A New Remarkable Troglomorphic Gonyleptid from Brazil (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores)
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Abstract
The new genus Giupponia is described for the new species Giupponia chagasi from two limestone caves in Serra do Ramalho, Carinhanha, Bahia State, Brazil. This species shows remarkable troglomorphisms, such as complete depigmentation, very elongate appendages, very high tarsal segmentation and complete loss of the ocular structures. This is the first anophthalmic cave dwelling harvestman from Brazil. The affinities of Giupponia are discussed on the grounds of external and genital morphology. Placement in the family Gonyleptidae, subfamily Pachylinae is supported by external morphology and genital features. The new genus is compared to the other two described troglomorp- hic gonyleptid species, Pachylospeleus strinatii Šilhavý, 1974 and Iandumoema uai Pinto-da-Rocha, 1996.
