Cranaidae

Abstract: Gonyleptid systematics has changed considerably in recent years, thanks to the increasing number of opilionologists and use of new data sources to infer relationships. This scenario promotes revisions of yet unrevised or recently proposed supraspecific groups. In an ongoing revision of the Gonyleptidae subfamilies Pachylinae, Ampycinae and some species of Cranainae (former Cranaidae), we found that Thaumatocranaus Roewer, 1932, a hitherto monotypic cranaine genus, is currently misplaced. According to the recent characterization of gonyleptid subfamilies and its close families, it should be transferred to Ampycinae based on pedipalpal and penial characters. This genus is revised, including redescription of its type species, T. mirabilis Roewer, 1932, and description of two new species, both from Colombia, Amazonas: T. magnificus sp. nov. (from Araracuara) and T. splendidus sp. nov. (from Leticia). The relationship of this genus with other Ampycinae genera is also discussed.

Abstract: The taxonomic status of all species of Santinezia Roewer 1923 is defined, and a catalogue is provided. Santinezia lucifer, S. gracilis, S. onorei (all from Ecuador), S. furva (from Colombia and Venezuela) and S. hermosa (from Peru) are newly described. Santinezia biordi Gonzalez-Sponga 1991 is newly considered as a junior subjective synonym of S. serratotibialis Roewer 1932. Santinezia albilineata Roewer 1932, Goniosoma pavani Munoz-Cuevas 1972,S. benedictoi Soares & Avram 1981, S. decui Avram 1987, S. orghidani Avram 1987 and S. francourbani Avram 1987 are newly considered as junior subjective synonyms of Inezia curvipes Roewer 1916. Nieblia Roewer 1925, Chondrocranaus Roewer 1932, Macuchicola Mello-Leitao 1943 andCarvalholeptes H. Soares 1970 are newly considered as junior subjective synonyms of Santinezia. Nieblia camposi Mello-Leitao 1942 is transferred toSpinicranaus Roewer 1913. Santinezia albimedialis Goodnight & Goodnight 1943 is transferred to Phareicranaus Roewer 1913. Nieblia magna Roewer 1932 is transferred to Neocranaus Roewer 1913. Santinezia mich- eneri Goodnight & Goodnight 1947 is newly considered as a junior subjective synonym of Phareicranaus ornatus Roewer 1932. A character survey is done including newly discovered characters of genital mor- phology, patterns of colored marks of dorsal scutum and armature of male leg IV. A phylogenetic analysis of the species of the genus for which males are known is provided allowing the definition of three new species groups. Comparative descriptions are given of the penial morphology of one species of Ventri- vomer, one species of Phareicranaus and eight species of Santinezia. Distribution maps for all species of Santinezia are given. The type locality of S. serratotibialis Roewer 1932 is corrected from Trinidad (Bolivia) to Trinidad (Trinidad & Tobago).

Abstract: The new genus Zannicranaus is described from the Andes in central Ecuador based on two new species. It is characterizedby a guitar-shaped body, short sturdy pedipalpus, unique strong spiniform process in the frontal hump, sexually dimorphicbasichelicerite (very strong in male), an erect spine on the cheliceral bulla and paired ventral armature on male coxa IV. Zannicranaus monoclonius sp. nov., a species profusely colored in red, yellow and green, is described from ChimborazoProvince (Sibambe). Zannicranaus morlacus sp. nov., a dull-brown colored species, is the first reported harvestman from Azuay Province (Molleturo). The stylar caps, a novel structure, is described in the male genitalia of Cranaidae.

Abstract: Larval erythraeid mites are common ectoparasites of harvestmen (Opiliones). However, interactions between these mites and hosts in tropical environments have received little attention. In this study, we examined the prevalence and intensity of mite infestations for Neotropical harvestmen from the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Overall, the prevalence of infestation was 9.9%, with significant interspecific variation in the intensity of mite infestation and significant differences in parasitism of hosts between habitats. Harvestmen collected from lowland, crappo-cocorite forest exhibited the highest infestation rates. In our samples, the intensity of infestation varied from 1 to 17 mites per host. Examination by scanning electron microscopy revealed that harvestmen were infested by two taxa of mites, a species of Leptus and another unidentified erythraeid species. Our observations represent the first host records for erythraeid mites parasitizing harvestmen from the families Cranaidae and Manaosbiidae. Mites were found to attach preferentially to the tibia and femur of the leg (175 of 178 observations). In general, the harvestmen of Trinidad exhibited mite parasitism in a fashion similar to temperate species with respect to site of attachment and prevalence and intensity of mite infestation. In the field, we also collected an adult Cynortula sp. (Cosmetidae) that was transporting 30 gravid adults of an oribatid mite (Acariformes, Oribatida, Mixonomata). Cases of mite phoresy upon harvestmen are rare, with our observation representing the first report of phoresy by an oribatid mite upon a harvestman and the first documentation of mite phoresy upon harvestmen in the Caribbean.