Metalibitia brasiliensis Soares & Soares, 1949

Coronato-Ribeiro, Amanda & Pinto-Da-Rocha, Ricardo, 2017, Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of the genus Metalibitia Roewer, 1912 (Opiliones, Cosmetidae, Cosmetinae), Zootaxa 4291 (2), pp. 201-242 : 219-220

Metalibitia brasiliensis Soares & Soares, 1949

( Figs. 1 D; 3C; 5D, H; 7D, H; 11G–I)

Metalibitia brasiliensis Soares & Soares, 1949: 58 [desc], figs 14–15; H. Soares, 1966a: 117 [cit]; 1970: 326 [cit]; Kury, 2003: 69 [cat].

Type material. HEMS 971, holotype ♂ and 1 ♀ paratype. Examined.

Type locality. BRAZIL, Rio Grande do Sul State, Porto Alegre : Morro Ponta Grossa.

Geographical distribution ( Fig. 14 ): Restricted to southeastern and southern state oF Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Barra do Ribeiro, Porto Alegre, Xangri-Lá/ Capão da Canoa, Rio Grande, São Francisco de Paula, Santa Vitória do Palmar, Torres). The record oF this species From the state oF Rio de Janeiro (Teresópolis, HEMS-814) is probably wrong, because the region is very well sampled and the species has never been Found there. This locality is also not consistent with its known distribution. Thus, this record is not represented in the species distribution map.

Diagnosis. Resembles M. paraguayensis in having two tubercles on anterior lateral oF dorsal scutum, near paracheliceral projections; Free tergites with similar sized tubercles ( Figs 1 D; 2A); Femur IV unarmed ( Figs 5 D, H; 6A, F). It can be distinguished From this species in having coxa III unarmed ( Fig. 1 D) ( M. paraguayensis has one prolateral tubercle, Fig. 2 A), a retrolateral group oF tubercles on middle oF trochanter IV ( Fig. 5 D, H) ( M. paraguayensis has this group oF tubercles displaced apically, Figs 6 A, F), and tibia IV with a ventral row oF tubercles ( Fig. 7 D) (absent in M. paraguayensis , Fig. 8 F).

Redescription. Male (MZSP 18313)

Measurements (HEMS 971 holotype): dorsal scutum, total length 4.1; dorsal scutum, total width 3.7; prosoma length 1.3; prosoma width 2.2; Femur I length 1.7; Femur II length 3.2; Femur III length 2.8; Femur IV length 3.5; pedipalpal Femur length 0.9 mm.

Coloration in ethanol: Entirely pale brown.

Dorsum ( Fig. 1 D): Anterior margin oF dorsal scutum with median portion smooth, with two tubercles with rhomboid apex near paracheliceral projections. Lateral margins oF dorsal scutum with rounded tubercles, From the ozopore to area IV. Domed ocularium, without median depression, with seven small tubercles. Posterior margin oF dorsal scutum with row oF 12 tubercles. Free tergite I with row oF 20 tubercles, II with row oF 12 tubercles, III with row oF 11 tubercles. Anal operculum with 17 tubercles irregularly distributed and row oF eight tubercles on ventral border. All tubercles oF posterior margin oF dorsal scutum, Free tergites and anal operculum with rounded apex.

Chelicera ( Fig. 1 D): Bulla with Four tubercles on proximal margin, the two prolateral the largest, one retroproximal tubercle, two retroapical tubercles Fused at base, with two tubercles on base. Finger oF segment II with Five teeth, segment III with six teeth.

Pedipalps ( Fig. 3 C): Trochanter with two Fused setiFerous ventral tubercles. Femur with dorsal projections (Fused tubercles) From the base up to the middle oF the article, six ventral tubercles, the First and last smaller than the others, and three ventroapical tubercles. Tibia with rounded prolateral apical projection, with dorsolateral and ventral setae, one high retroapical rhomboid retrolateral tubercle, three Fused prolateral apical tubercles, and one prolateral apical spine. Tarsus with dorsal and ventral setae, elongate, with Four prolateral and six retrolateral macrosetae.

Legs ( Figs 1 D; 5D, H; 7D, H): Coxa I with one FalciForm prolateral tubercle pointing towards the apex oF coxa and one smaller retrobasal tubercle. Coxa II with a prolateral tubercle with rhomboid apex, pointing towards apex oF coxa, and one retrolateral apical tubercle. Coxa III with one small retrolateral tubercle united to coxa IV. Coxa IV only visible apically in dorsal view, tuberculated and with one prolateral apophysis. Trochanter IV with one prolateral tubercle, a group oF Four retrolateral tubercles on the middle, one retrolateral sub-basal tubercle and one retrolateral apical tubercle. Femur IV curved and granulated. Tibia IV covered with small tubercles, with ventral row oF seven tubercles and two retrolateral apical tubercles. Tarsal Formula: 5 / 7 / 5 / 5.

Penis ( Figs 11 G–I): Truncus straight and continuous with ventral plate. Ventral plate elongated with a wide UcleFt on distal margin; three small ventral pairs oF macrosetae, one on apical portion in relation to the other two pairs (group E). Five pairs oF macrosetae, two apical (group C), one dorsal on median region oF plate (group D), one lateral proximal (group B) and one basal (group A). Insertion oF glans at dorsal basal portion oF ventral plate. Stylus long, with truncated apex.

Female (MZSP 18313).

Measurements: (HEMS 971 paratype): dorsal scutum, total length 3.9; dorsal scutum, total width 3.5; prosoma length 1.2; prosoma width 1.9; Femur I length 1.7; Femur II length 3.1; Femur III length 2.6; Femur IV length 2.9; pedipalpal Femur length 0.7 mm.

Dorsum: Posterior constriction (between areas III and IV) oF dorsal scutum attenuated. Dorsal scutum with small tubercles, sparser than in male. Posterior margin with row oF 17 tubercles with pointed apex. Free tergite II with row oF 15 tubercles. Chelicera: Bulla with a Few dorsal tubercles, only Four proximal and two apical Fused at their base. Pedipalps: Femur with row oF Five ventral tubercles. Leg IV: Tubercles oF coxae smaller than those oF males. Trochanter without dorsal tubercle, with one–three small retrolateral tubercles. Tibia with only small tubercles. Tarsal Formula: 5 / 6–7 / 5 / 5.

Variation. Females may have up to three small retrolateral tubercles on trochanter IV. Males may have one retrolateral tubercle highest or one retrolateral set oF two to three small tubercles and two retrolatral apical tubercles on trochanter IV. Measurements ♂ (n=4): dorsal scutum, total length 3.7–4.1; dorsal scutum, total width 3.6–3.7; prosoma length 1.2–1.6; prosoma width 1.9–2.2; Femur I length 1.6–1.9; Femur II length 2.7–3.3; Femur III length 2.1–2.8; Femur IV length 2.8–3.6; pedipalpal Femur length 0.7–0.8 mm. Measurements ♀ (n=3): dorsal scutum, total length 7.2–7.5; dorsal scutum, total width 6.5–6.6; prosoma length 2.0–2.2; prosoma width 3.5–3.8; Femur I length 2.9–3.0; Femur II length 4.7–5.6; Femur III length 4.3–4.6; Femur IV length 4.9–5.5; pedipalpal Femur length 1.4–1.5 mm. Tarsal Formula ♂ (n=3) 5/ 6–7/ 5/ 5. Tarsal Formula ♀ (n=3) 4–5/ 5–7/ 5/ 5.

Material examined. BRAZIL. Rio Grande do Sul State, 29°55'12.2"S 51°17'01.4"W, no date, B. Rambo leg., 6♂ 11♀ ( MNRJ 41633 ) ; Barra do Ribeiro , 30°17'39.5"S 51°18'07.2"W, 12.XI.1976, H. Bischoff leg., 2♂ 6♀ ( MCN 222 ) ; Porto Alegre , 30°01'29.6"S 51°13'59.2"W, 07.IX.1990, E. S. Vidal leg., 1♀ ( MCT 0016 ) ; same loc., no date, P. Buck leg., 1♀ (MNRJ 56269); same loc., 0 4.III.1992, A. Bigmetti leg., 2♂ 1♀ (MCT 0075); Ilha da Pintada, 30°01'48.0"S 51°15'48.8"W, 29.IX.1977, E. H. Buckup leg., 9♂ 12♀ ( MCN 218 ) ; same loc., 29.IX.1976, H. Bischoff leg., 2♂ 5♀ (MCN 219); same loc., 12.VII.1977, H. Bischoff leg., 12♂ 4♀ (MCN 333); Ilha das Flores, 29°58'06.8"S 51°15'36.3"W, 30.IX.1977, J. Rodrigues leg., 6♂ 6♀ ( MCN 386 ) ; Ilha do Lajes, 29°56'53.5"S 51°16'08.0"W, 15.IX.1982, T. de Lema leg., 9♂ 25♀ ( MCN 781 ) ; Serraria: Morro da Grama , 30°10'00.6"S 51°13'10.4"W, 11.X.1964, J. W. Thomé leg., 13♂ 8♀ ( MCN 232 ) ; Viamão: Itapoa , 30°04'59.8"S 51°01'13.3"W, 04.II.1975, M. Leitão leg., 1♂ 1♀ ( MCN 238 ) ; Guaíba , 30°06'41.0"S 51°20'31.2"W, 20.II.1975, H. A. Gastal leg., 2♂ 1J ( MCN 240 ) ; Jardim Botânico , 30° 03' 06.07" S, 51° 10' 37.95" W, 14.II.1980, H. BischoFF leg., 6♂ 6♀ ( MCN 648 ) ; Xangri-Lá/ Capão da Canoa , 29°48'03.1"S 50°02'43.2"W, 18. XI.1990, A. A. Lise leg., 2♂ ( MCT 0022 ) ; same loc., II.1986, André and Alexandre Lise leg., 1♂ 1♀ (MCN 708); Rio Grande , 32°07'46.5"S 52°28'31.5"W, 08.XII.1976, H. Bischoff leg., 8♂ 17♀ ( MCN 243 ) ; Estação Ecológica do Taim , 32° 44′ 33″ S, 52° 34′ 28″ W, 01.XII.1986, A. D. Brescovit leg., 2♂ 5♀ ( MCN 956 ) ; same loc., 12.IX.1992, Exp. MZUSP leg., 1♂ 3♀ (MZSP 18313); São Francisco de Paula, Potreiro Velho , 29°26'29.9"S 50°35'12.9"W, 13.I.2004, A. C. K. Ferreira leg., 1♂ ( MCT 422 ) ; same loc., 28.V.2004, A. C. K. Ferreira leg., 1♀ (MCT 423); same loc., 17.XII.2003, A. C. K. Ferreira leg., 1♀ (MCT 424); same loc., 13.I.2004, A. C. K. Ferreira leg., 1♂ (MCT 425); same loc., 28.V.2004, A. C. K. Ferreira leg., 1♀ (MCT 426); same loc., 30.IV.2004, A. C. K. Ferreira leg., 1♂ (MCT 427); Santa Vitória do Palmar: Fazenda Santa Marta , 33°31'29.9"S 53°22'21.6"W, 03.XII.1986, M. Rosenau leg., 1♂ ( MCN 954 ) ; Torres , 29°20'31.7"S 49°45'10.1"W, 28.X.1954, L. Buckup leg., 3♂ 1♀ ( MCN 464 ) ; Rio de Janeiro State, Teresópolis : Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (mislabelled), 22°27'15.7"S 42°59' 0.7"W, III.1962, Izecksohn leg., 1♂ 1♀ ( HEMS 814 ) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus. Dorsal View of male of Metalibitia spp.: (A) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (B) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (C) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (D) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Habitus. Dorsal View of male of Metalibitia spp.: (A) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (B) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (C) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (D) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (E) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503), (F) Lateral View of M. paraguayensis. Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 3. Lateral View of male right pedipalp of Metalibitia spp. (A – F): (A) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (B) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (C) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313), (D) M. paraguayensis (MACN 30705), (E) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (F) M. santaremis (MNRJ 8266). Scale: A – B: 100 µm; C – E: 200 µm; F: 500 µm.

FIGURE 5. Dorsal View of male leg IV (trochanter and femur) of Metalibitia spp. (A – D) Dorsal View: (A) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (B) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (C) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (D) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Ventral View (E – H): (E) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (F) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (G) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (H) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Dorsal View of male leg IV (trochanter and femur) of Metalibitia spp. (A – E) Dorsal View: (A) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (B) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (C) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (D) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (E) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Ventral View (F – J): (F) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (G) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (H) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (I) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (J) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 7. Dorsal View of male leg IV (patella and tibia) of Metalibitia spp. (A – D): (A) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (B) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (C) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (D) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). (E – H) Ventral View: (E) M. adunca (SMF 143 / 9), (F) M. argentina (MACN 4497), (G) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374), (H) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Dorsal View of male leg IV (patella and tibia) of Metalibitia spp. (A – E): (A) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (B) M. rosascostai (FCE 321), (C) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (D) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (E) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Ventral View (F – J): (F) M. paraguayensis (MACN 27632), (G) M. rosascostai (FCE OP 321), (H) M. santaremis (SMF 1491 / 13), (I) M. tibialis (SMF 122 / 4), (J) M. abuna sp. nov. (MZSP 58503). Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 11. Penis of Metalibitia spp. (A – C) M. argentina (MACN 4497): (A) Dorsal View, (B) Lateral View, (C) Ventral View, white arrow shows macrosetae groups, according to Kury & Villarreal (2015), Group A- dorso-basal; Group B- latero-Ventral proximal; Group C- apical; Group D- median latero-dorsais and Group E- Ventral. (D – F) M. borellii (MNRJ 1374): (D) Dorsal View, (E) Lateral View, (F) Ventral View. (G – I) M. brasiliensis (MZSP 18313): (G) Dorsal View, (H) Lateral View, (I) Ventral View. Scale: A – F 20 µm; G, I: 10 µm; H: 30 µm.

FIGURE 14. Records of geographical distribution of Metalibitia spp.: Argentina, Brazil, BoliVia, Paraguay and Uruguay.