A new species of Neocarus (Opilioacaridae) from a Brazilian ferruginous geosystem and notes on natural history

Abstract

A new species of Neocarus is described from adult female and male specimens collected from an epigean and hypogean ferruginous geosystem located in southeast Brazil. The new species, Neocarus simmonsi sp. nov., possesses 15–17 ch-type palp setae, nude female pregenital Sternitogenital region, cylindrical ovipositor without setae, and a peculiar variation of setae in the genital and pregenital Sternitogenital region of the male, with smooth and tapering setae and/or barbed and tapering setae and/or stout and ribbed setae. Female genital setae are barbed, tapering and with a thin tip. Aspects of the ecology and life history of these mites are also presented.