Zalmoxis perditus, 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 : 18-20

Zalmoxis perditus sp. nov.

Figs. 13–14

Types. Male holotype ( MNHN [ex MCZ DNA 102356]) from Baie d'Upi , Isle of Pines (22° 35' 21.0" S, 167° 31' 20.1"E), New Caledonia, 4 m elevation, collected 20 April 2007 by J. Murienne and P.P. Sharma from sifted litter. 1 female (in ethanol, used for DNA extraction [ex MCZ DNA 102356]) paratype, same collecting data as holotype ( MCZ 124564).

Additional material studied. One juvenile, same collecting data as holotype.

Etymology. The name refers to the collecting locality of this species, the Isle of Pines, which is located to the south of the main island of New Caledonia (Grande Terre). From Latin, “ perditus , -a, -um ” meaning “lost” or “abandoned”.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from congeners by the coloration pattern, forming a pigment-free “U” shape on the opisthosomal sternites; a single lateral peg on the ectal surface of coxae II of both sexes; two ventroectal tubercles on femur IV of males; five tubercles, enlarging distally, on tibia IV of males; rutrum of arrowhead shape; and a “double” pergula not fused medially, bearing eight setae set equidistant from each other.

Description. Total length of male holotype (female paratype [MCZ 124564] in parentheses) 1.96 (1.50), greatest width of prosoma 0.76 (0.66), greatest width of opisthosoma 1.34 (1.26); length-to-width ratio 1.46 (1.19). Body campaniform, dark orange to 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, without spines or tubercles. Anterior margin of carapace with two pairs of pegs above coxae of leg I and single median peg. Scutal grooves of mesotergum distinctly “V”-shaped. Free tergites with regular belts of small setose tubercles ( Fig. 13 ).

Ventral prosomal complex with coxae II and III meeting in midline, coxae I and IV not so. Anterior and posterior margins of coxae III with tubercular bridges to adjacent coxae, and coxae I–II with low setose tubercles. Coxae II with lateral peg on ectal surface in both sexes. Coxae IV greatly enlarged. Genital operculum sub-triangular. Spiracles not concealed, anterior to row of tubercles. Coloration pattern of opisthosomal sternites forming a pigment-free “U” shape in both sexes. Opisthosomal sternites armed with low tubercles tapering medially, except sternite 8, which bears six larger tubercles. Anal plate armed with five tubercles, two of these large ( Fig. 13 ).

Chelicerae 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 robust and spined ventrally and/or ventrolaterally, typical of zalmoxids. Palpal tarsus with two pairs of megaspines.

Legs (I–IV) finely granulated, of slightly striated appearance due to de-pigmented regions on leg joints. Femora of legs I–II with ventral row of small tubercles. Male leg IV incrassate, elongated, and armored. Femur of male leg IV with two large ventroectal tubercles flanked by row of smaller ventromesal tubercles; tibia IV bearing ventral row of seven tubercles tapering proximally. Femur, patella, and tibia IV dorsally and laterally covered with low setose tubercles. Metatarsi I–IV divided distally, with calcaneus less ornamented but generally more setose. Tarsal claws I–IV smooth, unmodified. Tarsal segmentation 3: 5: 5: 6.

Appendage measurements of holotype (length/width):

	Tr	Fe	Pa	Ti	Mt	Ta	Total
Leg I	0.15/0.12	0.42/0.10	0.24/0.13	0.34/0.10	0.47/0.06	0.31/0.06	1.93
Leg II	0.17/0.13	0.56/0.09	0.33/0.13	0.53/0.11	0.49/0.05	0.59/0.05	2.67
Leg III	0.17/0.18	0.51/0.10	0.27/0.16	0.42/0.14	0.52/0.07	0.35/0.06	2.24
Leg IV	0.23/0.23	0.89/0.22	0.44/0.25	0.67/0.19	0.70/0.10	0.40/0.06	3.33
Palp	0.14/0.12	0.32/0.12	0.21/0.13	0.28/0.16	—	0.29/0.13	1.24
	Proximal	Second	Distal
Chelicera	0.22/0.16	0.52/0.15	0.12/0.03

Appendage measurements of female paratype (MCZ 124564) (length/width):

	Tr	Fe	Pa	Ti	Mt	Ta	Total
Leg I	0.15/0.12	0.44/0.11	0.24/0.12	0.29/0.10	0.40/0.06	0.35/0.06	1.87
Leg II	0.15/0.13	0.49/0.10	0.30/0.12	0.45/0.10	0.44/0.06	0.60/0.06	2.43
Leg III	0.16/0.14	0.45/0.11	0.25/0.15	0.34/0.13	0.47/0.06	0.40/0.06	2.07
Leg IV	0.17/0.15	0.69/0.12	0.34/0.16	0.52/0.13	0.64/0.07	0.42/0.06	2.78
Palp	0.12/0.14	0.34/0.12	0.17/0.13	0.27/0.15	—	0.27/0.08	1.17
	Proximal	Second	Distal
Chelicera	0.22/0.15	0.51/0.17	0.14/0.03

Penis ( Fig. 14 ) with two unpaired setae on right margin of rutrum (possible anomaly) and a “double” pergula with unfused, slightly projecting margins. Eight setae on distal pergula (set approximately equidistant from each other). One pair of setae displaced from midline and slightly posterior to proximal pergula. Rutrum with lateral arrowhead-like extensions.

Distribution. Known only from type locality.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Zalmoxis perditus sp. nov. (a) Male holotype, dorsal view; (b) Male holotype, ventral view; (c) Female paratype, dorsal view; (d) Female paratype, ventral view.

FIGURE 14. Zalmoxis perditus sp. nov. (a) Pars distalis of male genitalia, dorsal view; (b) Pars distalis of male genitalia, ventral view.