Description of a new Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) and Metagonia (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Brazilian caves, with notes on their ecological interactions

2011·8.2 MB·English

by  Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

i
2011.TheJournalofArachnology39:409-419
DescriptionofanewEukoenenia(Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) andMetagonia(Araneae: PholcMae)from
Brazilian caves, with notes on their ecological interactions
RodrigoLopesFerreira', MaysaFernandaV. R. Souza', Ewerton OrtizMachado^-^ and Antonio DomingosBrescovlt^:
'LaboratoriodeEcologiaSubterranea,SetordeZoologia,DepartamentodeBiologia,UniversidadeFederaldeLavras,
Lavras, MinasGerais. CEP 37200-00'0, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]; ^Laboratorio deArtropodes, Institute
Butantan,AvenidaVitalBrazil, 1500,05503-900Butanta,SaoPaulo,SP,Brazil;^DepartamentodeZoologia,Institute
deBiociencias, Universidadede Sao Paulo, Brazil
Abstract. PalpigradicomprisesthemostpoorlyknownorderwithintheArachnida;hence,informationregardingtheir
biologyandbehaviorisquitescarce. WedocumentaninteractionbetweenapalpigradeofthegenusEukoeneniabeing
preyeduponbyaspiderofthegenusMetagoniaintheGrutadoVale,acaveinthemunicipaldistrictofFelipeGuerra(Rio
GrandedoNorte,Brazil).TheentirepreyrecognitionandcaptureprocessbytheMetagoniaisdescribedinfulldetail.Both
speciesinvolved,Eukoeneniapotiguarn.sp.andMetagoniapotiguarn.sp.,arealsodescribed.Metagoniapotiguarn.sp.is
thefirstBraziliancave-dwellingMetagoniatobedescribed.
Keywords: Predation,taxonomy,morphology,Brazil,Neotropics
The order Palpigradi Thorell 1888 currently contains 85 Most of these papers provide general descriptions of the
species,amongwhich66belongtothegenusEukoeneniaBorner naturalhistoryofthespecies. However, Huber(1997)givesa
1901 (Harvey2003; Barranco & Harvey 2008; Christian 2009; gooddescriptionoftheirbiology,andHuber&Schiite(2009)
Souza&Ferreira2010).Thesearachnidsoccurinvariousparts presentacompletestudyabouttheirhabitatpreferences,web
oftheworld,inhabitingsoil,litter,caves,andotherendogenous construction and prey. Little information exists on the prey
environments(Conde1996).Theworlddistributionofthegroup consumed by some species ofMetagonia. Furthermore, until
hasitsgeographicallimitsbetween48°Nand40°S,mostofthe now, documented reports ofinteraction ofany species with
species being registered in Europe and Africa (Conde 1996; individualsoftheorderPalpigradihavenotexisted,especially
Mayoral & Barranco 2002). Currently only five species of with respect to their potential predators. Therefore, the
PalpigradiareknownfromBrazil: Eukoeneniaroquetti(Mello- present work presents an account of the predation of an
Leitao&Axle 1935)fromRiodeJaneiro,E.janetschekiConde individual ofthe genus Eukoenenia by an individual ofthe
1993 from Amazonia, E. maquinensis Souza & Ferreira 2010 genusMetagoniaobservedattheGrutadoVale,locatedinthe
fromCordisburgo,MinasGerais,E.ferratilisSouza&Ferreira municipal district of Felipe Guerra (Rio Grande do Norte,
201ifromironorecaves,MinasGerais,andE.speluncaSouza& Brazil). Bothindividuals,togetherwiththeotherspecimensof
Ferreira2011 fromVargemAlta,EspiritoSanto. these genera found in the same cave, belong to new species
The spider genus Metagonia Simon 1893 currently has 81 thataredescribedinthepresentwork.
species widely distributed in South and Central America METHODS
(Platnick2010). Mexicorepresentsthenortherngeographical
limit,withalargenumberofspecies.InSouthAmerica,there WeexaminedthespecimensofEukoeneniabyclearingthem
are 26 species, of which 13 species occur in Brazil. Most in Nesbitt’s solution and mounting them in Hoyer’smedium
Metagonia species are leaf-dwelling, but some live in caves on 3 X l-inch (7.6 X 2.5 cm) glass slides using standard
(Gertsch 1986;Gertsch&Peck 1992; Huber 1998),andafew procedures for mites (Krantz & Walter 2009). All measure-
areknownfromleaflitterhabitats(Gertsch 1986;Huberetal. mentsarepresentedinmicrometers(pm)andweretakenusing
2005). Somespecieshavetroglomorphictraits(Gertsch 1986; an ocular micrometer with a compound microscope. Body
Huber 1998), and at least three species occur in cave lengthwasmeasuredfromtheapexofthepropeltidiumtothe
environments as eyeless troglobites: M. bellavista Gertsch & posteriormarginoftheopisthosoma.
Peck 1992andM. feeder Gertsch&Peck 1992,bothfromthe The following abbreviations were utilized, based on
Galapagos Islands, and M. debrasiPerez Gonzalez& Huber Barranco& Mayoral (2007): L = totalbody length (without
(1999)fromCuba. flagellum), B = dorsal shield length, P = pedipalpus, I and
catTehgeoribeisol(osgoymeofeMxeamtpalgeosniaarespgeicveine)s:claenafb-edwedlilveirdse,dsiuncthoatshrMe.e bIaVsi=tarlseugss2I,abntda3IV=,btias=itatrisbuias,3,btbatla4==babsaistiatrasrussus1,4,bttaa2l ==
rica Gertsch 1986 (Gertsch 1986; Huber 1997), M. marita- tarsus1,ta2=tarsus2,ta3 =tarsus3,a=widthofbasitarsus
guariensisGonzalez-Spoga1998(Huber2004),M.osaGertsch IVatlevelofsetar,er = distancebetweenbaseofbasitarsus
1986andM.uvitaHuber1997(bothinHuber&Schiite2009); IVandinsertionofsetar,grt=tergalsetalength,gla=lateral
leaflitterdwellers,suchasM.paranapiacabaHuberetal.2005 setalength,r = stiffsetalength,t/r = ratiobetweenlengthof
and M.petropolisHuberet al. 2005 (Huberetal. 2005); and basitarsus IV and stiff seta length, t/er = ratio between
cavedwellers, suchasM. blandaGertsch 1973 (Huber 1998), basitarsusIVlengthanddistancetoinsertionofstiffseta,gla/
M. debrasiPerezGonzalez&Huber1999(Gonzalez&Huber grt= ratiobetweenlengthsoflateralandtergalsetae,B/bta=
1999). relationbetweenlengthsofprosomalshieldandbasitarsusIV,
409
—
410 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
1 Measurements are given in millimeters. The ratio tibia I
length/diameter(L/d)isameasureoftherobustnessofthelegs
(Huber2000).
The material examined was deposited in the following
institutions (abbreviation andcuratorin parentheses): Colegao
deInvertebradosSubterraneosdeLavras,UniversidadeFederal
de Lavras (ISLA, R.L. Ferreira) and Cole?ao de Artropodes
eMiriapodes,InstituteButantan,SaoPaulo(IBSP,1.Knysak).
RESULTS
TAXONOMY
OrderPaipigradiThorell 1888
Family EukoeneniidaePetrunkevitch 1955
GenusEukoenenia Borner 1901
Koenenia Grassi & Calandruccio 1885:165 Ounior primary
homonymofKoeneniaBeushausen1884(Mollusca:Bivalvia)].
Koenenia(Eukoenenia) Borner 1901:551.
Type species. Koenenia mirabilis Grassi & Calandruccio
1885,bymonotypy.
Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies
(Figs. 1-19)
—
Types. Holotype male (“male I”), “Gruta do Vale”
(05°31'51"S, 37°36'58"W) Felipe Guerra, Rio Grande do
Norte, Brazil, 18 July 2009, R. L. Ferreira (ISLA 1293).
Paratypes; 1male(ISLA1294),2females(ISLA1295,1296),1
juvenilefemale(ISLA 1297)andlarva(ISLA 1298),collected
withholotype; 1 female,“GrutaBocadePeixe”(05°29'04.5"S,
37°33'29.6"W),GovernadorDixSeptRosado,RioGrandedo
Norte, Brazil, 3June2010, D.M.—Bento(ISLA 1299).
Additional material examined. BRAZIL: Rio Grande do
Figures 1-3.—Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,paratypemale: 1. Norte: 1 9, Capoeira do Joao Carlos cave, Governador Dix
Frontal organ, dorsal view; 2. Lateral organ, dorsal view; 3. Sept Rosado, 3 June 2010, D.M. Bento (IBSP 001); 1 larva,
6Pr0oppemlti(dFiiagl.3c)h.aetotaxy. Scale bars 20 pm (Fig. 1), 20 pm (Fig.2), GruEttyamoClrootgeys.—caTveh,e4neJwunsepe2c0i1e0s,isDn.aMm.edBepnottoig(uIaBrSiPnr0e02f)e.rence
tothosebornintheStateofRioGrandedoNorte,Brazil.The
bFtIa-/tFiVI=IIrat=iofblaegtewlelaernsleegnmgetnhtss.ofSbeatsailtanrosmusenIcVlaatnudretifboilaloIVw,s naDmieaginsostios.b—etEruekaoteedneansiaanpooutniguinarappdoifsfietrison.from all other
thatofConde(1989, 1993). species ofthe genus by the following combination oftraits:
All morphological observations and illustrations ofMeta- twobladesintheprosomailateralorgans,tergiteIIwithtwo
goniawere made usinga Leica MZ12 stereomicroscopewith pairs and acentral seta (t, tj, ts,) between both slendersetae
cameralucida. Theepigynumwasdissected and immersed in (^), tergitesIII-VIwiththreepairsofsetae{f, tj, A)between
cloveoilforvisualizationofinternalstructuresfollowingLevi both slender setae (s), sternites IV-VI with 2 + 2 thickened
(1965). Descriptions and measurements follow Huber(2000). setae(r//and«_->)betweentwonormalslendersetae(sjandS2),
—
Figure 4. Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,paratypemale;deuto-tritosternalsetae.Scalebar50pm.
1
FERREIRAETAL.—NEWEUKOENENIA ANDMETAGONIA FROM BRAZIL 41
—
Figures 5-8. Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,holotypemale:5.CoxaI;6.CoxaII;7.CoxaIII;8.CoxaIV.Scalebar60pm.
Figures 9-1 .—Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,paratypemale(Figs.9,10)andholotypemale(Fig. 11):9.Chelicerae; 10.Basitarsus3^of
legI; 11. BasitarsusIV.Scalebar60pm.
—
3
412 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
—
Figures 12,1 . Eiikoeiieniapotigiiarnewspecies,paratypemale:12.Opisthosoma,dorsalview;13.Opisthosoma,ventralview.Scalebar60pm.
andthecharacteristicchaetotaxyandshapeofthegenitaliain thickand7-9normalsetae(Fig. 7);coxaIVwith2thickand6
femalesand males. normal setae (Fig. 8). Females: coxa I with 15 setae; coxa II
Description of adults. Prosoma: frontal organ with 2 with4 thick and 8 normal setae; coxa III with 3 thickand 8
branches, pointed apically, each 4.5 times longer than wide normalsetae;coxaIVwith 2thickand 8 normalsetae.
(22.5 |im/5 pm) (Fig. 1). Lateral organ with 2 blades, each 4 Chelicerae:with9teethoneitherfinger;4dorsalsetaeanda
times longer than wide (20 pm/5 pm) (Fig. 2). Propeltidium singleventral setainserted nearthirdsegment andsingleseta
with 10+10setaein5rows,outerpaironlastrowlongerthan inserted nearrowofteeth ofsecondsegment(Fig. 9).
others(Fig. 3).Metapeltidiumwith3+3setae(//, U. 0)^outer Legs:basitarsus3oflegIshort, 1.5timeslongerthanwide,
setaeshortest(67pm, 77pm,45pm). Ninedeuto-tritosternal with3setae(grt55pm;r52.5pm).Setarlongerthansegment
setaein2rows:firstwith3setaeinVarrangementandsecond (37.5 pm/52.5 pm, tir = 0.7), inserted in proximal halfand
with6setaeinlineararrangement(Fig. 4).Maleholotypewith reachingdistalmarginofbasitarsus4(32.5pm/15pm, s/er =
only6deuto-tritosternal setae. 2.1)(Fig. 10).BasitarsusoflegIV4.25timeslongerthanwide,
Coxalchaetotaxy:males:coxaIwith 13setae(Fig. 5);coxa with7setae(2esd,2esp,gla,grtandr),bta/ti0.8. Stiffsetar
II with 3 thick and 10 normal setae (Fig. 6); coxa III with 3 1.44timesshorterthantergaledgeofarticle(85pm/62.5pm.
—
Figure 14. Eiikoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,holotypemale(photograph)andparatypemale(drawing):Malegenitalia.Scalebar60pm.
,
FERREIRAETAL.—NEWEUKOENENIAANDMETAGONIA FROMBRAZIL 413
—
Figure 15. Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,femaleII(paratype):femalegenitalia.Scalebar60pm.
tir= 1.36)andinsertedinproximalthird(85iim/30pm,tier= short;withaclearseparationincentralregion,with9+9setae
2.8). Setaeesp, grtandglainproximal half(Fig. 11). in2rowsinmaleholotype,proximalrowwith5+5setaeand
Opisthosoma: tergite II with 3+1+3 dorsal setae, 2 pairs distalrowwith4+4. Male II hasonly8+8 setaein2 rows,
and a central seta (/ tj, tj) between both slender setae (.v). each with 4+4 setae. In addition, 2 pairs offusules on distal
Tergites III-VI with 4 + 4 setae, 3 pairs ofsetae (?', tj, tj) margin; fusules short, similar in length (f, = 25 pm; fT =
between bothslendersetae(i'),centralpairshortest(Fig. 12). 27.5 pm), conical, very close to each other. Second lobe
SterniteIIIwith2+2setae.SternitesIV-VIeachwith2+2(3 subtriangular,witharoundedapex,with5+5setae{a.b,c,c'
+2inthemaleparatype)thickenedsetae(cijandcij)between d). Third lobe also in a subtriangular form, well developed,
2slendernormalsetae(sjand.S2)oneachside(Fig. 13);apair with4+4setae(w,.y,y,z),withalarge,pointedandbifurcate,
ofglandular pores situated between aj setae. In one female, apical section. In each halfofthird lobe, two areas can be
sternite IVonlypossessesonessetaandsterniteVI possesses distinguished:aglabrousinnerarea,andanexternalareathat
1 more s seta (3 setae). Segments VII-XI showing some possessesmicro-setae(a pubescent area)(Fig. 14).
variation in the number ofsetae, with 13, 13-15, 8, 6-8 and Femalegenitalia: with 2 lobes, first lobewith 10+11 setae
8-9 setae, respectively, in males, and with 14-15, 14-15, 8, 8 (asymmetrycausedbylackofregularsetae):2+2sternalsetae
and9-10setae, respectively, in females. (st| and st2) followed by 2+2, 1 +2, 1 + 1 and 4+4distal
asyMmamleetrgiecnailtlalyiam:iswsiitnhgi2n+ma2lestpearrnaatlypsee)t.aeWiinthho4l0ot(y38pein(otnhee asentdae,21ofpmwhirecshpeacit,ivae2l,y.a3S,eac4omnedalsoubreew1i5thpm3,+132.s5etpame,(x2,0y,pmz),,
male II) setae distributed in 3 lobes. First lobe broad and measuring31pm, 17.5pm,and20pmrespectively;4glandular
orifices (Fig. 15). Spermatheca shaped like an inverted “U,”
formedby2lobeslinked attheirbase(Fig. 16).
16
Flagellum:with8segmentsinonejuvenilespecimenand7in
an adult (the last flagellar segment is lacking). First segment
with9longsetaeinsertedindistalhalf. Second,third,fourth,
fifth and sixth segments with 8 long setae inserted in distal
half. Seventhsegmentwith 6longsetae,respectively, inserted
indistalhalf.Segments 1,2,3,5and7withanapicalcrownof
spines. —
Descriptionoftheimmaturestages. Juvenilefemale:lateral
organwith2blades. Deuto-tritosternumwith7setae. Fingers
of chelicera with 8 teeth. Chaetotaxy of propeltidium and
metapeltidium complete. Tergites II-VI with 2 + 2 setae (t)
between the setae s. Sternites IV-VI as in adult, except for
Figure 16.—Eukoenenia potiguar new species, female III (para- XabIsewnicteho1f1,set12a,eS8,2;8twaondgl8ansdetoarei.ficPersimporersdeinat.ofSeggemneitnatlslVoIbIe-s
type):spermathecadetail.Scalebar20pm. developedonsegmentsIIandIII,butunfortunatelyitwasnot
414 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
Figures 17-19.—Eukoeneniapotiguarnewspecies,juvenilefemale:17.FlagellarsegmentsI,IIandIII;18.FlagellarsegmentsIV,VandVI;19.
FlagellarsegmentsVIIandVIII.Scalebar60pm.
possibletodeterminethenumberandpositionofthesetaedue basitarsusIV,andcheliceraewithnineteeth. Furthermore,E.
to damage during slide mounting. Flagellum with 8 short potiguar also shares the same number ofsetae in the deuto-
segments(totallength597.5pm). First3segmentswith 10,8, tritosternum with E. singhi. However, these species can be
and9longsetae,respectively,insertedindistalhalf(Fig. 17). clearly separated by the form of the genital lobes and the
Fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh segments with 8 long setae spermatheca of the females. It is not possible to make
insertedindistalhalf.Lastsegmentlongerthanothers,with8 comparisons of the male genitalia because the two Asian
long setae inserted in distal half and 3 long setae inserted speciesdescribedwerebasedonlyonfemalespecimens(Conde
apically. Segments 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 with an apical crown of 1989).
spines. (Figs. 18, 19). Itisimportant toemphasizethatthenewspecieshasquite
Larva, sex indeterminable: deuto-tritosternumwith 3 setae. different characteristics from those observed in the two
Chaetotaxy of propeltidium and metapeltidium complete. Brazilian edaphomorphic species already described, clearly
Coxae II-IV with 3, 3, and 0 thickened setae. Trichobothria differingfrom E.janetschekiConde 1993 (Amazonia)mainly
andforkedsetaeasinadult.LegIVbtawithsetae(rand2esd). inthechaetotaxyoftheopisthosomaltergites,thenumberof
TergitesII-VIwith2+2setae(t)betweenthesetaes.Sternites lateral organs, thechaetotaxy, and theform ofthemaleand
IV-VIwithsetaeaianda2,setaesmissing.SterniteIIwith2+2 female genital lobes; and from E. roquetti (Mello-Leitao &
sternalsetae(sti,st2),sterniteIIIwith3+3(sti,st2,st3). Arle 1935) mainly in the number ofelements that form the
DRiemmeanrskiso.n—sT(hpmi)s.'spSeeceieTsabhlaes t1.he lateral organ formed by 2 lgaetneirtaalliaor(gMaenlslo-aLneditatohe&fAorrlme a19n3d5;cChoaentdoeta1x9y93,of19t9h7e).male
blades,acharacteristicpresentinonlyothertwospeciesofthe The genera! aspect of the male genitalia of E. potiguar
genus Eukoenenia: E. lienhardi Conde 1989 from Sumatra resembles that ofE. guzikae Barranco & Harvey 2008 from
(thatcanhave3,2,oronly 1 blade)andE. singhiConde 1989 Australia, in that both species have the first lobe short and
fromIndia.EukoenenialienhardiandE. singhiareverysimilar wide,conicalfusules,shortandneareachotherandthesecond
species that share several characteristics with E. potiguar, lobe with 5 pairs ofsetae. However, themale genitaliaofE.
such as the chaetotaxy of the opisthosomal tergites II-VI potiguardiffersfromthatofthemaleofE. guzikaemainlyby
(also found in the African species E. lawrencei Remy 1957), havingthefirstlobeclearlyseparatedintwohalves,thefusules
the presence of2 + 2 setae between the two setae a in the withoutamedianconstriction,thesecondlobewitharounded
opisthosomal sternites IV-VI, the number of setae in the apex,and thethird lobewithfourpairsofsetae.
—
FERREIRAETAL. NEWEUKOENENIAANDMETAGONIA FROM BRAZIL 415
—
Table 1. Measurements(|im)ofselectedbodypartsoftheseventypespecimensofEukoeneniapotiguar.
Bodypart MaleI(Holotype) MaleII FemaleI FemaleII FemaleIII Juvenilefemale Larva
L 1085 1155 1225 1150 1220 1060 575
B 272.5 250 295 280 290 227.5 207.5
Pti 95 90 97.5 97.5 100 87.5 55
Pbtal 40 37.5 40 37.5 40 32.5 25
Pbta2 35 35 37.5 42.5 40 32.5 25
Ptal 25 30 30 50 30 25 22.5
Pta2 27.5 27.5 30 42.5 30 27.5 25
Pta3 50 45 47.5 40 52.5 42.5 40
Iti - 110 110 110 117.5 65
Ibtal+2 85 87.5 85 90 87.5 82.5 55
Ibta3 37.5 37.5 40 42.5 42.5 32.5 22.5
Ibta4 40 37.5 35 45 45 32.5 25
Ital 20 17.5 20 17.5 25 17.5 15
Ita2 30 27.5 27.5 30 32.5 25 20
Ita3 97.5 97.5 100 100 102.5 92.5 80
IVti 105 105 - 112.5 112.5 67.5
IVbta 85 77.5 102.5 92.5 55
IVtal 40 40 - 42.5 40 35 32.5
IVta2 50 55 - 60 52.5 45 45
A 20 20 - 20 25 15
Er 30 27.5 32.5 27.5 20
Grt 47.5 47.5 40 50
Gla 50 57.5 52.5 55
R 62.5 62.5 65 62.5 50
tlr 1.36 1.44 - 1.57 1.48 - 1.1
tier 2.83 3.27 3.1 3.36 2.75
glalgrt 1.05 1.21 1.3 1.1 - -
B/btalV 3.2 2.7 2.7 3.1 3.7
btalV/tilV 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.82 - 0.8
FI - - 77.5 - 80 -
FII - - 72.5 - 65 -
Fill - - 72.5 - 80 -
FIV 75 - 75 -
FV - 55 - 62.5 -
FVI - 72.5 - 75 -
FVII - - 52.5 - 72.5
FVIII - - - 87.5
Although the specimens of E. potiguar have only been AnomalaiaGonzalez-Sponga 1998:24.
collected in caves, the species does not show any obvious Type species. Metagonia: Metagonia bifida Simon 1893,
specialization linked to the cave environment because the byoriginaldesignation.
B/btalV and btalV/TilV ratio values are within the range Anomalaia: Anomalaia mariguitarensis Gonzalez-Sponga
cCoonmdmeon(l1y998f)o.uIntdisinnoteenwdoorgtehoym,ohropwheivcers,petchiaetsthaecccoornddiintgiontso 1998, byoriginaldesignation.
outsidethesecaves,within thedomainoftheCaatinga(the Metagoniapotiguarnewspecies
only Brazilian semi-arid biome), are extremely restrictive. (Figs. 20-27)
Thus, it is believed that organisms of this species are —
unlikely to be found in epigean or endogenous surface Types. Male holotype, “Gruta do Vale” (05°31'51"S,
systems throughout the whole year. However, in the few 37°36'58"W), Felipe Guerra, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil,
rainymonthsthatoccurinthearea,suchorganismsmaybe 18July2009,R.L.Ferreira(IBSP145155).Paratype: 1 female,
found closer to the surface, but this claim is certainly collectedwith—holotype(IBSP 145156).
speculative, and this question deserves to be the target of Etymology. Thenewspeciesisnamedpotiguarinreference
futurestudies. tothosebornintheStateofRioGrandedoNorte,Brazil.The
OrderAraneaeClerck 1757 naDmieaginsostios.b—etTrheeatedmaalseacnaonunbeindaipsptoisnigtuiiosnh.ed from other
FamilyPholcidae Koch 1851 Metagonia species by the simple pair ofclypeus apophyses
GenusMetagoniaSimon 1893 (Figs. 20, 21), strong femoral dorsal apophysis, procursus
Metagonia Simon 1893:472; Gertsch 1971:82-83; Gertsch shape with large hinged process and globular abdomen
1977:105; Gertsch 1986: 40-41; Gertsch & Peck (Fig. 20). The female can be distinguished by the shape of
1992:1194-1195; Huber 1997a:342. hersclerotizedducts(Figs. 26,27)andglobularabdomen.
416 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
—
Figures 20-27. Metagoniapotigiiarn. sp. (Holotypeandparatype):20. Malebody,dorsal;21. Malechelicerae,frontal;22,23. Maleleft
palp;22. Retrolateral(arrowindicateshingedprocess);23.Prolateral,slightlyventral;24-27.Femaleepigynum,24.Ventral;25.Anterior;26.
Dorsal;27. Internalducts. Scalebar0.25mm,exceptfig.27:0.10mm.
—
Description. Male (holotype): Total length 2.5, carapace tibia III 1.8, tibia IV -. In general, very similar to male,
length0.8,width0.8,legI 17.4(4.1+0.4+4.7+7.1+1.1),tibia without clypeus modification. Epigynum brown, approxi-
II 3.1, tibia III missing, tibia IV2.9; tibiaI 1/d43. Bodyasin mately triangular with median lateral indentations (Fig. 24)
Fig. 20.Carapacepaleyellowwithoutstripesorspots(Fig. 20). and a central elevation bordered by two lateral excavations
Ocularareawithoutcolordifferentiation.DistancePME-ALE (Fig. 25). Internalgenitaliawithapairofbarelyvisiblesmall
about 17% of PME diameter. Clypeus with a pair ofsmall, porefields(Fig. 26)andasystemofasymmetrical,sclerotized,
simple, and straight apophyses (Figs. 20, 21). Sternum pale centralducts(F—ig. 27).
yellow.Cheliceraepaleyellow,withclubshapedhairs,without Distribution. Thisspeciesiscurrentlyknownonlyfromthe
apophysis(Fig. 21).Palps(Figs. 22,23)paleyellow,procursus typelocality—.
ochre;femurwithapointedventralapophysis;procursussplit Remarks. Metagonia potiguar does not seem to fit
intoasimpleventralprojectionwithatwistedtip,astrongand convincingly within any of the five operational species-
simple dorsal projection, and a retrolateral hinged process groups proposed by Huber (2000). However, it shows simi-
(Fig. 22); bulb simple with a small embolus (Fig. 23). Legs laritiesto“group 1”:sclerotizedepigynum,ventralapophysis
yellowish, without spines, without modified hairs, retrolateral on the palpal femur, and bifid clypeus apophysis. Themain
trichobothriumoftibiaIat12%,tarsusIwithapproximately14 differenceliesin theglobularabdomen, which isbifid in the
pseudosegments.Abdomenglobular(Fig. 20),completelypale majorityofthe“group 1” species. Thistraitcould bedueto
yellow,genitalplaterectangular,lightbrown. habitatpressures,asstatedin Huberetal. (2005). Metagonia
Female (paratype): Total length 2.2, carapace length 0.8, potiguarrepresentsthefirstrecord ofMetagoniain Brazilian
width 0.8, leg I 14.9 (3.7+0.4+4.0+5.7+ 1.1), tibia II 2.5, caves.
FERREIRAETAL.—NEWEUKOENENIAANDMETAGONIA FROM BRAZIL 417
—
Figure 28. Interaction repertoire: A. Individuals ofMetagoniapoligiuir and Eukoenmiapotiguar found when rock was overturned; B.
MelagoiiiareachingEiikoeiwniaandtouchingitwithaleg(indetail,whitelineindicatingtheMetagonia):C.Metagoniawrappingpreywithsome
webfilaments,holdingitforsomeseconds,whilepreystruggles;D. Preybrieflyabandoned;E. Metagoniareturnsandbeginstofeed.
418 THEJOURNALOFARACHNOLOGY
DISCUSSION (Peyerimhoff 1902) over the course of four weeks in
Ecologicalinteractions.—Individualsofbothspecies, Meta- laboratory conditions. In spite ofoffering different types of
goniapotiguar and Eukoeneniapotiguar, were under a rock prey to live specimens, Kovac et al. (2002) were unable to
fragmentonthefloorofthecave,initsmoreinteriorportion. observe any individual capturing and feeding on them.
The locality was aphotic. The rock, supported on earthy AccordingtoConde(1996),P. Weygoldtwasabletoobserve
Tsehdeimdernitp,piwnagsmlaocdaetedthneeasrurarosupnedlienogtheenmviurnodnesrmaorfoermhautmiiodn,. lboalbaorwaittohryt-hmeaianitdaionfetdheipraicphieglriacedrease.caTphteuriinntgerascmtailolnCoofltlheems-e |
includingthesedimentonwhichtherockrested.Assoonaswe arachnids with other invertebrate species still remains un- ,
overturned therock, weobserved theindividuals. We settled known, and no ecological relationship in nature has been j
therockagain onthefloor,leavingtheorganismsvisible. published.
When the rock was overturned, Metagonia remained Finally,thisinteractionisaclearindicationthatPaipigradi
immobilewhileEukoeneniabeganmoving,continuallychang- can be preyed upon by small spiders. The typical preference
ing direction, always groping with the first pair of legs, forinterstitialhabitatsobservedinmanyspeciesofthisgroup
maintainingtheflagellumerectandperpendiculartothesub- ismaintainedevenindeeppartsofcaves.Ifthispreferencefor
strate, making lateral movements. Eukoenenia progressively such habitats were based only on the search for humid and
begantoapproachMetagonia,untilwhenaboutacentimeter shaded areas, one would not expect to find paipigrades
dbaaitwueramleyycp,teicMdohneatinfnagrtgeooodmnaiMpateohtsnriaoetgtaioidocnneiodafa,inMtmsdeatpirabnegetsogaenainincnaei.nmwgoAevptbipheanbrge“ecrniaatnulnsydtehoEeimut”koiopmcepmhnoeaesdnniigit-eae saiinhnptetheleortrsteatircictetidiaolaunnnmddirecairrseoerhxsoatcbrktiehstmeaeitlnsyqduueenhsedtupiemoarirnder.aowschkTeoshftehicrneaervcfeaosvrt,eehes,whmiptarcheyhefeaerrvoeeebnnasctleeurwavalfeylodsyr i'
ofdirection behavior (Fig. 28A). Metagonia, in turn, began beananswertopredationpressure.
movingtowardsEukoenenia,feelingwiththefirstpairoflegs. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Wghworofrhalaeisdptpnspifelnioedgtrgsfittmsh(aeeFwlviieigptry.rhaelr2yie8tBassw)ceic,chthoeehnidltdissEic,oumermmkaeoweehdeiinw(laeFeetnibegi.latfyh2ieal8jnaCupdm)mer.npettyeoMsude,ctshtomareangudiognEngitulitaekadwio.ineqtinuhneAingfcoitkanielt,erys mCCiTEcWSrCMeoA/sVcEwoc/opouReCl,NdeDnfiltoierrkgeoloogtMioLs.attvichrBaaessnnu)ktpopPoffaroorutrldosuuesrneRidenibgoneflgfliesetlsohdemwReoeprishkspa.es(ceTiEhmPeceAonCnMstNIraPaGnsq-dt
i(tFomimgo.fbei2el8diDz)i,(nFigbgu.tt2h8aefEt)e.prreayAb,touitttha1bt0riesmfelocyomnedansbt,a,nrdeottuhnerendepdrEoaucnkedossebneewgnaaisna mfo(iNfenanatttnhiceoifnacraloolllymleCscBoutrupianozpsniolser)lt(epPodrrfoobcvTeyiesdcsgehrdnna.onslt4oos7gm7fie7cr1aof2lim/n2aa“0nn0Ccd6io-anl!Ss)ces.iieunhpTtophiiofNsricatcsDtfioeuorvdnyeasllowomapdes-e
itnhetAelortrrhdupeotruegdPhabiapyicgterhraetdaciionlilnaemrceotciuoennnttoyfoefbaorasttth(eeni.tngi.d,oinvBiahduraasrlasbn.eceon&drHaawrnvetyo 2BD0re0asz7ei-nl9v).o#lv3i0m0e1n6t9o/19C9i6e-n5t,ifiacnodeEOTeMc,noCioNgPiqc-oB”raz(iAlDB#, 1C4N1P54q0-/
2008; Krai et al. 2008; Christian 2009; Pepato et al. 2010),
practically nothing is known ofthe ecological relationships LITERATURECITED
exhibited by these organisms. Information regarding feeding Barranco, P. & J.G. Mayoral. 2007. A new species ofEukoenenia
habits, prey, predators, and more has been, until now, (Paipigradi:Eukoeneniidae)fromMorocco.JournalofArachnol-
unknown, whichmakesthe groupevenmoreenigmatic. The ogy35:318-324.
few references about possible interactions registered in the Barranco, P. &M.S. Harvey. 2008. Thefirstindigenouspalpigrade
literaturearealmosttotallyspeculative. Thisworkrepresents from Australia: a new species of Eukoenenia (Paipigradi: Eu-
thefirstdescriptionofaninteractioninvolvingapalpigradein koeneniidae).InvertebrateSystematics22:227-233.
its natural habitat and the first record of Metagonia in Christian, E. 2009. A new soil-dwelling palpigrade species from
Braziliancaves. northernItaly(Paipigradi:Eukoeneniidae).Zootaxa2136:59-68. r
(aHnudLibtoetflreth&iesskSpcnehocuwttrneuma2b0o0of9u)pt.retAyheufsbueiamolallloyegcyoofonfsMuspmeecodiseabsywoatfhseMseoetbasspgeiordnveierads CCoonnRSddueeemv,,auteBr.BaS..u1i9Rs91se39e.8v9ud.DeeesZSPcouarioiislppsoiteggiriodaeneded1Zs0uo0o:ml(2aoA7glr9iea-ec2dh89en76i.:dd4ea1u)1xMse2pn4ad.coegsesdedPealipTingdriaadese.t i
cfeoebdwiengbosnpiadnerant(,Thaenrdidaiimdaael)eo(fHuthbeersa&meSspcehcuiteesf2e0e0d9i)n.gTohnisa ConRdeev,ueB.Su1i9s9s6e.dLeesZoPoaliopgiiger,adheosr,s-1s8e8ri5e-119:9857:-1a0c6q.uisitionsetlacunes.
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hianbfiotrsm,aotnieonofotfheMfoopdotiitgeuamrs.(PFauirpitghreardmio)raen,dosuormesteutdhyolorgeipcrael- ConEduek,oenBe.nia19j9a8n.etsPcahlepkiigrCaodniddea., 1P9p9.3.9A1m3a-z9o20n.ianIna 1E4n:c2y1c3l-o22p0a.edia f
sentsthedocumentationofanewcave-dwellinginhabitantof Biospeologica.VolumeIL(C.Juberthie&V. Decu,eds.).Societe
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associatedwithundergroundenvironments. Bucarest(AcademicRumania),Romania.
AraTchheniodrad,eraPnadiptihgeraldairgiseomnaejoorfitthyeolfeapsutbklnicoawtnionosrdaesrssowciitahtiend GerTdtaesexc)ah,sinWM.eNJmo.orrt1ih9a8l6A.mMeTurhsieecaus,mp,iCdeeSnrpterglaeelonluoAsgmieMcreailtcaaMg,oonnaoingadr(atAphrheasnWeea1se:3:t9-PI6hn2od.licesi.-
withitfocusonthetaxonomyofthegroup.Thesmallsizeof Harvey, M.S. 2003. Catalogueofthe SmallerArachnid Orders of
these arachnids hinders work on their biology and behavior, the World: Amblypygi, Uropygi, Schizomida, Paipigradi, Rici-
having been restricted so far to the work of Kovac et al. nulei and Solifugae. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria,
(2002), who was able to keep individuals of E. spelaea Australia.