Austropurcellia superbensis, Popkin-Hall, Zachary R. & Boyer, Sarah L., 2014

Popkin-Hall, Zachary R. & Boyer, Sarah L., 2014, New species of mite harvestmen from southeast Queensland, Australia greatly extend the known distribution of the genus Austropurcellia (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi), Zootaxa 3827 (4), pp. 517-541 : 533-535

Austropurcellia superbensis sp. nov.

Figures 20 – 22

Diagnosis: Pettalid with relatively flat ozophores. Tergite VIII slightly but visibly bilobed. Adenostyle thin and blade-like, with small, wide, rounded distal projection. Distinguished from other Southeast Queensland Austropurcellia by its rounded posterior and by scopula emerging from center of anal plate.

Description: Male holotype (2.2 mm) about twice as long as its widest point (1.3 mm) in posterior third of prosoma, and about 3 times as long as width across ozophores (0.8 mm) ( Fig. 20 A – B). Body with most of surface showing a tuberculate-granular microstructure ( Fig. 20 ). Posterior margin of dorsal scutum distinctly bilobed ( Fig. 20 C). Transverse opisthosomal sulci distinct by lack of granulation. Sulci becoming more distinct posteriorly ( Fig. 20 B). Ozophores relatively flat ( Fig. 20 A, 21B), positioned at a 45º angle relative to the walking plane as typical in pettalids.

Coxae of legs I and II mobile. Coxae of remaining legs fixed. Male coxae II – IV meeting in midline ( Fig. 21 A). Male gonostome small, subtriangular, wider than long, bordered on posterior margin by first opisthosomal sternite; male gonostome shorter than length of seam of contact of left and right coxae IV ( Figs. 20 B, 21A). No female specimens available for examination.

Spiracle of “open circle” type of Boyer and Giribet (2002). Narrow band of granules separating spiracle from main granules and tubercles ( Fig. 21 C). Ventral opisthosomal region without modifications or glandular pores ( Fig. 20 B). Anal region of “pettalid type’ ( Giribet & Boyer 2002) with tergite IX laterally covering sternite 9 and clearly meeting sternite 8 ( Fig. 20 D). Tergite VIII distinctly bilobed ( Fig. 20 D). Anal plate seemingly unornamented and largely obscured by scopula ( Fig. 20 D). Large scopula emerging in all directions in a “starburst” form from center of anal plate, extending to anterior margin of tergite VIII; scopular appearance possibly reflecting an artifact of preservation. Glandular pore present just below anal plate.

Chelicerae ( Fig. 22 E) short and relatively robust. Proximal article of chelicerae with dorsal crest, without ventral process. Two types of dentition, as typical in pettalids. Measurements from male holotype of chelicera articles from proximal to distal (given in mm): 0.57, 0.92, 0.30.

Palp ( Fig. 22 ) with a prominent ventral process on trochanter. Measurements from male holotype of palp articles from proximal to distal (given in mm): 0.30, 0.38, 0.23, 0.29, 0.31.

Legs with all claws smooth, without ventral dentition or lateral pegs. Legs I and II with partially ornamented metatarsus and smooth tarsus ( Fig. 22 A – B). Legs III and IV with ornamented metatarsus and smooth tarsus ( Fig. 22 C – D). Ventral side of tarsus I without solea ( Fig. 22 A). Male tarsus IV fully bisegmented ( Fig. 22 D). Adenostyle with a thin claw and a small, but wide, rounded base ( Fig. 22 D). Adenostyle projecting up at a 45º angle ( Fig. 22 D). Measurements from male holotype of leg articles from proximal to distal (given in mm): leg I 0.19, 0.63, 0.25, 0.47, 0.20, 0.47; leg II 0.20, 0.49, 0.22, 0.38, 0.16, 0.40; leg III [femur damaged], 0.38, 0.21, 0.34, 0.19, 0.35; leg IV 0.26, 0.49, 0.24, 0.42, 0.16, 0.41.

Type material: Australia, Queensland, Mount Superbus summit, 30 km SW Boonah; 28º14’S, 152º28’E 1300 m; Coll. G. Monteith, G. Thompson, H. Janetzki, Feb. 9, 1990; ♂ holotype; QM S 35939 .

Etymology: The specific epithet superbensis , a latinized adjective, refers to the type locality, Mount Superbus in Southeastern Queensland.

Figures

FIGURE 20. Austropurcellia superbensis sp. nov., male holotype: A. Dorsal view of body, scale bar 500 µm; B. Ventral view of body, scale bar 500 µm; C. Dorsal view of posterior, scale bar 100 µm; D. Ventral view of posterior, scale bar 100 µm.

FIGURE 21. Austropurcellia superbensis sp. nov., male holotype: A. Gonostome area, scale bar 200 µm; B. Ozophore, scale bar 20 µm; C. Spiracle, scale bar 20 µm.

FIGURE 22. Austropurcellia superbensis sp. nov., male holotype: A. Tarsus I, scale bar 200 µm; B. Tarsus II, scale bar 200 µm; C. Tarsus III, scale bar 100 µm; D. Tarsus IV, scale bar 100 µm; E. Chelicera, scale bar 200 µm; F. Palp, scale bar 100 µm.