Charinus elegans Weygoldt, 2006

Miranda, Gustavo Silva de, Giupponi, Alessandro P. L., Prendini, Lorenzo & Scharff, Nikolaj, 2021, Systematic revision of the pantropical whip spider family Charinidae Quintero, 1986 (Arachnida, Amblypygi), European Journal of Taxonomy 772, pp. 1-409 : 159-160

Charinus elegans Weygoldt, 2006 , stat. nov.

Figs 94 , 96–97 ; Table 7

Charinus australianus elegans Weygoldt, 2006b: 18–20 , figs 3–4, 14, 22, 25–26.

Diagnosis

Based in part on Weygoldt (2006a), this species may be separated from other species of Charinus in New Caledonia by the slightly larger size, and more vivid colouration. It differs from C. cavernicolus , in particular, by the form and decoration of the male spermatophore, and the presence of a spine between ventral spine 1 and the proximal margin of the pedipalp femur.

Etymology

Latin adjective referring to the elegant appearance of the species, due to the brighter coloration and longer legs ( Weygoldt 2006).

Type material

Holotype NEW CALEDONIA • ♂; Grotte d’Adio; 28 Nov. 2004; S. Huber; MNHN AM 3 .

Paratype NEW CALEDONIA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; MNHN AM 4 .

Additional material

NEW CALEDONIA • 1 ♂ [small], 1 ♀ exuvium; Poya, Grottes d’Adio; 2 Apr. 1977; Strinati et al. leg. MNHG GSM 2 • 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂; Grotte d’Adio ; 28 Nov. 2004; S. Huber leg.; MNHG GSM 11 • 1 ♀; Grotte d’Adio; 28 Nov. 2004; S. Huber and P. Weygoldt leg.; cave ; AMCC [ LP 5175 ] .

Supplementary description

CARAPACE. Median eyes and median ocular tubercle well developed ( Fig. 96A ); pair of setae on median ocular tubercle; lateral eyes well developed, seta posterior to lateral ocular triad; lateral ocular triad well separated from margin of carapace.

STERNUM. Tritosternum projected anteriorly with typical setation ( Fig. 96B ); other sternal platelets wide, with seta on each lateral border and some smaller setae in between; pentasternum with two setae anteriorly and without seta in membranous region.

OPISTHOSOMA. Ventral sacs and ventral sac cover absent.

GENITALIA. Posterior margin of female genital operculum slightly convex; gonopod cushion-like (see Weygoldt 2006b: figs 3–4), unsclerotized basally. Male gonopod with border of fistula and lateral lobes sclerotized; LaM long and thin ( Fig. 97A ); LoL2 fimbriate and short ( Fig. 97B, D ); LoD wide with denticulate surface ( Fig. 97C ); inner region of fistula with spikes ( Fig. 97E ).

CHELICERAE. Small, flat tooth on retrolateral surface of basal segment, opposite to bifid tooth; retrolateral surface of claw with row of setae restricted to base; claw with five teeth; row of eleven setae on prolateral surface of basal segment; bifid tooth on basal segment with dorsal cusp larger than ventral cusp.

PEDIPALPS. Coxal dorsal carina with seta encircled by round carina and four setae on margin. Femur with three or four (sinistral pedipalp of paratype) dorsal spines and four ventral spines (paratype with large spine between spines 2 and 3, and fourth spine, on sinistral pedipalp and small spine between spines 2 and 3 on dextral pedipalp) ( Fig. 96E–F ); three setiferous tubercles between dorsal spine 1 and proximal margin. Patella with three dorsal spines and two prominent setiferous tubercles proximal to spine 3 ( Fig. 96E ); prominent setiferous tubercle distal to spine I, one-third length of spine I; two ventral spines ( Fig. 96F ); three setiferous tubercles between spine I and distal margin. Tibia with ventral spine distally and three setae between spine and distal margin; several long, slender setae prolateral to ventral spines. Tarsus with two dorsal spines, distal spine long, more than half length of tarsus, and proximal spine onethird length of distal spine ( Fig. 96D ); several long, slender setae ventral to distal spine; cleaning organ with 30–33 setae in ventral row.

LEGS. Tibia of leg I with 23 articles; tarsus I with 41 articles; first tarsal article slightly longer than second article (mean length of first article: 0.6 mm; mean length of second article: 0.41 mm; n =3); tarsal organ situated near the base of the claw ( Fig. 98A, D–E ); rod sensilla with circa of seven setae in shallow groove ( Fig. 98B–C ). Leg IV basitibia with four pseudo-articles, trichobothrium bt situated medially on pseudo-article; distitibia trichobothrium bc situated closer to sbf than to bf, sc and sf series each with five trichobothria.

Measurements

See Table 7.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality.

Natural history

Specimens were found in a deep limestone cave with a small stream running through.

Remarks

The sex of the female paratype (MNHN AM 4) is consistent with the description of Weygoldt (2006).

Figures

Fig. 94. Map plotting known distributions of species of Charinus Simon, 1892 in Oceania, with inset for New Caledonia.

Fig. 96. Charinus elegans Weygoldt, 2006 (MNHN), general morphology, ♀. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Sternum, ventral view. C. Frontal process. D. Pedipalp tarsus, frontal view. E. Pedipalp, dorsal view. F. Pedipalp, ventral view. Scale bars: A, E–F = 1 mm; B–D = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 97. Charinus elegans Weygoldt, 2006 (MHNG), male gonopod. A. Ventral view. B. Posterior view. C. Dorsal lobe. D. Lateral lobe 2 and processus internus. E. Inner region of fistula (behind PI) showing spiny surface. F. Pedipalp, ventral view. Scale bars: A, E–F = 1 mm; B–D = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 98. Charinus elegans Weygoldt, 2006 (MHNG), antenniform leg I, ♂. A. Apex of distal article. B. Distal segment of tarsus, lateral view. C. Rod sensilla and olfactory setae. D. Apex of distal article of tarsus showing claw and tarsal organ. E. Detail of tarsal organ.