First species of Austropsopilio (Opiliones, Caddoidea, Caddidae) from South America

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2003. The Journal of Arachnology 31:20–27
FIRST SPECIES OF AUSTROPSOPILIO
(OPILIONES, CADDOIDEA, CADDIDAE) FROM
SOUTH AMERICA
Jeffrey W. Shultz: Department of Entomology, University of Maryland,
College Park, MD 20742 USA
Toma´s Cekalovic: Casilla 764, Concepcio´n, Chile
ABSTRACT. The first species of the genus Austropsopilio is described from South America.Thespe-
cies,A.sudamericanus,closelyresemblesthosefromAustraliaandTasmaniabutlackstheelongateocular
tubercle previously regarded as diagnostic for the genus. Problems in the taxonomy of the genus are
discussed.
RESUMEN. Se reporta por primera vez la presencia del Ge´nero Austropsopilio para Sudame´rica. La
especie A. sudamericanus, se parece bastante a las de Australia y Tasmania, pero no posee el tube´rculo
ocular previamente indicado en la diagnosis del ge´nerica. Se discutela problema´ticaenlataxonom´ıadel
ge´nero.
Keywords: Austropsopilio, Opiliones, harvestman,Chile, systematics,South America,new species
Until now, the caddoid genus Austropsopi- basedonnumerousimmaturesandonepoorly
lio Forster 1955 encompassed two described preserved adult female. Given the paucity of
species from eastern Australia (Forster 1955; taxonomically useful material, they chose not
Cantrell 1980) and one from Tasmania(Hick- to describe a new species. Adult females (but
man 1957) and at least one undescribed spe- no males) were collected by the junior author
cies from South America (Cokendolpher & via Berlese extraction from Valdivian rainfo-
Maury 1990). The type species, A. novaeho- rests in April 2001, thereby allowing a new
llandiae Forster 1955, was described from a species to be diagnosed and described.
single ‘‘immature female,’’ and differed from All specimens collected by T. Cekalovic.
the other then-recognized caddoid genera, Abbreviations:AMNH,AmericanMuseumof
namely, Caddo Banks 1892,AcropsopilioSil- Natural History, New York; UMD, J.W.
vestri 1904 (syn. Zeopsoplio Forster 1948) Shultz,UniversityofMaryland,CollegePark.
and Caddella Hirst 1925 (syn. Oonopsopilio SYSTEMATICS
Lawrence 1931) in having an anteriorly elon-
gatedeyetubercleendinginabilateralpairof Austropsopilio sudamericanus
projections and large palps in which all arti- new species
cles except the tarsus bear one or more large Figs. 1–12
spiny apophyses. Shear (1975, 1996) argued Austropsopilio sp.: Cokendolpher & Maury 1990:
that Tasmanopilio Hickman 1957 should be 61.
synonymized with Austropsopilio based on Type data.—Holotype: adult female,
similaritiesinpedipalpalstructure,butCoken- CHILE: Provincia Valdivia, Parque Oncol
dolpher & Maury (1990), citing observations (39(cid:56)41(cid:57)S, 73(cid:56)18(cid:57)W), 13 April 2001, T. Ceka-
of Gruber (1974), argued for the distinctness lovic. Paratype: 1 immature, CHILE: Provin-
of the two genera. cia Valdivia, Parque Oncol (39(cid:56)41(cid:57)S,
Here we describe the first species of Aus- 73(cid:56)18(cid:57)W), 600 m, 4 January 2002, T. Ceka-
tropsopilio from South America. Cokendolp- lovic. Holotype and paratype deposited in
her & Maury (1990) reported the presence of AMNH.
thegenusinValdivianrainforestsofChileand Other material (non-types).—CHILE:
immediately adjacent regions in Argentina Valdivia: Parque Oncol (39(cid:56)41(cid:57)S, 73(cid:56)18(cid:57)W),
20
SHULTZ & CEKALOVIC—AUSTROPSOPILIOFROM SOUTH AMERICA 21
13 February 2000, 5 immatures (AMNH); 19
February 2000, 2 immatures (AMNH). Cerro
Oncol (39(cid:56)41(cid:57)S, 73(cid:56)18(cid:57)W), 485 m, 15 Febru-
rary 2000, 1 immature (AMNH); 485 m, 13
April 2001, 10 females (UMD); 485 m, 13
April 2001, 2 (cid:47)(AMNH); 700 m, 14 January
2001,2immatures(AMNH).SenderoCalfuco
(39(cid:56)41(cid:57)S, 73(cid:56)18(cid:57)W), 20 January 2001, 2 im-
matures (AMNH); 16 January 2001, 17 im-
matures (AMNH); 9 January 2001, 4 imma-
tures (AMNH); 600m, 4 January 2002, 7
immatures (UMD). Sendero Punucapa
(39(cid:56)41(cid:57)S, 73(cid:56)18(cid:57)W), 3 January 2002, 1 im-
mature (UMD). Chiloe: Isla Chiloe: Pid-Pid
(42(cid:56)24(cid:57)S, 73(cid:56)47(cid:57)W), 4 February 2001, 1 im-
mature (AMNH). Estero Llicaldad (42(cid:56)31(cid:57)S,
73(cid:56)48(cid:57)W), 6 February 2001, 2 immatures
(AMNH). San Antonio de Chadmo (42(cid:56)58(cid:57)S,
73(cid:56)37(cid:57)W), 8 February 2001, 6 immatures
(AMNH).
Etymology.—The species is named for be-
ingthefirstrepresentativeofitsgenusdiscov-
ered in South America.
Distribution.—Austropsopilio has been
collected in the Region de los Lagos of Chile
and adjacent regions of Argentina(39(cid:56)–40(cid:56)S.
Lat.) south through the northern half of Pro-
vinciaAisen((cid:59)46(cid:56)S.Lat.)(Cokendolpher&
Maury 1990).
Diagnosis.—Austropsopilio sudamericanus
is the first and only species of the genus
known fromSouthAmerica;otherspeciesoc-
cur in eastern Australia and Tasmania. A. su-
damericanusdiffersfromallotherknownspe-
cies in that the lenses and body of the eye
tubercle do not extend beyond the anterior
margin of the carapace, although the paired
projections of the optic tubercle may extend
to the anterior margin of the carapace. In ad-
dition, the spine-bearing prominences on the
opisthosomal tergum (Figs. 1, 3) are much
Figures 1–3.—General morphology of a typical
larger in adult female A. sudamericanus than
adult female A. sudamericanus. 1. dorsal perspec-
in other species, although they are not en- tive. 2. ventral perspective.3. lateral perspective.
larged in earlier instars.
Description.—Adult female: Carapace in
the form of a broad, strongly recurved cres-
cent; posterior concavity receiving opisthoso- triangularsupracheliceraldoublurethatpasses
ma (Fig. 1). Posterior lateral angles of cara- posteriorly, tapers and attaches to the dorsal
paceembracinglateralsurfaceofopisthosoma margin of the epistome (Fig. 2). Central peri-
to level of lateral posterior margin of first ocular region of propeltidium steeply elevat-
opisthosomal tergite. Anterior margin of car- ed, separated from less elevated lateral mar-
apace with broad but shallow, median supra- ginal fold by a bilateral pair of large, roughly
cheliceral emargination (Figs. 1, 2). Anterior longitudinal, submarginal sigillary depres-
margin of carapace folds ventrally to form a sions. Propeltidium lightly colored with coat-
22 THE JOURNALOF ARACHNOLOGY
ingofsmall,darkdenticles;denticlesdecrease
in size and density on ocular tubercle.
Ocular tubercle large, occupying over one
third the midsagittal length of the prosoma,
not noticeably elongated. Ocular tubercle
slightly oval in lateral perspective; widerthan
long in dorsal perspective, width (including
lenses) about one-third maximum width of
carapace. Ocular tubercle with wide, shallow
midsagittal groove. Anterodorsal surface with
bilateral pair of thick, blunt projections ex-
tendinganterodorsallytoapointapproximate-
ly even with the anterior margin of the cara-
pace.
Marginal fold weakly developed anteriorly,
progressively more well developed posterior-
ly; scalloped in lateral perspective with three
arches (Fig. 3). Arch associated with coxa II
very pronounced; arch associated with coxa
IIIlesspronounced;archassociatedwithcoxa
IV with anterior half formed by marginalfold
of prosoma and posterior half by lateral sur-
face of opisthosoma. Marginal fold inflated
Figures4–5.—Rightcheliceraoftypicaladultfe-
anterior and posterior to first arch; inflatedre-
male A. sudamericanus. 4. Medial perspective. 5.
gions separated dorsally by a variably devel-
Lateral perspective.
oped oblique groove. Ozopore opens within
depression on lateral margin of fold just an-
terior to first arch. Lateral margin with three scattered, small dark denticles; one superior
bilateral pairs of spines. First pair projecting spine extending from a well-developed tuber-
anteroventrally at level of pedipalpal coxa, cle and a smaller, medially adjacent spine
secondpairprojectinganterolaterallyfroman- emerging from a smaller tubercle (Figs. 4, 5);
teriorinflatedregion,thirdpairprojectingdor- a third small spine variably present. Second
sally from posterior inflated region. articlelightlycoloredandwithscatteredsmall
Mesopeltidium with large postocular dark denticles, but cuticle of fixed finger and
mound with one bilateral pair of stout spines; pericondylarregionsdarkbrown.Spinationof
mound posteriorly with shallow midsagittal second article consisting of a superior longi-
groove. Mesopeltidium separated from pro- tudinal series of three spines, each extending
peltidium laterally by bilateral pair of darkly from a tubercle; a loosely organized, subcir-
colored procurved grooves which fade later- cumferential row of about six small spines,
ally.Cuticlewithcolorationanddenticleslike beginning near the distal lateral condyle and
those of the propeltidium. Metapeltidium rep- passing medially and proximally around the
resented medially by a thin transverse fold, article; two small spines on the base of the
separated from mesopeltidium by a distinct fixedfinger;andasmallspineassociatedwith
transverse groove that fades laterally into the thedistalmedialcondyle.Lateralsurfacewith
submarginal depressions. The metapeltidial few spines compared to medial surface but
fold expands laterally and turns abruptly pos- with three lightly colored slit sensilla in a
teriorly to embrace the lateral surface of the shortlongitudinalorsublongitudinalseriesas-
opisthosoma.Lateralportionsoffoldwithone sociated with the distal lateral condyle. Fixed
bilateral pair of large rounded prominences, fingerwithtoothrowcomposedofaproximal
each prominence with a recurved spine. Cu- series of about six large, subequal, triangular
ticle of metapeltidium darker than remainder teethanddistalseriesoffiveshorterteethwith
ofcarapaceandsimilartoopisthosomainhav- steeply sloped proximal edges and gradually
ing dense coat of coarse, dark denticles. sloped distal edges. Moveable finger of chela
Chelicera: First article lightly colored with with smooth dark cuticle. Tooth row with
SHULTZ & CEKALOVIC—AUSTROPSOPILIOFROM SOUTH AMERICA 23
proximal series ofthreeor fourlowtriangular
teeth followed by a staggered series of five
large and four small triangular teeth. Tip of
moveable finger offset prolaterally from tooth
row such that tip and ultimate tooth embrace
the end of the fixed finger when chela is
closed.
Pedipalp: Coxa: coxapophysis projecting
ventrally, arranged transversely forming pos-
terior border of stomotheca; anterior surface
withsoftcuticle,posteriorsurfacewithharder
cuticle and with six to eight long dark setae
(Fig. 2). Enditic ‘‘lips’’ formed by lobes of
soft cuticle. Trochanter: inferior surface with
large subcylindrical apophysis endingbluntly,
typically bearing five or six terminal and sub-
terminalspines.Otherwisewithseveralsmall,
submarginal spines (Fig. 6). Femur: proximal
inferior surface with two large apophyses Figures6–8.—PedipalpoftypicaladultfemaleA.
(Fig. 6). First inferior apophysis arising near sudamericanus. 6. Retrolateral surface of proximal
proximal inferior margin, long, subcylindrical articles. 7. Retrolateral surface of distal articles,
through most of length but with tapering ter- perspective rotated slightly from that shown in 6.
minal region ending in one spine; base of ta- 8. Prolateral surface of distal articles. Abbrevia-
pering region with three radially arranged tions: fe, femur; pa, patella; ta, tarsus; ti, tibia; tr,
trochanter.
evenly spaced subterminal spines. Second
apophysis distally and retrolaterally adjacent
to first apophysis, long, thin, slightly curved surface with three imperfect rows of spines,
prolaterally,withoneterminalspine.Smalltu- each with three or four members.Inferiorsur-
bercle with terminal spine usually interposed face unarmed. Tibia: large subcylindrical
between first and second inferior apophyses. apophysis projecting from distal prolateral
Distal inferior surface (Fig. 8) with one short, surface and larger subcylindrical apophysis
tapering apophysis with one large terminal projecting from proximal retrolateral surface;
spine and one smaller subterminal spine; both terminating in ‘‘crown’’ of four long, ta-
sometimes appearing as two basally fused pering, evenly spaced spines (Figs. 6–8). Su-
apophysesofunequallength,eachterminating periorprolateralsurfacewithlongitudinalrow
with a single spine. Distal prolateral surface of three large tubercle-based spines, decreas-
(Fig. 8) with large, tapering spike-like apoph- ing in size distally. Superior retrolateral sur-
ysis, terminal end very dark; in intact animal, face with longitudinal row of three smaller
spikelike apophyses from opposite pedipalps spines. Superior surface with 0–2 small
cross above bases of chelicerae. Middle third spines. Retrolateral surface with one spine
of superior surface with imperfect longitudi- arising subterminally and one arising at base
nal row of three or four tubercle-based spines of retrolateral apophysis. Inferior surface un-
(Fig.6).Distalthirdofsuperiorprolateralsur- armed. Tarsus: inflated distally with brushlike
face with longitudinal row of three, large, array of about 40 spines; each spine with a
closely spaced tubercle-based spines (Figs. 6, darkbaseandtranslucenttip.Superiorsurface
8). Other surfaces with eight or so small scat- of thinner proximal region of tarsus with im-
teredspines.Distalsuperiorsurfacewiththree perfect longitudinalrowofthreespines,prox-
large, closely spaced, roughly transverse slit imal member of row associated with one pro-
sensilla (Fig. 6). Patella: tapering apophysis lateral spine and one retrolateral spine;
emerging from inferior retrolateral surface, proximal spines thus arranged in a roughly T-
terminating in a single spine (Figs. 6, 7). shaped pattern. Claw apparently absent.
Subcylindrical apophysis arisingfrominferior Legs: Measurements of the leg segments
prolateral surface, terminating abruptly with are listed in Table 1. Coxa: inferior surface
‘‘crown’’ of four spines (Figs. 7, 8). Superior with 4–8 prominent, irregularly spaced tuber-
24 THE JOURNALOF ARACHNOLOGY
imally by oblique circumferential groove
(pseudoarticulation) forming distal border of
femoral annulus; superior length of annulus
shorter than inferior length (Figs. 9, 10). An-
nulus typically with one inferior spine, which
on leg I emerges from a tubercle. Femur
through telotarsus with five variably devel-
opedlongitudinalrowsofspines;i.e.,superior
(S), superior prolateral (SP), superior retrola-
teral (SR), inferior prolateral (IP) and inferior
retrolateral (IR). Postannular shaft of femur
with all spine rows. S, SP, SR present but im-
perfectly aligned especially distally, spines
thus sometimes difficult to assign to specific
rows; distal members largest, sometimes aris-
ing from tubercles. IR spines large, emerging
from tubercles on leg I only. IP spines small.
Cuticleofsuperiorsurfaceofannulusandbas-
alpartofpostannularshaftlightlycolored;in-
ferior surface of annulus darker. Cuticle dark-
ens along postannular shaft (central third
appearing as dark brown band) then lightens
distally. Patella:spinerows S,SP,SRpresent;
S, SP with 4–6 members, SR with 2 or 3
members; IP, IR usually present, with one or
two members. S spines arise from tubercles
that tend to increase in size distally; spines in
other rows lacking tubercles. Cuticle light
brown proximally, lighter distally. Tibia: all
spine rows present, symmetricallydistributed,
withfourtosevenmembersthatareoftenreg-
Figures 9–10.—Legs of typical adult female A. ularly spaced. S spines arising from apophy-
sudamericanus.9.LegI,right,retrolateralperspec- ses.Oneortwoeccentricsuperiorspinesoften
tive. 10. Leg IV, right, retrolateralperspective. present, especially distally. Distal one-fourth
to one-fifth of inferior surface with numerous
setae that increase in length distally. Cuticle
cles, each with a single curved terminalspine of central half brown, grading into lighter
(Figs.2,3).Cuticleuniform,lightbrown,with brownproximallyandevenlighterbrowndis-
scattered small,darkdenticles.Medialmargin tally.Basitarsus((cid:53)metatarsus):allspinerows
of coxae II–IV joining ventral body surface present,symmeticallyarranged,typicallywith
via lightly colored raised lobes. Inferiorprox- 5 to 12 members depending on basitarsal
imal surface of coxa IV with two, longitudi- length; spines of S, SP, SR regularly spaced
nallyarranged,ventrallyprojecting,bluntpro- within rows. Proximal (first) member of S
tuberances covered by sharp denticles; each small, tending to be located slightly retrola-
protuberance ending with notably thickened teraltoprimaryrowaxis;secondmuchlarger,
spine;proximalprotuberancelarge,morewell extendingfromtubercle;thirdspecialized,ex-
developed than distal protuberance. Coxa- pressedastransversepairofsmall,thin,close-
pophysis of leg I large, oval; fused to ventral ly spaced, erect spinules. IP, IR spines longer
body wall just posterior to pedipalpal coxa- than those of other rows, especially distally.
pophyses. Coxapophysis of leg II very small. Cuticle light brown proximally and through-
Trochanter: typically with four small spines out most of length; distal one-fourth grades
arranged almost symmetrically near distal intodistallightband.Telotarsus((cid:53)‘‘tarsus’’):
margin. Cuticle uniform, light brown, conco- formula of telotarsus: 7/9/8–9/8–9. First to
lorous with coxa. Femur: shaft divided prox- penultimate articles showing regular decrease
SHULTZ & CEKALOVIC—AUSTROPSOPILIOFROM SOUTH AMERICA 25
Table 1.—Lengths of leg articlesof holotype (in mm); body length (cid:53) 1.2 mm, width (cid:53) 0.9 mm.
Trochanter Femur Patella Tibia Basitarsus Telotarsus
Leg I 0.14 0.52 0.22 0.30 0.46 0.50
Leg II 0.18 0.68 0.38 0.52 0.76 0.74
Leg III 0.14 0.54 0.32 0.36 0.66 0.68
Leg IV 0.19 0.82 0.38 0.54 1.00 0.80
in length, although antepenultimate article iation in the number, size and symmetry of
slightly inflated compared toadjacentarticles. tergal prominences, both within and between
Ultimate article about as long as first or sec- individuals. Median prominences may be di-
ond article. All spine rows present. S, SP, SR vided sagittally to form two similarly or dif-
spines well developed throughout telotarsus; ferently sized medial prominences, lateral
IP, IR well developed on first two or three prominences may be expressed on one side
articles but replaced by and/or transformed butnottheother;twolateralprominencesmay
into long paired setae on the distal inferior existononesideandoneornoneontheother,
margin of each article. Inferior, prolateraland etc.
retrolateral surface with coat of short fine se- Ventral surface: sternite I (arculi genitales)
tae, coat of medium-length setae on inferior triangular median plate with anteromedian
surface. Cuticle light brown throughout.Claw apex; medial anterior margin abutting coxa-
large, strongly curved. pophyses of pedipalp, lateral anterior margin
Opisthosoma: Dorsal surface: tergite I typ- abutting posterior margin of coxapophyses of
ically with three rounded prominences, one leg I. Posterior lateral ‘‘corners’’ of triangle
largemedianprominencenearanteriormargin extend laterally as continuously narrowing
usually bearing one recurved spine (some- strips until meeting coxapophysis of leg II,
times two) and one bilateral pair of smaller then turn posteriorly and continue along me-
prominences located lateral and posterior to dialmarginsofcoxaeIIIandIVandposterior
medial prominence, each bearing one re- margin of coxa IV to join remaining opist-
curved spine (Figs. 1, 3). Tergite II largest, hosomal cuticle. Genital sternite and opercu-
typically with three rounded prominences; lum:genitaloperculumwithbroad,procurved
median prominence with one spine; onebilat- posterior margin (Fig. 2). Attached lateral
eral pair of posterolateral prominences each margins subparallel posterior to coxae, trans-
with one spine. Tergites III–VI short, becom- verse width of intracoxal region gradually re-
ing progressively shorter and more strongly duced anteriorly. Median longitudinal region
recurved posteriorly, each with one row of raised slightly, but this ends abruptly anteri-
typically 3 (sometimes 4) basally contiguous orly, as indicated by distinct transverse dis-
rounded prominences. Each prominence with continuity at base of free lobe. Free lobe ex-
a single recurved spine; median prominence panded posteriorly, lateral margins curve
usually slightly larger. Tergite VII platelike, medially to meet at blunt anteromedian point.
posterior margin less recurved than precee- Marginal and submarginal surfaces of oper-
ding tergites and bearing a single posterior culum with irregular array of about 16 to 18
median prominence with one terminal spine. tubercles each bearing one curved terminal
Tergites VIII, IX and anal operculum appar- spine; anterior margin of free lobe also with
ently fused to form composite anal plate, al- three or four bilateral pairs of simple setae.
though tergites may be discernable as two Cuticle of attached portion of operculumwith
weakly defined rowsofspines.Dorsalsurface numerous, closely spaced, transverse rows of
covered by dark, closely spaced denticles. small dark denticles; denticles not so orga-
Denticles less dense on tergal prominences nized on free lobe. Opercular cuticle translu-
and absent on transversely arranged, lightly cent, revealing paired sclerotized bands of
colored sigillary bands that define tergal bor- ovipositor sheath and arrays of dark setae of
ders. ovipositor (Figs. 11, 12); operculum thus ap-
The description provided above is ‘‘typi- pearing to have two dark longitudinal stripes
cal,’’ butthere is substantialandfrequentvar- and a central lighter stripe. Softer, more flex-
26 THE JOURNALOF ARACHNOLOGY
sternite procurved medially, receiving poste-
rior margin of genital operculum. Fold sepa-
rating postgenital sternites 5 and 6 more
weaklydevelopedlaterallythananteriorcoun-
terparts, medial region typically lacking fold,
sternites appearing continuous. Postgenital
sternite 6 without obvious transverse divi-
sions, suggesting consolidation of sternites
from two somites (i.e., sternites of opistho-
somal somites VIII and XI); posterior margin
forming anterior margin of anus.
Ovipositor: Trunk with two circumferential
rows of long setae (Figs. 11, 12), setae of
proximal rowlongerand thickerthanthoseof
distal row. Ventral and dorsal surfaces with
pairs of longitudinal cuticular thickenings.
Paired terminal lobes each with three loosely
organized ‘‘whorls’’ of setae; terminates in
four-branched sense organ. Medial valvelike
projections between lobes.
Adult male: Unknown.
Immatures: The general morphology and
colorpatternsofimmaturespecimensaresim-
ilar to those of the adult female. In general,
however, immatures are more lightly colored
than adults and the spination and associated
cuticular structures (i.e., tubercles, protuber-
ances and prominen ces) are either lacking or
poorly developed. The pedipalpal tarsus is
substantially less inflated distally and the ter-
minal ‘‘brush’’ has fewer setae. The tergal
Figures 11–12.—Ovipositor of A. sudamerica- prominencesareeitherabsentorverysmallin
nus.11.Ventralperspective.12.Dorsalperspective. comparison to the adult, and the tubercles as-
sociated with the sternal setae of the opist-
hosoma are less developed. The free terminal
ible lateral cuticle of genital segment lateral lobe of the genital operculum is absent, and
to operculum with regularly spaced array of the coxapophyses of leg 1 are clearly visible.
small dark denticles; occasionally with one or
DISCUSSION
two pairs of tubercles each bearing a spine.
Stigmatalocatedwithinsoftlateralcuticlejust There are several potential problems in the
posterior to coxa IV; elongated transversely; taxonomy of Austropsopilio that will require
margins with line of dark cuticle. Postgenital agenericrevisiontoresolve,althoughsuchan
sternites: sternites represented by six short, undertaking will be hindered by the small
well-defined transverse folds separated by number and limited accessibility of speci-
deep grooves. Folds fade out laterally, gener- mens. First, the genus was originally de-
ally not continuous with those separating ter- scribed from an immature individual (Forster
gites. Postgenital sternites 1–5 each with sin- 1955)and,giventhesubstantialdifferencesin
gle transverse row of six to eight tubercles morphologyofimmaturesandadultsinA.su-
each with one terminal spine; tubercles fewer damericanus,itispossiblethatthegenericdi-
andsmallermedially.Tuberclesoftenforming agnosisisnotstrictlyapplicableeventoadults
imperfect, obliquely longitudinal rows span- of the type species. For example,earlyinstars
ning several adjacent sternites, intersegmental of A. sudamericanus have tergal spines but
rows begin anteromedially and end postero- lack the large spine-bearing prominences of
laterally. Anterior margin of first postgenital the adult. Indeed, it is possible that either A.
SHULTZ & CEKALOVIC—AUSTROPSOPILIOFROM SOUTH AMERICA 27
altus or A. cygneus is synonymous with the LITERATURECITED
generictypespecies,A.noveahollandiae.Sec- Banks,N.1892.AnewgenusofPhalangiidae.En-
ond, Shear (1975, 1996) has argued that Tas- tomological Society of Washington 2:249–251.
manopilio is similar enough to Austropsopilio Cantrell,B.K.1980.AdditionalAustralianharvest-
men(Arachnida:Opiliones).JournaloftheAus-
to warrant synonymizing the genera. Indeed,
tralian Entomological Society 19:241–253.
the absence of an elongate eye tubercle in
Cokendolpher, J.C. & E.A. Maury. 1990. Austrop-
Tasmanopilio was the principal criterioncited
sopilioharvestmen(Opiliones,Cyphopalpatores,
by Hickman (1957)fordistinguishingthisge- Caddidae)discoveredinSouthAmerica.Boletin
nus from Austropsopilio, and this distinction de la Sociedad de Biologia de Concepcio´n 61:
has been eliminated with the discovery of A. 59–62.
sudamericanus. Furthermore, the pedipalpsof Forster,R.R.1948.Anewgenusandspeciesofthe
the two genera are very similar (Shear 1996). family Acropsopilionidae (Opiliones) from New
Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of
Specifically,mostarticlesofthepedipalp(i.e.,
New Zealand 77:139–141.
trochanter to tibia) have at least one large
Forster, R.R. 1955. Further Australian harvestmen
spine-bearing apophysis and the tarsus of the
(Arachnida: Opiliones). Australian Journal of
female is expanded distally, has a brush-like Zoology 3:354–411.
array of setae, and lacks a claw. In addition, Gruber, J. 1974. Bemerkungen zur Morphologie
thetwogenerahaveasinglespine-bearingtu- und systematischen Stellung von Caddo, Acrop-
bercleontheproximalsuperiorsurfacesofthe sopilio, und verwandtern Formen (Opiliones,
Arachnida). Annalen des Naturhistorisches Mu-
pedal basitarsi (Forster 1955; Hickman 1957;
seum in Wien 78:237–259.
Cantrell 1980; Figs. 9, 10). Still, while it is
Hickman, V.V. 1957. Some Tasmanian harvestmen
clear that Tasmanopilio and Austropsopilio
ofthesub-orderPalpatores.PapersandProceed-
are very similar, it may be possible to offer a ingsoftheRoyalSocietyofTasmania91:65–79.
modified generic diagnosis for Austropsopilio Hirst,S.1925.Onsomenewgeneraandspeciesof
that excludes Tasmanopilio: (1) a single an- Arachnida. Proceedings of the Zoological Soci-
terior pair of protuberances on the eye tuber- ety of London 1925:1271–1280.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
17:455–460.
We thank JamesCokendolpherforfacilitat- Silvestri, F. 1904. Descrizione di un nuovo genere
di Opilionidi del Chile. Redia 2:254–256.
ing this collaboration. The work was support-
ed by the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Manuscript received 6 June 2002, revised 16 Sep-
Station. tember 2002.