Type material. BRAZIL. São Paulo: Ribeirão Pires (Gruta da Quarta Divisão), 20.VIII. 1992, E. Trajano & P. Gnaspini leg.; holotype 3 and 2 paratypes (1 3, 1 Ƥ) (MZSP 17161]. Etymology. Weissbier is a kind of ale bier, made ??with wheat. Diagnosis. It ressembles P. trapista sp. n. by coloration of dorsal scutum, chelicerae, pedipalps and legs I and III dark-yellow and apex of coxa IV, trochanter IV and femur IV black. It can be distinguished by coxa IV with bifid apophysis and color of tubercles of dorsal scutum, greenish. Male description. Measurements (holotype). Dorsal scutum; maximum width: 4.9; total length: 5.3; prosoma length: 2.2. Leg IV; length of external apophysis of coxa: 1.2; femur IV length: 48.8. Tarsal formula: 9; 16; 11; 10. Dorsum (Figs. 6 C, 8 E). Anterior margin of prosoma with frontal hump with one row of small tubercles. Prosoma with tubercles behind ocularium arranged in “V”. Ocularium with two high spiniform apophyses (apex rounded) and two pairs of small tubercles behind them. Area I with two rows of tubercles up to the groove II and small scattered tubercles. Area II densely tuberculated. Area III with two high apophyses (apex rounded) and small tubercles. Area IV divided by a longitudinal groove, totally recovered by tubercles. Lateral areas with rows of tubercles which are placed from ocularium to area II. Posterior margin with two or three tubercles in the corners and one pair of median spiniform tubercles. Free tergites with one row of tubercles. Anal operculum unarmed. Chelicera. Segment I with two setiferous tubercles; II unarmed. Pedipalp. Trochanter with a small ventral spine. Femur with a small ventral basal spine and one subapical, prolateral spine. Tibia setation: mesal IiIi; ectal IiIi. Tarsus setation: mesal IIi; ectal IIi. Venter. Coxa I with median row of five setiferous tubercles, two apical tubercles and scattered granules; trochanter I with median tubercle. Coxa II with median row of six small setiferous tubercles and two apical tubercles; trochanter II with median tubercle. Coxa III with small setiferous scattered distributed tubercles, and two rows of tubercles, increasing in size distally; coxa IV with four spiniform tubercles on posterior margin. Genital area unarmed; free sternites with one row of tubercles; anal operculum with small granules. Legs (Fig. 10 E). Coxa I with anterior dorso basal apophysis; coxa II with one anterior dorso basal apophysis and one posterior; coxa III unarmed; coxa IV with few high tubercles, one internal spiniform apophysis and one external apical bifid apophysis, directed ventrally and with one basal rounded tubercle. Trochanter I–III with small scattered tubercles. Trochanter IV with one dorsal subapical apophysis, one external basal apophysis and one internal apical spiniform apophysis. Femur IV straight, long and unarmed. Coloration (in ethanol). Dorsal scutum and apophyses of area III dark-yellow. Apex of coxa IV, trochanter IV and femur IV black. Tubercles of dorsal scutum greenish. Penis (Fig. 19 A–C). Ventral plate convex, apex slightly curved and distal margin corner rounded and directed ventrally; three pairs of distal setae, three pairs of basal setae, arranged in “V” and one pair of small basal ventral setae. Stylus unarmed, apex straight and swollen. Ventral process almost parallel to the stylus, apex spoon-shaped, with serrate margins directed ventrally. Female description (Figs. 12 C, 14 C). Measurements (n= 1). Dorsal scutum; maximum width: 5.3; total length: 5.7; prosoma length: 2.1. Femur IV length IV: 15.1. Tarsal formula: 7; 15; 10; 11. Apophyses of area III taller than male. Free tergite III with one median spiniform apophysis. External apophysis of coxa IV reduced and single-branched; internal apophysis absent. Trochanter IV unarmed. Femur IV shorter than male. Geographical distribution. (Fig. 3 B). Only known from type locality.Published as part of Bragagnolo, Cibele & Pinto-Da-Rocha, Ricardo, 2012, Systematic review of Promitobates Roewer, 1913 and cladistic analysis of Mitobatinae Simon, 1879 (Arachnida: Opiliones: Gonyleptidae), pp. 1-48 in Zootaxa 3308 on pages 39-41, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.28096

Promitobates granulosissimus Mello-Leitao 1932

Promitobates granulosissimus Mello-Leitão, 1932 Promitobates granulosissimus Mello-Leitão, 1932: 401, fig. 266 (desc.); Soares & Soares 1949: 237 (cat.); Kury 2003: 151 (cat.). [BRAZIL, São Paulo, São Sebastião; holotype Ƥ (MLPC 0959) lost]. Note. The holotype of P. granulosissimus is a female and the original illustration is of poor quality. The description suggests that this species is related to the group of species closely related to P. ornatus. However, it is impossible to recognize this species without examining the holotype, which is lost.Published as part of Bragagnolo, Cibele & Pinto-Da-Rocha, Ricardo, 2012, Systematic review of Promitobates Roewer, 1913 and cladistic analysis of Mitobatinae Simon, 1879 (Arachnida: Opiliones: Gonyleptidae), pp. 1-48 in Zootaxa 3308 on page 42, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.28096