Autoecology and description of Mummucia mauryi (Solifugae, Mummuciidae), anew solifuge from Brazilian semi-arid caatinga

The Brazilian solifuge Mummucia mauryi now species (Solifugae, Mummuiidae) from sand dunes of the Sao Francisco River, in semiarid caatinga domain, is herein described, with illustrations of the main taxonomic characters. Thi s is the first species of Solifugae described from the Brazilian caatinga. The specimens were collected in pitfall traps during both the rainy and dry seasons. It exhibits diurnal activity and a clumped distribution (Morisita 's index = 3.32 and 1.38 for rainy and dry season, respectively). Sun-expos ed areas were avoided during the dry season, when preference for the cactac ean Opuntia inamoena was detected. We suggest this association is related t o predator avoidance.