Algidia

Algidia
Algidia sp,
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Opiliones
Family: Triaenonychidae
Genus: Algidia
Hogg, 1920[1]
Species

See text.

Algidia is a genus in the harvestman family Triaenonychidae.[2] It is endemic to New Zealand and currently includes 7 species and several subspecies.

Taxonomy

The genus Algidia was erected by Henry R. Hogg in 1920.[1] The type species is Algidia cuspidata Hogg, 1920.[1] Ray Forster initially considered Algidia to be a synonym of Adaeum[3] but re-established Algidia when he revised the genus in his 1954 monograph on the New Zealand Laniatores.[4]

The genus Algidia contains the following species and subspecies:

Forster's revision includes a key to these taxa.[4] Forster also incorporated this information in a larger key to New Zealand Opiliones published in two parts.[5][6]

General appearance

Algidia has a row of prominent tubercles (cone-shaped protuberances) on the forward edge of the carapace. The eyemound (a raised, rounded structure with two eyes) bears several pustules (small, rounded protuberances) or small tubercles and is located a distance of approximately its own width behind the forward edge of the carapace. The dorsal (upper) surface has an open pattern of small pustules. This pattern is more complex in females. The free tergites (the rearmost segments) each have a row of strong tubercles. Pedipalps are larger in males than females. Colouring is typically in shades of brown, often with black markings. Algidia viridata and A. v. bicolor are exceptions as they are predominantly green.[4]

Geographic range

Forster's 1954 revision[4] recorded specimens from Auckland in the northern North Island to Fiordland in the lower South Island. More recent observations[7] have expanded the range to Northland and the Chatham Islands.

Phylogeny

Molecular studies using Sanger[8] and ultra conserved element[9][10] sequencing showed Algidia is part of a clade that includes the majority of New Zealand triaenonychid genera, as well as several genera from Australia, New Caledonia and South America. Algidia appears to have diverged from other genera during the Cretaceous[8] or early Tertiary period.[10] It is most closely related to Prasma and Triregia from New Zealand, and Diaenobunus and Triconobunus from New Caledonia.

References

  1. ^ a b c Hogg, Henry Roughton (1920). "3. Some Australian Opiliones". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 90 (1–2): 31–48. doi:10.1111/J.1469-7998.1920.TB07632.X.
  2. ^ "ADW: Algidia: CLASSIFICATION". animaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  3. ^ Forster, Raymond Robert (1943-01-01). "The Genus Adaeum Karsch (= Algidia Hogg) in New Zealand, With Descriptions of New Species (Order Opiliones)". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 73: 68–72.
  4. ^ a b c d Forster, Raymond Robert (1954). "The New Zealand harvestmen (sub-order Laniatores)". Canterbury Museum Bulletin. 2: 1–329.
  5. ^ Forster, Raymond Robert (1962-01-01). "A key to the New Zealand Harvestmen — part I". Tuatara. 10 (3): 129–137.
  6. ^ Forster, Raymond Robert (1963-01-01). "A key to the New Zealand Harvestmen — part 2". Tuatara. 11 (1): 28–40.
  7. ^ "iNaturalistNZ observations of Algidia". iNaturalistNZ. Retrieved 9 Aug 2023.
  8. ^ a b Baker, Caitlin M.; Sheridan, Kate; Derkarabetian, Shahan; Pérez Gonzales, Abel; Giribet, Gonzalo (2020). "Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the temperate Gondwanan family Triaenonychidae (Opiliones: Laniatores) reveals pre-Gondwanan regionalisation, common vicariance, and rare dispersal". Invertebrate Systematics. 34 (6): 637–660. doi:10.1071/IS19069.
  9. ^ Derkarabetian, Shahan; Baker, Caitlin M.; Hedin, Marshal; Prieto, Carlos E.; Giribet, Gonzalo (2021-01-01). "Phylogenomic re-evaluation of Triaenonychoidea (Opiliones: Laniatores), and systematics of Triaenonychidae, including new families, genera and species". Invertebrate Systematics. doi:10.1071/IS20047.
  10. ^ a b Derkarabetian, Shahan; Baker, Caitlin M.; Giribet, Gonzalo (2021-01-01). "Complex patterns of Gondwanan biogeography revealed in a dispersal-limited arachnid". Journal of Biogeography. 48 (6): 1336–1352. doi:10.1111/jbi.14080.