New Zealand harvestmen of the subfamily Megalopsalidinae (Opiliones: Monoscutidae) - the genus Pantopsalis

Abstract

The genus Pantopsalis Simon, 1879 and its constituent species are redescribed. A number of species of Pantopsalis show polymorphism in the males, with one form possessing long, slender chelicerae, and the other shorter, stouter chelicerae. These forms have been mistaken in the past for separate species. A new species, Pantopsalis phocator , is described from Codfish Island. Megalopsalis luna Forster, 1944 is transferred to Pantopsalis. Pantopsalis distincta Forster, 1964, P. wattsi Hogg, 1920, and P. grayi Hogg, 1920 are transferred to Megalopsalis Roewer, 1923. Pantopsalis nigripalpis nigripalpis Pocock, 1902, P. nigripalpis spiculosa Pocock, 1902, and P. jenningsi Pocock, 1903 are synonymised with P. albipalpis Pocock, 1902. Pantopsalis trippi Pocock, 1903 is synonymised with P. coronata Pocock, 1903, and P. mila Forster, 1964 is synonymised with P. johnsi Forster, 1964. A list of species described to date from New Zealand and Australia in the Megalopsalidinae is given as an appendix.