Aetana omayan Huber, 2005

Figs 180–181, 187, 194, 198–212, 216–218

Aetana omayan Huber, 2005a: 73–74, figs 104–105, 110–114 (♂ ♀).

Note

The original description was based on a single male and two females. Here we present data on new material from the type locality and a nearby locality, as well as an amended diagnosis to account for the newly described congeners.

Diagnosis

Distinguished from closest known relative ( A. abadae Huber, sp. nov.) by male clypeus modification (apophyses wider apart; cf. Huber 2005a: fig. 112), very indistinct ventro-distal apophysis on male palpal femur (distinct in A. abadae Huber, sp. nov., cf. Fig. 190), and shape of epigynum (whitish areas larger and closer together; Fig. 216). Distinguished from other congeners by bipartite retrolatero-ventral process on procursus (Huber 2005a: fig. 111), male palpal trochanter with prolateral apophysis (other species only with ventral apophysis), and pair of internal sclerotized pockets in female genitalia (Fig. 194).

New material examined

PHILIPPINES, Luzon Isl., Benguet Prov.: 9 ♂♂, 16 ♀♀, 2 juvs, Baguio, Crystal Cave (16.396° N, 120.572° E), 1360 m a.s.l., 2 Mar. 2014 (B.A. Huber), ZFMK (8 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀; Ar 13990) and MSU-IIT (1 ♂, 1 ♀); 1 ♀, 6 juvs, in pure ethanol, same data, ZFMK (Phi 206). 3 ♀♀, near Baguio, Mt. Kabuyao, N slope (16.374° N, 120.557° E), 1200–1400 m a.s.l., among rocks, 2 Mar. 2014 (B.A. Huber), ZFMK (Ar 13991); 1 ♀, 5 juvs, in pure ethanol, same data, ZFMK (Phi 205).

Description (amendments to Huber 2005a)

MALE. Tibia 2 slightly shorter than tibia 4 (e.g., 7.1/7.3); curved hairs on all tibiae and metatarsi; tibia 1 in 8 males: 9.7–10.9 (mean: 10.4).

FEMALE. Eye triads much closer together than in male (distance PME-PME ~ 180–200 µm vs. 300–400 µm); indistinct stridulatory apparatus between carapace and abdomen: small modified area medially on carapace (Fig. 187) versus light brown hairless area on abdomen; with pair of very indistinct membranous pockets behind epigynum in unmodified cuticle (Figs 194, 218). Tibia 1 in 16 females: 7.6–8.5 (mean: 8.2).

Natural history

The type locality is a highly degraded and polluted cave in the midst of a suburb of Baguio City. The cave is actually a natural tunnel of about 50 m length, open on both sides. Within the cave, the spiders were found in high numbers, building their typical domed sheet webs mainly along lower parts of the cave walls near the ground, in crevices and small holes. The finding of the same species among rocks on nearby Mt. Kabuyao suggests that the species is actually widespread in the area and not in danger of extinction by further degradation of the cave.

Distribution

Known from two localities on Luzon Island only (type locality and nearby locality; Fig. 5).