Homolophus andreevae Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008

Snegovaya, Nataly Yu. & Cokendolpher, James C., 2021, Further studies on harvestman genus Homolophus (Opiliones: Phalangiidae), with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 4908 (3), pp. 301-353 : 316-318

Homolophus andreevae Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008

Figures 7–9

Euphalangium andreevae Staręga, 1978: 223 , nomen nudum

Homolophus andreevae Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008: 79–80 , figs. 19–24

Diagnosis. The species differs from all other species, including the most closely related, H. vladimirae ( Šilhavý, 1967) , by the following characters: body and space before eye mound with numerous denticles; truncus of penis long and thick, with small alae on each distolateral side extending about 2/3 times length of truncus. Glans with recess ventrally on each side.

Type Locality. Tajikistan, Turkestanskiy Ridge , Botanical preserve Kusavlisay, ca. N68°32–46’ to E 39°30– 43’, 2600–2800 m a.s.l.

Distribution. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and here newly recorded from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan ( Fig. 7 ).

Specimens Examined. KAZAKHSTAN, Jambyl Region , district Merkenskiy, Chal-su valley, 24.06.1905 (1 male, 1 female, RCNS) ; Osh Region , Naukat valley, Nookat, mid-June 1910, (2 males, 5 females, 7 juv., ZIN) . UZBEKISTAN, Fergana Region , Fergana District, Shakhimardan, 29.05.1893 (1 male, ZIN) ; Samarkand Region , 1280–1524 m a.s.l., 5.06.1908, leg. D. Fedorov, field # N490-929 (2 males, ZIN) ; Zeravshan county , Kshtut, 1280– 1524 m a.s.l., 4.08.1908, leg. D. Fedorov, field # N 490-929 (1 male, ZIN) .

Description. Medium-sized harvestmen, male body rectangular, with rounded corners; medium sclerotization of body cuticle, finely granulate, less slender, 1.48 times longer than wide, length 6.2 mm, width 4.2 mm; with dense cross-section rows of light colored denticles on cephalothorax. Color dark brown, with small light and dark spots. Ocularium low, round, small, 2.2 times its length from anterior margin of cephalothorax, with 6–7 smaller blacktipped denticles on each side. There are no larger-sized denticles on front edge of cephalothorax; scattered, smaller, dark-tipped denticles present on sides of cephalothorax. Legs medium length, angular in cross-section, I and III (especially Fe) significantly thickened, segments of legs with longitudinal rows of denticles. Leg lengths (mm): I 5.0 + 1.8 + 4.5 + 5.2 + 8.5 = 25.0, II 8.0 + 2.2 + 6.5 + 6.0 + 16.1 = 38.8, III 5.0 + 1.6 + 5.0 + 4.6 + 11.0 = 27.2, IV 7.0 + 2.0 + 6.0 + 8.6 + 13.5 = 37.1. Pedipalp segment lengths (mm): 2.2 + 1.1 + 2.4 + 2.3 = 8.0. Pedipalps medium-sized, Fe ventrally and dorsally with large denticles, laterally denticles smaller, Pa dorsally with small denticles, Ti ventrally with densely covered black-tipped denticles, dorsally not so densely, Ta ventrally densely covered with small black-tipped, denticles and strip of sensory microdenticles. Chelicerae medium-sized, with very faint light-colored tabby marks, basal segment dorsally with denticles, distal segment dorsally with several microdenticles. Cheliceral basal segment ventrally with blunt rounded bulge, length 2.5 mm, distal segment length 3.1 mm. Penis long, thin, slightly expanded at base, tapering to apex, with alae on each distolateral side of truncus which extends about 2/3 times length of truncus; dorsoventrally flattened, bowed, recurved in lateral view, length (mm): truncus 4.35, glans 0.63, stylus 0.1. Glans ventrolaterally slender.

Female differs from male in size and larger abdomen, less armament on appendages. Body less slender, 1.86 times longer than wide; length 8.2 mm, width 4.4 mm. Leg lengths (mm): I 4.4 + 1.8 + 3.5 + 4.4 + 8.0 = 22.1, II 7.5 + 2.0 + 6.0 + 6.0 + 14.0 = 35.5, III 4.4 + 1.8 + 4.0 + 5.5 + 8.6 = 24.3, IV 6.5 + 1.6 + 5.5 + 8.0 + 12.6 = 34.2. Pedipalp segment lengths (mm): 1.5 + 0.8 + 1.0 + 2.2 = 5.5. Cheliceral basal segment length 2.0 mm, distal segment length 2.3 mm.

Comments. Specimens over 100 years old. Colors likely faded.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Distribution of some Homolophus species in the Palearctic: Central and Inner Asia. Data for pale colored symbols taken from literature; identifications not verified.

FIGURE 8. Homolophus andreevae Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008: A, male body, dorsal; B, male ocularium, dorsal; C, female body, dorsal; D, female ocularium, dorsal; E, male right pedipalp, ectal; F, male right pedipalp, mesal; G, male right chelicera, ectal; H, male right chelicera, mesal; I, female right pedipalp, ectal; J, female right pedipalp, mesal; K, female right chelicera, ectal; L, female right chelicera, mesal.

FIGURE 9. Homolophus andreevae Staręga & Snegovaya, 2008, male: A, femur I, dorsal; B, penis, lateral; C, penis glans, lateral; D, penis, dorsal; E, penis glans, dorsal.