Redescription of the New Zealand harvestman Nuncia obesa obesa (Opiliones: Laniatores: Triaenonychidae) and implications for the supposed transcontinental distribution of Nuncia

Abstract

Harvestmen genera with transcontinental distributions are rare but represent very interesting models for evolutionary and biogeographical studies. However, before attempting to understand such distributions, it is crucial to have a good taxonomic foundation of the focal taxa. One of the most disjunct harvestmen genera is NunciaLoman, 1902 (Triaenonychidae), which has been recorded from New Zealand and South America, but the alpha taxonomy is in need of improvement, mainly with respect to the detailed characterization of male genitalic morphology. The taxonomic and systematic revision of Nuncia remains an important and intriguing issue, and the redescription of Nuncia obesa (Simon, 1899) is a necessary starting point for the taxonomic revision of the genus. Herein we redescribe and illustrate N. obesa based on the reexamination of the syntypes of Nuncia sperataLoman, 1902 (type species of Nuncia) and the holotype of Triaenonyx obesusSimon, 1899 (senior synonym of Nuncia sperata). We also confirm the synonymy of both species.