Zalmoxis mendax, Sharma, Prashant P., 2012

Sharma, Prashant P., 2012, New Australasian Zalmoxidae (Opiliones: Laniatores) and a new case of male polymorphism in Opiliones, Zootaxa 3236, pp. 1-35 : 10-14

Zalmoxis mendax sp. nov.

Figs. 5–8

Types. Male holotype ( MNHN [ex MCZ DNA 102246]) from Mt. Panie track (20° 33' S, 164° 47' E), New Caledonia, collected 18 November 2000 by Bouchard, Burwell, and G.B. Monteith . 6 male (2 in ethanol; 2 extracted for DNA, dissected for genitalia, and mounted on SEM stubs MCZ 124553–124554; 2 mounted on SEM stubs MCZ 124556–124561) and 6 female (6 in ethanol; one with leg IV mounted on SEM stub MCZ 124555) paratypes, same collecting locality as holotype ( MCZ 124552) .

Additional material studied. 18 females and 1 juvenile, same collecting data as holotype ( MCZ).

Etymology. The specific epithet, an invariable noun in apposition, refers to the condition of the first walking leg, which bears four tarsomeres—a condition that occurs in a genus of questionable validity, Metazalmoxis (discussed below). From Latin, “ mendax , mendacis ” meaning “liar”.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from congeners by its large size; unique tarsal formula (4: 7: 5: 6); stout male leg IV bearing armature only as a ventral row of tubercles enlarging distally on the femur; rounded rutrum bearing two pairs of setae; and small pergula with two pairs of ventral setae and one pair of large dorsolateral setae.

Description. Total length of male holotype (female paratype [MCZ 124552] in parentheses) 3.43 (3.28), greatest width of prosoma 1.44 (1.32), greatest width of opisthosoma 2.40 (2.24); length-to-width ratio 1.43 (1.46). Body campaniform, dark brown (in alcohol, depending on incidence of light), almost entirely with dense microgranulate surface microstructure. Eyes present on low, well-developed ocularium. Ocularium wider than long, removed from anterior margin of carapace, with low irregular tubercles. Anterior margin of carapace with two pairs of pegs above coxae of leg I and single median peg. Scutal grooves of mesotergum distinct, sinuous, and losing curvature posteriorly (not “V”-shaped). Mesotergum and free tergites with regular belts of setose tubercles ( Fig. 5 ).

Ventral prosomal complex of male with coxae II and III meeting in midline, coxae I and IV not so ( Fig. 6 a). Anterior and posterior margins of coxae III with tubercular bridges to adjacent coxae, and coxae I–IV with low setose tubercles. Coxae IV of male greatly enlarged, with setose tubercles uniformly distributed. Genital operculum sub-triangular. Spiracles not concealed, anterior to row of tubercles. Opisthosomal sternites with regular belts of low setose tubercles. Anal plate armed with three tubercles slightly larger than others ( Fig. 6 a).

Chelicerae ( Fig. 6 b) sexually monomorphic, with prominent bulla on proximal article. Proximal article with denticulate granulation basally and ventrally. Second article not incrassate, free of ornamentation, with dorsal margin bearing several setae. Distal article with delicate dentition, free of ornamentation. Palpi ( Fig. 6 c) robust and spined ventrally and/or ventrolaterally, typical of zalmoxids. Palpal tarsus with two pairs of megaspines.

Legs (I–IV; Fig. 7 ) finely granulated. Leg I trochanter with two ventral tubercles, femur with ventral row of small tubercles ( Fig. 7 a). Leg IV sexually dimorphic, male leg IV incrassate, elongated, and lightly armored ( Fig. 7 d). Male femur IV bearing ventral row of prominent tubercles enlarging distally. Male patella IV with a row of dorsal tubercles. Male tibia IV with one dorsal, one ventral, two mesal, and two ectal rows of tubercles enlarging distally. Calcaneus of male metatarsus IV with a ventral pair of distally-directed, hook-like tubercles. Metatarsi I– IV divided distally, with calcaneus less ornamented but generally more setose. Tarsal claws I–IV smooth, unmodified. Tarsal segmentation 4: 7: 5: 6 ( Fig. 7 ).

Appendage measurements of holotype (length/width):

	Tr	Fe	Pa	Ti	Mt	Ta	Total
Leg I	0.29/0.24	1.29/0.16	0.55/0.23	0.84/0.16	1.44/0.07	0.80/0.10	5.21
Leg II	0.43/0.24	2.14/0.24	0.84/0.25	1.76/0.19	2.18/0.08	1.64/0.10	8.99
Leg III	0.42/0.43	1.62/0.24	0.65/0.34	1.22/0.25	1.92/0.13	1.04/0.11	6.87
Leg IV	0.60/0.42	2.66/0.40	1.28/0.50	2.04/0.36	2.38/0.28	1.18/0.13	10.14
Palp	0.27/0.33	0.92/0.28	0.45/0.29	0.69/0.37	—	0.73/0.20	3.06
	Proximal	Second	Distal
Chelicera	0.63/0.35	1.02/0.31	0.43/0.09

Appendage measurements of female paratype (MCZ 124552) (length/width):

	Tr	Fe	Pa	Ti	Mt	Ta	Total
Leg I	0.26/0.23	1.09/0.16	0.50/0.20	0.78/0.16	1.24/0.06	0.75/0.11	4.62
Leg II	0.29/0.25	1.80/0.20	0.75/0.24	1.54/0.17	1.80/0.09	1.68/0.08	7.86
Leg III	0.36/0.36	1.50/0.20	0.60/0.30	1.10/0.21	1.70/0.12	0.93/0.10	6.19
Leg IV	0.52/0.30	2.00/0.22	0.74/0.32	1.60/0.24	2.13/0.14	1.26/0.11	8.25
Palp	0.25/0.30	0.85/0.27	0.49/0.25	0.63/0.34	—	0.64/0.19	2.86
	Proximal	Second	Distal
Chelicera	0.63/0.35	1.02/0.31	0.43/0.09

Penis ( Fig. 8 ) with two pairs of setae on rutrum and three pairs setae on pergula (one median, one ventrolateral, and one dorsolateral). One pair of setae displaced from midline and posterior to pergula. Rutrum small with rounded edges, wider than long, without lateral arrowhead-like extensions. Pergula slightly projecting ventrally.

Distribution. Known only from type locality.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Zalmoxis mendax sp. nov. (a) Male holotype, dorsal view; (b) Male holotype, ventral view; (c) Female paratype, dorsal view; (d) Female paratype, ventral view.

FIGURE 6. Zalmoxis mendax sp. nov. (a) Ventral view of male paratype; (b) Left chelicera of male paratype; (c) Left palp of male paratype.

FIGURE 7. Zalmoxis mendax sp. nov. (a) Male left leg I; (b) Male left leg II; (c) Male left leg III; (d) Male left leg IV; (e) Female left leg IV.

FIGURE 8. Zalmoxis mendax sp. nov. (a) Pars distalis of male genitalia, dorsal view; (b) Pars distalis of male genitalia, ventral view.