Gryne perlata Mello-Leitao , 1936

de Azara, Ludson Neves, Bernardi, Leopoldo Ferreira de Oliveira & Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira,, 2016, The first survey on harvestmen in Brazilian artificial cavities, with notes on distribution and natural history, Subterranean Biology 17, pp. 31-53 : 35

Taxon classification Animalia Opiliones Cosmetidae

Gryne perlata Mello-Leitao, 1936 Figure 3 A–B

Previously known distribution.

Pernambuco: municipality not specified ( Mello-Leitão 1936).

Examined material.

Caraí: 1 male (ISLA 16033) from Túnel do Noel I (1), 13/VII/2008; 1 female (MNRJ 2270) from Túnel do Noel II (3), 13/VII/2008; Medina: 2 males and 1 female (ISLA 16025) from Mina da Fazenda Serra Azul I (2400), 16/VII/2009; 1 male (ISLA 16036) from Mina da Fazenda Serra Azul II (2420), 16/VII/2009; 1 male (ISLA 16041) from Mina do Bloco I (28), Mina do Bloco II (218), 14/VII/2009, 1 male (ISLA 16029) from Mina do Bloco III (4), 14/VII/2009. Padre Paraíso: 1 male (ISLA 16037) from Túnel dos Meninos I (148), 12/VII/2008; 2 males and 1 female (ISLA 16028) from Túnel dos Meninos II (49), 12/VII/2008; 2 males and 1 female (ISLA 16031) from Túnel do Hotel Entre Vales I (9), 22/VII/2008; 1 male (ISLA 16034) from Túnel do Hotel Entre Vales II (18), 22/VII/2008, new record for state and localities.

This species was observed forming aggregations of 28, 45, 49, 103, 200, 400 and 2200 individuals at the entrance of seven cavities at a maximum distance of 5 m from the entrance. This was the first record of an aggregation behavior for this species. In other cavities, sparsely distributed individuals were also recorded, but always located in the photic zone at a maximum distance of 10 m from the entrance. During one of the fieldtrips, three aggregations with about 1000 individuals were observed. These aggregations were found in the epigean environment, next to the mine Túnel do Hotel Entre Vales I in holes and cracks in a ravine of exposed soil. Such shelters had a longitudinal form of ~ 80 cm in depth, 20 cm width and 1.5 cm height. The three municipalities represent new occurrences for this species, expanding its distribution ~ 1000 km from the south of Pernambuco state.