Paecilaemella andi, Medrano & Caramori & Kury, 2025

Paecilaemella andi sp. nov.

Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 ; 2 View FIGURE 2 ; 3 View FIGURE 3

Etymology. In honor of the late arachnologist and friend Andrés García (affectionately called Andi), who contributed significantly to the knowledge of the Opiliones diversity of Colombia, described the first harvestman of Caquetá department and collected the type material of the species. Noun in apposition.

Holotype. 1 ♂ ( MNRJ 1183 View Materials ) Colombia, Caquetá, Florencia, camino a la Reserva Natural Ecoturística El Danubio (1.506098°,-75.732735°, alt.: 380 m), 17 Dec 2018, F Arcos, AF García & M Medrano leg.

Paratypes. 4 ♂ 3 ♀ ( MNRJ 60294 View Materials ) Colombia, Caquetá, Florencia, El Manantial (1.63743°, -75.57410°, 500 m), 19 Dec 2018, F Arcos, AF García & M Medrano leg. ; 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( ICN AO 1982 View Materials ), same data as previous ; 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( MNRJ 60350 View Materials ), Colombia, Caquetá, Florencia, camino a la Reserva Natural Ecoturística El Danubio (1.506098°, -75.732735°, alt.: 380 m), 17 Dec 2018, F Arcos, AF García & M Medrano leg.

Distribution. Colombia, Napo moist forests in Caquetá department ( Fig. 8 View FIGURE 8 ).

Diagnosis. Paecilaemella andi can be distinguished from all its congeners by having two additional transversal continuous stripes separating the chevron and the two parallel longitudinal stripes in the gemini mask ( Figs. 1A View FIGURE 1 , 2A View FIGURE 2 ) ( P. armasi bears fragmented spots that may be interpreted as homologous to these stripes). Differs from P. armasi by having a complete gemini mask without fragments, a ventral row of tubercles in the distal prolateral region of the femur IV ( Fig. 2D–E View FIGURE 2 ) and by having lateroventral regions of the ventral plate covered with microsetae type 4 ( Fig. 3E–F View FIGURE 3 ). Penis with MS D2 small but accuminate ( Fig. 3A–B View FIGURE 3 ). The trochanter of leg IV has a smaller proximal tubercle in the dorsal region than P. armasi and P. geminorum .

Description. (Male holotype) ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Measurements. Body length: 6.1. Maximum width of scutum: 5.0. Carapace length: 2.4, width 3.4. Interocular distance: 1.0. Legs: I: 34.06 (0.86, 10.89, 1.54, 5.77, 9.07, 5.93), II: 79.0 (1.20, 23.39, 2.46, 17.01, 24.37, 10.57), III: 51.18 (1.25, 17.29, 2.11, 8.62, 14.87, 7.04), IV: 70.35 (1.44, 23.18, 3.12, 13.68, 20.53, 8.40).

Dorsum. Large sized cosmetid (dorsal scutum length approximately 6 mm). Dorsal scutum in dorsal view epsilon-shaped with shallow cheliceral sockets ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Dorsal scutum flat in lateral view ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ), coxa IV entirely visible in dorsal view ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ), thicker than scutum in lateral view. Ocularium low, narrow, with median depression. Scutal grooves poorly delimited ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ). Scutum entirely unarmed and without any granules ( Figs 2A–B View FIGURE 2 ). Free tergites I–III and anal operculum smooth and unarmed ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ).

Venter. Coxae I–III triangular, transverse to main body axis. Coxae II to IV connected by tubercle bridges. Ventral elements of coxa I: e1 and e2 forming a single row of ca 12 tubercles; e3 = 1 very large conical process, visible in dorsal view; e4 = one large bifid process; e5 = indistinct cluster of ca. five cusps. The row of tubercles formed by e1 and e2 is continued in coxa II towards the genital operculum by a row of 10 tubercles and in the coxa III by a cluster of four tubercles. Coxa IV pentagonal, greatly developed, oriented obliquely, but almost parallel to the body axis. Stigmatic area T-shaped with stigmata large, unconcealed. Free sternites smooth and unarmed.

Chelicera ( Figs 2A, G View FIGURE 2 ). Neither basichelicerite nor hand thickened or swollen in males. Bulla short, rounded, bordered with rounded tubercles, six to eight ectal and five to six posteriors. Movable finger with one basal triangular tubercle and a row of smaller rounded tubercles distally. Fixed finger with a row of rounded tubercles, larger than those of the movable finger.

Pedipalpus ( Figs 2H, I View FIGURE 2 ). Trochanter with stout antero-dorsal protuberance. Femur strongly compressed, concave on mesal surface, borders armed with long tubercles. Tibia strongly depressed, with a weakly distinct groove on the mesal edge. Shape asymmetrical, with ectal side more pronounced, armed distally with a row of seven short spines. Corresponding mesal side with a widely spaced row of seven short spines, increasing in size distally. Tarsus moderately elongated, with an irregular ventro-ectal row of short spines, a much sparser ventro-mesal row of short spines and a proximal mesal cluster of short spines.

Legs. Elongate and moderately thick (growing thicker from I to IV). Males with basitarsomeres I thickened, first basitarsomere five times longer than the following ones ( Fig. 2F View FIGURE 2 ). All femora straight. Femur IV with a distal comb of eight retroventral tubercles and a subdistal comb of five pro-ventral tubercles ( Figs 2C–E View FIGURE 2 ). Tibia IV with scattered granules. Femur III unarmed. Tarsal claws unpectinate. Tarsal formula: 6(3)-6(3)/17(3)-20(3)/11-11/12- 12.

Color ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ). Color pattern of the gemini mask as follows ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ): Two continuous longitudinal parallel lines forming a suspender on DS, a non-fragmented chevron, two transversal lines between the chevron and the parallel lines. Omega stripe continuous. Background of body (dorsal and ventral) and appendages Dark Yellowish Brown (78), dorsal scutum with lighter mottling Light Brown (57) in carapace, laterals and anterior portion of the abdomen as depicted in Figure 2A View FIGURE 2 . Pedipalps and chelicerae Dark Yellowish Brown (78) with lighter mottling Light Brown (57). Blots Brilliant Greenish Yellow (98). Distal portion of femur, tibia and patella of the legs Deep Orange Yellow (69). Patella and metatarsus Deep Orange Yellow (69) in the proximal portion.

Variation. Some males without tubercles on femur IV. Females with femur IV unarmed basitarsomeres of leg I not thickened and not as long as those in males, chelicerae slightly smaller than in male. The chevron may exhibit a median division or be divided into more portions, and the omega stripe may be entire or divided medially.

Genitalia ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 ). VP of penis rectangular, widening slightly distally. Lateral margins of the dorsal portion of VP (at MS C level) concave along their length, basal to MS C1–C2. Five pairs of larger macrosetae inserted on lateral margin of VP: Two pairs C1–C2 greatly developed, curved and flattened; the third pair of macrosetae, adjacent to C1–C2, robust, cylindrical and straight, is best interpreted as D1; D2 is reduced, acuminate and located basally, inserted in the dorsal part of the VP. The fifth pair of MS, here interpreted as A1, is straight and similar in shape to D1. A pair of small macrosetae B is located ventro-basally on VP, while E1–E2 also reduced are located ventrally. Microsetae type 4 covering the lateral margins of the VP, but absent in the middle. Stylus strongly curved, cylindrical, with small wattle and a well-developed ventral peak formed by barbels. Dorsal process of glans thumb-shaped.