Flirtea picta (Perty, 1833)

Kury, Adriano B. & García, Andrés F., 2016, On the identity of Flirtea (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cosmetidae), Zootaxa 4093 (2), pp. 231-247 : 236-242

Flirtea picta (Perty, 1833)

( Figs 1–8 )

Cosmetus pictus Perty, 1833: 208 , pl. 40, fig. 5; Gervais 1844: 115.

Flirtea picta (part.): C.L. Koch 1839a: 99, pl. 244, fig. 581; C.L. Koch 1839b: 20; Roewer 1912b: 75; Roewer 1923: 346, figs 391–392; Kury 2003: 62.

Flirtea phalerata C.L. Koch 1840: 117 , pl. 251, fig. 591. SYN. NOV.

Type data. ♂ neotype (MNRJ 2465) Brazil, Bahia, Igrapiúna, Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, 24–25.vii.2009, ARS Andrade leg.

Justification of the neotype designation. The initial cause for this long-standing taxonomic imbroglio has been Koch’s mismatching of Perty’s species. Also, Roewer not having seen Perty’s book helped conceal the true identity of F. pi c t a, which resulted in the identification of another species as such. The anchoring of the name F. picta in an actual specimen deposited in an important collection is paramount to solving the identity of the genus Flirtea and ultimately the taxonomy of this important harvestman family.

Other material examined. BRAZIL: Bahia: 3 ex. (MNRJ 02056), Aurelino Leal, Fazenda Pedras Preta (roça de cacau), 21–i.2008, Victor Dill leg.; idem, 2 ex. (MNRJ 04313) Uruçuca, Fazenda Santa Tereza, plantação de cacau, CEPLAC R3024.; idem, 4 ex. (MNRJ 04317) Itabuna, 1.viii.1989, Silva, Hélio R & Cox, M leg.; idem, 1 ex. (MNRJ 04324) Porto Seguro, Fazenda São Jorge, plantação de cacau, 28.vi.1970, CEPLAC R3112.; idem, 23 ex. (MNRJ 05015) Ilhéus, Parataquicé; idem, 14 ex. (MNRJ 05038); idem, 5 ex. (MNRJ 05704).; idem, Ilhéus, CEPLAC, 18.i.1989, Cox, Monica & Silva, Hélio leg.; idem, 3 ex. (MNRJ 06136) Ilhéus, 13.iii.1986, Caramaschi, U leg.; idem, 2 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 07133) Una, REBIO de Una, 08–10.vi.2009, Chagas-Jr, A, Kury A, Pedroso D, Giupponi A. & Dill V. leg.; idem, 4 ♂ (MNRJ 07660) Elísio Medrado, RPPN Jequitibá, 07.x.2007, R Bertani, RH Nagahama & CS Fukushima leg.; idem, 1 ♂ 2♀ (MNRJ 07661) Mata de São João, RPPN Camurujipe, 04.x.2007, R Bertani, RH Nagahama & CS Fukushima leg. 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08561) Ilhéus, próximo ao lixão, 2. iii.2012, D Pedroso leg.; idem, 3 ♂ 4 ♀ (MNRJ 08562) Camacan, RPPN Serra Bonita, 2–3.x.2011, A Pérez-González & B Huber leg.; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08563) Una, Reserva Biológica de Una, 4.x.2011, A Pérez-González & B Huber leg.; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08564) Brazil, Bahia, Juçari, Fl. R. de Antônio.; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08565), Itabuna, CEPLAC, i. 1992, R Bertani leg.; idem, 4 ♂ 8 ♀ (MNRJ 08566), Igrapiúna, R. E. Michelín, 2014.; idem, 1 ex. (MNRJ 09048) Ilhéus, Rodovia BR-101, 28.iii.2012, V Dill leg.; idem, 1 ex. (MNRJ 16216), Santa Luzia, entorno Caverna do Lapão e Pedra do Sino, 3.xi.2002, Baptista, R & Giupponi, A leg.; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 18821) Itacaré, 13–22.iv.2006, JP Souza-Alves leg.; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 19178) Camacan, RPPN da Serra Bonita, 11– 13.vi.2009, Chagas-Jr, A Kury, A Pedroso, D Giupponi, A & Dill, V leg.; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ-HS 0478) Itabuna, km 26 para Ilhéus, CEPLAC, cacaual, sob folhas e pedras, 100 m. 27.i.1972, Henry R leg.; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ- HS 0479), Itabuna, km 26 para Ilhéus, CEPLAC, cacaual, sob folhas e pedras, 100 m. 27.i.1972, Henry R leg.; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ-HS 0671), Ilhéus, CEPLAC. x.1977, Cruz Carlos AG leg.; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ-HS 0796) Brazil, Bahia, Ilhéus, CEPLAC, Bananal, sob tronco podre, 6.vi.1977, Menezes M leg. 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (UFMT 805) Una, REBIO Una, S 15.18374 W 39.06697, 2–3.v.2014, Chagas-Jr A, Karam MG & Vahtera V. BRAZIL: Bahia: Igrapiúna: 2♀ (MNRJ 08037), Igrapiúna, Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, CMN 42, 29.x –01.xi.2009, ARS Andrade leg.; idem, 2 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08040), CMN 42, 24 –25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08045), CMN 10, 24– 25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08049) CMN 68, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 5 ex. (MNRJ 08051), CMN 66, 27 – 29.iii.2010; idem, 1 juv. (MNRJ 08054), CMN 7, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08056), CMN 25, 03 – 06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08058), CMN 28, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 2 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08064), Winkler 17, 03 – 06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08074), CMN 33, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08076), CMN 52, 28 – 30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08079), CMN 14, 24–25.vii.2009; 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08082), CMN 22, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08089), CMN 5, 24–25.vii.2009; 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08090), CMN 55, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♀ 1 juv. (MNRJ 08097), CMN 21, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08101), CMN 27, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♀ 2 juv. (MNRJ 08104), CMN 67, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♂ 1 juv. (MNRJ 08105), CMN 63, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08108), CMN 30, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 2 ♂ 1 ♀ MNRJ 08110), CMN 19, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 2 juv. (MNRJ 08117), CMN 50, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08123), CMN 16, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08124), CMN 39, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08126), CMN 11, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08127), CMN 57, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08128), CMN 9, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♀ 2 juv. (MNRJ 08132), CMN 46, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08135), CMN 49, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♂ 3 ♀ (MNRJ 08136), CMN 23, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 2 ♀ (MNRJ 08138), CMN 15, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08139), CMN 64, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08143), CMN 8, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08144), CMN 24, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (MNRJ 08150), CMN 59, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (MNRJ 08151), CMN 45, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08155), CMN 6, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 2 ♂ 2 ♀ (MNRJ 08158), CMN 34, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 3 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08159), CMN 36, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (MNRJ 08166), CMN 40, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 4 ♂ 3 ♀ (MNRJ 08167), CMN 73, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08169), CMN 32, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (MNRJ 08172), CMN 74, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 2 ♂ 2 ♀ (MACN), CMN 69, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08183), CMN 51, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 3 ♂ 3 ♀ (MNRJ 08225), CMN 37, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08229), CMN 54, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 3 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08234), CMN 70, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08236), CMN 61, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 2 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08238), CMN 12, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08241), CMN 29, 03 –06.ix.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08247), CMN 35, 29.x –01.xi.2009; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08253), CMN 71, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08258) Brazil, Bahia, Igrapiúna, Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, CMN 56, 28 –30.i.2010; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08261) Brazil, Bahia, Igrapiúna, Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, CMN 3, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MNRJ 08272) Brazil, Bahia, Igrapiúna, Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, CMN 4, 24–25.vii.2009; idem, 1 ♂ (MNRJ 08275), CMN 62, 27 –29.iii.2010; idem, 3 ex. (MNRJ 08278), Winkler 57, Serrapilheira, 23–27.vii.2009.

Distribution. BRAZIL, Bahia: Aurelino Leal, Camacan, Elísio Medrado, Igrapiúna, Ilhéus, Itabuna, Itacaré, Juçari, Mata de São João, Porto Seguro, Santa Luzia, Una, Uruçuca.

Description (Male neotype): ( Figs 3–7 ). Measurements. Body length: 5.0. Maximum width of scutum: 4.2. Carapace length 1.9, width 2.9. Interocular distance: 0.6. Legs: I: 20.96 (0.64, 6.28, 1.16, 3.80, 6.12, 2.96), II: 41.91 (0.73, 11.82, 1.55, 9.36, 12.91, 5.55), III: 27.40 (1.00, 8.60, 1.40, 4.70, 7.70, 4.00), IV: 38.22 (1.00, 11.89, 1.78, 6.56, 11.44, 5.56).

Dorsum. Robust animal, with legs elongate but not filiform ( Fig. 3 a). Dorsal scutum in dorsal view betashaped with shallow cheliceral sockets ( Fig. 4 a). Dorsal scutum in lateral view convex, more so at area III, coxa IV greatly developed, thicker than scutum in lateral view ( Figs 3 c, 4b). Ocularium low, narrow, with median depression ( Figs 3 b, c, e, 5a). Scutal grooves poorly delimited. Scutum entirely glossy and unarmed, except for a pair of minute granules on area I and a pair of high paramedian acuminate spines with thicker base on area III ( Figs 3 b, c, 4b). Free tergites I–III and anal operculum smooth and unarmed ( Figs 3 c, f, 4a, b).

Venter ( Figs 3 d, 5d–f). Coxae I–III triangular, transverse to main body axis. Coxae II to IV connected by tubercle bridges. Ventral elements of coxa I: e1 = ca. 12 small tubercles forming a loose row; e2 = 3 large tubercles clustered; e3 = 1 very large conical process; e4 = 1 huge bifid process; e5 = indistinct cluster of 4–5 cusps. Coxa IV pentagonal, greatly developed, oriented obliquely, but almost parallel to body axis. Stigmatic area T-shaped with stigmata large, unconcealed. Free sternites smooth and unarmed.

Chelicera ( Figs 6 a–b). Neither basichelicerite nor hand thickened or swollen. Bulla short, rounded, bordered with short setiferous tubercles, 8 ectal and 7 posterior. Bulla dorso-mesal anteriorly with 2 triangular lobes.

Pedipalpus ( Figs 6 c–f). Tr with stout antero-dorsal protuberance. Fe strongly compressed, concave on mesal surface, unarmed both dorsally and ventrally. Ti strongly depressed, with weakly distinct groove on mesal edge. Shape asymmetrical, with ectal side more pronounced, armed distally with a row of 6 short spines and a conical process. Corresponding mesal side with a widely spaced row of 5 short spines. Ta moderately elongate, with tight irregular ventro-ectal row of 10 short spines, a much sparser ventro-mesal row of 7 short spines and a proximal mesal cluster of 5 short spines.

Legs. Elongate and moderately thick (growing thicker from I to IV), entirely unarmed. All femora straight. Tarsal claws unpectinate. Tarsal formula: 7(3)–?/14(3)–13(3)/8–8/7–9.

Color (in alcohol). Background of body (dorsal and ventral) and appendages Deep Red (13). Pedipalps and chelicerae Strong Yellow (84) with darker mottling. Mask blots Yellowish White (92). In vivo all appendages are uniform, considerably darker ( Fig. 2 c).

Genitalia ( Figs 7 a–e). Ventral plate of penis rectangular and very elongate, widening slightly distally, and with distal border widest, distinct, as a transverse bar. Lateral margins of dorsal portion of VP strongly concave along their length. Four pairs of larger macrosetae inserted on lateral margin of VP: Two pairs C1–C2 greatly developed, curved and flattened, the third pair of macrosetae, adjacent to C1-C2, robust, cylindrical and straight, is best interpreted as D1, while D2 is much reduced and located proximally. The fourth pair of MS, here interpreted as A1, is extremely similar in shape to D1 and also pointing basally. A pair of small microsetae B is located ventro-basally on VP, while E1–E2 also reduced are located more ventrally and distally to D2. Microsetae almost entirely absent, but for a small ventrodistal patch. Stylus strongly curved, flattened, with apical depression flanked by a short wattle. Ventral process of glans flat, thumb-shaped.

Variation of the scaramuccia mask ( Figs 8 a–l). We have not found any specimen with a complete mask as in the hypothetic reconstruction in Fig. 2 a. There are always dissociated elements and the progression of this dissociation is not linear. Element ae (arborescent ears) is quite constant in all specimens examined, mostly welldeveloped ( Figs 8 a–e), always punctured by the minor ocellar fenestrae (mo). In some specimens ae are reduced and mo are few and large ( Fig. 8 i). Element cp (cheek projection) is almost always reduced, in many specimens only the distal part remains, severed from the main body of the mask ( Figs 8 a, 8k), sometimes entirely lacking ( Figs 8 g–j). An example of an entire cp is Fig 8 f. Anterior ribs (elements r1 and r2) are mostly lacking altogether. Often there are small blots, which are remnants of the complete rib. Also their stubs sometimes are seen along the backbone (bb). Element r3 is most often reduced, with short branches (as in Perty’s specimen) sometimes there are only two round blots marking its extremity, sometimes the dissociation is such that even some of bb is also lost ( Fig. 8 l). The main ocellar fenestrae (element oc) are typically very small (including Perty’s specimen, and see the other extreme in Fig. 8 d), but correlated with this dissociation, the “eyes” of the mask are wide open ( Figs 8 f–l). Two pairs of satellite blots (s1–s2) are always present.

Female. Very similar to male, differing only by coxa IV being entirely hidden under dorsal scutum in dorsal view and by basitarsomeres of leg I not thickened.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Species of Cosmetidae relevant to the discussion on the identity of Flirtea. a. Cosmetus pictus Perty 1833; from Perty’s (1833) original description, type material lost; b. Misinterpretation of Flirtea picta by C. L. Koch (1839), not based on type material; c. Cynorta pictoides sp. nov. female paratype (ZMB 960), material on which Koch’s fig. 581 was based; d. Flirtea phalerata C. L. Koch 1839, from original description, fig. 591; e. Misinterpretation of Flirtea picta (figs 391 – 392) by Roewer (1923), not based on type material; f. Cynorta pictoides sp. nov. male holotype (SMF RI 431), material on which Roewer’s figs 391 – 392 were based. Figs 1 c and 1 f courtesy R. Pinto-da-Rocha.

FIGURE 2. Dorsal mask blot of Flirtea: a. Schematic reconstruction of the hypothetical most complete state. b. Scaramuccia mask of the Commedia dell’Arte, the shape of which is a mnemonic used here to refer to this kind of blot pattern; c. Living specimen from Una, Bahia. Figure 2 c courtesy of Pedro Martins. Abbreviations: ae = arborescent ears; bb = backbone; cp = cheek projection; mo = minor ocelli; oc = main ocellar fenestra; r 1 - 3 = ribs 1 to 3; s 1 - s 2 = satellite blots 1 to 2.

FIGURE 3. Flirtea picta (Perty, 1833), male neotype of Cosmetus pictus (MNRJ 2465): a. Habitus, dorsal view; b. Same, detail of dorsal scutum; c. Same, lateral view; d. Same, ventral view; e. Same, frontal view; f. Same, posterior view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Flirtea picta (Perty, 1833), male neotype of Cosmetus pictus (MNRJ 2465): a. Habitus, dorsal view; b. Same, lateral view. Figs c – e: right legs, lateral view; c. Ta I; d. Ta II; e. Ta III; f. Ta IV; g. Leg IV, prolateral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 5. Flirtea picta (Perty, 1833), male (MNRJ 8566): a. Ocularium and frontal hump, antero-dorsal view; b. Carapace, right lateral border and coxal apophyses I – II, dorso-latero-anterior view; c. Same, antero-lateral view; d. Right coxae I – III, oblique ventral view; e. Coxosternal and stigmatic region, antero-ventral view; f. Right coxa I, detail, ventral view. Abbreviations: e 1 to e 5 = elements of ventral coxa I. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (b, d, e); 0.2 mm (a, c, f).

FIGURE 6. Flirtea picta (Perty, 1833), male (MNRJ 8566 Ch and MNRJ 8175 Pp): a. Left Ch, basichelicerite, dorsal view; b. Same, whole chelicera, mesal view; c. Right Pp, Tr and Fe, mesal view; d. Same, Ti and Ta, mesal view; e. Same, Ti partial and Ta, antero-ventral view; f. Same, Ta, ventro-mesal view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (b, c, d); 0.2 mm (a, e); 0.1 mm (f).

FIGURE 7. Flirtea picta (MNRJ 8225), penis distal part: a. Dorsal view; b. Lateral view; c. Ventral view; d. Glans, oblique view; e. Glans, detail of watlle, apical view. Scale bars: 0.05 mm (a, b, c), 0.02 mm (d), 0.01 mm (e).

FIGURE 8. Scutal white mask of Flirtea picta. Variations in the pattern (MNRJ 5704, MNRJ 7133, MNRJ 7660, MNRJ 8167, MNRJ 8225).