Sarax javensis ( Gravely, 1915 )

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 : 188-190

Sarax javensis ( Gravely, 1915)

Figs 103 , 115–116 ; Table 8

Phrynichosarax javensis Gravely, 1915b: 439 , fig. 3.0.

Phrynicosarax javensis – Mello-Leitão 1931: 52.

Phrynichosarax javanensis – Giltay 1931: 24–25.

Sarax javensis – Harvey 2003: 8.

Diagnosis

This species may be separated from other species of Sarax in Southeast Asia and Oceania by the following combination of characters: ventral sac cover present; female gonopod finger-like; cheliceral basal segment with prominent, acute tooth on retrolateral surface, adjacent to bifid tooth; pedipalp patella with two short ventral spines between spine I and distal margin; pedipalp tarsus with one dorsal spine.

Etymology

Adjective referring to the Indonesian island of Java, on which the type locality is situated.

Type material

Holotype INDONESIA • Java, Buitenzorg [Bogor], Jawa Berat ; 1 ex., Indian Museum (now the Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta) [not examined].

Additional material

INDONESIA • 1 ♀; Java, Gua Kokop, Pacitan ; 13 Jul. 1992; Ratih Aryasari le g.; on wall; WAM T80539 • 1 ♀; Gua Kokop, Pacitan ; J. Lowry leg.; parts of exuvia; WAM T80543 • 2 ♀♀, 2 juv.; Gua Kamidordo , Pacitan ; Juguono leg.; WAM T80541 • 1 ♀; Leweng Jaran, Pacitan ; Muksin leg.; WAM T80542 • 1 ♀; Gua Kendil, Pacitan ; Muksin and J. Lowry leg.; WAM T80540 • 1 juv. ♂ [misidentified as 1 ♀]; Jjompea ; 11 Mar. 1904; ZMH; 1 ♀; Ichmiedekneas; 5 Aug. 1902; ZMH .

Redescription

CARAPACE. Six anterior setae; frontal process triangular. Small granules densely scattered between ocular triads and among sulci. Median eyes and median ocular tubercle well developed; pair of setae on median ocular tubercle; lateral eyes well developed, pale, seta lateral to lateral ocular triad; lateral ocular triad situated near carapace margin; curved carina between ocular triads and carapace margin, not contacting eyes.

STERNUM. Tritosternum projected anteriorly with typical setation, long, surpassing base of pedipalp coxae; other sternal platelets narrow and projected, with pair of setae anteriorly on plaque and some smaller setae posteriorly; pentasternum with four setae near posterior margin of platelet.

OPISTHOSOMA. Ventral sac cover well developed.

GENITALIA. Female genital operculum with short setae posteromedially ( Fig. 115A–C ); pair of low, white bulges medially with slender setae apically ( Fig. 115A–C ); gonopod finger-like, unsclerotized basally ( Fig. 115A, C, E ); denticulate surface between gonopod and posterior margin of genital operculum ( Fig. 115D ). Adult male unknown (only male studied was immature).

CHELICERAE. Retrolateral surface of basal segment with short, acute projection, opposite to bifid tooth; retrolateral surface of claw with row of setae basally to medially; claw with three teeth; row of several setae on prolateral surface of basal segment; bifid tooth on basal segment with dorsal cusp larger than ventral cusp.

PEDIPALPS. Coxae without seta encircled by round carina and with two or three setae on margin. Femur with three or four dorsal spines and three or four ventral spines; two or three prominent setiferous tubercles between dorsal spine 1 and proximal margin; ventral spine between spine 1 and proximal margin; spine present or absent between ventral spines 1 and 2, and spines 2 and 3. Patella with four or five dorsal spines in primary series; prominent setiferous tubercle distal to spine I; three ventral spines; two short spines between spine I and distal border. Tibia with ventral spine distally and three setae between spine and distal margin. Tarsus with one dorsal spine; cleaning organ with 25–29 setae in ventral row.

LEGS. Tibia of leg I with 23 articles; tarsus I with 41 articles; tarsal organ close to tarsal claw ( Fig. 116A– C ); rod sensilla with six setae and in shallow groove ( Fig. 116B, E ); first and second tarsal articles equal in length. Leg IV basitibia with four pseudo-articles, with sclerotized, denticulate margin at apex of articles; trichobothrium bt situated in medial third of pseudo-article; distitibia trichobothrium bc situated closer to sbf than to bf; sc and sf series each with six trichobothria.

Measurements

See Table 8.

Distribution

Known only from the Indonesian island of Java.

Natural history

Several specimens were collected in caves.

Remarks

According to Gravely (1915), the holotype was deposited at the Indian Museum (now the Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta). The types of some of Gravely’s (1915) other species are deposited at SMF but the holotype of this species could not be located and may be lost.

Figures

Fig. 103. Map plotting known distributions of species of Sarax Simon, 1892 in Southeast Asia and Oceania, with insets for Singapore (A), eastern Borneo (B), and western West Papua (C).

Fig. 115. Sarax javensis (Gravely, 1915) (WAM T80541), female gonopod and genital operculum. A. Finger-like gonopod, dorsal view. B. Posterior margin of genital operculum, ventral view. C. Gonopods, posterior view. D. Genital operculum between gonopods. F. Dextral gonopod.

Fig. 116. Sarax javensis (Gravely, 1915) (WAM T80541), antenniform leg I, ♀. A. Apex of distal article. B. Distal segment of tarsus, lateral view. C–D. Detail of tarsal organ. E. Rod sensilla and olfactory setae.