A new family of G onyleptoidea from S outh A merica ( O piliones, L aniatores)

A new family of L aniatores, G erdesiidae fam. nov., is proposed based on molecular and morphological evidence. Data also indicate that this new family is the sister family of T ricommatidae. Gerdesiidae fam. nov. has a disjunct distribution, occurring in northern S outh A merica ( P eru, B razilian A mazon) and at a spot in south‐eastern B razil ( M inas G erais S tate). The new family is composed of two genera: G erdesius   R oewer, 1952 (type genus) and Gonycranaus gen. nov. (type species Gonycranaus androgynus sp. nov. ). We propose the synonymy of H uralvioides   H . S oares, 1970 with G erdesius   R oewer, 1952 based on molecular and morphological evidence. Three new species are described: Gerdesius mapinguari sp. nov. (type locality: B razil, A mazonas, M anaus, R eserva K m 41); Gonycranaus androgynus sp. nov. (type locality: B razil, M inas G erais, C onceição do M ato D entro); and an obligate cave‐dwelling species, Gonycranaus pluto sp. nov. (type locality: B razil, M inas G erais, M orro do P ilar). © 2015 The Linnean Society of London