Megalopsalis coronata, 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 : 81-82

Megalopsalis coronata sp. n. Figs 9d, 12, 13 a–b

Material examined.

Male holotype. Queensland, Sunday Creek, 18 December 1996-20 January 1997, G. Monteith, rainforest intercept (QM S40679).

Paratypes. 1 male, ditto (QM S40679); 1 male, ditto, Conondale Range, 900 m, 2 March– 12 April 1992, D. J. Cook, rainforest pitfall (QM S74237).

Diagnosis.

Megalopsalis coronata is distinguished from all other Megalopsalis species except Megalopsalis tanisphyros , Megalopsalis puerilis and Megalopsalis sublucens by its small, unarmed chelicerae. It is distinguished from Megalopsalis tanisphyros by the absence of a pedipalpal patellar apophysis, from Megalopsalis puerilis by the presence 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 coronata is relatively long compared to other Megalopsalis species, with a lower angle of convergence between the sides in ventral view (Fig. 12c).

Description.

MALE (N = 3). Prosoma length 0.97 (0.93-1.04), width 1.79 (1.74-1.86); total body length 1.94 (1.78-2.13). Propeltidium golden-brown reticulated with iridescent white, anterior propeltidial area mottled with black; prosoma unarmed. Lateral shelves mostly iridescent white. Mesopeltidium and metapeltidium medially light golden-brown with transverse rows of iridescent white spots, laterally iridescent gold-white. First three segments of opisthosoma medially yellow-brown with iridescent white spots, median area broadening posteriorly; laterally solid gold-white, fading posteriorly, with medium brown edges medially and along boundary of segments I and II. Posterior part of opisthosoma patched white and mottled purple. Coxae I-III yellow-cream; coxae IV and venter of opisthosoma orange.

Chelicerae. Segment I 0.48 (0.36-0.57), segment II 1.09 (1.06-1.11). Iridescent white articular membranes between prosoma and chelicerae. Chelicerae white-cream reticulated with iridescent white; unarmed. Fingers long, closing tightly against each other.

Pedipalps. Femur 0.89 (0.89-0.90), patella 0.44 (0.42-0.45), tibia 0.53 (0.51-0.55), tarsus 1.09 (1.05-1.12). White-cream, unarmed. Patella with angular mediodistal bulge, but no apophysis; medial side not hypersetose. Small number of plumose setae on mediodistal end of patella only (Fig. 9d). Microtrichia along most of tarsus; claw with ventral tooth row.

Legs. Femora 3.60, 6.70 (6.46-6.93), 3.48 (3.36-3.70), 5.45 (5.13-5.94); patellae 0.88, 0.97 (0.95-0.98), 0.80 (0.75-0.85), 0.93 (0.88-0.95); tibiae 3.36, 7.40 (7.38-7.42), 3.06 (2.84-3.36), 4.91 (4.63-5.25). Trochanters medium-brown, unarmed. Legs banded medium-brown and golden-brown; legs I and III predominantly medium-brown, legs II and IV predominantly golden-brown. Femora with scattered denticles, remaining segments unarmed.

Penis (Figs 12 c–d). Tendon relatively short; bristle groups well-developed. Glans of medium length; sides in ventral view subparallel, converging only slightly; dorsal side angled only slightly dorsad from shaft. Pores with surrounding rim, not raised.

Spiracle (Figs 13 a–b). Sparse curtain of reticulate spines extending partway across spiracle; spines basally much broader than terminally; terminations of spines simple, pointed, some larger central spines multifurcate; dense patch of lace tubercles at lateral corner.

Variation.

The paratype specimens differ in coloration from the holotype, but this may be due to preservation. QM S74237 has the prosoma golden-brown mottled with orange-brown patches, while both QM S74237 and the paratype QM S40679 have a brown transverse band, cream in the former and iridescent white in the latter, across the anterior part of the opisthosoma.

Etymology.

From the Latin coronatus, crowned, referring to the denticulate ocularium.

Comments.

Leg I was only preserved in the holotype.