Further draining of Discocyrtus to expand Neopachylinae (Opiliones, Gonyleptidae): absorption of taxa and establishment of new genera and species

Abstract

The gonyleptids are one of the most diverse groups of harvestmen, exhibiting a vast range of sizes, shapes and behaviors. However, its internal classification, earlier based on meristic characters, particularly in larger groups such as Pachylinae and Discocyrtus, has been called into question by new proposals that consider morphological and molecular synapomorphies. Here, we aspire to evaluate the transfer of seven species currently classified under Discocyrtus sensu lato and the monotypic genus Oliverius from Pachylinae to Neopachylinae. Additionally, we propose the inclusion of two new species in Neopachylinae. To test our hypothesis, we expand upon previous cladistic analyses using maximum parsimony and incorporate 40 terminals representing Gonyleptoidea, including all existing members of Neopachylinae, and 116 morphological characters. Our results confirm the hypothesis of monophyly of Neopachylinae after the inclusion of the new and transferred taxa. To provide a comprehensive assessment of the results, we update some diagnoses at the genus and species-level within Neopachylinae. Furthermore, to accommodate the taxonomic changes resulting from this study, we propose 1) the establishment of two new genera, 2) the reassignment of five taxa at the generic level, and 3) the establishment of two new junior subjective synonymies at the species level.