A revision of selected clades of the Neotropical members of the mite- harvestman family Neogoveidae (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) with the description of eight new species

Among the least-studied families of mite harvestmen (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) is the family Neogoveidae, a group of arachnids that inhabits tropical rain forests on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean around the Equator, and an exquisite example of Gondwanan vicariance. To evaluate the diversity within Neogoveidae we studied the morphology of all currently recognized genera using a recent phylogeny of the group to provide a framework for the family in the Neotropics. That study identifies several clades that correspond to the recognized genera Neogovea, Huitaca, Metagovea, Canga, and the recently resurrected genus Brasilogovea, formerly synonymized with Neogovea. Neogovea is restricted to eastern Amazonia (Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname), Huitacaremains endemic to Colombia, Canga is restricted to its type locality in the Serra de Carajás (Pará State, Brazil), Brasilogovea to Central Amazonas and the Tepuis region in Colombia, and Metagovea is the most widespread genus, found along the northern Andes from Perú to Venezuela, and extending to the Amazon region. All Neotropical genera are diagnosed and discussed. The formerly monotypic Huitaca is revised with the description of six additional species, all found in the high-altitude Colombian mountain areas called cordilleras, between 2,030 and 3,050 m. These include: Huitaca bitaco new species, Huitaca boyacaensis new species, Huitaca caldas new species, Huitaca depressa new species, Huitaca sharkeyi new species, and Huitaca tama new species, all from Colombia. Two additional species, Brasilogovea chiribiqueta new species, from Colombia, and Neogovea hormigai new species, from Guyana, are also described.