Research Article |
Corresponding author: Chao Zhang ( opiliones@163.com ) Academic editor: Gonzalo Giribet
© 2020 Chao Zhang, Jochen Martens.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Zhang C, Martens J (2020) A taxonomic study on Epedanidae from Thailand including functional aspects of male genital morphology (Opiliones, Laniatores). ZooKeys 915: 25-58. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.915.47626
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The South-East Asian opilionid family Epedanidae Sørensen, 1886 has one of its strongholds in Thailand from where a multitude of genera and species have been described but the epedanid fauna of the country is still poorly known. This paper records four species from this country, three of which are new: Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov. (male and female), Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov. (male and female), and Toccolus kuryi sp. nov. (male and female). Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969 was previously known only from the type locality in Thailand and is redescribed here. Functional aspects of epedanid penial morphology are highlighted.
Arachnida, harvestmen, male genitalia, taxonomy
The opilionid family Epedanidae Sørensen, 1886 is widespread in the Indo-Malay Realm where it contains many genera, but the local species are often narrowly distributed and still poorly known. Thailand is one of the strongholds of the family. Many epedanid species display a bizarre peripheral morphology with heavily armed chelicerae, pedipalps, and a surprisingly long pointed spine or apophysis on top of the ocularium. In many cases, genera within the Epedanidae are not well characterized and probably do not represent monophyletic entities. This paper aims at increasing knowledge of the Thai fauna in re-defining three known genera and one known species, and in proposing three new species.
The two Epedanidae species first described from Thailand are Euepedanus orientalis (Hirst, 1912) and Caletorellus siamensis (Hirst, 1912). Originally, these were placed in genus Epedanus Thorell, 1876. Subsequently, E. orientalis was transferred to Mimepedanus Roewer, 1923 by
The Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany houses most of Roewer's Epedanidae types which were described by him over several decades (
Taxonomic methods follow the outline proposed by
All measurements are given in mm. The following abbreviations are used in the text:
CI capsula interna;
CE capsula externa;
Pb pars basalis;
Pd pars distalis;
S stylus;
VP ventral plate.
Euepedanus
Mimepedanus
Euepedanus trispinosus Roewer, 1915, subsequent designation by
Medium-sized epedanines (3.00–5.00 mm) with a long median spine on the ocularium. Area II with a pair of long spines. The basichelicerite of chelicerae with numerous tubercles. Pedipalpal femur ventrally with 5–7 seta-tipped tubercles, and distally with two tubercles on medial side. Pedipalpal patella with at least three seta-tipped tubercles. Distitarsus of leg I with two segments (cf.
(nine species). Euepedanus trispinosus Roewer, 1915, Euepedanus orientalis (Hirst, 1912), Euepedanus chaiensis Suzuki, 1969b, Euepedanus dividuus Suzuki, 1969b, Euepedanus similis Suzuki, 1985, Euepedanus pentaspinulatus Suzuki, 1985, Euepedanus spinosus Suzuki, 1985, Euepedanus flavimaculatus Zhu and Lian, 2006, and Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov.
Thailand, China, Malaysia, Singapore.
1 | Anterior margin of prosoma unarmed | 2 |
– | Anterior margin of prosoma armed with tubercles | 4 |
2 | Basichelicerite of chelicerae laterally and medially with prominent spines | E. trispinosus (Singapore and Malaysia) |
– | Basichelicerite of chelicerae laterally and medially without prominent spines, with small tubercles or teeth | 3 |
3 | Pedipalpal femur ventrally with five seta-tipped tubercles | E. similis (Thailand) |
– | Pedipalpal femur ventrally with seven seta-tipped tubercles | E. flavimaculatus (China) |
4 | Femora of all legs with ventral row of seta-tipped granules | E. spinosus (Thailand) |
– | Femora of all legs without a ventral row of seta-tipped granules | 5 |
5 | Scutal area I divided into three parts | E. dividuus (Thailand) |
– | Scutal area I entire | .6 |
6 | Posterolateral angle of scutum with one large tubercle | E. orientalis (Thailand) |
– | Posterolateral angle of scutum without one large tubercle | 7 |
7 | Conspicuous spines dorsally on the basichelicerite of chelicerae dispersed evenly | E. dashdamirovi sp. nov. (Thailand) |
– | Conspicuous spines dorsally on the basichelicerite of chelicerae dispersed unevenly, gathered near the base | 8 |
8 | Median tubercles of free tergites I and II enlarged, cheliceral hand with a ventral seta-tipped tubercle | E. pentaspinulatus (Thailand) |
– | Median tubercles of free tergites I and II small, cheliceral hand without a ventral seta-tipped tubercle | E. chaiensis (Thailand) |
Holotype male (SMF-CJM7059-01): THAILAND: Sa Kaeo (Kaew) Province: Ta Phraya District, Ta Phraya NP (No.11), 14°8.37'N 102°40.19'E, alt. 164 m, 27 October 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg. Paratypes. one female (SMF-CJM7059-02), same collecting data as holotype; one female (SMF-CJM7051-01) and one juvenile (SMF-CJM7051-02), THAILAND: Sa Kaeo (Kaew) Province: Maeng, Srakaeo District, Wat Tham Khao Maka (No.8), 13°47.23'N 101°56.87'E, alt. 46m, 26 October 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg.
Penis with a stereoscopic ventral plate (e.g., Fig.
Named in honor of the collector of the type material and our good friend, Dr. Selvin Dashdamirov.
Male (holotype) habitus as in Figs
Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov., male holotype 1 body, lateral view 2 right chelicera, lateral view 3 same, medial view 4 right basichelicerite, dorsal view 5 right cheliceral hand, frontal view 6 Right cheliceral fingers, frontal view 7 right pedipalp, lateral view 8 same, medial view. Scale bars: 1 mm (1–5, 7–8), 0.5 mm (6).
Dorsum
(Figs
Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov., male (Fig.
Venter
(Fig.
Chelicerae
(Figs
Pedipalps
(Figs
Legs. All segments smooth, only with scarce short setae. Femur IV slightly curved. Distitarsus I with two, distitarsus II with three tarsomeres. Distitarsi III and IV without scopula. Tarsal claws smooth. Tarsal formula (I–IV): 9(2)/24(3)/7/8.
Penis
(Figs
Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov., genitalia of male holotype 18 penis, lateral view 19 pars distalis of penis, ventral view (arrow indicates indented distal end) 20 same, lateral view 21 same, dorsal view 22 pars distalis of penis (everted), ventral view 23 same, dorsal view 24–25 same, lateral view. Abbreviations: CE capsula externa CI capsula interna DL dorsal lobe G glans Pb pars basalis Pd pars distalis S stylus VP ventral plate VL ventral lobe. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (18), 0.25 mm (19–25).
Female
(Figs
Ovipositor
(Figs
Male holotype (female paratype): body 2.94 (2.36) long, 2.13 (2.48) wide at widest portion, scutum 2.36 (2.05) long. Ocularium 0.40 (0.30) long, 0.79 (0.69) wide. Proximal chelicerae 1.24 (1.08) long, 0.43 (0.38) wide; second 2.10 (1.72) long, 0.72 (0.59) wide; distal 0.91 (0.80) long, 0.21 (0.20) wide. Pedipalp claw 0.84 (0.80) long. Penis 1.67 long. Measurements of pedipalp and legs as in Tables
Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the male holotype, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.59/0.39 | 1.65/0.31 | 0.85/0.30 | 0.92/0.35 | 0.57/0.33 | 4.58 | |
Leg I | 0.30/0.27 | 2.10/0.19 | 0.51/0.26 | 1.49/0.14 | 2.60/0.05 | 1.30/0.04 | 8.30 |
Leg II | 0.32/0.33 | 3.54/0.18 | 0.64/0.27 | 3.02/0.15 | 4.24/0.05 | 3.22/0.04 | 14.98 |
Leg III | 0.52/0.44 | 2.65/0.26 | 0.65/0.35 | 1.59/0.23 | 3.30/0.13 | 1.30/0.07 | 10.01 |
Leg IV | 0.45/0.40 | 3.88/0.28 | 0.72/0.38 | 2.15/0.23 | 4.74/0.09 | 1.45/0.07 | 13.39 |
Euepedanus dashdamirovi sp. nov. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the female paratype, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.46/0.32 | 1.32/0.30 | 0.72/0.29 | 0.76/0.34 | 0.45/0.31 | 3.71 | |
Leg I | 0.33/0.26 | 1.83/0.17 | 0.52/0.23 | 1.26/0.16 | 2.31/0.03 | 0.84/0.03 | 7.09 |
Leg II | 0.34/0.29 | 2.77/0.16 | 0.68/0.25 | 2.82/0.15 | 3.37/0.08 | 2.44/0.06 | 12.42 |
Leg III | 0.34/0.41 | 2.33/0.26 | 0.62/0.38 | 1.49/0.23 | 2.87/0.06 | 1.02/0.06 | 8.67 |
Leg IV | 0.37/0.37 | 3.42/0.24 | 0.69/0.33 | 1.97/0.21 | 4.28/0.11 | 1.43/0.05 | 12.16 |
The specimens were collected by hand under the decaying bark of various tree species.
Known only from the type locality.
Plistobunus
Plistobunus rapax Pocock, 1903, by original designation.
Medium-sized epedanines (2.40–3.57 mm) with a long median spine on the ocularium. Prosoma with a row of 4–6 setiferous tubercles on each side of the frontal margin. Areae II and IV with or without long spines. The basichelicerite of chelicerae elongate and armed with numerous tubercles, dorsally with three in males and with two in female (
Plistobunus rapax Pocock, 1903, Plistobunus columnarius
China (Hong Kong and Hainan Island), Thailand (Ubon Ratchathani).
The species of this genus possess conspicuous sexual dimorphism in the armature of the appendages. The tubercles or spines in male on the basichelicerite of chelicerae, and those of the femur of pedipalps and legs are much more robust or conspicuous than those of in female; the shape of body is very similar in both sexes.
The numbers of seta-tipped tubercles distally on medial side of pedipalpal femur gives an impression of the differences between the species. Male specimens of P. rapax and P. columnarius are described with two (
1 | Distributed in Thailand, the scutal area without long spines in male | P. jaegeri sp. nov. |
– | Distributed in China, scutal area II with a pair of long spines and area IV with a median one in male | 2 |
2 | Distributed in Hong Kong, the anterior margin of prosoma with a row of nine tubercles, and the femur of pedipalp ventrally with nine seta-tipped tubercles. | P. rapax |
– | Distributed in Hainan Island, the anterior margin of prosoma with a row of 12 tubercles, and the femur of pedipalp ventrally with 13 seta-tipped tubercles | P. columnarius |
Holotype male (SMF-CJM7060): THAILAND: Ubon Ratchathani Province: Khong Chiam District, Pha Taem NP (No.28), 15°23.94'N 105°30.49'E, alt. 185 m, 5 November 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg. Paratype. One female (SMF-CJM7062): THAILAND: Nong Khai Province: Sangkhom District, Tham Tip Waterfall (No. 23), 18°7.57'N 102°11.16'E, alt. 198 m, 3 November 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg.
The dorso-distal margin (blue in Fig.
The new species is dedicated to Dr. Peter Jäger, Germany, an esteemed arachnologist. He is a co-founder of the Asian Society of Arachnology (ASA) and due to his efforts, arachnology in Asia has taken a large step forward.
Male (holotype) habitus as in Figs
Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov., male holotype 32 body, lateral view 33 left chelicera, medial view 34 same, lateral view 35 left basichelicerite, dorsal view 36 left cheliceral hand, frontal view 37 left cheliceral fingers, frontal view 38 left pedipalp, medial view 39 same, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (32–36, 38, 39), 0.5 mm (37).
Dorsum
(Figs
Venter
(Fig.
Chelicerae
(Figs
Pedipalps
(Figs
Legs
(Figs
Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov. male (Figs
Penis
(Figs
Female (Figs
Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov., genitalia of male holotype (not included Fig.
Ovipositor
(Figs
Male holotype (female paratype). Body 2.40 (3.53) long, 1.94 (2.08) wide at the widest portion, scutum1.68 (2.23) long. Ocularium 0.33 (0.32) long, 0.61 (0.56) wide. Proximal chelicerae 1.24 (1.11) long, 0.35 (0.30) wide; second 1.80 (1.50) long, 0.60 (0.42) wide; distal 0.76 (0.76) long, 0.19 (0.16) wide. Pedipalpus claw 0.60 (0.79) long. Penis 0.94 long. Measurements of pedipalpus and legs as in Tables
Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the male holotype, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pedipalp | 0.43/0.25 | 1.44/0.20 | 0.68/0.23 | 0.70/0.27 | 0.51/0.31 | 3.76 | |
Leg I | 0..27/0.23 | 1.33/0.16 | 0.48/0.23 | 0.91/0.16 | 1.53/0.08 | 0.87/0.06 | 5.39 |
Leg II | 0.30/0.26 | 1.80/0.15 | 0.56/0.22 | 1.43/0.15 | 2.03/0.06 | 1.71/0.05 | 7.83 |
Leg III | 0.36/0.33 | 1.33/0.23 | 0.44/0.29 | 1.00/0.20 | 1.72/0.11 | 0.99/0.07 | 5.84 |
Leg IV | 0.35/0.31 | 1.95/0.20 | 0.61/0.23 | 1.34/0.21 | 2.28/0.12 | 1.18/0.09 | 6.71 |
Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the female paratype, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.46/0.26 | 2.19/0.17 | 1.00/0.25 | 0.91/0.26 | 0.82/0.24 | 5.38 | |
Leg I | 0.27/0.21 | 1.46/0.15 | 0.51/0.22 | 1.29/0.11 | 2.28/0.06 | 1.03/0.04 | 5.84 |
Leg II | 0.33/0.23 | 2.64/0.13 | 0.55/0.22 | 2.42/0.13 | 3.20/0.06 | 2.75/0.06 | 11.89 |
Leg III | 0.34/0.36 | 2.08/0.18 | 0.56/0.31 | 1.44/0.19 | 2.91/0.10 | 1.14/0.06 | 8.47 |
Leg IV | 0.41/0.33 | 3.24/0.21 | 0.63/0.30 | 1.86/0.20 | 4.10/0.12 | 1.49/0.08 | 11.73 |
The specimens were collected by hand under stones in forest.
Known only from the type locality, the Pha Taem National Park in the Ubon Ratchathanl Province, Thailand.
Notes. The genus Plistobunus was known by two species restricted to China, i.e., P. rapax Pocock, 1903 (type species, Hong Kong) and P. columnarius
Toccolus
Toccolus minimus Roewer, 1927, by monotypy.
Medium-sized epedanines (1.40–3.21 mm) with a median spine on the ocularium. Opisthosomal areae unarmed except for some seta-tipped tubercles. The basichelicerite of chelicerae armed with small or enlarged tubercles. Pedipalpal femur ventrally with five or six seta-tipped tubercles, and distally with two or three tubercles on medial side. Pedipalpal patella ventro-mesally with two tubercles, and ventro-ectally with one tubercle. Distitarsus of leg I with two segments.
Toccolus minimus Roewer, 1927, Toccolus chibai Suzuki, 1976, Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969, Toccolus javanensis Kury, 2008, and Toccolus kuryi sp. nov.
Thailand, Java, Malaysia, Vietnam.
1 | Basichelicerite with small tubercles (the height almost as long as its width) | T. minimus (Vietnam) |
– | Basichelicerite with enlarged tubercles (the height much longer than its width) | 2 |
2 | Ocularium with a long median spine | T. chibai (Malaysia) |
– | Ocularium with a short median spine | 3 |
3 | Basichelicerite dorsally with four conspicuous spines | T. javanensis (Java) |
– | Basichelicerite dorsally with three conspicuous spines | 4 |
4 | Pedipalpal femur ventrally with five seta-tipped tubercl | T. globitarsis (Thailand) |
– | Pedipalpal femur ventrally with six seta-tipped tubercles | T. kuryi sp. nov. (Thailand) |
Toccolus globitarsis
(not examined). Holotype, male: THAILAND: Paktong Cha, Nakhon Ratchasima Province: 24 November – 10 December 1963. Paratypes: three females, same collection data as the holotype. All specimens were collected by H. Watanabe.
The type-specimens are all deposited in the Zoological Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Hiroshima University.
One male, one female and one juvenile (SMF-CJM7053), THAILAND: Chaiyaphum Province: Phakdi Chumphon Distr., near cave Wat Tham Kaeo (No. 15), 15°58.50'N 101°24.66'E, 350 m alt. 1 November 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg.
Male habitus as in Figs
Dorsum
(Figs
Venter
(Fig.
Chelicerae
(Figs
Pedipalps
(Figs
Legs. All segments unarmed, nearly smooth. Legs I–II slender, legs III–IV much stronger. Femora I–III not curved, almost straight, femur IV slightly curved. Distitarsi I and II with two tarsomeres. Distitarsi III and IV without scopula, only two bare claws present. Tarsal formula (I–IV): 7(2)/16(2)/6/7.
Penis
(Figs
Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969, male (Figs
(Figs
Ovipositor
(Figs
Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969, genitalia of male 87 penis, dorsal view 88 pars distalis of penis, ventral view 89, 90 same, lateral view 91 same, dorsal view 92 pars distalis of penis(everted), ventral view 93, 94 same, lateral view 95 same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: CE capsula externa CI capsula interna DL dorsal lobe G glans Pb pars basalis Pd pars distalis S stylus VP ventral plate VL ventral lobe. Scale bars: 0.25 mm.
Male (female): body 2.89 (2.41) long, 2.35 (2.10) wide at widest portion, scutum 2.27 (1.80) long. Ocularium 0.45 (0.32) long, 0.77 (0.62) wide. Proximal chelicerae 1.60 (1.01) long, 0.50 (0.36) wide; second 2.56 (1.52) long, 0.92 (0.51) wide; distal 1.15 (0.74) long, 0.25 (0.14) wide. Pedipalpal claw 0.95 (0.87) long. Penis 1.15 long. Measurements of pedipalp and legs as in Tables
Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the male, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.60/0.41 | 1.68/0.34 | 0.81/0.39 | 1.07/0.40 | 0.83/0.50 | 4.99 | |
Leg I | 0.30/0.24 | 1.68/0.18 | 0.57/0.23 | 1.13/0.15 | 1.97/0.06 | 1.09/0.04 | 6.74 |
Leg II | 0.34/0.27 | 2.31/0.15 | 0.67/0.23 | 1.89/0.13 | 2.88/0.08 | 1.97/0.05 | 10.06 |
Leg III | 0.39/0.37 | 1.97/0.25 | 0.62/0.37 | 1.30/0.23 | 2.23/0.11 | 0.83/0.06 | 7.34 |
Leg IV | 0.41/0.39 | 2.40/0.27 | 0.69/0.36 | 1.64/0.24 | 2.86/0.15 | 1.17/0.08 | 9.17 |
Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the female, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.48/0.34 | 1.23/0.28 | 0.77/0.30 | 0.80/0.34 | 0.64/0.34 | 3.92 | |
Leg I | 0.28/0.21 | 1.25/014 | 0.52/0.20 | 1.04/0.12 | 1.66/0.06 | 0.91/0.05 | 5.66 |
Leg II | 0.33/0.24 | 1.71/0.13 | 0.56/0.21 | 1.07/0.11 | 2.45/0.06 | 1.82/0.05 | 8.57 |
Leg III | 0.31/0.34 | 1.47/0.19 | 0.55/0.31 | 1.15/0.20 | 1.90/0.11 | 0.65/0.06 | 6.03 |
Leg IV | 0.33/0.34 | 1.45/0.20 | 0.63/0.30 | 1.51/0.19 | 2.62/0.08 | 1.19/0.06 | 7.73 |
The specimens were collected in litter and under stones.
Thailand (Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Chieng Mai Province, Chaiyaphum Province).
Holotype male (SMF-CJM7065): THAILAND: Loel Province: Nang Hin District, near cave Wat Tham Malohan (No.18a), 17°06.47'N 101°52.69'E, alt. 362 m, 2 November 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg. Paratype. One female (SMF-CJM7063): THAILAND: Nong Khai Province: Sangkhom District, Tham Tip Waterfall (No. 23), 18°07.57'N 102°11.16'E, alt. 198 m, 3 November 2010, S. Dashdamirov leg.
The distal part of glans nearly triangular (ventral and dorsal views, Figs
The specific name is a patronym in honor of Dr. Adriano B. Kury, a well-known arachnologist from Brazil. A.
Male (holotype) habitus as in Figs
Toccolus kuryi sp. nov., male holotype 102 body, lateral view 103 left chelicera, medial view 104 same, lateral view 105 left basichelicerite, dorsal view 106 left cheliceral hand, frontal view 107 left pedipalp, medial view 108 same, lateral view 109 right pedipalp, medial view. Scale bars: 1 mm.
Dorsum
(Figs
Venter
(Fig.
Chelicerae
(Figs
Toccolus kuryi sp. nov., male (Fig.
Pedipalps
(Figs
Legs. All segments unarmed, nearly smooth. Legs I–II slender, legs III–IV strong. Femora I–III not curved, almost straight, femur IV slightly curved. Distitarsi I and II with two tarsomeres. Distitarsi III and IV without scopula and with two unpectinated claws. Tarsal formula (I–IV): 7(2)/16(2)/7/7.
Penis
(Figs
(SMF-CJM7063) (Figs
Ovipositor
(Figs
Measurements. Male (female): body 2.27 (2.76) long, 2.08 (1.96) wide at widest portion, scutum 1.95 (1.79) long. Ocularium 0.41 (0.30) long, 0.69 (0.51) wide. Proximal chelicerae 1.24 (0.84) long, 0.47 (0.31) wide; second 2.20 (1.37) long, 0.78 (0.45) wide; distal 0.97 (0.62) long, 0.22 (0.14) wide. Pedipalp claw 0.82 (0.79) long. Penis 1.02 long. Measurements of pedipalp and legs as in Tables
Toccolus kuryi sp. nov. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the male holotype, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.56/0.43 | 1.56/0.30 | 0.98/0.32 | 0.95/0.35 | 0.70/0.38 | 4.75 | |
Leg I | 0.35/0.24 | 1.60/0.17 | 0.52/0.23 | 1.12/0.13 | 1.94/0.06 | 1.06/0.04 | 6.59 |
Leg II | 0.34/0.25 | 2.15/0.14 | 0.59/0.21 | 1.86/0.12 | 2.74/0.05 | 1.94/0.04 | 9.62 |
Leg III | 0.42/0.29 | 1.86/0.22 | 0.61/.032 | 1.30/0.21 | 2.21/0.12 | 1.03/0.07 | 7.43 |
Leg IV | 0.48/0.35 | 2.32/0.24 | 0.63/0.32 | 1.76/0.21 | 2.71/0.11 | 1.15/0.05 | 9.05 |
Toccolus kuryi sp. nov. Measurements of the pedipalp and legs of the female paratype, as length/width.
Trochanter | Femur | Patella | Tibia | Metatarsus | Tarsus | Total | |
Pedipalp | 0.42/0.34 | 1.28/0.23 | 0.78/0.26 | 0.87/0.27 | 0.66/0.29 | 4.01 | |
Leg I | 0.24/0.22 | 1.24/0.15 | 0.48/0.19 | 0.93/0.11 | 1.54/0.06 | 0.64/0.04 | 5.71 |
Leg II | 0.22/0.19 | 1.72/0.13 | 0.52/0.19 | 1.51/0.10 | 2.27/0.05 | 2.46/0.04 | 8.70 |
Leg III | 0.26/0.30 | 1.35/0.18 | 0.53/0.27 | 1.07/0.19 | 1.79/0.09 | 0.76/0.08 | 5.76 |
Leg IV | 0.32/0.28 | 1.67/0.19 | 0.56/0.25 | 1.39/0.17 | 2.48/0.08 | 1.13/0.07 | 7.55 |
The specimens were collected under stones (SMF-CJM7065) and under Acacia bark and rotten stumps (SMF-CJM7063).
Thailand (Loel Province, Nong Khai Province).
Toccolus kuryi sp. nov., genitalia of male holotype 118 penis, dorsal view 119 pars distalis of penis, dorsal view 120 same, lateral view 121 same, ventral view 122 ovipositor, ventral view 123 same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: G glans Pb pars basalis Pd pars distalis VP ventral plate. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (118), 0.25 mm (119–123).
According to the present results, the typical members of Epedanidae (Acrobuninae Roewer, 1912; Sarasinicinae Roewer, 1923; Epedaninae Sørensen, 1886; and Dibuninae Roewer, 1912) possess similar external morphology, e.g., “the greatly elongate pedipalps, high erect spine on eye tubercle, fused scutal areas I–II etc” (
The penis can be classified at least into two different types by the shape of the ventral plate. One type of ventral plate is well defined by a single plate (Figs
The other type of ventral plate is called a ventral frame (
The structures of the capsula externa and the capsula interna fall into at least two groups. One group is characterized by a saccular and circular capsula externa and capsula interna (Figs
We assume that during copulation glans and stylus are exposed by internal hemolymph pressure. The movement causes the glans sclerites to expand under the internal pressure in two different ways. The trajectory of saccular and circular capsula externa and capsula interna is unidirectional and they are extruded in straight prolongation of the entire penis cane (Figs
Schematic drawings contrasting the morphology of pars distalis (Pd) of male genitalia in different representatives of the Epedanidae 130, 131 Epedanellus tuberculatus Roewer, 1911 (arrow indicates the cross-section of ventral plate at the marked point, adapted from Suzuki, 1973) 130 ventral view 131 lateral view 132, 133 Lobonychium palpiplus Roewer, 1938 (arrow indicates the cross-section of ventral plateat the marked point, adapted from Zhang & Martens, 2018) 132 dorsal view 133, 134 lateral view 135a, b cross-section through ventral plate and glans at the marked point 136, 137, 140, 141 Plistobunus jaegeri sp. nov. 136 lateral view 137 cross-section through ventral plate and glans at the marked point 138, 139 Toccolus globitarsis Suzuki, 1969 138 lateral view 139a, b expanded, lateral view (arrow indicates the movement of capsula interna in 139b) 140 lateral view 141a, b expanded, lateral view (arrow indicates the movement of capsula interna and capsula externa in 141b).
We are grateful to Peter Jäger for providing access to the opilionid collection of Senckenberg Research Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and to Julia Altmann for her very kind attention during Chao Zhang’s visit to the SMF. Cordial thanks are due to Selvin Dashdamirov who put material at our disposal. This work was supported by the Researcher Alumni Network Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (CZ) and by Feldbausch Foundation and Wagner Foundation of Fachbereich Biologie of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz for fieldwork in Asia (JM).