Nops flutillus Chickering, 1967

Sánchez-Ruiz, Alexander & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2018, A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Nops MacLeay (Araneae: Caponiidae) with the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the Nopinae genera, Zootaxa 4427 (1), pp. 1-121 : 32

Nops flutillus Chickering, 1967

Figures 16G‒L ; 17A‒F

N. flutillus Chickering, 1967: 7 , figs 5–6. Male holotype from Sint Nicolaas, St. Mathaa (12°16′56″N, 69°07′16″W), Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, 29.xii.1962, B. de Jong & H. W. Levi (MCZ 21349); female paratype, same data as holotype (MCZ 128276); all types examined.

Additional material examined. CURAÇAO: Coral Specht , 3 km E of Willemstad (12°5′23″N, 68°53′26″W), 8‒15.ii.1987, W.E. Steiner and J.M. Swearingen, 1♀ ( USNM) . South of Savonet , shady ravine, 28.xii.1962, H.L. Levi, 1 immature ( MCZ 1 28275). Ditto , under stones, 1 immature ( MCZ 1 28273). S of Slope veeris Berg, 20.xii.1962, H.L. Levi, 1♂ 1 immature ( MCZ 128274 ) . Fuik, Oostpunt, 26.xii.1962, H.L. Levi, 1 immature (MCZ 128272). Piscadera, Baai (12°7′7″N, 68°59′0″W), dump, 20.xii.1962, H.L. Levi, 1♀ (MCZ 128287). Willemstad (12°6′8″N, 68°55′52″W), roadside, 24.xii.1962, H.L. Levi, 2 immatures ( MCZ 128279 ) . Saint Nicolaas , St. Mathaa, 29.xii.1962, B. de Jong & H.W. Levi, 1♂ (leg I, IV and palp for SEM), 1♀ 2 immatures ( MCZ 128277 ) . Siberie , 25.xii.1962, H.L. Levi, 1 immature ( MCZ 128278 ) .

Diagnosis. Males resemble similar congeners Nops guanabacaoe and Nops largus by having a long embolus; but can be distinguished by having the embolus slightly twisted ( Figs 16G ; 17B‒C) and the tip ending in five small extensions, three tiny on dorsal part and two greater on ventral part ( Fig. 16H‒I ). Females can be distinguished by a receptaculum with wider and less sinuous invagination ( Fig. 16J‒L ).

Description. Male (holotype): Carapace dark orange. Chelicerae, palps and legs orange; coxae and trochanters lighter. Endites, labium and sternum light orange. Abdomen gray, dorsal pattern like in figure 6I. Anal tubercle and spinnerets lighter than abdomen. Total length 8.0. Carapace 5.0 long, 3.0 wide. Sternum 3.3 long, 2.9 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.75; II: 3.65; III: 3.0; IV: 3.9. Posterior unpaired claw elongated and dorsally reflexed. PLS longer than PMS. Palp with embolus longer than palpal tibia, slightly twisted ( Figs 16G ; 17B‒C); tip ending in five short extensions, three tiny on dorsal part and two greater on ventral part ( Fig. 16H‒I ).

Female (AMNH): Carapace, chelicerae, labium, legs, coxae, endites and sternum as in male. Abdomen as in male, but somewhat lighter. Anal tubercle and spinnerets lighter than abdomen. Total length 8.25. Carapace 5.35 long, 3.1 wide. Sternum 3.6 long, 2.9 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.80; II: 3.75; III: 3.30; IV: 4.05. Posterior unpaired claws and spinnerets as in male. External genital area with weakly sclerotized anterior plate, strongly sclerotized lep and remarkable ess ( Fig. 17E ). Internal genitalia with wide invagination on receptaculum and uterus externus with narrow base ( Figs 16J‒L ; 17F).

Distribution. Known only from Curaçao Island ( Fig. 57G ).

Figures

FIGURE 16. A–F Nops finisfurvus Sánchez–Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayón; A–C male (Virgin Gorda Island: AMNH); D–F female (Little Jost Van Dyke Island: AMNH); G–L Nops flutillus Chickering; G–I male (MCZ 128277); J–L female (MCZ 128277). A left palp, prolateral view. B tip of embolus, anterior view. C tip of embolus, prolateral view. D internal genitalia, dorsal view. E same, detail of receptaculum, anterior view. F internal genitalia, anterior view. G left palp, retrolateral view. H tip of embolus, retrolateral view. I tip of embolus, dorsal view. J internal genitalia, dorsal view. K same, detail of receptaculum, anterior view. L internal genitalia, anterior view. Abbreviations: ete—embolar tip extensions, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 17. Nops flutillus Chickering; A–C male (holotype); D–F female (paratype). A habitus, dorsal view. B left palp, prolateral view. C left palp, retrolateral view. D habitus, dorsal view. E external genital area, ventral view. F internal genitalia, dorsal view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, ess—external sclerotization around spiracles, lep—lateral extensions of posterior plate, pp—posterior plate, re—receptaculum, ue—uterus externus. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, D), 0.5 mm (B–C, E–F).

FIGURE 57. Nops maculatus Simon; A–E male (Trinidad: AMNH); F female (Trinidad: MCZ 128291). A left palp, prolateral view. B left palpal tibia, prolateral view. C stridulatory pick, prolateral view. D tip of embolus, retrolateral view. E same, anterior view. F internal genitalia, dorsal view. G distribution of Nops maculatus Simon (circles), Nops flutillus Chickering (star), Nops ursumus Chickering (diamond), Nops coccineus Simon (square) and Nops variabilis Keyserling (triangles).