A new species of Cyphophthalmi (Opiliones) belonging to the Sri Lankan endemic genus Pettalus is described and illustrated. Represented in a recent phylogeny of the family Pettalidae, this species was designated Pettalus cf. brevicauda, but subsequent examination of its morphology and of the type material of P. brevicauda indicates that it is a separate species. Characterization of male genitalia and SEM illustrations are included. Information on other morphospecies recently collected in Sri Lanka indicates that the number of species on the island is higher than previously thought.
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1 April 2009
On the endemic Sri Lankan genus Pettalus (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) with a description of a new species and a discussion of its diversity
Prashant Sharma,
Indika Karunarathna,
Gonzalo Giribet
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