Further revision of the genus Megalopsalis (Opiliones, Neopilionidae), with the description of seven new species

Abstract

The Australian harvestmen genus Megalopsalis (Neopilionidae: Enantiobuninae) is recognised as a senior synonym of the genera Spinicrus and Hypomegalopsalis, and seven new species are described in Megalopsalis: Megalopsalis suffugiens, Megalopsalis walpolensis, Megalopsalis caeruleomontium, Megalopsalis atrocidiana, Megalopsalis coronata, Megalopsalis puerilis and Megalopsalis sublucens. A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the Enantiobuninae is also conducted including the new species. Monophyly of Neopilionidae and Enantiobuninae including ‘Monoscutidae’ is corroborated, with the Australasian taxa as a possible sister clade to the South American Thrasychirus.

Two new species of harvestmen (Opiliones, Eupnoi, Neopilionidae) from Waitomo, New Zealand

“…Similar habits were inferred by Taylor (2013) for Megalopsalis suffugiens Taylor, 2013, described from caves in Western Australia. Further epigean specimens are recorded herein for Forsteropsalis bona , while specimens collected in the cave were only a short distance from the entrance.…”

“…While Meyer-Rochow and Liddle (1988) regarded Hendea myersi cavernicola as a true troglobite, and did not find it outside the cave entrance, the collection of small numbers of ‘ Megalopsalis tumida ’ outside the cave led them to regard it as troglophilic rather than troglobitic. Similar habits were inferred by Taylor (2013) for Megalopsalis suffugiens Taylor, 2013, described from caves in Western Australia. Further epigean specimens are recorded herein for Forsteropsalis bona , while specimens collected in the cave were only a short distance from the entrance.…”

“…A number of species of Forsteropsalis and its sister genus Pantopsalis are now known to vary in cheliceral dilation (Taylor 2004, 2011, 2013, and see Forsteropsalis photophaga below). Forsteropsalis fabulosa and Forsteropsalis tumida were both described from the Wellington district, and there seems to no longer be any justification for separating them as different species.…”

“…The glans of both Forsteropsalis fabulosa ( Taylor 2011 ) and Forsteropsalis bona is relatively short compared to other Forsteropsalis species, and converges in shape on that of the Australian genus Megalopsalis ( Taylor 2011 , 2013 ). Nevertheless, the remaining features of these two species support a direct relationship with other New Zealand species of Pantopsalis and Forsteropsalis , and with Forsteropsalis in particular.…”

“…Nevertheless, the remaining features of these two species support a direct relationship with other New Zealand species of Pantopsalis and Forsteropsalis , and with Forsteropsalis in particular. These features include dorsal papillae on the glans ( Taylor 2011 ), setae on the mobile finger of the chelicera (absent in Megalopsalis except Megalopsalis caeruleomontium ; Taylor 2011 , 2013 ), and an array of denticles on the medial side of the pedipalpal coxa ( Fig. 3A ; Taylor 2011 ).…”