PROBLEMI ATTUAL I DI SCIENZA E DI CULTUR A SUBTERRANEAN FAUNA OF MEXICO

Transcription

1 ACCADEMIA NAZIONALE DEI LINCEI ANNO CCCLXX QUADERNO N PROBLEMI ATTUAL I DI SCIENZA E DI CULTUR A Sezione: MISSIONI ED ESPLORAZIONI -- I SUBTERRANEAN FAUNA OF MEXICO PART I I FURTHER RESULTS OF THE ITALIAN ZOOLOGICAL MISSIONS TO MEXICO, SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF LINCE I (J969 and ) (ESTRA TTO ) ROMA ACCADEMIA NAZIONALE DEI LINCE I 1973

2 VLADIMÍ$ 8ILHAVY ( le) CAVERNICOLOUS OPILIONIDS FROM MEXIC O (ARACHNIDA, OPILIONES ) RIASSUNTO. In questo lavoro vengono pubblicati gli Stygnopsidae, Phalangodina e e Dicranolasmatinae raccolti durante le due missioni in Messico (1969, 1971) promosse dal - l'accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. I seguenti taxa vengono descritti (o ridescritti) : Stygnoftsis robusta (Goodnight e Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. (Hoj5lobunus) ; Hoolobunus boneti (Good - night e Goodnight, 1942) ; Hoplobunus queretarius n.sp. (a,? ignota; loc tip. : Queretaro, Cueva del 1Vladrono), vicino a H. boneti; Troglostygnopsinae subfam. nov. (tipo : Troglostygnoosis gen. nov.) ; Troglostygnopsis gen.nov :T.anofththalman..) ;. (tipo sp T.anophthalrna n. ( (S ; loc. tip. : Chiapas, S. Cristobal de las Casas, Grutas de Rancho Nuevo), una specie cieca, troglobia ; T. inobs (Goodnight e Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. (Hoplobunus) ; Karos barvus Goodnight e Goodnight, 1971; Karos rugosus Goodnight e Goodnight, 1971 ; Karos brignolii n. sp. (9, ignoto ; loc. tip. : Veracruz, Orizaba, Cueva de Tlilapan), vicino a K. rugosus; Paramitraceras hispidulus Cambridge 1904 ; Caecoa gen. nov. (tipo : C. ai'ganoi n. sp.) ; C. arganoi n.sp. (a, ignota; loc. tip. : Mexico, Coatepec, Cueva de Coatepec) una specie cieca, troglobia; Ortholasma sbordonii n.sp. (c3`~ ; loc. tip. : Tamaulipas, Gómez Farías, Cueva de l a Perra), forse un vero cavernicolo. In this paper is reported a part of the Opilionids collected by dr. Roberto Argano and dr. Valerio Sbordoni during the two Italian Mexico-Expeditions (1969, 1971) promoted by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei an d organized by prof. Pasquale Pasquini (Zoological Institute, Rome, University). Only the true cavernicolous Opilionids are published here ; the remaining material consisting of Leiobunids and Cosmetids will be examined later. I would like to thank my friend dr. Paolo M. Brignoli for his kindness in making this collection available for my studies. The holotypes and allotypes are provisionally deposited in the collection s of the Zoological Institute of the Rome University, some duplicata are in m y collection. A very characteristic and interesting group of the Mexican cave Opilionid s is the family Stygnopsidae, erected in 1932 by SORENSEN. Some members of this family have been found at present only in Central America (none i n the Antilles!) and are characterized by their great size, robust and enlarge d chelicerae (even in the females) of which the proximal segment is directe d upwards, common eyemound sometimes reduced or missing in the blind specimens, five areas (first area without a median line). The maxillary lobe of the second coxa is lacking, the spiracles are large and open. The legs are rela- ()) Trebíc, A. Dvoràka 208/26, Czechoslovakia.

3 17 6 tively long, the distitarsi of the first tarsi with two (subfamily Stygnopsinae ) or more than two (subfamily Troglostygnopsinae subfam. n.) segments, th e tarsi of the third and fourth legs are without pseudonychium or scopula and with untoothed double claws. The other' cavernicolous specimens of this collection reported in the pre - sent paper belong to the subfamilies Phalangodinae and Dicranolasmatinae. For any information concerning in location and ecology of the cave s mentioned in the present paper, the reader is referred to the papers by SBOR- DONI and ARGANO (1972) and SBORDONI, ARGANO and ZULLINI ( 1 973). SYSTEMATICAL REVIEW OF THE COLLECTED OPILIONID S Subordo Gonyleptomorphi Gonyleptoide a Stygnopsidae Sor., Stygnopsinae Sor., Stygnopsis robusta (GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971). Hoplobunus boneti (GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1942). Hoplobunus q u e r e t a r i u s sp. n. Troglostygnopsinae subfam. n. Troglostygnopsis anophthalm a gen. n. sp. n. Troglostygnopsis inops (GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971). Phalangodidae Simon, Phalangodinae Simon, Karos parvus GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, Karos rugosus GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, Karos brignolii sp. n. Paramitraceras hispidulus CAMBRIDGE, C a e'c o a a rg a n o i gen. n. sp. n. Subordo Dyspno i Trogulidae Sund., Dicranolasmatinae Simon, Ortholasma s b o r d o n i i sp. n. Stygnopsina e Stygnopsis Sor., Syn. : Stygnus Sor., «Naturh. Tidsskr.», 14, 644, 1889 (nec PERTY). Stygnojsis Sor., «Ergebn. Hamb. Magalh. Sammelr.», 4, Haehnelia Rwr., «Arch. f. Naturg.», 81, 21, Haehnelia + Stygnoosis, Rwr., «Die Weberknechte der Erde», 114, 116, 1923, H. (partim) Goodnight and Goodnight, «Assoc. Mex Cave St. Bull.», 4, 38, H. Rwr., «Die Weberknechte der Erde», 112, This genus differs from the gen. third area. Hoplobunus in having two spines on th e

4 177 Fig. I. i) Stygnopsis valida -- d istal part of penis ; 2) Stygnobsis robusta distal part of penis ; 3) S. robusta ovipositor: 4) S. robusta points of ovipositor-spines; 5) 8) Hoblohunus bone!i; 5) distal part of penis ; 6) apophysis of penis; 7) penis-spine; 8) ovipositor.

5 178 Stygnopsis robusta (GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971). (fig. 2-4). Syn. : Hoplobunus robustus Goodnight and Goodnight, «Ass. Mex. Cave St. Bull.», 4, , Comb. noz'. Type locality: Cueva de la Cascada, Tequila, Veracruz. Other localities mentioned by GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT : Sotano del Relicario (Tequila), Cueva de Opilionida (Tequila), Sotano del Sphodrini (Tequila), Szontecomostoc (Tequila), Sotano de Humo (San Andres). Records : Veracruz, Cordoba, Paraje Nuevo, Cueva Ojo de Agua Grande, 550 m, I S, 2 6.X1.69, V. Sbordoni leg. ; ibidem, 5/6.X1.69, 2 SS, 2 W, R. Argano leg., ibidem, 5.XI.69, 3 W, 1 juv., R. Argano leg. The collected specimens differ from the GOODNIGHT ' S description in the lighter colour, which is yellowish brown; only chelicerae, pedipalpi an d trochanters are light yellowish. In the figs. No 1 and 2 are compared the dista l parts of penis of S. robusta and S. valida (specimen collected I.VI.1963 by J. Beatty in Jalapa, Veracruz, from the collections of MCZ, Cambridge, USA). Hoplobunus BANKS, Syn. : H., Banks, «Journ. New York Ent. Soc.», 8, 200, H. (partim), Goodnight and Goodnight, «Ass. Mex. Cave St. Bull.», 4, 38, This genus differs from the genus Stygnopsis in lacking spines on th e areas and free tergites. Hoplobunus boneti (GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1942). Syn. : Serrobunus boneti, Goodnight and Goodnight, «Amer. Mus. Nov.», 1211, 7-I I, Hojlobunus bowti, G. and G., «Ass. Mex. Cave St. Bull.», 4, , 43, H. b., Reddell and Mitchell, oj5. cit., 4, , Type locality: Cueva de los Sabinos, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The other localities mentioned by G. and G. are situated in the states of San Lui s Potosi and Tamaulipas. Records: S. Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles, Cueva de los Sabinos m. 18o ca, 21.XI.1969, 1?, 2 juv., R. Argano leg., ibidem, 21.XI.1969, 3 Y's, 2 juv., V. Sbordoni leg. Sotano de Pichijumo, 20. X I S, 3 juv., V. Sbordoni leg. Penis of this species is drawn according to the specimen from Sotano d e Pichijumo (fig. 5), ovipositor to the specimen from Cueva de los Sabino s (fig. 8). All specimens in the collection resemble the description of G. and G.

6 Fig ) Hoplobunus gueretarius sp. n. male holotype ; 9) dorsal view of body ; io) lateral view of body ; 11) femur and patella IV dorsally ; I2) tibia IV dorsally ; 13) distal part of penis.

7 18 0 Hoplobunus queretarius sp. n. (figs. 9-11). Male holotype. Body length 7 mm. Carapace smooth, with a lateral and anterior ro w of blunt tubercles, obtuse tubercles behind the eyemound converge to the middle of the posterior margin of carapace. Eyemound situated at the anterior margin of carapace, hemispherical, with a short dorsal spine and scattere d low tubercles. Areas distinct, each with a transverse row of tubercles. Th e row of tubercles on the fifth area joins with its lateral boundaries the lateral ro w of tubercles of scute. Free tergites I II with a row of larger blunt tubercles. First coxae armed with an anterior row of short obtuse spines, coxae II an d III with scattered small tubercles. Coxae IV dorsally with short obtuse spines, apically with two larger spines. Free sternites with a row of tubercles wit h the exception of two of the posterior sternites and the anal plate, which are provided with scattered tubercles. Chelicerae of usual form, enlarged. Basal segment laterally and dorsall y with scattered tubercles as well as the second segment where the tubercle s are smaller. Pedipalps 7 mm long. All segments dorsally unarmed, only with lo w tubercles. Trochanters ventrally with one long spine, femora ventrally wit h a row of robust spines (the basal ones being larger), apically medially unarmed, without spines. Patellae unarmed, tibiae with two ventromedial and tw o ventrolateral spines (the apical spines are bifurcate). Tarsi with four ventro - medial spines. Tarsal claw robust and long. Legs 15, 26, 19, 24 mm long. Trochanters I with some small tubercles, trochanters II posteriorly with greater tubercles. Trochanters III enlarged, posteriorly with short spines, trochanters IV with one dorsal robust spin e and ventromedially with greater curved spine. Femora, patellae and tibia e of legs I and II with rows of small hairbearing tubercles, femora, patellae an d tibiae of legs III with rows of greater tubercles. Femora of legs IV robust, rather curved, with regular rows of great obtuse tubercles ; on the ventra l row, the tubercles are in the basal and apical portion higher and bearin g spines. Patella IV with four distal spines and scattered tubercles, tibi a with two distal spines and as well as metatarsi IV with rows of tubercles. Other segments of legs only with hairs. Tarsal segments : 5, 12-13, 7, 7. Distitarsi of legs I with two, of legs II with three segments. Distal segmen t of tarsi III and IV without scopula and pseudonychium, with two untoothe d claws. Penis of the form shown in the fig. 13. Colour: dorsal scute and free sternites yellowish brown, remaining part s of specimen lighter yellowish brown. Type locality : Mexico, Queretaro, El Lobo, m. 183o. Cueva del Madrono, 17. X I.1969, V. Sbordoni leg.

8 18 1 Fig ) Troglostvgnoj5szs anop!ithalma gen. n. sp. n. : 14) lateral view of body, female allotype ; 15) ovipositor, female allotype ; 16) tarsus of leg II, female allotype; 17) tarsus of leg IV, female allotype ; 18) penis, male holotype; 19) idem, apophysis o f penis ; 20) dorsal view of body, male holotype.

9 18 2 H. queretarius sp. n. differs from H. boneti by the obtuse tubercles of body and extremities, by the form of eyemound, armature of pedipalps an d scutum. Very peculiar is the form of penis. Paratypes. All paratypes were found in the same cave as the holotype : I juv. 17. X I. I 969, V. Sbordoni leg., I subad. I 7. X I. I 972 (I subadult), R. Argano leg. The specimen (juv.) has the body blackish brown, coxae and extremitie s lighter ; the male subadult is light yellowish brown. All paratypes differ from the holotype by smaller tubercles, pedipalpus-femur of the youngest specimen (body length 6,2 mm) only with a ventral row of small tubercles. Troglostygnopsinae subfam. n. With the characters of family. First distitarsus with more than two segments. Cavernicolous animals, blind, eyes lacking, eyemound reduce d or missing. Typus subfamiliae : Troglostygnopsis gen. n. Discussion: I decided to divide the family Stygnopsidae in two subfamilies according the number of segments on the first distitarsus on the sam e account as in other families, f.e. Phalangodinae per Tricommatinae, Epedaninae per Sarasinicinae, Peltonychinae per Travuniinae etc. Troglostygnopsis gen. n. True troglobitic animals. Carapace with reduced or missing eyemound, without eyes. Five indistinct and unarmed areas. Scute with lateral projection on the lateral margin between third and fourth coxae, sometimes o n the posterior corners of area V too. Three tergites unarmed. Maxillary lobe s of second coxae without ventral projection. Chelicerae large, proximal segment curved, directed upwards. Pedipalps long, armed with large spines. Legs long, without spines. Tarsal segments ' formula : n, n, 5 n, 5 n. Distitarsus of leg I and II with more than two segments. Typus generis : Troglostygnopsis anophthalma sp. n. Troglostygnopsis anophthalma sp. n. (figs ). Male holotype. Body length 5 mm. Carapace smooth, very finely granulated, provide d only with lateral rows of low and small tubercles. Eyemound at the anterio r margin of carapace, conical, fiat, without any traces of eyes. Areas indistinct, smooth, finely granulated, each with the transversal row of scattered hairs.

10 Fig. 4. ai) Troglostignoj,sis inoj,s, distal part of penis ; 22 26) Karos runosus; " 22) dorsal view of body,a ; 23) lateral view of pedipalpus, a ; 24) medial view of pedipalpus, a` ; 25) distal part of penis ; 26) ovipositor.

11 184 The posterior margin of the fifth area with a transverse row of small tubercle s joining at its lateral boundaries a row of similar tubercles on the lateral mar - gin of scute. Between the third and fourth coxa there is a triangular obtus e projection growing from the lateral boundary of scute. Free tergites with a transversal row of low hair pointed tubercles. First and second coxae armed with a row of obtuse spines tipped b y long and robust hairs. Third and fourth coxae with scattered hair-pointed tubercles. Free sternites with transverse row of very low hair-pointed tubercles. Anal plate unarmed. Chelicerae of usual form, enlarged. Basal segment relatively long an d directed upwards, dorsally and laterally with some small and low tubercles, second segment frontally with some greater hair-pointed tubercles. Pedipalps I1 mm long. Trochanters ventrally with two spines (dista l spine longer), dorsally with two procurved teeth. Femora ventrally with a row of long unequal spines, dorsomedially with a row of procurved robus t teeth. Distal portion of segment with one short medial spine. Patellae medially with some short teeth. Tibiae medially with five spines of which the first, third and fourth are very long ; lateroventrally with three long spines. Tars i with seven lateral and five medial spines. Tarsal claws long and slim. Legs 24, 41, 26, 36 mm long, slim, all long segments cylindrical. Trochanters ventrally scattered with small pointed tubercles, dorsally unarmed. The third trochanter is the largest. All other segments only with hairs. Tar - sal segments : 8-9, 17-18, 5, 5. Distitarsi of legs I with three segments, o f legs II of three segments, too. Proximal segments of tarsi long, dista l segments of tarsi III and IV without scopula and pseudonychium, tipped by two claws. Penis of the form shown in fig. 19. Colour of body and extremities yellowish red light, distall parts of leg s lighter. Type locality : Mexico, Chiapas, S. Cristobal de las Casas, Grutas d e Rancho Nuevo, m. 2275, , R. Argano leg. T. anophthalma sp. n. differs from T. inops (G. and G.) mainly in th e row of teeth on the dorsal portion of pedipalpus-femora, in the form o f eyemound, in lacking of lateral projection on fifth area. Allotype female : from the same series. No important differences in th e holotype. Ovipositor of the form shown in fig. 15. Other specimens of this species in the collection : one female from th e locality of holotype, , V. Sbordoni leg. ; ibidem, 1.1V.1971, 1?, V. Sbordoni leg. ; ibidem, , I?, R. Argano leg. ; ibidem, , subadulte, V. Sbordoni leg. ; Chiapas, Bochil, m. 1440, Cueva de la Golondrina, 1 juv., , R. Argano leg. ; ibidem, , I juv., V. Sbordoni leg.; Chiapas, Bochil, m. 1250, Cueva del Nacimiento del Ri o S. Domingo, , I subad., V. Sbordoni leg. ; ibidem, , pull., R. Argano leg.

12 185 Troglostygnopsis mops (GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971). (fig. 21). Syn. : Iloj5lohunus inojs G. and G., 1971, «Assoc. Mex. Cave Stud., Bull.», 4, Comb. nov. H. (?) Redell and Mitchell, «Assoc. Mex. Cave Stud. Bull. >>, 4,.188, 207, Type locality: Sótano de la Joya de Salas, 21 km NW of Gómez Farías, Tamaulipas, male holotype. " Paratypes " Cueva de la Mina, 7 km N W of Gómez Farfas, Tamaulipas. Records : Mexico, Tamaulipas, Sierra de Guatemala, Gómez Farías, m. 216o, Cueva de la Perra, 25.XI.1969, R. Argano leg., 1 S ; ibidem, 23.XI.1969, R. Argano and V. Sbordoni leg., I?, 2 juv. ; ibidem, 25.XI.1969, R. Argano and V. Sbordoni leg., 3 juv. Discussion. Cueva de la Perra is situated between the type locality (Sotano de la Joya de Salas) and the locality designated by G. and G. as " paratype locality " Cueva de la Mina-and appears the same locality mentioned by REDDELL and MITCHELL, Cueva de la Capilla. It is probable that th e specimens described by G. and G. as Hoplobunus mops are identical with th e specimens from Cueva de la Perra : they accord in most signs and design s with the description by the GOODNIGHT ' s. Only the number of tarsal segment s is very different. The authors mention following numbers : Tarsal segment s 8, 15, 8, 8, distitarsus of first leg with two segments, second with three. I n our two mature specimens are the following numbers : 15, 33 34, 7, 9, first distitarsus of 7, second with segments, and 13 14, 32 33, 7, 8, first distitarsus with 6, second with 13 segments. It is possible that GOODNIGHT' S holotype was not fully mature (I had no opportunity to examine the holotype). Phalangodida e Phalangodinae Karos G. and G Syn. : K., G. and G., «Amer. Mus. Novitates», 1249, 3, K., G. and G., ibidem, 161o, 21, Montabunus, G. and G., ibidem, Monterella, G. and G., ibidem, Chafiulobunus, G. and G., ibidem, Potosa, G. and G., ibidem. There is only a small number of known members of this Mexican genus ; most of them live in caves. In 1953, G. and G. synonymized with the genu s Karos four genera differing mainly in the number of tarsal segments, armatur e of eyemound and of areas. All members of genus Karos sensu G. and G., 1953, have lateral projections on either side of the dorsal scute in the regio n of the first area and very frequently similar projections in the corners of th e fifth area and free tergites. These interesting mamilliform organs are strongly

13 18 6 chitinised and provided with pores which communicate with one subcuticula r spherical organ composed of great cellules. The function of these structure s which are developed also in young specimens remains unknown. Similar tubercles occur in some Stygnopsids (Troglostygnopsis) and in some specie s of the genus Paramitraceras. It is important that rather all species with latera l tubercles of scute in the region between third and fourth coxa have enormousl y enlarged third trochanters which are provided with a posterior bulge. Nearly related are the genera Karos and Monterella, differing only i n the armature of the eyemound : in the members of Karos it is provided wit h two small spines (barbarikos, j5rojectus, parvus) whilst the members of Monterella have the eyemound smooth (depressus, gratiosus, rugosus, brignoli i sp. n.). I agree with the fusion of these two groups because the difference s seem to me to be small. GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971, (page 34) mention : " For this pre - sent study of Karos, specimens were studied from many different localities. After careful consideration we decided that species within the genus ar e difficult to define, and may represent a single species with many variations : but because of the geographical isolation of the individual populations, i t appeared best to recognise these rather striking variations as individual species... ". I suppose that this problem could be solved easily by the use o f genital-morphological characteristics. G. and G., unfortunately, never use d till this time these important taxonomical characters. I cannot solve it becaus e there is in our collection only one male and the female genital characteristic s are not so conclusive. But according to other characteristics I consider al l described forms as good species. Karos parvus GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971 (fig. 29). Syn. : K.15. G. and G., ((Assoc. Mex. cave Stud. Bull.», 4, 35-37, Type locality: Cueva de El Pachon, NE of Antiguo Morelos, Tamaulipas. Other localities mentioned by G. and G. : Sotano Puerto de los Lobos Sa n Francisco, San Luis Potosi, Grutas de Quintero, Mante, Tamaulipas. Cuev a de Llaura, Micos, Walles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Records: Tamaulipas, Ciudad Mante, Grutas de Quintero, m. 200, 1 Y, V. Sbordoni leg. Collected specimen differs from the description in the number of tarsa l segments of leg II which is 6 (G. and G. mention 7), body lenght is 3,0 mm. Karos rugosus GOODNIGHT and GOODNIGHT, 1971 (figs ). Syn. : K. r. G. and G., ((Assoc. Mex. cave Stud. Bull.», 4, 36-48, Type locality : Cueva de Ojo de Agua de Tlilapan, Veracruz, Mexico.

14 187 Records: Veracruz, Cordoba, Paraje Nuevo, Cueva Ojo de Agu a Grande, m. 55o, 6.XI d, V. Sbordoni leg. ; ibidem, 5.XI.1969, 2 V. Sbordoni leg. Our specimens differ from the figures 6 and 7 by G. and G. in having lateral projections also in the third free tergite. Karos brignolii sp. n. (figs ). Female holotype. Body length 2,6 mm. Carapace smooth, without tubercles or spines. Eyemound low, smooth, removed from anterior margin, without tubercles. Five area without medial line ; area I IV thickly covered with tubercles. Lateral projections in the region of the first area and in the corner of the fift h area. Fifth area and free tergites I II with a row of hair tipped tubercles. Free tergite III and anal operculum thickly covered with hair tipped tubercles. Coxae covered with thickly hair-pointed tubercles, maxillary lobes o f second coxae without ventral projection. Free sternites with a row of hair - tipped tubercles. Chelicerae of usual form, small, basal segment with distinct dorsal projection, covered with very low tubercles. Pedipalps approx. 2,8 mm long, femora with apical medial spine, othe r details shown in figures. Legs 4.2, 6.o, 5.5, 6.5 mm long. Trochanters with small tubercles, thir d trochanters enlarged. Femora, patellae and tibiae thickly covered with smal l hair-pointed tubercles, other segments with short hairs. Femora III and I V rather curved, calcanei distinct. Tarsal segments : 4,7 8, 6, 6. Distitarsi o f legs I with two, of legs II with three segments. Distal segments of tarsi II I and IV without scopula and pseudonychium, with two untoothed claws. Ovipositor of the form shown in fig. 33. Colour: Body and extremities yellowish brown. Carapace brown reticulate, area I IV darker brown, fifth area and free tergites and sternites wit h a transversal brown strip. Chelicerae yellowish brown lighter, pedipalp s brown reticulated. Legs brown, distal segments lighter. K. brignolii sp. n. is related to K. rugosus. The main differences are i n the armature of scute and pedipalps. Type locality: Mexico, Veracruz, Orizaba, m. 1200, Cueva de Tlilapan, 7.XI.1969, i Y', V. Sbordoni leg. Paramitraceras CAMBMGDE, Syn. : P., Cambridge, ((Biol. Centrali Americana>>, 2, 575, P., Roewer, (( Die Weberknechte der Erde», 116, P., G. and G., ((Amer. Mus. Novitates», 16ro, 23, This Central and South-American genus is characterised by the conica l eyemound situated at the anterior margin of carapace, five areas, peculiar

15 Fig ) Karos fiarous, ovipositor ; 30 33) Karos brignolii sp. n., female holotype ; 30) dorsal view of body ; 31) lateral view o pedipalpus ; 32) medial view of pedipalpus ; 33) ovipositor ; 34 35) Pa,lMitraCeraS hzspidttlus ; 34) dorsal view of body,s ; 35) part. of pedipalpus-tibia and tarsus, d.

16 189 form of pedipalpus (tibia and tarsus ventrally flattened), tarsal segments ' formula 3, 4, 5, 5 and both first and second distitarsi with two segments. The taxonomy of this genus is uncertain because its members seem to be very variable and the descriptions are insufficient. Paramitraceras hispidulus CAMBRIDGE, 1904 (figs ). Syn. : Pii., Cambridge, «Biol. Centrali-Americana», 2, 576, Type locality: Guatemala, Petet. Records: Mexico, Chiapas, Bochil, m. 1440, Cueva de la Golondrina, 27.III.1971, V. Sbordoni leg., 3 dd', 1 Y. Discussion. All specimens from this collection accord with the origina l description by CAMBRIDGE, only the tibia of pedipalpus is simple also i n males. Tarsal segments: 3, 4, 5, 5, both distitarsi I and II with two segments, Other details are shown in figures. In 1953 G. and G. described Paramitraceras femoralis from Mexico. They mention " Paramitraceras femoralis appears to be very closely related to P. hispidulus Cambridge; in fact, it may eve n be that species. In his description, however, CAMBRIDGE makes no mentio n of the rounded projection of the fourth leg of male ". In our specimens occur s no similar projection. Caecoa gen. n. Carapace with the hemispheroidal eyemound without eyes, situate d at the anterior margin. Five distinct areas, first area without median line. All areae and free tergites, free sternites and anal operculum without spines, unarmed. Maxillary lobes of second coxae with distinct ventral projection, spiracles not visible. Chelicerae of usual form, small, basal segment withou t dorsal projection; femora of pedipalps robust, with spines, with medial apical spine. Tarsal segments' formula: 3, 4, 4, 5, distitarsus of first tarsu s with two segments, second also with two. Tarsi of third and fourth leg s without pseudonychium and scopula, with two untoothed claws. Typus generis : Caecoa arganoi sp. n. Caecoa arganoi sp. n. (figs ). Male holotype. Body length 2,6 mm. Carapace smooth, very finely granulate. Latera l corner with some larger obtuse spines. Eyemound situated at the anterior margin of carapace, without eyes, covered with low larger tubercles, hemispheroidal. Areas distinct only by very low furrows; area I IV granulate

17 Fig ) Pararnitraceras hislidulus ; 36) lateral view of pedipalpus,d' ; 37) penis ; 38-4í :) Caecoa arganoi gen. n., sp. n., male holotype ; 38) lateral view of pedipalpus ; 39) medial view of pedipalpus ; 4u) ventral view of coxae I IV and genita l sternite ; 4T) penis.

18 19 1 (granules smaller than those on the carapace), fifth area and free tergite s I and II with a transversal row of small tubercles. Third free tergite thickl y covered by low tubercles as well as anal operculum. Dorsal scute (carapace, areas and tergite I III) bordered by a margin which is similar to that of th e Oncopodids. Coxae covered with small tubercles. Maxillar lobes of secon d coxae with relatively long ventral projection. Genital operculum large, fre e sternites with a transversal row of hair pointed low tubercles. Chelicerae o f usual form, small, basal segment without dorsal projection, dorsally and ventrally only with some low tubercles. Pedipalps robust, 2,3 mm long. Trochanters ventrally with two hair-tipped tubercles, dorsally with one tooth. Femora lateromedially flattened, dorsally with a row of small denticules, ventrally with a row of unequal spinebearing tubercles, apically-mediall y with one spinebearing tubercle. Patella with one ventral and one media l spinebearing tubercle, tibia ventrolaterally with three, ventromedially wit h four spines. Tarsi ventrolaterally with two, ventromedially with two spines, tarsal claw relatively short. Other details c.f. see the figures. Legs 4.2, 6.7, 4. 5, 6.4 mm long. Trochanters smooth, other segment s cylindrical, with rows of scattered small hairs. Tarsal segments : 3, 4, 4, 5 ; distitarsi of both first and second legs with two segments. Penis of the form shown in fig. 41. Colour of body and extremities light yellowish red. Type locality : Mexico, Coatepec Harinas, Cueva de Coatepec, m. 2100, 27.X.1969, V. Sbordoni leg., 1 S. Paratype male from the same locality and date, R. Argano leg; tw o paratypes juv. from the same locality and date, V. Sbordoni leg. Subordo Dyspno i Trogulida e Dicranolasmatinae Ortholasma BANKS, Ortholasma sbordonii sp. n. (figs ). Male holotype. Body length 4,0 mm (with cape). Frontal margin of carapace with relatively great cape formed by 26 cross-bearing spines growing from latera l sides of median projection and four dorsal rows of cross-bearing tubercles. Eyes situated at basis of cape, each one on a short projection. Two obtuse thorns are on each anterior corner of carapace at the sides of the cape. Ca - rapace as well as abdominal scute with chains of cross- or T-tubercles, fift h area with a posterior row of short cross-bearing spines. Areas indistinct, without paired spines or greater tubercles. Free tergites with transversal row s of hair pointed tubercles.

19 Fig ) Caecoa arganoi gen. n., sp. n male holotype, dorsolateral view of body ; 43 4q) Ortholasma sbore/onii sp. n. ; 43) dorsal view of body, male holotype ; 4+) frontal part of carapace, male holotype ; 45) pedipalpus, male holotype ; 46) cmielicera, male holotype ; 47) distal part of penis, male holotype; 48) ovipositor, female allotype; 40) receptacula seminis, female allotype.

20 193 Coxae covered with hair pointed tubercles and with lateral row o f T-tubercles. Free sternites with transversal row of hair-pointed tubercles, genita l operculum and corona analis with scattered hair-pointed tubercles. Chelicera e hidden under cape, small, second segment dorsally with a short basal projection. Pedipalpi 3,7 mm long, hidden as well as chelicerae under cape, slim, covered with Rimski-Korsakow-hairs. Legs 7,7 ; 21,7 ; 9,2; 13,0 mm long. All segments cylindrical, covere d with short hairs. Metatarsi without calcaneus, tarsal segments : 10,28 31,9 - I0, 10 I I. Penis of the form shown in fig. 47. Like other members of the family Trogulidae, in this species the bod y with the cape and the legs, with exception of tarsi, is covered by a layer o f earth glued together with dermal secret. In all described species, also in thos e living in caves (Li. Trogulus torosus, some species of Dicranolasma) the eyes are always free of this cover camoufla'ging the specimen. On the contrar y O. sbordonii as an exception has depigmented eyes which also are covere d by this substance. Colour of body and legs yellowish brown, chelicerae an d pedipalpi lighter. Type locality : Mexico, Tamaulipas, Sierra de Guatemala (Gómez Farfas ) m. 2160, Cueva de la Perra, 23.XI.1969, R. Argano leg. Other specimens : paratype male from the same locality and date, R. Argano leg. and 1 juv. V. Sbordoni leg. ; the same locality, 25.XI.69 R. Argano leg., i S; Tamaulipas, Rancho del Cielo m. 1600, Cueva de la Mina, 24.XI.69, V. Sbordoni leg., i S, I Y. Female allotype. Body length 4,5 mm. Similar to the male. Ovipositor of the form show n in figs SUMMARY. In this paper are published the Stygnopsidae, Phalangodinae and DicranolasInatinae collected during, the two Expeditions to Mexico (1969, 1971) sponsored by th e Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. The following taxa are described (or redescribed) : Slygnoj5 - sis robusta (Goodnight and Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. (Hoblobunus) ; Hofilobunus boneti (Goodnight and Goodnight, 1942) ; Hoplobunus queretarius n. sp. (3, 7 unknown ; typ. loc. : Queretaro, Cueva del Madrofio), near to H. boneti; Troglostygnopsinae subfam. nov. (typus : Troglostygno sis gen. nov.) ; Troglostygnopsis gen. nov. (typus : T. anohthalma n. sp.) ; T. anohthalma n. sp. (6', 9 ; typ. loc. : Chiapas, S. Cristobal de las Casas, Grutas de Rancho Nuevo), a blind, troglobitic species ; T. inoj5s (Goodnight and Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. (Hoplobunus) ; Karos iharvus Goodnight and Goodnight, 1971 ; Karos rugosus Goodnight and Goodnight, 1971 ; Karos brignolii n. sp. (7 ; (3' unknown ; typ. loc. : Veracruz, Orizaba, Cueva de Tlilapan), nea r to K. rugosus ; Paramitraceras hisidulus Cambridge 1904, Ca,yoa gen. nov. (typus : C. argano i n. sp.) ; C. arganoi n. sp. (3', 7 unknown ; typ. loc. : Mexico, Coatepec, Cueva de Coatepec), a blind troglobitic species ; Ortholasma sbordonii n. sp. (6' 7 ; typ. loc : Tamaulipas, Gómez Farías, Cueva de la Perra), a possibly true cave-living species.

21 194 BIBLIOGRAPH Y BRIGNOLI P. M. (1972) Some cavernicolous spiders from Mexico (Araneae), ((Quad. Acc. Naz. Lincei», 171, CAMBRIDGE F. O. P. (1904) Oj5iliones, ((Biol. Centr. Amer., Zool.», 2, GOODNIGHT C. J. and GOODNIGHT M. L. (1947) Phalangida from tropical America, «Fieldiana, Zoology», 32, GOODNIGHT C. J. and GOODNIGHT M. L ( 1 953) The Opilionid fauna of Chiapas, Mexico, and adjacent areas (Arachnoidea, Oj5iliones), ((Amer. Mus. Novit.», 161 o, GOODNIGHT C. J. and GOODNIGHT M. L. (1971) Opilionids (Phalangida) of the family Pha - langodidae from Mexican caves, «Ass. Mex. Cave St. Bull.», 4, REDDELL J. R. and MITCHELL R. W. (1971) A checklist of the cave fauna of Mexico, I. Sierra de el Abra, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, «Ass. Mex. Cave St. Bull.», 4, REDDELL J. R. and MITCHELL R. W. (1971) A checklist of the cave fauna of Mexico, II. Sierra de Guatemala, Tamaulipas, «Ass. Mex. Cave St. Bull.», 4, ROEWER C. F. (1923) Die Weberknechte der Erde, Jena, SBORDONI V. and ARGANO R. (1972) Introduction ; caves studied during the Ist mission to Mexico (1969). In Subterranean Fauna of Mexico, Part I, «Quaderni Acc. Naz. Lincei», 171, 5-2I. SBORDONI V., ARGANO R. and ZULLINI A. (1973) Biological investigations on the caves of Chiapas (Mexico) and adjacent countries : introduction. In Subterranean Fauna of Mexico, Part II, «Quaderni Acc. Naz. Lincei», 171, SOARES H. E. M. (1972) Opera opiliologica varia II (Oj5iliones: Gonyleptidae, Phalangiidae, Phalangodidae), «Rev. Brasil. Biol.», 32, SORENSEN W. (1932) Descri i5tiones Laniatorum, a Mem. Acad. R. Sci. Lettres Danem.», 3,