Cactisma camanchaca, Molero-Baltanás & Zúñiga-Reinoso & Gaju-Ricart & Predel, 2025

Molero-Baltanás, Rafael, Zúñiga-Reinoso, Álvaro, Gaju-Ricart, Miquel & Predel, Reinhard, 2025, Morphological and molecular revision of the subfamily Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma, Lepismatidae), with descriptions of two new genera from the Atacama Desert, Chile, ZooKeys 1260, pp. 233-278 : 233-278

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1260.151902
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3A8CC4DB-048F-4A43-9568-FE283DAB257E
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17663895
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6C448F75-0B2A-5936-B7B7-A3559EDC7CCC
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Cactisma camanchaca
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Cactisma camanchaca sp. nov.

Figs 11 View Figure 11 , 12 View Figure 12 , 13 View Figure 13 , 14 View Figure 14 , 15 View Figure 15 , 16 View Figure 16 , 17 View Figure 17

Type material.

Holotype: Chile • Antofagasta Region, Caleta el Cobre, Cuesta el Cobre , under dried cacti of the species Copiapoa ( Pilocopiapoa) solaris (F. Ritter) F. Ritter ; 24°17.83'S, 70°29.6'W; 750 m a. s. l.; 04. IX. 2024. Leg. A. Zúñiga. 1 ♀ * mounted on slide [ MNNC] GoogleMaps . Paratypes: Same collection data as for holotype. One specimen mounted on slide: 1 ♀ juvenile [ UCO]. Two specimens mounted on disc and gold coated: 1 ♀ [ MZUC], 1 ♀ [ MNNC] and two specimens preserved in ethanol 70 %: 1 ♀ adult / 1 ♀ juvenile [ UCO] GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis.

As indicated for the new genus Cactisma gen. nov.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 11 View Figure 11 ; body shape subcylindrical, more slender than Lapidisma paposanum sp. nov. Body length of holotype: 7.5 mm. Maximum body length observed in type series: 8.5 mm. Maximum preserved length antennae is 4.8 mm, but in live specimens antennae are as long as the body or slightly shorter. Epidermic pigment present, light brownish, only intense on margins of head, antennae, palps, urotergite X, styli, and caudal filaments. Macrochaetae smooth, bifid, hyaline, or pale yellowish. Body covered with oval or rounded scales (Fig. 12 A View Figure 12 ); those with oval shape are the largest, reaching 180 × 110 µm, while the usual size of rounded dorsal and ventral scales is ~ 100 × 100 µm; the apical margin is rounded and the basal margin surrounds the socket forming more or less developed expansions (orbicular scales, Fig. 12 B View Figure 12 ); all of them have very dense parallel ribs. Scales are also present on coxae, femora and tibiae and apparently absent from the remaining appendages; the shape of femoral and tibial scales is modified (see below).

Cephalic capsule with scales, except on clypeus and labrum. Frontal chaetotaxy extends from the periocular areas to the fronto-lateral corner; in the median part of the frons is an area with only a single row of macrochaetae close to the fronto-clypeal suture. The fronto-lateral fringe of macrochaetae has three or four series of macrochaetae, except for a lateral part anterior of the compound eyes where macrochaetae extend to the inner part of the frons forming a subtriangular tuft (Fig. 12 C View Figure 12 ). The clypeus is mostly covered by a continuous broad fringe of macrochaetae consisting of six to eight irregularly arranged rows, including a row close to the frons; an area without setae on the margin close to the labrum. Labrum with a continuous fringe of densely packed setae of different length, some of which are bifid (Fig. 12 D View Figure 12 ). Compound eyes usually with 12 ommatidia, sometimes only with 10 or 11 (Fig. 12 D, E View Figure 12 ). Scape longer than pedicel, both apparently lacking scales and bearing a subapical ring of setae on their dorsal side. Antennal flagellum with chaetic, trichoid, and basiconic sensilla, as well as trichobothria; some basiconic sensilla are grouped in pairs (dyads) or grouped with trichoid sensilla, forming dyads or triads (Fig. 12 G View Figure 12 ).

Mandibles with a well-developed incisive area with several teeth and a reduced molar area; below this area is a tuft of ~ 12 or 13 short macrochaetae and a characteristic long tuft on the basal part of the outer side with ~ 70 macrochaetae (Fig. 12 F View Figure 12 ). Galea without apical tubercle. Lacinia with six or seven lamellate processes and a row of five or six apically bifid setae (Fig. 13 A View Figure 13 ). Maxillary palp with its apical article slightly shorter than the antepenultimate, ~ 4.6–6.5 × longer than wide and ~ 0.95–1.15 × longer than the penultimate (Fig. 13 B View Figure 13 ). This palp apparently lacks scales and bears some strong setae that are not clearly bifid apically on the apical region of the three basal articles. The apical article usually has three (two in some specimens) styloconic sensilla with a slender cylindrical style that is as long or slightly shorter than the distal width of the article, and four or five apical cones (Fig. 13 C, D View Figure 13 ). In addition to the styloconic sensilla, a single cylindrical basiconic sensillum type C and four or five basiconic sensilla type B (Fig. 13 D, E View Figure 13 ). All basiconic and styloconic sensilla are located at the distal part of the apical article; in addition, few coeloconic sensilla distributed over the complete length of article.

Labium as in Fig. 13 F View Figure 13 , with mentum clearly wider than long, the labial palp with its apical article not widened, the latter ~ 1.15–1.35 × longer than wide and only slightly wider (~ 10 %) than the maximum width of the penultimate article (Fig. 13 G, H View Figure 13 ); it bears five papillae arranged in two curved lines, which can be interpreted as a pattern 3 + 2, but they can be better described as arranged in an oval shape (Fig. 13 G, H View Figure 13 ). On the outer side of the apical article four or five basiconic sensilla type B and a single basiconic sensillum type C (Fig. 13 I View Figure 13 ). In addition to the region-specific basiconic sensilla, several coeloconic sensilla are scattered over the entire apical article.

Pronotal collar continuous, with obliquely arranged rows of macrochaetae, containing four or five macrochaetae per row in the medio-lateral parts, but only one or two macrochaetae per row in the middle and at the anterolateral corners (Fig. 14 A View Figure 14 ). Lateral margins of thoracic nota with several macrochaetae, either singly or in groups of two; some of them clearly marginal, while others are inserted at a more submarginal position; the macrochaetae that are not strictly marginal can be considered as reduced combs of only one or two macrochaetae. Two trichobothria likely present on the lateral margins of all thoracic nota; the position of these trichobothria is sometimes not clearly visible when they are broken off. On the pronotum, trichobothria have been observed at 0.49 (anterior trichobothrium) and 0.72 (posterior trichobothrium) of the lateral margins (Fig. 14 A View Figure 14 ); on the mesonotum, at 0.6 and 0.78–0.82, respectively (Fig. 14 B View Figure 14 ), and on the metanotum at 0.77 and 0.86, respectively (Fig. 14 C View Figure 14 ). Posterior margins of thoracic nota without setae, except for the most posterior comb of the lateral margin, which is inserted at the posterolateral corner; these posterolateral combs consist of two large macrochaetae and one or two smaller setae inserted posteriorly to the macrochaetae, close to the margin of the notum (Fig. 14 D View Figure 14 , also visible in Fig. 14 A-C View Figure 14 ).

Presternum of prothorax short, with two transverse irregular rows of macrochaetae (Fig. 13 B View Figure 13 ). Thoracic sternites with parabolic shape, as in Fig. 14 E-G View Figure 14 . Prosternum (Fig. 14 E View Figure 14 ) ~ 1.27 × longer than wide, with convex posterior margin, slightly rounded; 1 + 1 antedistal combs with three or four macrochaetae each. Apart from antedistal combs, there is a row of thin setae inserted on both lateral margins from the base to the level of these combs (setae are absent on anterior and posterior margins). Mesosternum (Fig. 14 F View Figure 14 ) similar in shape to the prosternum, with 1 + 1 antedistal combs with four or five macrochaetae each, its lateral margins bearing setae only in the posterior 1 / 2, anterior to the position of combs. Metasternum (Fig. 14 G View Figure 14 ) shorter, slightly wider than long (ratio length / width ~ 0.93), its posterior margin straight in the middle, truncated; with 1 + 1 small posterior combs of two or three macrochaetae; marginal setae only on the posterior 1 / 3 of the lateral margin, directly anterior to the combs.

Coxae with rounded orbicular scales similar to those covering the body (but slightly smaller) and with an anterior row of densely packed macrochaetae, those on the apical part of the article form short oblique combs of two or three macrochaetae; the posterior margin of coxae has a row of very few widely spaced macrochaetae (Fig. 15 A View Figure 15 ). Femora with small scales, subtriangular, with the apex truncated or bifid (with a median indentation) that cover the inner side of the article and the anterior margin of the outer side (Fig. 15 B, C View Figure 15 ). Tibiae with scales similar to those of the femora, visible only on the inner side of the article (oriented ventrally). The size of these modified scales is smaller, femoral ones ~ 65 × 28 µm and those of tibiae ~ 45 × 22 µm. Apical margin of femora with a conspicuous row of long macrochaetae on their inner side (Fig. 15 D View Figure 15 ). Tibiae with one or two dorsal and 2–4 ventral strong macrochaetae that are shorter than the width of the article. Metatibiae with a long trichobothrium inserted on the basal 1 / 2 of their anterior side (Fig. 15 E View Figure 15 ). Ratio length / width of tibiae: ~ 2.3–3.3 for protibiae, 3.3 for mesotibiae and ~ 4 for metatibiae; metatibiae are 1.5–1.55 × longer than protibiae.

First tarsomere of metatarsus ~ 0.58 × the length of metatibiae, 1.4 × longer than the corresponding tarsomere 2, 2.8 × longer than tarsomere 3 and 1.65 × longer than tarsomere 4. For the protarsus, these proportions are 0.45, 1.75, 2.25, and 2.1 respectively. Pretarsal claws smooth, as in Fig. 15 F View Figure 15 . Medial empodial claw shorter than 1 / 2 the length of lateral claws and faintly striated.

Urotergite I with 1 + 1 combs of two macrochaetae inserted infralaterally and an isolated comb in lateral position that can be accompanied by a smaller macrochaeta inserted obliquely (Fig. 16 A View Figure 16 ). Urotergites II-VII with 3 + 3 combs of macrochaetae; infralateral combs consisting of 3–5 macrochaetae, lateral combs with two or three macrochaetae and sublateral combs small, with one or two macrochaetae (Fig. 16 B-E View Figure 16 ); when they are formed by two, they are arranged obliquely, one of the two macrochaetae smaller and posterior to the other. Urotergite VIII with 2 + 2 combs of macrochaetae inserted on infralateral and submedian position, the infralateral with two or three macrochaetae and the submedian with the usual two macrochaetae arranged obliquely (Fig. 16 F View Figure 16 ). Urotergite IX lacking setae. Urotergite X short trapezoidal, with setae inserted only on their lateral margins; the posterior margin straight (Fig. 16 E, G View Figure 16 ).

Urosternite I without setae. Urosternites II-VII with 1 + 1 isolated macrochaetae in lateral positions (Fig. 17 A View Figure 17 ), in the holotype one of the lateral macrochaetae is missing on urosternite VII. The isolated macrochaeta on each side is usually accompanied by several small setae (Fig. 17 B View Figure 17 ). Coxites VIII with a comb of two setae on their posterior margin (Fig. 17 C View Figure 17 ). Coxite IX only with marginal setae on their inner and outer processes; the single macrochaeta on the apex of the inner process cannot be considered as marginal. In females, inner process of the coxite IX ~ 1.6 × longer than wide at the base and ~ 4–5 × longer than the outer process (Fig. 17 D View Figure 17 ). Only one pair of styli on the ninth segment; these styli are large, with dark pigment, and 2.2–2.3 × longer than the inner process of the coxite IX. Ovipositor of primary type, very long (Fig. 17 D View Figure 17 ), its apex as in Fig. 17 E View Figure 17 , surpassing the length of styli IX by 2.7–3.1 × and the apex of coxites IX by ~ 7.5–8 ×. Gonapophyses with 43–45 divisions. Paraprocts and epiproct large, the apex of the epiproct reaching or even surpassing the level of the hind margin of the urotergite X, with a median indentation (Fig. 17 F View Figure 17 ). Caudal filaments bearing bifid macrochaetae, trichobothria, chaetic and trichoid sensilla; apparently lacking scales (Fig. 17 E View Figure 17 ). Male unknown.

Habitat and behaviour.

Habitat similar to that described above for L. paposanum , but the type locality at higher altitude on the Coastal Cordillera, receiving more humidity from regular fog ( camanchaca ). The very scarce perennial vegetation is dominated by the cactus species Copiapoa ( Pilocopiapoa) solaris (Fig. 18 View Figure 18 ). Adults and juveniles were found together under dried and already rotting cacti (Fig. 18 View Figure 18 ), and they escaped rapidly when disturbed.

Etymology.

The specific name camanchaca refers to the local name given to the fog that rises from the Pacific Ocean and regularly provides water to the coastal region of the Atacama Desert.