Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2003
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.1206/3695.2 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C9E22128-9B68-4515-ABCE-BBA5FBD5039A |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/033187C9-FFC3-5115-FE32-FF49C7CDF901 |
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Carolina |
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scientific name |
Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2003 |
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Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2003 View in CoL
Figures 1, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, F, 8C, D, 12–14; table 2
Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2003: 1–12 View in CoL View Cited Treatment . Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2005: 80, 126, 135, 136, 144, 235; 2007: 47, 48, 52; Ojanguren-Affilastro and Cheli, 2009: 353, 354, 355.
TYPE MATERIAL: ARGENTINA: Río Negro Province: Holotype ♀ ( CDA 000.151), Meseta de Somuncurá, Laguna Pelada , 7.xii.1985, L. Acosta . Paratypes: same data, 9 ♀, 4 juv. ( LEA), 2 ♀ ( FML), 2 ♀ (I ADIZA); Laguna Chara, 1 ♀ ( MACN), 18.xii.1968, J. M. Cei .
NEW RECORDS: ARGENTINA: Río Negro Province: Meseta de Somuncurá , 41°25′20.6″S, 66°58′ 37.6″W, 1465 m, 29.x.2008, A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, S. Nenda, and L. Compagnucci GoogleMaps , 18 ♂, 19 ♀, 4 juv. (MACN-Ar), 2 ♂, 2 ♀, 2 juv. ( AMNH) , 2 ♂, 2 ♀, 2 juv. ( LBRE) , 2 ♂, 2 ♀, 2 juv. ( MHNC) .
DIAGNOSIS: Urophonius somuncura is most similar morphologically to U. granulatus , from which it may be separated on the following criteria. The VL carinae on the ventral surfaces of sternite VII and metasomal segments I and II are weakly developed, and the VSM carinae absent, or represented only by scattered granules ( figs. 3B View FIGURE 3 , 4B View FIGURE 4 ) in U. somuncura compared with U. granulatus , in which these carinae are well developed ( figs. 3A View FIGURE 3 , 4A View FIGURE 4 ). The telson of U. somuncura is less globose, with a telson length/height ratio of 3.18–3.37 (n = 10; mean = 3.26) in ♂ and 3.02–3.37 (n = 10; mean = 3.22) in ♀, than that of U. granulatus , in which the ratio is 2.62–3 (n = 10; mean = 2.83) in ♂ and 2.72–3.07 (n = 10; mean = 2.91) in ♀.
The external morphology and hemispermatophore of U. somuncura are also similar to that of U. tregualemuensis , from which it may be distinguished by the shorter distal lamina of the hemispermatophore ( fig. 8C, D View FIGURE 8 ) and the position of pedipalp femoral trichobothrium e, which is situated in the same axis as dorsal macroseta M1 (fig. 13A), rather than proximal to it (fig. 16A). Both species can be also distinguished by means of the pigmentation pattern of the carapace, the anterior margin of which is densely pigmented in U. somuncura ( fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ), but exhibits a wide, unpigmented triangle in U. tregualemuensis ( fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). The two species may be further distinguished by means of the VL and VSM carinae of sternite VII and metasomal segments I and II: the VL carinae are weakly developed, and the VSM carinae absent, or represented only by scattered granules ( figs. 3B View FIGURE 3 , 4B View FIGURE 4 ) in U. somuncura compared with U. tregualemuensis , in which these carinae are well developed ( figs. 3C View FIGURE 3 , 4C View FIGURE 4 ).
DESCRIPTION: Based on the holotype ♀ ( CDA) and a ♂ from the MACN .
Total length: 23.2–29.5 mm (n = 10; mean = 26.3 mm) in ♂; 25.5–33 mm (n = 10; mean = 29.7 mm) in ♀.
Color: Base color yellowish, with dark brown spots ( fig. 12 View FIGURE 12 ). Chelicerae with reticulate pigmentation on external surfaces of fingers and near articulation, in basal part of manus. Carapace with two broad, dark stripes, extending from anterior margin to anterior part of posterior longitudinal sulcus, covering most of anterior half; median ocular tubercle and area around lateral ocelli dark brown ( fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ); two lateral stripes extending from lateral margins to posterior longitudinal sulcus; two dark spots posteriorly. Tergites I–VI each with paired dark spots, laterally and submedially, submedian spots converging at anteromedian margins of segments and in some specimens converging with lateral spots at posterior margins; VII with paired dark spots laterally converging at anteromedian margin. Sternum, genital opercula and pectines weakly pigmented, with some faint spots. Sternites III–VI, lateral margins densely pigmented; posterior margins faintly pigmented; VII densely pigmented on lateral margins, with three dark spots, two submedially and one medially, in posterior third. Metasomal segments I–III, dorsal surfaces each with two dark spots submedially, joining medially, and with two thin stripes along DL carinae, connected to dorsosubmedian spots, becoming broader at posterior margins, and connecting to lateral stripes; lateral surfaces each with broad, dark stripe below LSM carinae, not connected to VL stripes; ventral surfaces each with three, separate dark stripes (two broader VL and a narrow VSM stripe) along entire length of segment. Metasomal segment IV, similar to I–III but with DSM spots more elongated. Metasomal segment V, dorsal surface with paired, narrow submedian stripes and broad lateral stripes in anterior half, joining in posterior half; lateral surface with reticulate pigmentation joining dorsal and VL stripes in posterior half; ventral surfaces as on other segments with three ventral stripes. Telson, vesicle dorsal surface mostly covered by unpigmented gland; other surfaces densely pigmented, except for paired, narrow VSM and VL unpigmented stripes; aculeus basally unpigmented, apex dark brown. Pedipalps, trochanter with dark spot dorsally; femur with two well-developed stripes along DI and DE margins, and with two weakly developed stripes along VI and VE margins; chela with seven dark stripes along DI, DM, DS, D, E, V, and VM carinae; area near articulation of fixed and movable fingers, and base of fingers with sparse, reticulate pigmentation. Legs, coxae slightly pigmented; trochanters spotted pro- and retrolaterally; femur pigmented near articulation with patella and along ventroexternal margin; patella pigmented near articulations and along dorsal margin; tibia pigmented on articulation with patella; basitarsi pigmented near articulation with tibia; telotarsi unpigmented.
Carapace: Surfaces slightly granular, more densely granular so near lateral margins. Anterior margin slightly convex. Anterior longitudinal and interocular sulci weakly developed; posterior longitudinal and lateral sulci well developed. Median ocular tubercle pronounced, median ocelli large, ca. 2 diameters apart. Three pairs of small lateral ocelli on each side of carapace; anterior and median ocelli situated very close together, in same horizontal axis, posterior ocellus (which is 50% smaller) situated slightly dorsal to others, 1 diameter apart.
Tergites: Surfaces, I–VI finely granular, more coarsely so near posterior and lateral margins; VII with paired submedian and lateral carinae restricted to posterior two-thirds of segment, intercarinal surfaces with scattered medium-sized granules, rest of surface finely granular.
Sternites: Surfaces, III–VI smooth, with small, elliptical spiracles; VII, anterior half smooth, posterior two-thirds sparsely granular, more densely so in ♀; VSM and VL carinae usually absent ( figs. 3B View FIGURE 3 , 4B View FIGURE 4 ), but VL carinae obsolete in some specimens.
Metasoma: Metasomal segment I, dorsal surface sparsely granular; DL and LSM carinae granular, extending entire length of segment, with posterior three to five granules double the size of others and arranged in semicircle, usually surrounding small macroseta; surface between DL and the LSM carinae sparsely granular; LIM carinae restricted to posterior half of segment; one pair of LIM macrosetae; lateral margins and ventral surface sparsely granular; VL carinae weakly developed (obsolete or absent in some
♂ specimens); VSM carinae absent; two pairs of VL and VSM macrosetae. Segment II, similar to I, except with carinae less developed;
one pair of LSM and LIM macrosetae; LIM carinae restricted to posterior third of segment; ventral surface sparsely granular; VL
carinae obsolete; three pairs of VSM macrosetae. Segment III, similar to segment II,
except with less developed carinae; LSM carinae comprising small, sparse granules medially; LIM carinae absent; one pair of DL,
LSM, and LIM macrosetae; ventral surface smooth. Segment IV, DL carinae granular,
extending entire length of segment, connected to posterior margin of LSM carinae by scattered granules forming accessory carina; LSM
carinae vestigial, restricted to anterior and posterior margins of segment; LIM carina absent; one pair of DL, LSM, and LIM macrosetae; ventral surface smooth; three pairs of
VSM and VL macrosetae. Segment V elongated ( figs. 5B View FIGURE 5 , 6B View FIGURE 6 ); length/width ratio 2.31–
FIGURE 13. Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2001 , 2.55 (n = 10; mean = 2.49) in ♂, 1.90–2.15 ♂ (MACN), dextral pedipalp segments. A. Femur, (n = 10; mean = 2.03) in ♀; length/height dorsal aspect. B. Patella, dorsal aspect. C. Patella, exratio 2.67–3 (n = 10; mean = 2.88) in ♂, ternal aspect. D. Patella, ventral aspect. Scale bar =
1 mm. 2.22–2.54 mm (n = 10; mean = 2.41) in ♀;
dorsal and lateral surfaces with small, scattered granules; DL carinae reduced to granules in anterior third of segment; one pair of DL
macrosetae; LSM carinae represented only by pair of macrosetae at posterior margin; LIM carinae represented by three pairs of macrosetae; ventral surface granular in posterior half of segment; VL carinae reduced to posterior two-thirds of segment, comprising larger granules near posterior margin; VSM carinae subparallel to VL carinae but diverging from them in posterior third of segment; VM carinae obsolete, reduced to scattered granules in posterior third of segment (♂) or more developed and occupying posterior half of segment (♀); three or four pairs of VL macrosetae, three pairs of VSM macrosetae, and two pairs of macrosetae at posterior margin of segment.
Telson: Vesicle slightly elongated, shallow, more so in ♀ than ♂ ( fig. 7B, F View FIGURE 7 ); length/height ratio 3.18–3.37 (n = 10; mean = 3.26) in ♂, 3.02–3.37 (n = 10; mean = 3.22) in ♀; ventral sur -
face smooth (♂) to slightly granular (♀); dorsal surface smooth, with (♂) or without (♀) an elliptical median depression, corresponding to telson gland. Aculeus short, shallowly curved.
♂ ( MACN). B, E . ♀ ( MACN). A. Dorsal aspect. B. External aspect. C. Ventral aspect. D, E. Internal aspect. Scale bar = 1 mm .
Pedipalps: Femur with DI, DE, and VI carinae granular, extending entire length of segment (fig. 13A); intercarinal surfaces sparsely covered with medium-sized granules; trichobothrium e situated in same axis as dorsal macroseta M1. Patella with DI and VI carinae distinct, granular, extending entire length of segment (fig. 13B–D); DE carina obsolete, visible only as slight curvature of surface, along entire length of segment. Chela manus slender (more robust in ♂), acarinate ( fig. 14 View FIGURE 14 ), internal surface with slight bulge near articulation of movable finger (♀) or pronounced, subtriangular projection and shallow depression, with group of 4 or 5 granules and, in some specimens, 1 or more additional granules between this group of granules and median denticle row of fixed finger, near base of fixed finger (♂); fingers elongated, median denticle row medially uneven (but not forming a clear double row), with five pairs of accessory granules.
Pectines: Tooth count: 16–19 (n = 26; mode = 17) in ♂; 14–16 (n = 66; mode = 15) in ♀.
Legs: Surfaces smooth. Basitarsi each with two well-developed, equal-length pedal spurs. Telotarsi elongated, shallow, each with well-developed ventromedian row of hyaline setae, and paired rows of ventrosubmedian spiniform setae, with following counts on each telotarsus: I: 1/1, II: 2/2, III: 4–5/5–6, (mode = 5/6), IV: 5–6/6–7 (mode = 5/6). Ungues strongly curved, equal in length.
Hemispermatophore: Basal portion well developed. Distal lamina well developed, ca. 30% shorter than basal portion; distal crest slightly undulated, oriented in same direction as principal axis of hemispermatophore; frontal crest (distal posterior flexure) present; internal lobe with two well-developed denticles, disconnected from distal lamina ( fig. 8D View FIGURE 8 ), external denticle ca. 50% larger than internal denticle. Lobe region weakly developed ( fig. 8C View FIGURE 8 ); basal lobe well developed, barely protruding, without internal laminar extension, anterior surface forming broad, concave excavation; internal surface with well-developed lamina, completely covering basal lobe ( fig. 8C View FIGURE 8 ), which probably corresponds to half the genital plug, and is connected to hemispermatophore by a very fragile fold, destroyed in most specimens during removal of paraxial organ tissues; internal part of hemispermatophore as in figure 8A View FIGURE 8 . We examined the hemispermatophores of 10 specimens and observed no conspicuous variation in its structure.
DISTRIBUTION: This species is endemic to the summit of the Somuncura Plateau , central Río Negro Province, Argentina, above 1000 m (fig. 1) .
ECOLOGY: The Somuncura Plateau is an “island” of Patagonian steppe habitat deep inside the Monte phytogeographic province ( Acosta, 2003; Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2007). Most specimens of U. somuncura were collected between 1200–1500 m, in sympatry with Bothriurus ceii Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2007 . Males of this species were collected for the first time in mid-spring (29 October, 2008), supporting Acosta’s (2003) suggestion that they are active on the surface only in spring. During previous collecting trips to the type locality, conducted in summer ( Acosta, 2003; Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2005), only females and juveniles were active on the surface. Specimens were collected on the rocky slope of a low hill near a lagoon. Most specimens where found on rock walls up to 1 m above the ground surface, but several specimens were also found on the ground.
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2003
| Ojanguren-Affilastro, Andrés A., Ochoa, José A., Mattoni, Camilo I. & Prendini, Lorenzo 2010 |
Urophonius somuncura
| Ojanguren-Affilastro, A. A. & G. Cheli 2009: 353 |
| Ojanguren-Affilastro, A. A. 2005: 80 |
| Acosta, L. E. 2003: 12 |