Roncus elbulli Zaragoza & Henderickx, 2009

Zaragoza, Juan & Henderickx, Hans, 2009, Roncus elbulli (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones), a new species from Cap de Creus Nature Park (Catalonia, Spain), with a key to the Spanish species of the genus Roncus, ZooKeys 8 (8), pp. 19-34 : 21-29

Roncus elbulli Zaragoza & Henderickx , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C5E30FF8-4D84-4332-A707-8F01F04A4785

( Figs 1-14 , 16-18 )

Type material. Male holotype: Spain, Catalonia, Gerona province, Cap de Creus Natural Park , Roses , Cala Montjoi , coordinates 42° 15’ 29.75” N, 3° 13’ 23.79” W, altitude 100m, under stones, 15 November 2005, leg. H. Henderickx (deposited in DEUA). Paratypes: (all from same location as the holotype or from neighbouring bay slopes “calas”; all collected by H. Henderickx): Cala Canadell , 42° 15’ 11.99” N, 3° 14’ 33.17” W, alt. 100 m, 2 males, 3 females, 29 October 2002 (1 male 1 female deposited in HHC, 1 male in MHNG, 1 female in DEUA, 1 female in MCNB) ; Cala Montjoi , 42° 15’ 29.75” N, 3° 13’ 23.79” W, alt. 100 m, 5 males, 15 November 2005 (1 male deposited in HHC, 1 male in MCNB, 1 male in MNCNM, 1 male in MNHNP, 1 male in DEUA) ; Cala Rostella , 42° 14’ 42.42” N, 3° 13’ 23.97” W, alt. 100 m, 2 males, 27 October 2003 (1 male deposited in DEUA, 1 male in NHMW) ; Cala Murtra , 42° 14’ 32.92” N, 3° 13’ 16.52” W, alt. 100m, 1 female, 31 October 2002 (deposited in MCNB) ; 1 male, 1 female, 29 November 2002 (male deposited in MNCNM, female in MHNG) ; 1 male, 1 female, 2 December 2002 (male deposited in NHMW, female in MNHNP) ; 1 female, 27 December 2003 (deposited in DEUA) .

Diagnosis. Epigean Roncus with typical roncoid facies, robust palps, small in size. Carapace longer than broad, av.: 1.20×; epistome moderately prominent; chaetotaxy: 4-8-6-6: 24. Anterior process of coxa I with tooth shape, medial process without denticles. Palp femur granulated at the paraxial face but without tubercles, one tubercle at middle of antiaxial face; longer than either chelal finger or carapace; males 3.19-3.53×(0.56-0.67/0.17-0.20), females 3.20-3.48×(0.66-0.78/0.20-0.24). Patella smooth. Chela, males 2.99-3.16×(0.94-1.14/0.30-0.38), females 2.83-3.08×(1.11- 1.34/0.38-0.47). Chelal finger longer than the hand. Chelal fixed finger with 60 (av.) teeth, movable finger 56 (av.). Without microsetae proximal to the trichobothrium eb. One or two, even without microsetae below trichobothria eb and esb.

Etymology. The species epithet, elbulli , is a noun in apposition and refers to the world-famous Restaurante El Bulli, which is located at the locus typicus, Cala Montjoi.

Description. The data correspond to the male holotype, followed by paratype males and females data in parentheses. Measurements and ratios in Table 1 .

Opisthosomal pleura and legs yellowish, tergites slightly sclerotized. Carapace, chelicerae and pedipalps reddish.

Carapace ( Fig. 3 ) longer than broad, widest at the middle. One pair of reduced eyes with flattened lenses 0.050 (0.050 -0.065) mm long, situated 0.055 (0.058 -0.086) mm from anterior margin. Epistome moderately prominent ( Fig. 4 ), isosceles triangleshaped, longest side opposite to apex (or equilateral), apex slightly rounded (or point- ed), 0.016 (0.013 -0.035) mm long and 0.025 (0.015 -0.035) mm wide. Chaetotaxy: 24 (24-26) setae, formula: 4:6:8:6 (4:5-6:8-10:6). Glandular pores present, 3 (0-4) on

each side between anterior and ocular zones. One microlyrifissure close to each eye and one on each side of the posterior zone.

Coxal area. Manducatory process with 4 (3-4) setae; palpal coxa with 8 (7-9) setae, pedal coxa I with 8 (6-8) setae, II: 6-7 (6-7), III: 5 (4-6), IV: 7-9 (7-9). Anterior process of coxa I ( Fig. 5 ) with simple tooth shape, apically pointed (seldom culminating in two denticles), 0.023 (0.015 -0.030) mm long and 0.015 (0.015 -0.023) mm broad; medial process straight, not prominent, without denticles.

Tergal chaetotaxy I–X: 6:10:11:11:11:11:11:11:11(4 PT):9(4 TS) (5-8:9-11:10- 11:11:11:11-12:11-12:11-12:11:9-10). Segment XI with 10 setae, 6 of which are tactile setae. Anal cone with 2 dorsal and 2 ventral setae. Male genital area with 14 (11-19) setae on sternite II; sternite III with 14 (13-19) setae, 5 (5-9) of them along posterior margin of genital opening; genital opening with 2+2 internal setae. Female genital opening with 6-9 microsetae on sternite II and 11 on sternite III. Chaetotaxy of sternites IV–X: 8:13:14:14:13:14:14(2 PT) (8-10:11-15:12-14:12-14:12-14:12-13:9- 11-14). Th ree microsetae on each stigmata of sternites III and IV.

Chelicera ( Figs 6-7 ) with 6 setae on hand (one male with 7 on both chelicera) and one seta on movable finger, 0.66× (0.64-0.71) from base. Without granulation at base of movable finger. Spinneret is a flattened hyaline tubercle (slightly lower in males than in females) with 4 silk ducts. Fixed finger with 4 (4-9) apical protuberances and 12 (9- 14) medium and small size teeth; movable finger with 3 (1-5) apical protuberances and 9 (8-11) teeth, 1 (1-2) of large size. Rallum with 8 (7-9) denticulate blades, length of proximal blade about one third that of others; serrula exterior with 26 (25-28) blades, serrula interior with 22 (22-25) blades.

Palps (Figs 10-12, 16-18), trochanter with one robust tubercle and two small protuberances on antiaxial face; with tiny dorsal denticulation in distal half; paraxial face of femur completely granulated but without tubercles, one tubercle at middle of antiaxial face, one glandular pore mediodistally, measurements (av.): 3.37×(0.62/0.18), females 3.28×(0.71-0.22). Patella smooth, one (one or two) micropores at base of pedicel, some lyrifissures as shown in Fig. 10. Chela (Figs 11, 12, 16-18) (av.): males 3.06×(1.05/0.34), females 2.96×(1.22/0.41); two male specimens from Cala Montjoi and both males from Cala Rostella have a chelal ratio>3.10× and show a shorter chelal length of <1.00 mm. Paraxial face of hand granulated at base of fixed finger, one pore at antiaxial face close to finger base; two (one or two) micropores at base of dorsal face of pedicel; ratio length chelal finger/hand, av.: males 1.16×, females 1.06×. Fixed finger with 60 (57-69) teeth up to level of trichobothrium ib; nodus ramosus at level of 5th (4-6th) distal tooth; distance between trichobothria ib and ist 1.76 (1.46-2.27) times longer than that between ist and it; two (0-2) microsetae below trichobothria eb and esb (Figs 13, 14, 17), sometimes one microsetae is also found clearly distal of eb, but it is slightly longer and is not considered to belong to this group; one lyrifissure at level of trichobothria eb, ib and et, one on the paraxial face of the hand close to finger base. One sensillum near the tip of both fingers. Movable finger with 54 (51-59) teeth, ending at level of trichobothrium b (or just distal); distance between trichobothria s b and st 1.04 (0.86-1.06) longer than distance b–sb; one sensillum (p 1) close to dental margin, above or slightly distal of trichobothrium sb, another sensillum (p 2) distal of sb (more or less close to trichobothrium, but always distal); two ventral glandular pores distal and proximal to sb; one lyrifissure basal of trichobothrium b, one between b and sb and one slightly basal, level with or even distal of sb; one female paratype from Cala Canadell shows a teratological absence of trichobothrium b.

Claws of legs I and IV ( Fig. 9 ) with a tiny tooth at middle of dorsal side. Leg IV ( Fig. 8 ) tibia TS ratio>0.50, typical for Roncus (Zaragoza 2008) : 0.53 (0.51-0.66), basitarsus TS ratio 0.19 (0.14-0.21), telotarsus TS ratio: 0.36 (0.32-0.39); subterminal setae ( Fig. 9 ) 0.048 (0.048 -0.068) mm long, with three rami, the longest [L=0.023 (0.021 -0.033)] and the next longest [L=0.013 (0.013 -0.020)] with scarce spinules, the shortest [L=0.004 (0.05-0.008, apically broken in many specimens)] smooth.

Distribution. The new species has been located on four slopes of the bay “calas”, between Cabo Norfeu and Punta Falconera, Rosas, Cap de Creus Natural Park. Starting at the Restaurant ‘El Bulli’ (Cala Montjoi), a small steep path climbs up the slope to an altitude of 100 m, where the new Roncus species was found. Although several other locations on the Cap de Creus peninsula were sampled, the species was only found on the southern slopes.

Biology. The new species lives under stones in the garrigue, a semiarid environment that is exposed to the sun. This habitat is new for the genus in Spain: Roncus species in this country are usually found in humid forests or in caves, although some

other Mediterranean species had been reported from the garrigue and xeric habitats (e.g. Gardini 1981, 1991). Th e new species seems to have found a seasonal niche: all specimens were found during the short humid period in the middle of the winter. The Cap de Creus peninsula bears several endemic invertebrates and another probably endemic pseudoscorpion, Allochernes deceuninckorum Henderickx & Vets 2003 , has been described from the southern slopes ( Henderickx and Vets 2003).

Remarks. Following Mahnert’s (1977) key and recent papers of Henderickx and Zaragoza (2005), Zaragoza et al. (2007) and Zaragoza and Šťáhlavský (2008), amongst the Roncus species from Spain with a roncoid form, the new species belongs to the group with a robust palpal femur (ratio <4.00×). It most closely resembles Roncus cadinensis Zaragoza, 2007 , recently described from Catalonia. In general, these two species are morphologically very close, but some distinctive characteristics are found: the average palpal chela ratio is 3.06 (1.05/0.34) in males of the new species, but 3.34 (1.17/0.35) in R. cadinensis ; the paraxial face of the chelal hand is more convex in the new species; the average palpal femur length is 0.62 in males of R. elbulli sp. n., versus about 0.69 in R. cadinensis ; carapaceal epistome more prominent (av.: 0.020 mm long)

and pointed in the new species, as opposed to short (av.: 0.014 mm long) and rounded in R. cadinensis . On average, the distance ib -ist is 1.86× distance ist–it, and the distance sb–st is 0.98× distance b–sb in the new species, whereas in R. cadinensis the distance ib -ist is 1.56× distance ist–it, and the distance sb–st is 1.13× distance b–sb. The chelal microsetae pattern, as defined by Zaragoza and Šťáhlavský (2008) for the microsetae below trichobothria eb and esb, is reduced in R. elbulli sp. n.: some specimens bear only one or two microsetae (Figs 13, 14, 17), two specimens lack microsetae on one chela and one male lacks them on both chelae; R. cadinensis usually bears three or four microsetae in the same area (Figs 15, 19) (only one female of R. cadinensis with two microsetae between eb -esb and one level with esb, the latter being considered as part of a group of three microsetae).

There is also an important difference in the habitat preferences of the two species: R. cadinensis occurs at 950-1400 m altitude in gallery forest and pine forest ( Pinus sylvestris ) biotopes, whereas R. elbulli sp. n. occurs at 100 m altitude in the garrigue relatively close to the coast.

Roncus pugnax (Navás, 1918) was previously the only Spanish species with a chelal ratio of about 3.00 ( Beier 1963). Th is species shows wide variation in morphometry ( Beier 1939) and it might represent a “complex” of different species. However, all specimens assigned to R. pugnax have long chelal appendages (femur> 0.90 mm, chela>1.70), much longer than those of R. elbulli sp. n.

Concerning the western Mediterranean species of the genus, R. elbulli sp. n. differs from the French epigean species included in Gardini’s keys (1982, 1991). Roncus binaghii Gardini, 1991 (mainland France and Italy) coincides in having short palps, but the length/breadth ratios are higher than in the new Spanish species (e.g. male chela 3.25 and hand 1.66 on average in R. binaghii ). R. binaghii also differs in having the femur the same length as the finger and denticles on the medial process of coxa I. According to the keys of Gardini and Rizzerio (1985, 1986) and Gardini (1991, 1992, 1993) for the numerous mainland Italian species, R. elbulli sp. n. groups with the species with 6 setae on the carapaceal posterior row, medial process of coxa I without denticles, palpal patella smooth, palpal femur without tubercles on paraxial face and short chelal appendages. Th ese characteristics again lead to R. binaghii , which has been discussed above.

Among the epigean species from Sardinia, R. elbulli sp. n. resembles Roncus abditus (J.C. Chamberlin, 1930) and Roncus caralitanus Gardini, 1981 , both species with short palpal segments and a chela ratio of about 3.00× ( Gardini 1981; Gardini and Rizzerio 1985, 1987). R. caralitanus and R. duboscqi differ from R. elbulli sp. n. in having the carapace as long as broad ( R. elbulli sp. n. av.: 1.20×), a higher chelal hand ratio in males (>1.60×, versus <1.50×, av.: 1.47×), the chelal finger equal in length to the hand in the males (longer than hand in R. elbulli sp. n.), and fewer teeth on the chelal fingers (<50, as opposed to 57-69 on fixed finger and 51-59 on movable finger in R. elbulli sp. n.).

Figures

Figure 1. Map showing the bay slopes “calas” where Roncus elbulli sp. n. is found.

Figure 2. Habitus of Roncus elbulli sp. n. (Cap de Creus, October 2002).

Figures 3-9. Roncus elbulli sp. n., male holotype. 3. carapace; 4. anterior margin of carapace, showing epistome; 5. anterior and medial processes of coxa I; 6. left chelicera; 7. fingers of left chelicera, partial view; 8. right leg IV, lateral view; 9. distal end of tarsus and apotele of left leg IV, lateral view. Scale bars (mm): 0.05 (Figs 4, 5, 7, 9), 0.10 (Fig. 6), 0.20 (Figs 3, 8).

Figures 10-15. Roncus elbulli sp. n., male holotype (except where otherwise noted): 10. left palp, without chela, dorsal view; 11. left chela, dorsal view; 12. left chela, lateral view; 13. male paratype, chelal microsetae pattern below trichobothria eb/esb. 14. chelal microsetae pattern below trichobothria eb/esb. Scale bars (mm): 0.05 (Figs 13-14), 0.20 (Figs 10-12). 15. Roncus cadinensis Zaragoza, 2007, male holotype: chelal microsetae pattern below trichobothria eb/esb. Scale bar (mm): 0.05.

Figures 16-19. Roncus elbulli sp. n., female paratype, Cala Canadell. SEM photographs: 16. left palp, dorsal view; 17. chelal microsetae pattern below trichobothria eb/esb; 18. fingers of the chela, antiaxial face, partial view, showing trichobothrium sb and sensilla p1 and p2 on movable finger. Roncus cadinensis Zaragoza, 2007, male paratype. SEM photograph: 19. chelal microsetae pattern below trichobothria eb/ esb. Scale bars (mm): 0.05 (Figs 17, 18), 0.10 (Fig. 19), 0.50 (Fig. 16).

Tables

Table 1. Roncus elbulli sp. n.: measurements and ratios

Roncus elbulli sp. n.	♁ holotype	11 ♁ paratypes	7 ♀ paratypes
Body	1.72	1.40-2.12	1.45-2.88
Carapace	1.21× (0.58/0.48)	1.13-1.25× (0.56-0.69/0.47-0.55)	1.15-1.27× (0.65-0.76/0.54-0.66)
Chelicera
Hand	0.36/0.18	0.32-0.39/0.17-0.20	0.39-0.47/0.21-0.23
Finger	0.25	0.23-0.34	0.27-0.34
Palp
Trochanter	1.98× (0.35/0.18)	2.00-2.28× (0.34-0.42/0.16-0.20)	1.95-2.13× (0.39-0.48/0.19-0.23)
Femur	3.19× (0.59/0.19)	3.19-3.53× (0.56-0.67/0.17-0.20)	3.20-3.48× (0.66-0.78/0.20-0.24)
Patella	2.09× (0.48/0.23)	2.10-2.27× (0.46-0.55/0.20-0.25)	2.07-2.30× (0.53-0.65/0.25-0.30)
Pedicel	0.16	0.16-0.19	0.17-0.21
Club	1.39× (0.32/0.23)	1.38-1.51× (0.30-0.37/0.20-0.25)	1.35-1.54× (0.36-0.44/0.25-0.30)
Club/pedicel	2.00×	1.87-2.06×	1.86-2.12×
Hand	1.46× (0.48/0.33)	1.36-1.52× (0.44-0.56/0.29-0.38)	1.42-1.53× (0.56-0.66/0.38-0.47)
Pedicel	0.09	0.07-0.10	0.09-0.11
Finger	0.56	0.51-0.63	0.57-0.70
Chela	3.01× (0.99/0.33)	2.99-3.16× (0.94-1.14/0.30-0.38)	2.83-3.08× (1.11-1.34/0.38-0.47)
Chela/carapace	1.71×	1.65-1.85×	1.71-1.81×
Femur/carapace	1.02×	0.96-1.06×	1.00-1.07×
Femur/finger	1.07×	1.02-1.11×	1.07-1.16×
Femur/patella	1.24×	1.18-1.29×	1.17-1.25×
Patella/hand	1.00×	0.94-1.02×	0.94-0.99×
Finger/hand	1.16×	1.07-1.19×	1.00-1.11×
Leg I
Femur	3.00× (0.32/0.11)	2.92-3.27× (0.29-0.36/0.10-0.13)	2.96-3.20× (0.34-0.42/0.12-0.13)
Patella	2.66× (0.23/0.09)	2.48-2.80× (0.21-0.25/0.08-0.10)	2.31-2.68× (0.23-0.28/0.10-0.11)
Tibia	4.23× (0.28/0.07)	4.23-4.71× (0.28-0.33/0.06-0.08)	4.07-4.68× (0.31-0.37/0.07-0.08)