Rowlandius dumitrescoae species group: new diagnosis, key and description of new cave-dwelling species from Brazil (Schizomida, Hubbardiidae)

Abstract

The Rowlandius dumitrescoae species group is reviewed and rediagnosed, and its composition is revised. The group now includes Rowlandius cousinensis, Rowlandius decui, Rowlandius dumitrescoae, Rowlandius insignis, Rowlandius linsduarte, Rowlandius monensis, Rowlandius peckorum, Rowlandius potiguar, Rowlandius sul, Rowlandius ubajara, and Rowlandius pedrosoi sp. n. A new species is described from a cave in northeast Brazil (Santa Quitéria, Ceará). Identification keys and distributional maps are provided for the species of the group. Sixteen species of Schizomida, including five of Rowlandius, are currently recognized from Brazil.

A new genus of micro-whipscorpions (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) from western Cuba

“…Classification of adult males in heteromorphic and homomorphic forms follows Armas [1989], i.e., pedipalps either quite different from or similar to females, respectively. Very recently, Giupponi et al [2016] further subdivided the former into "α and β heteromorphic", but such modification, although obvious and generally correct, is not followed here because pedipalp elongation within the heteromorphic form actually varies in a wider range, with intermediate forms that do not match what was proposed by Giupponi et al [2016]; see for example Teruel [2003: 46, 57, 61;tabs. I, VI-VII].…”

“…From then on, only a few references were made to this schizomid [Armas, 2001[Armas, , 2004[Armas, , 2013Harvey, 2003;Teruel, 2003], including its first record for Mayabeque Province [Armas, 2002]. Finally, Giupponi et al [2016] revised the "dumitrescoae" speciesgroup and updated its diagnosis, but unfortunately no specimens of R. decui were revised and the authors relied entirely upon previously published data, being unaware that some of these were incomplete and/or even erroneous (see below).…”

Two New Genera and a New Species of Schizomids (Arachnida: Schizomida) From Isla De Pinos, Cuba

“…Classification of adult males in heteromorphic and homomorphic forms follows Armas (1989), i.e., pedipalps either different from or similar to females, respectively. The subdivision of the former into "α and β heteromorphics" by Giupponi et al (2016) is not followed here. Although obvious and generally correct, it fails to cover the complete variation range in heteromorphics: when samples large enough become available for any species, it is common to find one or more discrete forms that do not match the dichotomy of Giupponi et al (2016), by being either intermediate or outside the range.…”

“…The subdivision of the former into "α and β heteromorphics" by Giupponi et al (2016) is not followed here. Although obvious and generally correct, it fails to cover the complete variation range in heteromorphics: when samples large enough become available for any species, it is common to find one or more discrete forms that do not match the dichotomy of Giupponi et al (2016), by being either intermediate or outside the range. For detailed examples of such greater variation, see Armas & Teruel (2002: 48-49, 51; tabs.…”

First record of a Basidiobolus/Amphoromorpha fungus from a spider

“…Cokendolpher & Mitov () described and illustrated what they interpreted as unidentified arthropod eggs on the appendages of a European sironid harvestman, but their illustration clearly shows an ‘ Amphoromorpha’ . Giupponi, Villarreal & Miranda () illustrated an ‘ Amphoromorpha’ ‐like structure from the chelicera of a short‐tailed whip‐scorpion (Schizomida). Until now, however, these fungi have never been recorded from spiders.…”