The first fossil cyphophthalmid harvestman from Baltic amber

The first fossil cyphophthalmid harvestman (Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi) from Palaeogene (Eocene) Baltic amber is described. This is only the third fossil example of this basal harvestman lineage; the others being from the probably slightly younger Bitterfeld amber and the much older, early Cretaceous, Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Although incomplete and lacking most of the appendages, the new Baltic amber fossil can be identified as a female. The somatic characters preserved, especially spiracle morphology and the coxo-genital region, allow it to be assigned with some confidence to the extant genus Siro Latreille, 1796 (Sironidae). This fossil is formally described here as Siro balticus sp. nov. It resembles modern North American Siro species more than modern European ones, and can be distinguished principally on its relatively large size and the outline form of the body

Parasironidae fam. nov., a Cimmerian lineage of Mediterranean Cyphophthalmi (Opiliones), with the description of three new genera and four new species

A new family of Cyphophthalmi with disjunct Mediterranean distribution, Parasironidae fam. nov., is proposed. The new family comprises four genera and seven species. Cimmerosiro gen. nov., Tirrenosiro gen. nov. and Ebrosiro gen. nov. are described as new genera, and Tirrenosiro axeli gen. et sp. nov., Cimmerosiro krivolutskyi gen. et sp. nov., C. juberthiei gen. et sp. nov. and C. rhodiensis gen. et sp. nov. as new species. Parasironidae stands out by a set of characteristics that we recognize as predominantly plesiomorphic. These characteristics and the present distribution indicate the great age of the family, probably early Mesosoic. We attribute its origin to the western part of the Cimmerian terrane, and its current distribution and diversification of the major clades to geotectonic events during the Mesozoic. Additionally, a new sensory organ (sensilla) has been discovered in Cyphophthalmi. This organ is located on the pedipalp coxae and is believed to have a potential hygroreceptive function

Eine neue Nelima Roewer aus Bulgarien (Arachnida, Opiliones, Phalangiidae)

Volume: 20Start Page: 97End Page: 10

ECOLOGICAL PROFILES OF HARVESTMEN (ARACHNIDA, OPILIONES) FROM VITOSHA MOUNTAIN (BULGARIA): A MIXED MODELLING APPROACH USING GAMS

Volume: 33Start Page: 256End Page: 26

An enigmatic spiny harvestman from Baltic amber

A new harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones) from Baltic amber (Palaeogene: Eocene; ca. 44–49 Ma) is described as Piankhi steineri n. gen., n. sp. This enigmatic fossil expresses long, slender pedipalps without a tarsal claw, which is characteristic for the suborder Dyspnoi. The chelicerae are notably enlarged and the dorsal body surface is formed from a carapace with a separate prosomatic tergite (metapeltidium), plus a large opisthosomal scute (or scutum parvum). However these characters, combined with the distinctly spiny limbs and further rows of spines across the fossil's opisthosoma, have no parallel among the modern dyspnoid harvestmen that we are aware of. The fossil resolves features reminiscent of modern members of the dyspnoid families Ceratolasmatidae, Nipponopsalididae, Ischyropsalididae and Sabaconidae, but does not show unequivocal apomorphies of any one particular family. We must entertain the possibility that this is an extinct body plan from the Eocene of north-central Europe, and we tentatively refer the fossil to a new genus in an unresolved position among the Ischyropsalidoidea (Dyspnoi). An amorphous triangular structure behind the anal region is assumed to be faecal matter, rather than part of the original anatomy

Parasironidae fam. nov., a Cimmerian lineage of Mediterranean Cyphophthalmi (Opiliones), with the description of three new genera and four new species

A new family of Cyphophthalmi with disjunct Mediterranean distribution, Parasironidae fam. nov., is proposed. The new family comprises four genera and seven species. Cimmerosiro gen. nov., Tirrenosiro gen. nov. and Ebrosiro gen. nov. are described as new genera, and Tirrenosiro axeli gen. et sp. nov., Cimmerosiro krivolutskyi gen. et sp. nov., C. juberthiei gen. et sp. nov. and C. rhodiensis gen. et sp. nov. as new species. Parasironidae stands out by a set of characteristics that we recognize as predominantly plesiomorphic. These characteristics and the present distribution indicate the great age of the family, probably early Mesosoic. We attribute its origin to the western part of the Cimmerian terrane, and its current distribution and diversification of the major clades to geotectonic events during the Mesozoic. Additionally, a new sensory organ (sensilla) has been discovered in Cyphophthalmi. This organ is located on the pedipalp coxae and is believed to have a potential hygroreceptive function

Parahistricostoma Mitov & Perkovsky & Dunlop 2021, gen. n.

Genus Parahistricostoma gen. n. Diagnosis. Small, dark fossil nemastomatids (body length range 1.25–1.52, body width ca. 1.0) with ovoid to quadrangular body, dorsally with fine granulation, only anterior corners of scutum magnum with more prominent granules, and with four pairs of slender, pillar-like spines, each slightly bulbous at the top, standing perpendicular to the body surface. In males, apophyses resembling an ‘ice-cream scoop’ (or in dorso/dorso-lateral outline, boxing gloves) present on first cheliceral articles; apophysis approx. low, from 0.11 to ca. 0.2 mm. Pedipalps and legs elongate and slender. Pedipalps without apophyses (spurs/thorns/denticles). Palpal tarsus relatively short, in lateral view machete-like – distally rounded and slightly widened; in ventral view – like a baseball bat. Palpal Ta/Ti between 0.44 and 0.55 mm. Microsculpture elements of the leg femurs include loose-textured denticles and granules. Type species. Nemastoma tuberculatum C. L. Koch & Berendt, 1854, by original designation. Etymology. From the Greek ‘para’ (beside, near) and the modern harvestman genus Histricostoma which this material closely resembles. Gender neuter. Remarks. The extinct genus Parahistricostoma is morphologically closest to the recent genus Histricostoma Kratochvíl, which can be found today from the Alps through to the Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus, and includes eight species (Kratochvíl 1958; Staręga 1976b; Martens 1978, 2006; Snegovaya & Marusik 2012; Schönhofer 2013; Iorio & Delfoss 2015). The traditional assignment of Koch and Berendt’s (1854) amber species Nemastoma tuberculatum to the genus Histricostoma was initially based on the presence of false articulations on the leg femora (see Staręga, 2002: 602), and later largely based on its dorsal ornament (Dunlop 2006; Dunlop & Mitov 2009). As in Histricostoma, four pairs of slender, pillar-like spines, each slightly bulbous at the top (“Stabdorne” sensu Martens 1978) are observed. The distal end of the pedipalp femur in both the fossils and living Histricostoma is similar, and the leg trochanters are spinulate. However, the question remains do these features alone justify placing the fossil in the modern genus? We could identify at least four subtle differences between the Histricostoma -like fossils and modern Histricostoma species. First, the form of the cheliceral apophysis in the fossils differs from that seen in recent species. Second, there is no evidence for a medial spur (thorn/denticle) on the distal end of the male palpal patella, as is seen in all modern Histricostoma. Third, the legs and pedipalps of the fossils are somewhat longer and more slender than the appendages observed in living species. Finally, the microsculptural elements of the leg femora are also different compared to those in the type species of Histricostoma (H. drenskii), as well to those of H. creticum and H. dentipalpe. We feel that this character combination does merit a separate genus, diagnosed as above. Furthermore, lacking any data on the structure of the penis in this fossil species, we cannot resolve its generic relationships through comparing its genital morphology with that of extant species.Published as part of Mitov, Plamen G., Perkovsky, Evgeny E. & Dunlop, Jason A., 2021, Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), pp. 43-72 in Zootaxa 4984 (1) on pages 59-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4984.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/492849

Parahistricostoma tuberculatum Mitov & Perkovsky & Dunlop 2021

cf. Parahistricostoma tuberculatum (C. L. Koch & Berendt, 1854) Figs 25–27 Material examined.. UKRAINE: SIZK UA- 1565, Rovno amber, precise locality unclear; late Eocene. Syninclusions: none. Description. A juvenile covered by a white emulsion concealing the dorsal granulation and the armature of the scutum (Fig. 25). With L: 0.50; prosoma width: 0.27; abdomen width: 0.28; ocular tubercle elliptic (Fig. 26), with length: 0.06 and width: 0.08; diameter of each lens 0.03; Palps with article lengths: Fe: 0.308; Pa: 0.238; Ti: 0.238; Ta: 0.14. Palpal articles (except trochanters) ventrally with clavate setae (L: 0.056) (see Figs 26–27). The tarsus of each leg is one-segmented (Fig. 25) with a length of: Ta I: 0.28; Ta II.–IV.: 0.25, respectively. Remarks. Given the shape of the ocular tubercle, the proportions of the pedipalps, and the shape of their segments, this juvenile most probably belongs to Parahistricostoma tuberculatum, too. The length of the body, the single tarsal segments and their length, indicate that this juvenile nemastomatid, by analogy with other extant nemastomatid species, could be the first or the second juvenile stage (cf. Immel 1954: figs 8, 10).Published as part of Mitov, Plamen G., Perkovsky, Evgeny E. & Dunlop, Jason A., 2021, Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), pp. 43-72 in Zootaxa 4984 (1) on page 63, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4984.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/492849

Caddo dentipalpus

Caddo dentipalpus (C. L. Koch & Berendt, 1854) Figs 1–6 Material examined. UKRAINE: SIZK K-2369 (jointly with SIZK K-2363–2368), SIZK K-27632 and SIZK K- 2880. All from Rovno amber, Rovno Oblast (Region), Sarny District, Klesov, Pugach quarry; late Eocene. Syninclusions: SIZK K-27632, stellate hairs/trichomes, Acari; SIZK K-2363, female of Chironomidae (Orthocladiinae); SIZK K-2364, two Collembola, Entomobryomorpha; SIZK K-2365, female of Chironomidae (Orthocladiinae); SIZK K-2366, Oribatida: Platyliodes ensigerus Sellnick; SIZK K-2367, two Collembola, Entomobryomorpha; SIZK K-2368, two Collembola, Entomobryomorpha. Description. Within the darker resin, the body of SIZK K-2369 (Fig. 1) is deformed and covered dorso-laterally with an air bubble. During processing of the amber, the body of the harvestman (L: 0.825) was sawn off ventro-laterally. This fossil is female, as shown by the presence of three large thorns (acute tubercles/megaspines) ventrally on the femur of the pedipalp. Femur distally with a large mesal setose lobe/apophysis. All pedipalpal segments armed with stout setae, mostly on mesal surfaces. Claw large: 0.084. We could measure correctly only the length of palpal segments (Fe: 0.7, Pa: 0.32–0.35, Ti: 0.28–0.3, Ta: 0.56), and the length of some of the leg femurs (Fe I: 1.08, Fe II: 0.77). SIZK K-27632 (Fig. 2) has a body dorsally obscured by the presence of breaks/cracks in the amber just above it. This specimen (L: 1.25) is also a female. A protruding ovipositor (furcal length: 0.126–0.14) (Fig. 2: arrow) is visible, as well as the presence of the three typical femoral megaspines. Ocular tubercle: length: 0.5, width: 1.0; diameter of each lens 0.175. Appendage lengths: chelicera, basal segment equivocal, distal segment 0.52, movable digit 0.17. We could correctly measure only the length of the following palpal segments: Cx: 0.3, Tr: 0.2, Ti: 0.22; Ta: 0.475; length of the tarsal claw: 0.07. Legs femur length: Fe II: 1.12, Fe III: 0.63; other femurs could not be measured accurately. SIZK K-2880 (Figs 3–6) is not easily visible dorsally due to the presence of an air-pocket, as well as many cracks in the amber (Fig. 3). Ventrally, the body is covered with a white emulsion, as well as with filamentous fungal hyphae (Figs 4–5). It is noteworthy that a similar arthropod-pathogenic fungal overgrowth is usually observed on dead harvestmen in very humid conditions (Cokendolpher & Mitov 2007: 348–349, fig. 9.2; Wijnhoven 2009: 13–14, fig. 25; Barbosa et al. 2016: 13, fig. 2A–B; P. Mitov, pers. obs.). Three large thorns (acute tubercles) (Fig. 6) are clearly visible on the femur of the pedipalp, indicating that this specimen is again female (see Gruber 1974; Shear 1975). Its body has L: 1.37. The ocular tubercle (Fig. 3) is characteristic of the species—compared to the length of the body it is large, with length: 0.56, and width: 0.87, and diameter of each lens 0.238. The length of only a part of the palpal segments could be measured accurately: Fe: 0.35, Pa: 0.35, Ti: 0.28, Ta: 0.35; Legs femur length: Fe I: 0.76, Fe II: 1.12, Fe III: 0.74, Fe IV: 0.91. Remarks. Caddo dentipalpus is easy to recognise among the European amber harvestmen through its combination of a very large and broad eye tubercle, very large eyes and large thorns (acute tubercles/megspines) on the palpal femur. It has also been recorded from Baltic and Bitterfeld amber (Table 1) and as discussed by Shear (1975) and Dunlop & Mitov (2009) it is of particular interest for being almost identical to a living species, Caddo agilis Banks, restricted today to North America and East Asia (Suzuki 1976). No species of Caddo, or even the family Caddidae, occur in the Recent European fauna and the Rovno records further indicate that Caddo was originally more widely distributed across Eastern Europe as well. Its modern relatives (Caddo agilis, C. pepperella Shear) are usually found in very humid, densely shaded areas, such as ravines, and there is usually a coniferous element in the forest (Shear 1975), or it can be found in bamboo thickets and beech forests (Suzuki 1976). Caddo agilis tends to occupy exposed surfaces (e.g., tree trunks, logs, stones) and C. pepperella occurs on the ground in the leaf litter and under fallen objects (Suzuki 1976; Shultz & Regier 2009). Caddo dentipalpus is found quite often in the European ambers. Perhaps the fossil species also preferred tree trunks, where it would have easily come into contact with sticky resin.Published as part of Mitov, Plamen G., Perkovsky, Evgeny E. & Dunlop, Jason A., 2021, Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), pp. 43-72 in Zootaxa 4984 (1) on page 48, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4984.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/492849