An unexpected diversity of Cyphophthalmi (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Ten new Cyphophthalmi specimens (Arachnida: Opiliones) from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Cenomanian) Burmese amber of northern Myanmar are described. Seven of these are placed in Stylocellidae, the predominant extant family found today in Southeast Asia. Sirocellus iunctus gen. et sp. nov. represents the first fossil with a combination of sironid and stylocellid characters, suggesting a still ongoing transition in some lineages during the Upper Cretaceous. Mesopsalis oblongus gen. et sp. nov. represents a second fossil with elongated ozophores, a character not known from modern species. Leptopsalis breyeri sp. nov. is the first Cretaceous cyphophthalmid assignable to an extant genus. The species Foveacorpus cretaceus gen. et sp. nov. and F. parvus gen. et sp. nov., which cannot be placed in an extant family, show morphological novelties for Cyphophthalmi such as numerous pits covering the whole body. The possible function of these pits is discussed. Three more adult males with unique adenostyles and two juveniles are not formally named but further indicate an already highly diverse cyphophthalmid fauna during the Cretaceous. The total number of named Burmese amber Cyphophthalmi species is raised from one to six, and the total fossil record for this suborder now stands at eight.

A systematic revision of the South African Gymnobisiidae (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisioidea).

The South African fauna of Gymnobisiidae pseudoscorpions is revised. Originally containing only three species in a single genus (Gymnobisium Beier, 1931), results of this study show that there are eight distinct species of the genus within South Africa, five of which are new to science, namely G. capense sp. nov., G. cuneatum sp. nov., G. hogsbackense sp. nov., G. megalodontum sp. nov. and G. prionotogladiatum sp. nov. Three of these, namely G. cuneatum sp. nov., G. hogsbackense sp. nov., and G. inukshuk Harvey and Giribet, 2016 (which is a rare troglobite), are short-range endemics and threatened by habitat loss. Most of the other species, with the exception of G. quadrispinosum (Tullgren, 1907), have small distribution ranges. They are predominantly found inhabiting moist leaf litter of indigenous forests along the coastal provinces, indicating either a low dispersal ability or high niche specificity in these pseudoscorpions. The lack of dense, shaded vegetation between isolated forest patches seems to act as a dispersal barrier for many of the species.

New species of Paktongius and convergent evolution of the gonyleptoid-like habitus in Southeast Asian Assamiidae (Opiliones: Laniatores).

The armored harvestman family Assamiidae (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores) is widely distributed throughout the Old World tropics, specifically throughout tropical Asia and Central Africa. However, the systematics and intrafamilial relationships of the group remain poorly understood. This can be largely attributed to the complicated taxonomic history of the group, which is exemplified by poorly supported subfamily classifications and the prevalence of monotypic genera. Here, we describe four new species of the formerly monotypic genus Paktongius Suzuki, 1969, using specimens collected from Laos, Thailand, and West Malaysia, suggesting a degree of microendemism within the group, which underscores the need for greater sampling of the southeast Asian arachnofauna. Recent phylogenetic analysis has also suggested that Mysorea thaiensis Suzuki, 1985 nests within a clade composed of Paktongius distinctus Suzuki, 1969 and the species described herein (P. suzukii sp. nov., P. spiculosus sp. nov., P. paritensis sp. nov., P. furculus sp. nov.). We therefore transfer Mysorea thaiensis to Paktongius (P. thaiensis comb. nov.). We also comment on the unique morphology of this highly derived group of harvestmen, which appears to suggest convergent evolution of the gonyleptoid-like morphology, complete with the characteristic exaggerated leg four coxae and laterally expanded scutum.

On the genus Tegestria Roewer, 1936, new senior synonym of Gintingius Roewer, 1938 with the description of a new species (Opiliones: Epedanidae: Sarasinicinae).

Tegestria altmannae sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on male and female specimens collected in Malaysia. It is characterized by the unarmed dorsal scutum, and basal segment of chelicerae dorsally with three seta-tipped tubercles. The type species of the monotypic genus Gintingius Roewer, 1938, G. robustus Roewer, 1938, is treated as a new synonym of Tegestria coniata Roewer, 1938 and the genus Gintingius as a new synonym of Tegestria Roewer, 1936, accordingly.

Systematics and phylogeography of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest endemic harvestmen Neosadocus Mello-Leitão, 1926 (Arachnida: Opiliones: Gonyleptidae).

Neosadocus harvestmen are endemic to the Southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Although they are conspicuous and display great morphological variation, their evolutionary history and the biogeographical events underlying their diversification and distribution are still unknown. This contribution about Neosadocus includes the following: a taxonomic revision; a molecular phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial and nuclear markers; an investigation of the genetic structure and species' diversity in a phylogeographical framework. Our results show that Neosadocus is a monophyletic group and comprises four species: N. bufo, N. maximus, N. robustus and N. misandrus (which we did not find on fieldwork and only studied the female holotype). There is astonishing male polymorphism in N. robustus, mostly related to reproductive strategies. The following synonymies have resulted from this work: "Bunoweyhia" variabilis Mello-Leitão, 1935 = Neosadocus bufo (Mello-Leitão, 1926); and "Bunoweyhia" minor Mello-Leitão, 1935 = Neosadocus maximus (Giltay, 1928). Most divergences occurred during the Miocene, a geological epoch marked by intense orogenic and climatic events in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Intraspecific analyses indicate strong population structure, a pattern congruent with the general behavior and physiological constraints of Neotropical harvestmen.

Contributions to the taxonomy of some Amazonian Stygnidae (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptoidea).

Some taxonomic changes are made in Amazonian Stygnidae, based on reinterpretation of generic boundaries: (1) the hitherto monotypic genus Jime Pinto-da-Rocha Tourinho, 2012 is newly recorded from Venezuela: Jime praecursor spec. nov. (Tobogán de la Selva, Amazonas state) is described and a new generic diagnosis is provided. The genital chaetotaxy is interpreted for the two known species of Jime, and (2) three species which have been originally described as Stygnoplus Simon, 1879 are herein newly transferred to Yapacana Pinto-da-Rocha, 1997 (hitherto monotypic): Y. ianomami (Pinto-da-Rocha Tourinho, 2012) comb. nov., Y. neblina (Pinto-da-Rocha Tourinho, 2012) comb. nov., and Y. tapirapeco (Pinto-da-Rocha Tourinho, 2012) comb. nov. A key for identification of males of the genus Yapacana is offered.

Three new species of Cosmetidae C.L. Koch, 1839 from South America (Opiliones: Cosmetidae).

Three new species of harvestmen are described based on morphology. Taito mayoruna spec. nov. from Jenaro Herrera province, Loreto, Peru is differentiated from other species of Taito Kury Barros, 2014 by features such as anal operculum armed, and femur IV with two retro-distal spines. Taito curupira spec. nov. from Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil is recognized by an H-shaped color pattern, femur IV curved dorsally and armed with medial prolateral and retrolateral tubercles. A third species herein described, Eulibitia chacuamarei spec. nov., from Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia is distinguished by the absence of a ladder mask and by the presence of blunt tubercles on areas I, III and the posterior margin. Penial morphology is described, and SEM micrographs are included.

On Spinopilar from Rio de Janeiro state with description of three new species (Opiliones, Laniatores, Cryptogeobiidae).

The genus Spinopilar Mello-Leitão, 1940 currently has seven species distributed in eastern Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Three species are hitherto known from Rio de Janeiro state (RJ), in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. In this paper, five species from Rio de Janeiro state (RJ) are studied as follows: (1) Spinopilar armatus Mello-Leitão, 1940, the type species of Spinopilar, originally described without illustrations, is herein redescribed based on additional material from the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro city. (2) Spinopilar anomalis (Sørensen, 1932) is a species never recorded again after the original description. A new diagnosis is provided for S. anomalis based on a translation of the original Latin description. (3) Spinopilar jocheni spec. nov. is described from Barra de Guaratiba, Southeast RJ. It is characterized by the unarmed mesotergal areas. (4) Spinopilar martialis spec. nov. is described from Macaé, northern RJ. It is characterized by the pars stridens of the stridulatory organ on the pedipalpal femur, the unusual armature of scutal areas (2-2-10-10) and the extremely complex lobes of the stigmatic area in males, which connect the apophyses of coxa and trochanter IV. (5) Spinopilar magistralis spec. nov. is described from Búzios. It is characterized by extreme stoutness of leg IV and an elevated campaniform ocularium. A key is provided to 9 of the 10 species of Spinopilar and a new diagnosis is given for the genus. Two novel structures so far known only in Spinopilar are described: (1) a third type of pars stridens, which is different from the Tibangara-type and the Bissulla/Pseudopachylus-type both in topology and in structure of the ridges; (2) a proximal primary trochanteral cluster (PTC) composed of modified setae situated on the main apophysis of trochanter IV of males.

Two new species of Stenostygnus from South America (Opiliones: Biantidae: Stenostygninae).

Stenostygnus martensi spec. nov. and Stenostygnus huberi spec. nov. are described from montane localities of the States of Mérida and Lara in Venezuela, and the diagnosis of the previously monotypic genus Stenostygnus Simon, 1879, is emended. The presence of these two new species as local endemics in Andean localities of Venezuela represents a huge range extension for the genus Stenostygnus, and the new localities are also ecologically different from previously known localities in the Amazon Basin. This could indicate the presence of a rich and uncharted diversity of stenostygnines in the Andean regions, particularly in the north of South America.

The identity of an elusive Chilean harvestman, Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae: Pachylinae), with taxonomic and distribution notes.

The long-neglected Chilean harvestman species Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae) is redescribed and illustrated from the types and additional material. A lectotype is designated from the original syntype series. Until now P. crassus was only known from its brief original description. Moreover, its generic affiliation remained obscure for decades, as it was successively placed in different genera until it was determined to be a member of Pachylus C.L. Koch, 1839. Aside some taxonomic remarks on the genus, it is here proposed to exclude from Pachylus one doubtful nominal species, Pachylus acanthops (Gervais, 1849), and to consider it a species inquirenda. A thorough comparison of P. crassus with its presumed close relative, P. quinamavidensis Muñoz, 1969, is provided. New records for both species and a map with all known localities of the genus are also given.

Redescription and Natural History of the Mexican harvestman Diguetinus raptator Roewer, 1912 (Opiliones: Globipedidae), type species of the genus.

The taxonomy of the monotypic genus Diguetinus Roewer, 1912 is discussed with a redescription of the only named species. The redescription, illustrations, and photographs are based upon male and female type specimens as well as a pair of more recently collected specimens from a relatively nearby location; both in Jalisco, Mexico. The genitalia are illustrated for the first time. A distribution map is provided with all verified records from iNaturalist included from: Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Michoacán, Estado de México, Ciudad de México, Hidalgo, and Puebla. All available knowledge on the natural history is presented including biogeography and distribution, local distribution and habitat use, influence of physical factors, and interspecific relations.

A new cavernicolous harvestman, Texella martensi n. sp., from the Mojave Desert, California (Opiliones: Laniatores: Phalangodidae).

A new species of Texella, T. martensi n. sp., is described on the basis of a single male specimen from Titus Canyon Cave, Inyo County, California. The species belongs to the kokoweef group in having a spur on trochanter IV and lacking a postopercular process on the abdomen. Texella martensi n. sp. is the most troglomorphic of the four species of Texella now recorded from the Mojave Desert and it is the northernmost member of the group.

Martensopsalis, a new genus of Neopilionidae from New Caledonia (Opiliones: Eupnoi).

New Caledonia has an endemic opiliofauna with two named species of Triaenonychidae, 17 Troglosironidae and eight Zalmoxidae. The recent finding of Neopilionidae on Grande Terre was thus surprising, and required the formal description of a new genus, which we undertake here. Martensopsalis gen. nov. is characterized by a small unsclerotized body with a unique palp with a pointed basal apophysis on the ventral side of the femur and with a distal apophysis on the prolateral side of the patella. The distinct external morphology, simple penis and unique phylogenetic position justify the erection of the new genus with Martensopsalis dogny spec. nov. as its type species. In addition to the type locality we report several other localities of putative congeneric, yet undescribed species.

First record of Travunioidea (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores) from China, with the description of a new monotypic genus from a cave.

A new genus and species of troglobitic Opiliones, Sinonychia martensi gen. n. sp. n., is described and illustrated. This is the first report of the superfamily Travunioidea Absolon Kratochvíl, 1932 from China. The new species is assigned to Cladonychiidae Hadzi, 1935 on the basis of morphology of midgut and male genitalia, and can be easily distinguished from related genera by several characters.

Further studies on harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) from Iran, with the descriptions of two new species.

This paper deals with some new material of Iranian harvestmen accumulated during and after 2017. These recent collections yielded 11 species from six families, including five species that had previously been known from Iran, and two families and six species which are established as being new for the fauna of the country. The latter include two newly described species of Phalangiidae, namely Homolophus airyamani spec. nov. (male; Hormozgan Province, southern Iran) and Phalangium martensi spec. nov. (male; Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran). With the study of new specimens and the recording of previously known material, 28 species from six families of Opiliones are currently known from Iranian territories. The records include one species of Biantidae, one species of Dicranolasmatidae, five species of Nemastomatidae, 19 species of Phalangiidae, and a single species each for Sclerosomatidae and Trogulidae.

Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine).

Six species of harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones) are documented from the Eocene Rovno amber in Ukraine. From the suborder Eupnoi we record Caddo dentipalpus (C. L. Koch Berendt, 1854) (Caddidae), Amilenus deltshevi Dunlop Mitov, 2009 (Phalangiidae) and Dicranopalpus ramiger (C. L. Koch Berendt, 1854) (family incertae sedis). To these we add a new phalangiid, Metaphalangium martensi sp. n., which is the oldest representative of the Recent genus Metaphalangium Roewer, 1911 and new genus for the amber fauna. From Dyspnoi we record Sabacon claviger (Menge, 1854) (Sabaconidae) and propose Parahistricostoma gen. n. (Nemastomatidae), to accommodate Nemastoma tuberculatum C. L. Koch Berendt, 1854, yielding Parahistricostoma tuberculatum (C. L. Koch Berendt, 1854) comb. n. The Rovno harvestman fauna is briefly compared to both Baltic and Bitterfeld amber. The fossil species, C. dentipalpus, A. deltshevi, D. ramiger and P. tuberculatum occur in all three ambers, and S. claviger is found in Baltic and Rovno amber. The only genus and species unique to Rovno amber is thus our new taxon M. martensi. The composition of the Rovno opilionid fauna is discussed in the context of late Eocene palaeoenvironment and ecological preferences and the fossils are compared to the distribution of extant harvestman taxa. The oribatid mite Platyliodes ensigerus Sellnick, 1919 (Acari: Neoliodidae) is reported from Rovno amber for the first time.

Notes on coexistence of closely related Leiobunum rupestre and L. subalpinum (Opiliones, Eupnoi, Sclerosomatidae).

Two closely related, syntopic species, Leiobunum rupestre and L. subalpinum, spend the day at apparently randomly distributed resting sites. In this preliminary research, we studied differences in their microclimatic preferences at a locality in the Pohorje Mts., Slovenia. We measured air temperature and relative humidity at individual resting sites, and found that L. subalpinum occupied a slightly wider air temperature-relative humidity ecospace as compared to L. rupestre. Individuals of L. rupestre rested at more humid sites than L. subalpinum. Regression analyses revealed that the presence of L. rupestre was most likely at resting sites with air temperature in the range of 1217°C and with relative air humidity of 98.1%. In contrast, the presence of L. subalpinum was most likely at resting sites with air temperature 23.1°C and relative air humidity in the range of 6585%. Nevertheless, microclimatic niches of both species overlapped almost completely, indicating that niche filtering may allow the coexistence of the two species.

Eight legs, two wings, one life for scientific research-celebrating the 80th birthday of Prof. Dr Jochen Martens.

The scientific life of Prof. Dr Jochen Martens (Germany: Mainz) is illuminated on occasion of his 80th birthday. Facts and impressions are given as well as lists of his publications (329), taxa he has described (2 families, 29 genera, 296 species) and that have been dedicated to him (11 genera, 219 species, 1 subspecies). Jochen Martens is a renowned specialist for birds (Aves) and for harvestmen (Opiliones). So far, he travelled to 27 countries in 80 journeys with Nepal and the Himalayas as one geographic focus.

Preface.

To process a Festschrift is an honour and a unique opportunity to show respect to someone who made important contributions over many years in a special field of scientific research. In the case of Jochen Martens the contribution is to not only in one field, but in several: harvestmen, birds, high mountains, taxonomy, systematics, evolution etc.

A new species of the solifuge genus Galeodes Olivier, 1791 from southeastern Turkey (Solifugae, Galeodidae).

The family Galeodidae Sundevall, 1833 is the most speciose family of order Solifugae. A new galeodid, Galeodes hakkariensis sp. n., is described and illustrated on the basis of both sexes from Hakkari Province in Turkey. The flagellum, flagellar complex setae, setal arrangements on the tarsi and metatarsi of pedipalps and walking legs, shape and number of the stridulatory setae, dentition, and the other characteristics are described and illustrated in details. With this description, the number of known species of Galeodes Olivier, 1791 is raised to 174.