Filopalpus altomontanus, Martens, 2022

Martens, Jochen, 2022, From the Ethiopian Bale Mountains hotspot-Filopalpinae subfam. nov., a new taxon of Laniatorean harvestmen based on external and genital morphology (Arachnida, Opiliones, Assamiidae), Zootaxa 5159 (2), pp. 221-244 : 236-238

Filopalpus altomontanus sp. nov.

( Figs 58–65 )

Type material: Holotype (CJM 9001): ♀, ETHIOPIA, Oromia, Bale Mountains, evironment of Wasama Camp , 3900–4150 m a.s.l., leg. 23. – 25.02.2015; 06°55’N, 39°46’E.

Diagnosis: Basal article of chelicera markedly inflated in distal part, pedipalpal Fe slightly longer than Pt, strong ve setae of pedipalpal Ti and Ta placed on a long and slender Apo each.

Etymology: It refers to the afro-alpine habitat of the single collecting locality. Latin altus is high, montanus indicates a mountainous area; adjective form.

Description. FEMALE. Body, dorsal side ( Figs 58, 60 ): Small species (2.3), longish, slightly broadened towards posteriad end. Strong equipment with low and rounded apophyses all over, additional groups of elongated strong stump apophyses in two irregular para-median rows on the abdominal areae I–IV, additional markedly elevated apophyses of various sizes on free tergites (two of them to be seen from above). Front margin of prosoma with long distad-directed pointed apophyses of different sizes, three on left side, four on right side.

Tuber oculorum ( Figs 58, 60 ): Small, situated close to frontal rim of prosoma, heavily equipped with prominent stump apophyses, the largest one emerging from anterior mid-border of Tu oc, distinctly surpassing frontal rim of prosoma, smaller ones each on right (four) and left side (three) of Tu oc.

Color pattern ( Figs 58, 60 ): Whole body light yellowish to whitish and soft, no pattern discernible, apparently due to short span after final moult.

Body, ventral side ( Fig. 59 ): Cx equipped with large (Cx I) or smaller (Cx II–IV) rounded or slightly pointed apophyses, on Cx II–IV concentrated on distal part and in addition on proximal part (Cx II) or distal margin (Cx III, IV); Op gen with minute apophyses, sternites with one row each of small apophyses, remainder of ve side with scattered medium-sized apophyses, larger on the 3 rd free sternite.

Legs: Generally light to translucent, without any pattern, size normal. All articles rounded in cross section, leg I with a ve row of marked pointed apohyses, all legs equipped with scattered small apophyses and fine setae interspersed.

Chelicera ( Figs 61–62 ): Basal article rather compact, with a strong do and a less accentuated ve constriction causing a barbell-like form, distal part rather inflated, few apophyses topped with setae dorso-distally and ventrodistally on basal article, minute apophyses scattered on dorsal parts of basal article, 2 nd article smooth, minute apophyses and long setae frontally and around insertion of 3 rd article.

Pedipalp ( Figs 63–65 ): Rather slender (in comparison to females of other species). Tr distally enlarged, with one ve apophysis with strong seta on top; Fe smooth, parallel-sided at basal half, slightly broadened distally, from close to the basis bent to do side, with few scattered setae, no apophyses; Pt markedly elongated and only slightly shorter than Fe, slightly curved to ventral side, parallel-sided, mainly dorsally slightly inflated at distal end; Ti much shorter, only about one third of Pt length, ventrally equipped with three elevated apophyses with strong immovable seta on top ( Figs 63–65 ). Ta with four seta-topped apophysis ventrally and few additional small setae interspersed. Claw strong, slightly shorter than Ta.

Male: Unknown

Measurements (female):

Body length: Including pointed apophyses on distal and proximal rim of scutum, in parenthesis without apophyses but including free tergites 2.3 (2.1).

Leg II: Tr 0.3, Fe 1.6, Pt 0.4, Ti 1.5, Mt 1.4, Ta 1.6; total: 6.8.

Pedipalp: Tr 0.2, Fe 1.0, Pt 0.9, Ti 0.4, Ta 0.4, claw 0.3; total: 3.2.

Number of tarsomeres on legs I–IV (right and left leg): I 1/1, II 3/3, III -, IV 2/2.

Distribution and habitat: The species is only known from the type locality at an elevation between 3900 and 4150 m a.s.l. situated in the afro-alpine altitudinal belt. Prior to the marked slash-and burn impact of men this was the zone of light Erica forest, but presently it is largely eradicated. Today, at this spot giant lobelias ( Lobelia , Campanulaceae ) are most prominent and remnant Erica bush prevails especially on steep slopes. The specimen was collected along a stream.

Figures

FIGURES 58–65. Filopalpus altomontanus sp. nov. Female holotype. 58–60. Habitus in dorsal (58), ventral (59) and lateral view (60). 61–62. Chelicera in pro-lateral-view (61) and retro-lateral view (62). 63. Pedipalp, retro-lateral view. 64. Pedipalpal tibia and tarsus, retro-lateral view. 65.Apophysis and sensory hair on pedipalpal tarsus. Scales: 58–60: 0.6 mm, 61–62: 0.3 mm, 63: 0.5 mm, 65: 0.025 mm.