Icaleptidae


The Icaleptidae are a small family of neotropical harvestmen within the suborder Laniatores. Although only two species have been described, many more are probably to be discovered.

Name

The name of the type genus is combined from Ica, a Chibchan people inhabiting the slopes of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the second half of the genus Gonyleptes, the first described harvestman in Laniatores.

Description

The two described species have their fourth pair of legs ventrally inserted, giving them a flea-like habitus.

Distribution

Although Icaleptidae have until now only been described from Ecuador and northern Colombia, they are expected to occur in Venezuela. Both species were found in leaf litter. The type material of the two species was collected in 1968 and 1993.

Relationships

This new family is closely related to Zalmoxidae and Fissiphalliidae. Some species that now reside in other families, such as Phalangodinella share similarities with the species in Icaleptidae. It is possible that several species now in other families will be transferred here.

Species

Icaleptes Kury & Pérez, 2002Zalmopsylla Kury & Pérez, 2002