Metasarcus trispinosus, Benedetti & Pinto-da-Rocha, 2022

Benedetti, Alipio Rezende & Pinto-da-Rocha, Ricardo, 2022, Systematic revision and total evidence phylogenetic analysis of the Andean family Metasarcidae Kury, 1994 (Opiliones: Laniatores), with description of two new genera and twenty new species, Arthropod Systematics & amp; Phylogeny 80, pp. 309-388 : 309

3.47. Metasarcus trispinosus sp. nov.

Figs 5H , 10M, N , 20A-C , 26C, D , 31

Description.

MALE: Measurements (n=5) DSW: 6.5-7.7 (7.6); DSL: 6.4-7.0 (7.0); CL: 2.3-2.8 (2.6). FIVL: 10-12 (11.5). ChL: 2.5-3.0 (3.0). Coloration: (Fig. 26C ) Red, with elongated spots of dark pigmentation throughout the carapace, DS and coxa IV. Posterior margin of DS, free tergites and coxa IV apex black. Apophysis of the free tergite III black. Chelicerae, pedipalpus and legs (except the coxa IV) black. Arthrodial membrane between the posterior margin of DS and free tergites I-III green. Dorsum: (Fig. 5H ) Gamma-P-type DSS, with strongly concave posterior margin of DS. Anterior margin of the carapace with median elevation partially covered with sparse granules. Ocularium unarmed, with few small granules in the depression and a higher concentration of larger granules close to the eyes. Carapace with granules sparsely distributed throughout its length. DS with slightly conspicuous grooves, not being possible to notice the existence of a fourth area in some specimens. Area I undivided or with an extremely shallow longitudinal groove, practically inconspicuous. Areas I-III with small sparse granules. Area III with a median pair of setiferous tubercles. Lateral margins of DS with granules distributed throughout their length. Posterior margin of DS and free tergites I-II with rows of small granules. Free tergite III with a large trifurcated and acuminate apophysis, robust, smooth, with a broad base, median branch larger than lateral ones. Chelicerae: (Fig. 5H ) Not swollen. Segment I covered by small granules. Finger of segment II with two teeth. Segment III with six teeth. Pedipalpus : Trochanter with a ventrodistal setiferous tubercle. Femur with a ventrobasal row of three small spines; a retroventral row of three large spines; and a prodistal spine. Patella with a prodistal spine. Tibia: prolateral (i)iiIi, retrolateral IiIi. Tarsus: prolateral iiIii/iiIiii/iIiIi/iIiI, retrolateral iIiIi/iIiiIi. Venter: Coxae I-IV with small sparse granules. Coxa I with a median row of 5-7 small setiferous tubercles. Smooth genital area. Free sternites with few granules. Legs: (Figs 5H , 10M, N ) Coxae I-II each one with a prolateral and a retrolateral apophysis. Coxa III with a prolateral apophysis. Coxa IV with small sparse granules. Trochanters I-IV smooth. Femora I-II straight. Femur III slightly curved at the apex and base. Femur IV slightly sigmoid; with few granules and a retrodistal spiniform apophysis. Patella-tibiae I-IV granular. Tarsal formula: (n =5) 7-8 (8) / 13-16 (16) / 9-10 (9) / 10-12 (10). Penis: (Fig. 20A-C ) VP subrectangular, with diverging lateral margins at the apex, resulting in a narrower base than the apex; distal margin straight; straight in lateral view. MS C1-C2 subdistal long and curved; MS A1 long and straight; medially placed; MS A2 sub basal long and straight (longer than MS A1 and MS C); MS B1 basal very short (near lateral sacs); MS D1 long and straight (half the length of MS C), dorsally placed, near MS C2. Lateral sacs long and apically blunt; with short T3-like microsetae. Stylus with a serrated inflated apex and a ventral projection. Dorsal process rounded, bag-shaped. Promontory convex. - FEMALE: Measurements (n =6) DSW: 5.5-6.0; DSL: 5.5-6.5; CL: 1.8-2.6. FIVL: 9.0-9.5. ChL: 2.0-2.6. (Fig. 26D ) Denser granulation in ocular depression and in the anterior part of the carapace. Femora III-IV straight. Femur IV without retrodistal apophysis. Apophysis of the free tergite III shorter and unbranched, smaller and less wide than the males. Tarsal segmentation: (n =6) 7-8, 12-14, 9-10, 10-11.

Diagnosis.

It differs from other species of the genus by a trifurcated and acuminate apophysis in free tergite III (Fig. 5H ); male femur IV with a retrodistal spiniform apophysis (Fig. 10M, N ); scutal grooves almost inconspicuous (Fig. 5H ); red (Fig. 26C ).

Derivatio nominis.

The specific epithet, an adjective in nominative singular, formed by Latin prefix tri - + Latin spīnōsus, a, um (thorny), in reference to the trifurcated apophysis of free tergite III.

Distribution.

(Fig. 31 ) BOLIVIA. Cochabamba. Road to Corani.

Material examined.

Type material: Holotype ♂, ' BOLIVIA, Cochabamba, road to Corani , 17°11′18.9″S 65°53′49.2″W, 01/XII/2010, R. Pinto-da-Rocha, A. Benedetti, J. Ochoa & A. Saravia leg. (CBF) - Paratypes 1 ♂, 3 ♀, ‘ditto’ (CBF); Paratypes 3 ♂, 3 ♀, ‘ditto’ (MZSP 36997).

Figures

Figure 5. Habitus, dorsal of Metasarcus. A M. beni sp. nov., male; B M. bergmani sp. nov., male; C M. bolivianus Roewer, 1913, female; D M. clavifemur (Roewer, 1929), male; E M. fellinii sp. nov., male; F M. kurosawai sp. nov., male; G M. limachii sp. nov., male; H M. trispinosus sp. nov., male; I M. vacafloresae sp. nov., male; Legend bars = 1 mm.

Figure 10. Male trochanter-patella / tibia IV of Metasarcus, dorsal and ventral view, respectively. A-B M. beni sp. nov.; C - D M. bergmani sp. nov.; E - F M. clavifemur (Roewer, 1929); G - H M. fellinii sp. nov.; I - J M. kurosawai sp. nov.; K - L M. limachii sp. nov.; M - N M. trispinosus sp. nov.; O-P M. vacafloresae sp. nov.; Legend bars = 1 mm.

Figure 20. Penis of Metasarcus, dorsal, lateral and ventral views, respectively. A - C M. trispinosus sp. nov.; D - F M. vacafloresae sp. nov.; Legend bars = 0.1 mm.

Figure 26. Live specimens of Metasarcus. A M. limachii sp. nov., male; B female; C Metasarcus trispinosus sp. nov., male; D female; E M. vacafloresae sp. nov., male; F female.

Figure 31. Distribution of Metasarcus in Bolivia. A M. beni sp. nov., M. bergmani sp. nov., M. fellinii sp. nov., M. limachii sp. nov., M. vacafloresae; B M. clavifemur, M. kurosawai sp. nov., M. trispinosus sp. nov.