Zalmoxis kaktinsae, 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 : 14-17

Zalmoxis kaktinsae sp. nov.

Figs. 9–11

Types. Male holotype ( MNHN [ex MCZ DNA 102350]) from Mt. Mou , summit (22° 3' 36.5" S, 166° 20' 56.2" E), New Caledonia, 1227 m elevation, collected 12 April 2007 by J. Murienne and P.P. Sharma from sifted litter . 1 male paratype (used for DNA extraction, dissected for genitalia, and mounted on SEM stubs MCZ 124562– 124563]), same collecting data as holotype.

Etymology. The name honors Natalia Kaktins, a secondary school teacher of Latin and the classics who introduced the author to the mythology of Zalmoxis and other Thracian deities.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from congeners by the belt of large tubercles on sternite 7; the large tubercle on the lateral-most part of each opisthosomal sternite, forming a row on each side; armature of tibia IV in males, which bears a ventral row of tubercles with a single large tubercle in the center, and three smaller tubercles distally and five proximally; rutrum subrectangular in shape, longer than wide, tapering proximally; and a “double” pergula fused medially, bearing eight setae set equidistant from each other.

Description. Total length of male holotype 2.04, greatest width of prosoma 0.86, greatest width of opisthosoma 1.36; length-to-width ratio 1.50. Body campaniform, dark orange to brown (in alcohol, depending on incidence of light), almost entirely with dense microgranulate surface microstructure. Eyes present on low, welldeveloped ocularium. Ocularium wider than long, removed from anterior margin of carapace, without spines or tubercles. Anterior margin of carapace with two pairs of pegs above coxae of leg I and single median peg. Mesotergum generally smooth, mesotergal grooves distinctly “V”-shaped. Free tergites armed with regular belts of pointed setose tubercles ( Fig. 9 ).

Ventral prosomal complex with coxae II and III meeting in midline, coxae I and IV not so ( Fig. 10 a). Anterior and posterior margins of coxae III with tubercular bridges to adjacent coxae, and coxae I–II with low setose tubercles. Coxae IV greatly enlarged, with setose tubercles concentrated on anterior surface. Genital operculum semicircular. Spiracles not concealed, anterior to row of tubercles. Single large tubercle on the lateral-most part of each opisthosomal sternite, forming an anteroposterior row of large tubercles along lateral edges of sternites. Opisthosomal sternites additionally armed with low tubercles tapering medially, except sternite 7, which bears six large tubercles medially and two larger tubercles laterally. Anal plate armed with five tubercles approximating the size of median tubercles of sternite 7 ( Fig. 10 b).

Chelicerae ( Fig. 11 a) 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, smooth, free of ornamentation. Palpi ( Fig. 11 b) robust and spined ventrally and/or ventrolaterally, typical of zalmoxids. Palpal tarsus with two pairs of megaspines.

Legs (I–IV) finely granulated, of striated appearance due to de-pigmented regions on leg joints ( Fig. 11 c–f). Leg I trochanter with one ventral and one dorsal tubercle, femur with ventral row of small tubercles ( Fig. 11 c). Leg IV incrassate, elongated, and heavily armored ( Fig. 11 f). Trochanter IV with one large ventral tubercle; femur IV bearing ventral row of four prominent tubercles with intermittent small tubercles. Femur, patella, and tibia IV dorsally and laterally covered with low setose tubercles. Male tibia IV with one dorsal row of tubercles enlarging proximally; and one ventral row of nine tubercles, with the largest, distally-directed, hook-like tubercle flanked by three smaller tubercles distally and five proximally. Metatarsus IV with a ventral row of setose tubercles and a lateral row of bulbous setose tubercles. Metatarsi I–IV divided distally, with calcaneus less ornamented but generally more setose. Tarsal claws I–IV smooth, unmodified. Tarsal segmentation 3: 4: 5: 5 ( Fig. 11 ).

Appendage measurements of holotype (length/width):

	Tr	Fe	Pa	Ti	Mt	Ta	Total
Leg I	0.16/0.14	0.54/0.10	0.28/0.14	0.40/0.12	0.55/0.06	0.43/0.06	2.36
Leg II	0.19/0.14	0.81/0.10	0.39/0.25	0.65/0.13	0.71/0.06	0.84/0.07	3.59
Leg III	0.19/0.23	0.66/0.15	0.33/0.20	0.54/0.15	0.64/0.08	0.40/0.06	2.76
Leg IV	0.35/0.27	1.20/0.27	0.54/0.33	0.88/0.27	0.95/0.11	0.44/0.07	4.36
Palp	0.19/0.15	0.35/0.16	0.23/0.16	0.35/0.18	—	0.28/0.13	1.40
	Proximal	Second	Distal
Chelicera	0.39/0.19	0.45/0.20	0.17/0.04

Penis ( Fig. 12 ) with two pairs of setae on diminutive rutrum and a “double” pergula fused medially. Eight setae on pergula (set approximately equidistant from each other). One pair of setae displaced from midline and slightly posterior to pergula. Rutrum small and subrectangular, longer than wide, without lateral arrowhead-like extensions or rounded edges, and tapering proximally. Pergula slightly projecting ventrally. Female unknown.

Distribution. Known only from type locality.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Zalmoxis kaktinsae sp. nov. (a) Male holotype, dorsal view; (b) Male holotype, ventral view.

FIGURE 10. Zalmoxis kaktinsae sp. nov. (a) Ventral view of male paratype; (b) Opisthosomal region of male paratype.

FIGURE 11. Zalmoxis kaktinsae sp. nov. (a) Left chelicera of male paratype; (b) Left palp of male paratype; (c) Male left leg I; (d) Male left leg II; (e) Male left leg III; (f) Male left leg IV.

FIGURE 12. Zalmoxis kaktinsae sp. nov. (a) Pars distalis of male genitalia, dorsal view; (b) Pars distalis of male genitalia, ventral view.