THE DISTRIBUTION OF EUKOENENIA MIRABILIS (PALPIGRADI EUKOENENIIDAE) A WIDESPREAD TRAMP)

2006·1.9 MB·English

by  Mark S Harvey

Recordsofthe WesternAustralianMuseum23: 199-203 (2006).
The distribution of Eukoenenia mirabilis (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae):
a widespread tramp
MarkS.Harvey1 FrantisekStahlavsky2andPieterD.Theron3
,
1DepartmentofTerrestrialInvertebrates,WesternAustralianMuseum,LockedBag49,
WelshpoolDC,WesternAustralia6986,Australia.
2DepartmentofZoology,CharlesUniversity,Viniena7,CZ-12844Prague2,CzechRepublic.
-’SchoolofEnvironmentalSciencesandDevelopment,North-WestUniversity,PotchefstroomCampus,
Potchefstroom,P.BagX6001,Potchefstroom2520,SouthAfrica.
Abstract - We report on the discovery of populations of the palpigrade
Eukoenenia mirabilis (Grassi and Calandruccio, 1885) in South Africa and
WesternAustralia, and compileknown distributional records forthespecies.
It is found to be widespread throughout the Mediterranean region, with
additional populations occurring in Madagascar, South Africa, Chile and
southernAustralia. Accidentalsynanthropicintroductionsarethemostlikely
causeoftheseadditionalrecords.
INTRODUCTION identity of the South Australian palpigrade
Members of the arachnid order Palpigradi populationsandherereporton therecentdiscovery
rkenporwesnenatracohnneidofortdheersmwoirtehoonblsyc7u9respaecnidespnoaormleyd- oAufstEr.alimai.raWbeiliaslsoindiSsocuustshthAefrkincaowannddisWtreisbtuteironn
in six genera and two families (Harvey 2003; of this species and present a distribution map
Mayoral and Barranco 2002). Their phylogenetic depictingtheknownpopulations.
affinities are poorly known and several competing Thespecimensexamined forthisstudyarelodged
hypotheses exist regarding their systematic in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide (SAM)
placement. For example, Hammen (1977, 1989) and the Western Australian Museum, Perth
(WAM). Specimens were examined with an
treated palpigrades as members of the Epimerata
alongwiththemitetaxonActinotrichida.Weygoldt Olympus BH-2 compound microscope by tempor-
and Paulus (1979) and Weygoldt (1998) regarded arily mounting thespecimens on microscope slides
them as sister to Solifugae, Chelonethi in glycerol after clearing in very dilute lactic acid.
(Pseudoscorpiones), Opiliones, Ricnulei and Acari. Afterstudytheywerereturnedto75%ethylalcohol
Shultz (1990) and Wheeler and Hayashi (1998) inmicrovials.
treated them as sister to the Tetrapulmonata
(Araneae,Amblypygi,SchizomidaandUropygi). Eukoeneniamirabilis(GrassiandCalandruccio,
Themostabundantpalpigradegenus, Eukoenenia 1885)
Borner, is found in many parts of theworld and is Figures1-4
represented by over 60 species (Harvey 2003). Two
species of this genus, E. mirabilis (Grassi and Koenenia mirabilis Grassi and Calandruccio, 1885:
Calandruccio, 1885) and E. florenciae (Rucker, 165.
1903), are widely distributed and appear to consist Eukoenenia mirabilis (Grassi and Calandruccio):
of largely parthenogenetic populations that have Harvey2003:156-157(fullsynonymy).
probably been inadvertently dispersed through
human agency (Walter and Conde 1997). Material examined
Eukoenenia mirabilisiswidely distributed in north Australia: South Australia: 1 9, 1 9 (stage B),
Africa and southern Europe, and has also been Adelaide(SAM1991693-4;B.Condedet.);4 9 Glen
,
recorded from other parts of the world, including Osmond [34°57'S, 138°38'E], March 1933, August
Madagascar (Remy 1950, 1960), Chile (Conde 1974) 1933, 11 May 1934, H. Womersley (SAM);4 9, Glen
and South Australia (Savory 1935). The Malagasy Osmond [34°57'S, 138°38'E], 27July 1935, 4 August
and Chilean records were made by experienced 1935, 3 September 1950, 9 October 1950, R.V.
palpigrade taxonomists but there has long been Southcott(SAM);7specimens(including3 9 Glen
),
suspicion regarding the identity of the Australian Osmond, Birksgate [34°57'S, 138°38'E], under
populations. Wehaveexamined and confirmed the stones, 31 August 1975, 13 September 1975, R.V.
200 M.S.Harvey,F. Stahlavsky, P.D.Theron
Southcott and A.M.S. (SAM); 1 9, Glen Osmond, Africa: North-West Province: 6 9, Botanical
Woodley Vineyard [34°57'S, 138°38'E], 16 Garden, North-West University, Potchefstroom
November1952, R.V.Southcott (SAM);2specimens Campus [26°40'S, 27°05'E], from underside of
(cheliceraeonly), MtOsmond [34°57’S, 138°39'E], 16 stones, and from leaf litter, P.D. Theron (WAM 99/
April 1933, H. Womersley (SAM); 7 9, MtOsmond 1082-1087).
[34°57'S, 138°39'E], 30 August 1953, R.V. Southcott
(SAM); 7 specimens, Waterfall Gully (34°57'S, Remarks
138°40'E], north-eastern bank, pond, ex moss and Identification of female specimens is confirmed
soil, 1968, D.C. Lee (SAM N1991686-94); Western by the presence of 5-6 stout glandular setae on
Australia: 13 9, Wungong Dam [32°11'41"S, sternites V and VI, and by the presence of a single
116°03'33"E], on underside of rocks embedded in blade in the lateral organ. This combination of
soil, 26 August 2003, M.S. Harvey, F. Stahlavsky features conforms to that described for E. mirabilis
(WAM T55860-55861); 2 9, WungongDam, hillside by previous authors such as Silvestri (1905) and
abovecarpark, 32°11'38"S, 116°03'36"E, underrocks, Conde (1991), who noted very slight differences
12 July 2004, M.S. Harvey, J. Waldock, R. Engel, T. between differentpopulationsofE. mirabilis.
Moulds (WAMT62256);2 9, WungongDam, above The anterolateral margin of the prosoma bears a
trail to dam [32°ir40"S, 116°03'37"E], under rocks, single pair of ovoid lateral organs in specimens
12 July 2004, J.M. Waldock (WAM T62259). South from all collections. These blades provide an
100” 80° 60” 40” 20” 0° 20° 40° 60° 80” 100° 120” 140” 160”
Figures1-2 Maps showing known distribution records of Eukoenenia mirabilis. 1, total records. 2, detail depicting
recordsinMediterraneanregion.
,
Distributionof Eukoeneniamirabilis 201
important feature for the identification of The subadult stages of two of these species (E.
palpigrades. Multiple blades, ranging from 2 to 13 mirabilis and Koeneniodes frondiger) are known
blades, inthelateralorgancanbefoundinadultsof and, liketheadults,bearasinglebladeinthelateral
most species of Eukoenenia, some species of organ (Remy 1952, 1958). Other immatures, such as
Koeneniodes K deharvengi,K. leclerci, K.notabilis Allokoenenia? sp. (Conde 1992), also bear a single
and K. spinig(er). and all species of Leptokoenenia, blade only. The immature stages of some other
Prokoenenia and Triadokoenenia. The number of Eukoeneniaspecies bearjusta singleblade, butthe
blades is fairly consistent within a single species, adults bear multiple blades: E. condei Orghidan,
but minor variations in blade number have been Georgesco and Sarbu, 1982, E. florenciae (Rucker,
recorded, both within populations and on either 1903) (the "youngest known" stage), E. lierthardi
side of an individual specimen. The presence of Conde, 1989 (stage "immature A"), and various
onlyasinglebladeisafeaturesharedbyonlyafew unidentified Eukoenenia species (Conde 1994;
species, including E. mirabilis, E. angusta hindua Remy 1959, 1960). It may be possible that the
Conde, 1989, E. berlesei (Silvestri, 1903), E. presence of a single blade is a paedomorphic trait
gadorensisMayoralandBarranco, 2002, E.hesperia amongstpalpigrades.
(Remy, 1953), E. madeiraeStrinati andConde, 1995,
E. necessaria Remy, 1960, Allokoenenia afra Distribution
Silvestri, 1913, KoeneniodesberndiConde, 1988, K. Eukoenenia mirabilis was first recorded from
frondigerRemy, 1950 (Conde 1994; Remy 1958), K. Sicily (Grassi 1886; Grassi and Calandruccio 1885)
madecassus Remy 1950 (Conde 1990; Remy 1961) and has been subsequently reported from many
and K. malagasorum Remy 1960. The adults and, otherlocalitiesin theMediterranean regionranging
where known, the immatures of all known species from theCanary IslandsandMadeira inthewestto
of other palpigrade genera Leptokoenenia Israel in the east (Figures 1, 2). The most northerly
Prokoenenia and Triadokoenenia)( bear more than records are from France but these are based upon
oneblade. specimens collected from artificial environments
Figures3-4 Eukoenenia mirabilis, female (WAM T55860): 3, dorsal aspect. 4, lateral aspect. Note that some of the
flagellumhasbeenlost.
202 M.S.Harvey,F.Stahlavsky,P.D.Theron
suchas greenhouses. Outsideofthe Mediterranean All of the records from the southern continents
region, E. mirabilis has been previously found in are situated in Mediterranean climates between
Chile, Madagascar and South Australia. The only 18°S and 35°S, and appear to represent accidental
Chilean record is from San Bernardo (Cekalovic introductions through human agency. The earliest
1984; Conde 1974), whilst in Madagascar, E. recordedoccurrenceofE.mirabilisfromoutsidethe
mirabilis has only been found in the vicinity of Mediterranean region is from Glen Osmond in
Antananarivo (Legendre 1972; Remy 1950, 1960). 1933. The natural distribution of E. mirabilisin the
Eukoenenia mirabilis was first recorded from Mediterranean region is impossible to ascertain as
Australiaby Savory (1935), who later (Savory 1964) centuries of sea-faring trading commerce in the
statedthat“...in1933Koeneniamirabiliswasfound region have probably dispersed these small soil-
on the lower slopes of Mount Osmond, Adelaide, dwelling animals far beyond their original natural
whither it had most probably been imported." Lee range.
and Southcott (1979) also recorded its presence in
the Lofty Ranges on the outskirts of Adelaide,
where it can be locally common (the late D.C. Lee, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
pers. comm.). MSH found many specimens of £. Wewish togratefullyacknowledgetheassistance
mirabilis in the collections of the South Australian of David Hirstfor his assistance in allowing access
Museum collected by H. Womersley, an avid and to thecollections of the South Australian Museum,
accomplished collector of minute invertebrates in Adelaide, and Volker Framenau (Western
theAdelaideregion (Southcott 1964), theearliest of Australian Museum, Perth) and an anonymous
which was taken in March 1933 at Glen Osmond. referee for their comments on a draft of the
These specimens appear to represent the source of manuscript.
Savory's record of E. mirabilis which were
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Manuscriptreceived26May2005;accepted25May2006