searchable PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

other Hubbardiinae. The spermathecae of no speciesof the Protoschizomidae have been up to nowdescribed or illustrated.The spermathecae of the subfamily Hubbardiinaeconsist of one to multiple pairs of lobes, some ofwhich are simple and not sclerotized, whereas othersterminate in enlarged sclerotized bulbs (receptacula).The spermathecae of the Megaschizominae consistof a single pair of sclerotized lobes with the basaltwo-thirds being somewhat rugose and thespermathecae of Trithyreus have one pair of doubledlobes without pits (Reddell and Cokendolpher,1985). The spermathecae of the Protoschizomidaecomprise a single pair of lobes which are oftenshallowly pitted over most of their surface (character42). The spermathecae of the Uropygi (Weygoldt,1971, and pers. obs.) are quite different from thoseof the Schizomida and are not easily compared. Thespermathecae of many primitive spiders andAmblypygi consist of two lobes which are pitted andappear very similar to those of theProtoschizomidae. While of some value in speciesrecognition, the spermathecae do not appear to behelpful in distinguishing protoschizomid genera. Insome species the spermathecae are distinctlyenlarged distally. The spermathecae of the onlyknown female of P. treacyae differ; one lobe isenlarged, the other simple.The margins of the receptaculum are relativelysmooth, without numerous pits in A. lucifer, P.sprousei, P. gertschi, P. purificacion, and P.treacyae. The margins are saw-toothed with manypits in A. stygius; lobed with numerous pits in A.patei, and smooth with numerous pits in P.pachypalpus group members (character 43).The spermathecae are widened basally or withenlarged receptaculum in all protoschizomids exceptA. stygius. The gradually narrowed (towards thereceptaculum) spermathecae are considered anautapomorphy for A. stygius.A gonopod has been discovered in someHubbardiinae. It is apparently absent from theremaining Hubbardiidae and Protoschizomidae.CladogramAt first glance, one might question why we havepresented a c1adogram. While it is true many of therelationships and characters are unresolved, we feltour data could serve as a starting point. This is thefirst attempt to apply cladistics to any taxa withinthe order. It is hoped our efforts will stimulateothers to examine characters more closely. It isimmediately evident that the unresolved areascontain species in which one sex is unknown.Unlike many other groups of animals, one cannotsimply re-collect at the type locality to obtain theneeded material. In almost all cases the typelocalities are caves (some very deep andinaccessible) and specimens are scarce. Additionalmaterial, if obtained, may help resolve thec1adogram further.The analysis resulted in 117 equally parsimonioussolutions, each 54 steps long and with no characterconflicts (i.e., the consistency and retention indicesare both 1.00). The strict consensus of those 117c1adograms is presented in Fig. 2.Based on our cladistic analysis, the orderSchizomida is easily divided into two families:Protoschizomidae and Hubbardiidae. TheProtoschizomidae are likewise split into two clades:Protoschizomus and Agastoschizomus. We can easilydistinguish four species in Agastoschizomus: Alucifer, A. huitzmolotitlensis, A. stygius, and A.patei.The genus Protoschizomus can be separated intothe P. pachypalpus group, the P. sprousei group,and two unplaced species. As with Agastoschizomus,the missing data from species known from singlesexes is the major problem.DISTRIBUTIONThe family Protoschizomidae is known only fromthe eastern part of the Sierra Madre Oriental in thestates of Hidalgo, San Luis PotOSI, and Tamaulipasand the state of Colima in Mexico; and the southernedge of the Edwards Plateau in Texas, U.S.A. (Fig.3). The genus Protoschizomus includes threeepigean species, one each in Colima, San LuisPotosI, and Tamaulipas and four cavernicole speciesin the state of Tamaulipas. Agastoschizomusincludes four cavernicole species in the states ofHidalgo, San Luis PotOSI, and Tamaulipas. A singleimmature specimen not placed in a genus isrestricted to a single cave in Val Verde County,Texas. Each species is extremely limited in itsdistribution, with most known only from onelocality. Protoschizomus pachypalpus has beencollected only within a few kilometers of G6mezFarias, Tamaulipas. Agastoschizomus lucifer occursin three caves within 15 kilometers of each other.Agastoschizomus patei is definitely known (fromadult specimens) only from one cave, but may occurin two other caves within a few kilometers of thetype-locality.The three epigean species of Protoschizomus arewidely separated. Protoschizomus pachypalpus42