Caribbiantes obtusus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: E065D11D-514C-43AD-895F-8A664281DC72

(Figs. 6–8)

Type series. Holotype ♂ (α) (CZACC 3.3384), La Victoria Cave (dark zone), Los Tornos, Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos Province, Cuba (21º57'05''N; 80º09'08''W), 806 m a.s.l., 16–17.viii.2007, J. M. Ramos coll. Paratypes: 1 ♀ (CZACC 3.3385), Codina Natural Park, Topes de Collantes, Sancti Spíritus Province (21º54'07''N; 80º02'26''W), under stone, next to the steep rock, 1.x.2001, R. Barba coll. ; 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.3386), Cueva del Cotunto, Manantiales, Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos Province (21º58'50.9''N; 80º01'08.2''W), dark zone, 868 m a.s.l., 15.viii.2007, J. M Ramos coll. ; 1 ♀ (CZACC 3.3387), Cueva del Vencejo, Aguacate, Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos Province (21º54'51.8''N; 80º06'30.2''W), 850 m a.s.l., 1.ii.2004, J. M. Ramos coll. ; 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.3388), La Chispa, Topes de Collantes, Sancti Spíritus Province (21º56'00''N; 80º02'00''W), vii.1980, R. Alayo & L. R. Hernández coll. ; 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.3389), 1 ♀ (CZACC 3.3390), Dolina de Cueva del Pirata, Caguanes, Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus Province (22º23’16’’N; 79º07’29’’W), under stones, 22.i.1986, L. F. Armas & A. A. Socarrás coll.

Other material examined. CUBA, Cienfuegos Province: Cueva La Palma, Macizo de Guamuhaya, Cumanayagua, (21º59’31.9’’N; 80º09’29.8’’W), under stones, 5.iii.2007 , J. M. Ramos-Hernández coll., 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.4399); Cueva de Eulalio, Macizo de Guamuhaya, Cumanayagua, (21º55’28.4’’N; 80º06’19.6’’W), under stones, 7.iii.2007 , J. M. Ramos-Hernández coll., 1♀ (CZACC 3.4400); Cueva Alta, Los Tornos, Cumanayagua, (21º57’05’’N; 80º09’08’’W), 770 m a.s.l., dark zone, 16.viii.2007 , J. M. Ramos-Hernández coll., 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.4401); Cueva de las Aromas, Aguacate, Cumanayagua, (21º55’05.7’’N; 80º06’56.3’’W), 26.i.2004 , J. M. Ramos-Hernández coll., 1 ♂, 2 ♀ (CZACC 3.4402); Cueva Martín Infierno, Cumanayagua, (21º53’00’’N; 80º08’00’’W), 650 m a.s.l., under stones, 28–31.x.2002 , J. M. Ramos-Hernández coll., 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 juveniles (CZACC 3.4403); Sancti Spíritus Province: Montes Grandes, Arroyo Blanco, Jatibonico (22º02’53’’N; 79º05’15’’W), 9.viii.1985 , L. F. de Armas & J. de Armas coll., 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.4404); Mogote Mi Retiro, Topes de Collantes, (21º53’38.0’’N; 80º01’03.7’’W), under stones, 25.ix.2001 , A. Ávila-Calvo coll., 2 ♂, 1 ♀ (CZACC 3.4405); Cueva Sin Nombre, Parque Natural Codina, Topes de Collantes, (21º54’07’’N; 80º 02’26’’W), under stones, penumbra, 28.v.2001, R. Barba and A. Ávila-Calvo colls ., 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.4406); San Felipe, Jatibonico, Cuba (22º03’58’’N; 79º01’08’’W), under stones, vii.1997 , L.F. de Armas coll., 1 ♂ (CZACC 3.4407) and 1 ♀ (CZACC 3.4408); Sabanas de San Felipe, Jatibonico, (22º05’40’’N; 79º02’45’’W), vii.1978 , L. F. de Armas coll., 1 ♂, 1 juvenile (CZACC 3.4409); Caguanes, (22º23’16’’N; 79º07’29’’W), 7.iv.1988 , 2♂, 1♀ (CZACC 3.4410); Caja del Agua cave, Banao, (21º52’16.6’’N; 79º36’21.6’’W), under stones, iv.1994, Biokarst staff coll ., 2 ♀ (CZACC 3.4411); Cayo Caguanes, near Cueva de las Conchas (22º 23’ 27’’ N; 79º 07’ 16.0’’ W), i.1963 , M. L. Jaume coll., 1♂ (CZACC 3.4412) .

Etymology. The specific name is an adjective, which refers to the blunt form of the spiniform apophyses on the mesotergal areas.

Diagnosis. Very similar to Caribbiantes cubanus and C. barbai sp. nov., differing by the larger size of legs, the armature of the mesotergal areas, and the blunt appearance of the spiniform apophyses, tubercles and granules on the posterior margin and free tergites in this species (Fig. 6C, versus sharper spiniform apophyses and tubercles in congeners, Figs. 1B, 9C). Areas III and IV with a pair of strong, blunt spiniform apophyses, almost the same size (Fig. 6C). Free tergite III with a pair of blunt spiniform apophyses (Figs. 6C), in contrast to the sharper spiniform apophyses in C. cubanus and the reduced sharp tubercles in C. barbai sp. nov. (Figs. 1B, 9C). Legs smooth, with small setiferous granules. Tarsal formula 7(3):13–14(4):8:8. Caribbiantes obtusus sp. nov. is also distinguishable from C. cubanus and C. barbai sp. nov. by the penis morphology. The stragulum has a deep cleft in dorsal view (Fig. 8A), unlike C. cubanus and C. barbai sp. nov., which exhibit a shallow cleft, cramped in the former and wide in the latter species (Figs. 5A, 11A). The capsula interna has a lateroapically flattened stylus, sharper at its end than in C. cubanus, but not as extremely narrow and sharp as in C. barbai sp. nov. (Figs. 8E, 5E, 11E). The two basally fused conductors show ventroapically dilated laminar ends, with apex almost truncated, contrasting with rounded conductors in C. cubanus and C. barbai sp. nov., more expanded in the latter (Figs. 8E, 5E, 11E). Ventro-apical process of truncus is apically much more rounded than that of C. cubanus; instead, C. barbai sp. nov. presents the form of a broad-based hook (Figs. 8D, 5D, 11D).

Description of the holotype male (CZACC 3.3384) (microstructures observed by compound microscope and S.E.M. correspond to males CZACC 3.3384 and CZACC 3.4379).

Measurements: Table 2.

Dorsum (Figs. 6A–D): Dorsal scutum almost rectangular; slightly elevated in the region of the mesotergal areas in lateral view—highest point at level of Area III (Fig. 6C, D). Anterior margin of the dorsal scutum almost straight, with shallow cheliceral sockets and a row of 5–6 small granules on each side, very close together like a palisade (Figs. 6A, B). Carapace heavily granulated, with rounded granules; eye mounds near groove I, projected laterally and with evident granules on its surface (Figs. 6A, C). Lateral margins of the dorsal scutum almost straight, with two rows of rounded tubercles, the most external larger, increasing in size towards the posterior margin. Four well-defined and densely granulated mesotergal areas, with rounded granules, and shallow and narrow sulci between them. Area I slightly constricted longitudinally, divided into right and left halves by a shallow, median groove (Figs. 6A, B); each half is covered by rounded tubercles, one slightly taller (Fig. 6A). Areas III–IV with a pair of strong blunt spiniform apophyses, those on area III slightly larger and somewhat closer to each other than those of area IV (Figs. 6A–D). Area V with two rows of small tubercles, those on the posterior row larger. Free tergites I–II with a row of tubercles. Free tergite III with a pair of strong blunt paramedian spiniform apophyses, slightly smaller than those of area III (Figs. 6C, D), and two small tubercles in between (Fig. 6A). Anal operculum granulated (Figs. 6C, D).

Venter: Coxae covered by setiferous granules. Coxa I with an anterior row of small setiferous tubercles. Coxae III–IV with an anterior row of small tubercles that appear to form small bridges with the posterior margin of the preceding coxa. Free sternites with a row of small tubercles. Genital operculum long and narrow.

Chelicerae: Basichelicerite with robust and well-defined bulla. Cheliceral hand markedly swollen (hypertelic), with scattered setiferous granules and longer setae distally (Fig. 6C). Fixed finger distally with six teeth, movable finger with a basal blunt tooth, followed by a smooth gap, then a “dome-like” serrated curvature of the internal finger edge and distally eight teeth. Cheliceral fingers curved, leaving a wide basal gap when closed.

Pedipalps: Elongated, with large spines concentrated on tibia and tarsus. Coxa elongated, with scattered dorsal granules, a group of four small ectoproximal granules, and two grouped small mesoproximal granules; on the ventral side, a group of three proximal granules, followed by two small granules, and a single setiferous distal granule larger than the rest. Trochanter with a proximal granule and one smaller distal tubercle on the ventral side. Femur with seven small setiferous granules scattered on the dorsal side, ventrally with four small setiferous granules, also spaced. Patella dilated on its distal one third, dorsally with granules and ventrally with one strong mesodistal spine. Tibia and tarsus dorsally granulous, stronger granules on the tibia. Both segments armed with strong ventrolateral spines as follows: tibia ectal IIIi ((1<2=3)>4)), tibia mesal IIII (1<2=3=4); tarsus ectal IiIi ((1>3)>(2>4)), tarsus mesal IiIi (1= 3>2=4). The tibia also presents a ventral row of 4–5 small median setiferous tubercles. The ectodistal spine on the tibia is very close to the preceding one, giving the appearance of a bifid base; the mesal spines are equidistant, leaving equally-sized gaps in the spine series, as in C. cubanus and C. barbai sp. nov. Tarsal claw strong, with almost the same length as the tarsus.

Legs: Unarmed, almost smooth, only covered by fine setiferous granules. Coxa IV dorsolaterally granulous. Patella IV with a small dorsomedial distal acute projection. Metatarsus III spindle-shaped, the swollen sector located between the third (subdistal) and fourth (distal) quarters of the segment (Fig. 7A). Ventral surface of the swollen region with a deep groove (narrower than in Caribbiantes cubanus), buttonhole-shaped and exhibiting 34 elongated setae in the form of long paint brushes (lanceolate-shaped), distally not as dilated as in C. cubanus and C. barbai sp. nov. (Figs. 7B, C, E); setal shafts basally striated and twisted (Fig. 7D, E). Setae longitudinally arranged in two alternated parallel rows (Fig. 7C); numerous pores (glandular openings) around the base of the setae (Fig. 7E); integument adjacent to the setae wrinkled with shallow grooves between pores and setae (Figs. 7D, E). Two smooth tarsal claws, perpendicular to the axis of the leg; distitarsi III and IV with scopula. Tarsal formula: 7(3):13(4):8:8.

Penis (Figs. 8 A–J) (holotype CZACC 3.3384; male CZACC 3.4379 for S.E.M.): Truncus gradually enlarged on the apical half (Fig. 8C). Glans with a large stragulum that articulates dorsodistally on the truncus, like a jackknife (Figs. 8D, E, G). Stragulum apically narrow in dorsal view and showing a deep and wide cleft, as well as numerous wrinkles over the transition area with the truncus (Figs. 8A, G). In lateral aspect the stragulum is wide (as in Manahunca species) and presents an apical ledge, thicker than in C. cubanus (Figs. 8D, G). Everted stragulum exposes its ventral projection in the form of a spiny follis and capsula interna (Fig. 8E). Capsula interna with a lateroapically flattened and wide stylus, very sharp towards its apical end (lanceolate form), and two conductors fused at the base (Fig. 8E); conductors end in free laminar, moderately truncated and dilated apices, ventrally projected (Figs. 8B, E, H). Stylus surpasses the length of the conductors (Figs. 8B, E). Pars distalis ventrally with an apical process in the form of a low mound (wide at its base, rounded on top) (Figs. 8D, E), on which there are two pairs of ventroapical setae, the apical-most setae minute and bifurcate, the subapical ones longer (Figs. 8D, F, J); the pars distalis also has three pairs of ventrolateral setae, much longer than the subapical ones, narrowly foliated and arranged in two oblique rows (Figs. 8D, F, I, J).

Coloration (in 70% ethanol, Fig. 6B, D): Carapace yellowish with the lateral portions reticulated in brown; anterior margin with a light brown marking that delineates the cheliceral sockets; lateral margins with irregular brown markings, more concentrated towards the posterior border. Mesotergal areas yellowish-brown with brown granules; spiniform apophyses of areas III–IV with darker brown tips. Posterior margin and free tergites yellowish-brown with brown edges. Cheliceral hand yellow, fingers yellowish-red. Pedipalps whitish-yellow, distal portion of the tarsus brown and tarsal claw dark brown. Legs in general light brown, with bands formed by mottled yellow spots. Venter yellowish-brown. Free sternites yellowish-brown with brown edges.

Female paratype (CZACC 3.3385). Similar to the male, but slenderer. Free tergite III with four small tubercles between the pair of spiniform apophyses. Chelicerae small, not hypertelic, without a gap between the cheliceral fingers as in α males; fixed and movable fingers with six distal teeth. Legs III–IV with femur, patella and tibia slightly slimmer than in males; metatarsus III not enlarged. Coloration pattern as in the male. Genital operculum wider compared to the male. Tarsal formula: 7(3):12(4):8:8. Measurements: Table 2.

Variability. Measurements in Table 2. Cheliceral fixed finger with 5–6 distal teeth, movable finger with 6–8 distal teeth. The aspect of spiniform apophyses on area III–IV and free tergite III in males and females varies from blunt to a little sharper. The number of setae in the swollen region of metatarsus III of males varies from 31 to 34. The tarsal formula is variable on legs II: 7(3):13–14(4):8:8. Three out of four males, including the holotype, have hypertelic chelicerae (α males); only one β male was observed.

Distribution. Central part of the country, Cienfuegos and Sancti Spíritus provinces (Fig. 12).

Natural history. This species lives in and outside caves. It was collected under stones. In some localities, the individuals share habitat with harvestmen of the families Cosmetidae, Agoristenidae ( Piratrinus calcaratus), Kimulidae and Sclerosomatidae, as well as with Neoscotolemon sp. (incertae sedis), and the stenostygnines Caribbiantes cubanus and Galibrotus carlotanus . The species was recorded up to 868 m a.s.l.