Thaumatocranaus

Hara, Marcos R., Bragagnolo, Cibele & Pinto-Da-Rocha, Ricardo, 2017, Revision of Thaumatocranaus Roewer, 1932, with description of two new species (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptoidea), Zootaxa 4254 (4), pp. 457-472 : 460

Key to males of Thaumatocranaus species

1. Lateral margin of dorsal scutum with external row of tubercles increasing in size posteriorly, becoming slightly large and blunt ( Fig. 1 A); median robust apophysis on free tergite III bifid ( Fig. 1 A); metatarsus I distal half inflated ( Fig. 2 A); trochanter IV with a prodorsal, acuminated, enlarged subapical tubercle pointing dorsally ( Fig. 2 C).............. T. mirabilis (Ecuador)

- Lateral margin of dorsal scutum with external row of tubercles increasing in size posteriorly, becoming large, conical and slightly acuminated ( Figs 3 A, 5A); median robust apophysis on free tergite III single (unbranched) ( Figs 3 A, 5A); metatarsus I distal half not inflated; trochanter IV with prodorsal, blunt, enlarged subapical tubercle ( Figs 4 A, 6C)..................2

2. Femur III with a retroventral subapical conical, acuminated, enlarged apophysis ( Fig. 6 A); femur IV retrodorsal apical spine strongly curved retrolaterally ( Fig. 6 D, E)....................................... T. splendidus sp. nov. (Colombia)

- Femur III ventral face unarmed (without apophyses or large tubercles); femur IV retrodorsal apical spine curved posteriorly and slightly retrolaterally ( Fig. 4 B, C).......................................... T. magnificus sp. nov. (Colombia)

Figures

FIGURE 1. Thaumatocranaus mirabilis Roewer. Male (holotype): A, habitus, dorsal view; B, ditto, ventral view (schematic illustration, omitting small tubercles); C, ditto, right lateral view; D, ocularium, anterior view; E, right ozopore area, dorsolateral view; F, right pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, ditto, apex of femur – tarsus prolateral view. Abbreviations: A 1 – 3, scutal areas I – III; Fh, frontal hump; Ft 1 – 3, free tergites I – III; Oc, ocularium; Op, opisthosoma; Pac, prolateral apical apophysis of coxa IV; Pm, posterior margin of dorsal scutum; Pr, prosoma (Ca, carapace = fused dorsal tergites of prosoma). A, C at same scale; F, G at same scale. Scale bars: A – C: 1 mm; F, G, 0.5 mm; D, E: 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 2. Thaumatocranaus mirabilis Roewer. Male (holotype): A, right leg I, apex of metatarsus – tarsus I, prolateral view; B, right femur III, prolateral view; C, right trochanter IV, dorsal view; D, apex of right femur IV, dorsal view; E, anal operculum, posterior view; F, right trochanter – tarsus IV, dorsal view; G, ditto, ventral view. Abbreviations: Pro, prolateral; Ret, retrolateral. A, B at same scale; F, G at same scale. Scale bars: A, B, F, G, 1 mm; C – E, 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. Thaumatocranaus magnificus sp. nov. Male (holotype): A, habitus, dorsal view; B, ocularium, anterior view; C, right ozopore area, dorso-lateral view; D, anal operculum, posterior view; E, habitus, right lateral view; F, right pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, ditto, apex of femur – tarsus prolateral view. A, E at same scale; F, G at same scale. Scale bars: A, E, 1 mm; F, G, 0.5 mm; B – D, 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 4. Thaumatocranaus magnificus sp. nov. Male (holotype): A, right trochanter IV, dorsal view; B, apex of right femur IV, dorsal view; C, right trochanter – tarsus IV, dorsal view; D, ditto, ventral view. C, D at same scale. Scale bar: A, 0.5 mm; B, 0.25 mm; C, D, 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Thaumatocranaus splendidus sp. nov. Male (holotype): A, right femur III, retrolateral view; B, apex of right femur III, dorsal view; C, right trochanter IV, dorsal view; D, apex of right femur IV, dorsal view; E, right trochanter – tarsus IV, dorsal view; F, ditto, ventral view. E, F at same scale. Scale bars: A, E, F, 1 mm; C, 0.5 mm; B, D, 0.25 mm.