Heterobiantes Roewer, 1912

Tan, Desmond Kai Teck, Fong, Jonathan J. & Zhang, Chao, 2023, Re-description of the genus Heterobiantes and its type species H. geniculatus (Opiliones: Laniatores: Epedanidae) with additional genital and external morphology data, Zootaxa 5353 (6), pp. 533-550 : 535-536

Heterobiantes Roewer, 1912

Heterobiantes Roewer, 1912: 219 ; 1923: 191–192, f. 217; Kury et al. 2020: 32–33.

Epedanestus Roewer, 1938: 108 .

Type species by monotypy: Epedanus geniculatus Pocock, 1903 . Synonymized by Kury et al. 2020: 32.

Type Species: Epedanus geniculatus Pocock, 1903 , subsequent designation by Kury et al. 2020: 32.

Diagnosis: Large-sized epedanines (5.94–6 mm) with a long median spine on the ocularium. The body is trapezoidal in shape. Dorsal scutum distinctly segregated into four different areas (areas I–II fused). Two apparent yellow (sometimes pale green) spots are located on the posterior-lateral sides of prosoma. Areas I–II with a row of 8–10 granules, and often but not always with two that are positioned nearing the anterior margins of the area. Area V and all free tergites are lined with hair-tipped tubercles. Proximal segment of chelicerae strong and clavate, distally clustered with granules and hair-tipped tubercles. Pedipalps elongated, trochanter dorsally armed with one tubercle while femurs are slightly arcuate, armed with 3–5 small tubercles dorsally and 8–9 strong tubercles ventrally ( Figs 3 B-C). A disto-ental tubercle can also be found on the femur. Tibia and tarsus heavily armed with long spines on both ventral sides, which form a ‘basket claw’ ( Wolff et al. 2016) ( Figs 3A–C ). All distitarsi with three segments. Penis elongated and the shaft widens distally, armed with a lower transverse row of 7–10 strong, curved spines. The upper, subdistal section is protected by 10–15 similarly curved spines, along with three more pairs of ventral spines of glans. The positioning of the spines together resembles the shape of a crown, and is of resemblance to other Epedanidae members (e.g., K. insulanus ). Total length of the penis is 2.4–2.6 mm.

Distribution: China ( Hong Kong).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Heterobiantes geniculatus (Pocock, 1903), male (LINGU-INV06). A Close-up of pedipalpal tibia-tarsus-claw, lateral view; B Right pedipalp, lateral view; C Left pedipalp, lateral view; D Leg I, lateral view; E Leg II, lateral view; F Leg III, lateral view; G Leg IV, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm.