A New Critically Endangered Species of the Harvestman Genus Lola Kratochvíl, 1937 (opiliones: Laniatores: Phalangodidae) from the Dalmatian Karst, with Notes on Troglomorphy in European Phalangodids

Recent collecting in the Dalmatian karst uncovered a fascinating new species of cave-obligate harvestman, here described as Lola konavoka sp. nov. The new species closely resembles Lola insularis Kratochvil, 1937, the type species of the genus, in male secondary sexual structures (presence of cheliceral boss and labial prongs) and genitalia (glans sigmoid and with basal lobes), supporting these characters as diagnostic for the genus. Males of L. konavoka have smaller dimorphic structures and genitalia with unbranched stylus and basal lobes, unlike in L. insularis. Somatically, L. konavoka is more strongly troglomorphic, having a smaller eyemound, longer legs, and higher tarsal count which exceeds that of all European Phalangodidae, including the most troglomorphic member, Paralola buresi Kratochvil, 1951. All species were compared and ranked in degree of troglomorphy. The least modified, troglophiles, include two primarily surface-dwelling species (Scotolemon doriae Pavesi, 1878, and S. terricola Simon, 1872) and one cave-obligate species showing little modification (S. lucasi Simon, 1872). The remaining species, troglobites, have some degree of eye loss [Ptychosoma espagnoli (Rambla, 1973), Ptychosoma balearicum (Rambla, 1977), both Lola spp., and Paralola buresi]. The distribution of the cavernicolous species is plotted. The troglophiles occupy the central region (Pyrenees through greater Italy). The troglobitic species are in a linear arrangement, with the least troglomorphic (Ptychosoma espagnoli) in the west and most troglomorphic (Paralola buresi) in the east. Clinal variation in troglomorphy has previously been recorded in the Nearctic phalangodid genera Texella Goodnight & Goodnight, 1942, and Banksula Roewer, 1949, where the most troglomorphic members are also to the east as well as north.