Two new species of Piaroa (Arachnida: Schizomida, Hubbardiidae) from Colombia, with comments on the genus taxonomy and the flagellar setae pattern of Hubbardiinae

The widely distributed species, Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922, is recorded for the first time from Costa Rica and Venezuela, and new occurrences from Brazil and Colombia are presented. Morphology of spermathecae from 14 localities is compared and illustrated. The need for studies to evaluate the potential status as an invasive species of S. portoricensis is commented on and a distribution map of the species in southern Central America and South America is given.

Colombia is a biodiverse country with 1,486 protected areas covering almost 50 million hectares, yet little is known about the biodiversity they harbor, particularly in terms of harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones). This study provides a comprehensive updated summary of the armored harvestmen (Laniatores) species found in Colombia with a list of 173 nominal species, focusing on the Laniatores fauna found in protected areas and its diversity is detailed and analyzed. Maps with all records associated with ecoregions and protected areas in Colombia are presented. Additionally, three new Laniatores species are described here: Phalangodus andresi sp. nov. from the department of Cundinamarca, and Ventrifurca phallaina sp. nov. and Ampycella fortunata sp. nov. from the department of Valle del Cauca; and a new family assignment is proposed for Paraphalangodus Roewer, 1915, placing it in the family Nomoclastidae. Information available on Laniatores in the National System of Protected Areas is still scarce and promoting strategies to facilitate the regulatory procedures for collecting specimens in these areas and increasing investment in basic science projects, are suggested to improve the understanding and study of the Laniatores fauna and other invertebrates in Colombia. Finally, a chronicle and timeline set of figures of species of Laniatores from Colombia, described by various authors during three periods, is given.

The new synanthropic crevice weaver spider species, from the family Filistatidae, Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov . (male and females) is described from the department of Tolima, Colombia. The female internal genitalia of P. fasciata from the Galapagos islands, Ecuador, is described here for the first time. Additional unidentified species of Pikelinia populations were recorded in the departments of Cauca, Quindío, and Risaralda. Dietary analysis of P. floydmuraria sp. nov . (Tolima) and Pikelinia sp. (Armenia) revealed a predominance of Hymenoptera (~35% of prey), followed by Diptera and Coleoptera. This study expands known diversity and trophic ecology of Pikelinia genus.

The taxonomy of Schizomida has been the most active research topic for this group, however, only recently the male genitalia was properly studied, and are currently known only for the Brazilian species Surazomus algodoal Ruiz & Valente. In this study, we describe Calima dearmasi sp. nov., the first species of the genus for which male genital structures are illustrated and analyzed. Comparative analyses are conducted with the genitalia of two undescribed species, one from Colombiazomus Armas & Delgado-Santa and another from Piaroa Villarreal, Giupponi & Tourinho. This study expands the morphological knowledge of male genitalia in Schizomida, and finally, we discuss the potential use of these characters in Schizomid taxonomy.

Subterranean amblypygids, or whip spiders, are important yet understudied components of cave ecosystems, playing key roles as apex predators in these fragile, nutrient-limited environments. Their restricted distributions make them particularly valuable for understanding cave ecosystem dynamics and conservation needs. However, the diversity and distribution of these arachnids in Colombian caves remain poorly documented. This study examines 53 specimens of amblypygids from 12 Colombian caves, and compiles all available literature records to provide an updated list of cave-associated species in Colombia. A new species of Charinus is described, based on females collected in a cave in Santander. The genus Heterophrynus is recorded from six Colombian caves; H. yarigui is newly recorded from Tolima, and for the first time to hypogean microhabitats from Cueva de Los Guácharos, Cunday, Tolima); H. cervinus is recorded from Boyacá, Las Cacas Cave, while H. batesii is newly recorded from Guaviare Caves in Serranía La Macarena/La Lindosa, Caquetá, and for the first time in hypogean microhabitats. The male gonopodes of H. guacharo are described from topotipic specimens from Natural National Park Los Guácharos in the Suaza River basin. Phrynus araya is recorded for two additional caves in Santander, and finally Paraphrynus laevifrons, is recorded for the first time from Providencia Island and for insular hypogean environments in Colombia from the cave (Cueva Bat Hole, Chay Hill, and Represa Freshwater Bay). These findings expand the distribution of amblypygids in Colombian caves, improve our understanding of their diversity, and provide important data for developing conservation strategies for subterranean ecosystems.