Megalopsalis puerilis, Taylor, Christopher K., 2013

Taylor, Christopher K., 2013, Further revision of the genus Megalopsalis (Opiliones, Neopilionidae), with the description of seven new species, ZooKeys 328, pp. 59-117 : 83-85

Megalopsalis puerilis sp. n. Figs 13 c–d, 15

Material examined.

Male holotype. SE Queensland, Binna Burra, 27 March 1976, R. Raven, VED, night collection (QM S2835).

Paratype. 1 male, Springbrook Repeater, SE Queensland, 1000 m, 28°15'S, 153°16'E, 9 January– 19 February 1995, G. B. Monteith, intercept traps (QM S46985).

Diagnosis.

Megalopsalis puerilis is distinguished from all other Megalopsalis species except Megalopsalis tanisphyros , Megalopsalis coronata and Megalopsalis sublucens by its small, unarmed chelicerae. It is distinguished from Megalopsalis tanisphyros by the absence of a pedipalpal patellar apophysis, from Megalopsalis coronata by the absence of denticles on the ocularium, and from Megalopsalis sublucens by the absence of ventral brush-like bristles on distitarsi III and IV. The glans of Megalopsalis puerilis is less triangular in overall shape than most other Megalopsalis species, with the sides distally subparallel in ventral view (Fig. 15c).

Description.

MALE (N = 2). Prosoma length 0.89 (0.83-0.94), width 1.72 (1.56-1.88); total body length 2.37 (2.35-2.38). Dorsum entirely unarmed. Anterior propeltidial area with central stripe of light orange-brown between ocularium and anterior margin of prosoma, flanked by two yellow stripes; remainder of anterior and median propeltidial areas mottled black and dark orange-brown with broad iridescent dark silver patches between ocularium and ozopores. Ocularium iridescent white with dark grey stripe down central groove. Mesopeltidium, metapeltidium and first four segments of opisthosoma orange-yellow medially and along segment boundaries with blackish brown patches laterally; fifth opisthosomal segment with transverse iridescent white stripe bordered by mottled black; remaining segments mottled black with yellow segment boundaries. Mouthparts brown-cream. Coxae dull orange proximally, mottled black distally; venter of opisthosoma iridescent white.

Chelicerae. Segment I 0.53 (0.52-0.54), segment II 1.07 (1.00-1.14). Cream; segment I with iridescent white reticulation dorsally. Both segments unarmed. Fingers long; mobile finger closes tightly with segment II.

Pedipalps. Femur 0.94 (0.90-0.97), patella 0.45 (0.44-0.45), tibia 0.58 (0.57-0.59), tarsus 1.15 (1.14-1.15). Cream; unarmed. Patella with distomedial bulge, but no true apophysis. Microtrichia on distal three-quarters of tarsus; claw with ventral tooth-comb. Legs: Femora 4.16 (3.86-4.45), 7.20 (6.08-8.31), 4.00 (3.76-4.23), 5.65 (5.10-6.19); patellae 0.91 (0.87-0.94), 1.13, 0.87 (0.84-0.89), 1.00 (0.98-1.02); tibiae 4.10 (3.64-4.55), 7.50 (6.46-8.54), 3.74 (3.46-4.02), 5.46 (4.98-5.94). Trochanters mottled black on orange, remaining segments orange-yellow, with widely-spaced mottled black transverse stripes. Femora with scattered denticles, mostly dorsal; other segments unarmed.

Penis (Figs 15 c–d). Bristle groups well-developed on both sides, left groups set slightly back and longer than right groups. Glans short, sides in ventral view subparallel, dorso-ventrally flattened distally, dorsal surface in plane with shaft. Deep pores.

Spiracle (Figs 13 c–d). Curtain of robust reticulate spines extending only partway across spiracle; terminations of spines multifurcate but not palmate; lace tubercles on margin of lateral corner only.

Etymology.

From the Latin puerilis, childish, referring to the lack of ornamentation or significant secondary sexual characteristics in the adult male.