Nops nitidus Simon, 1907

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 : 99

Nops nitidus Simon, 1907

Figure 66A‒L

Nops nitida Simon, 1907: 264 . Female holotype from Region of Amazonas, Manaus and Iquitos (no more data), ( MNHN 9673 ; examined).

Nops nitidus: Bonnet, 1958: 3115 (emendation of N. nitida ).

Remarks. The holotype is a subadult female with homogeneous color on the abdomen. This species was described by Simon (1907: 264) from the region of the Amazonas, mentioning two localities (Manaus, Brazil and Iquitos, Peru). Although the description was quite short, Simon wrote that the abdomen of this specimen has a homogeneous green color (... Abdomen oblongum, testaceo–virescens, unicolor...). The other three species occurring in this region ( N. mathani , N. amazonas n. sp and N. alexenriquei n. sp) have an evident chevron pattern on dorsum of abdomen. However, we found several females specimens with a homogeneous grayish green color from the Amazonas Region, including the Brazilian type locality (Manaus). These specimens were assigned to this species, considering that the Simon’s holotype apparently also had this color. Besides abdominal color, these specimens share with the holotype small posterior unpaired claws. Specimens from Iquitos, Peru were not located.

Additional material examined. BRAZIL: Amazonas: Manaus (3°6′0″S, 60°1′0″W), 29.iii.1988, J. Adis, 1♀ ( INPA). Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke (2°57′42″S, 59°55′40″W), 21.xii.1992, H. Höfer & T. Gasnier, 1♀ ( INPA). Ditto, 25.i.1993, H. Höffer & Bosvier, 1♀ ( INPA). Ditto, 9.ix.1991, H. Höfer & T. Gasnier, arboreal funnel traps, 1♀ ( SMNK). Ditto, 14.x.1991, H. Höfer & T. Gasnier, arboreal funnel traps, 1♀ ( SMNK). Ditto, 2.ix.1991, H. Höfer & T. Gasnier, arboreal funnel traps, 1♀ ( IBSP 212791 ) .

Diagnosis. Females can be separate from other congeners from the region by having a homogeneous grayish green color on the dorsum of abdomen ( Fig. 66A, H ).

Description. Male: unknown

Female (from Manaus: INPA): Carapace yellowish orange ( Fig. 66A ). Chelicerae, labium, coxae and legs yellowish orange. Endites and sternum yellowish orange. Abdomen light gray, without noticeable dorsal pattern, lighter ventrally. Anal tubercle and spinnerets light gray. Total length 6.8. Carapace 3.15 long, 2.0 wide. Sternum 3.0 long, 1.8 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.5; II: 3.4; III: 3.2; IV: 3.65. Posterior unpaired claws small, as in other three‒clawed spiders. PLS longer than PMS. External genital area with a weakly sclerotized anterior plate and lep, remarkable ess ( Fig. 66J ). Internal genitalia with receptaculum without invagination and uterus externus with wide base.

Distribution. Known from Manaus, Amazonas ( Fig. 65B ).

Figures

FIGURE 65. Distribution maps. A Nops minas n. sp.; B Nops nitidus Simon.

FIGURE 66. Nops nitidus Simon; A–G female (holotype); H–K female (Manaus: INPA). A, H habitus, dorsal view. B, I habitus ventral view. C cephalothorax, dorsal view. D cephalothorax, ventral view. E habitus, lateral view. F left palp, prolateral view. G left palp, retrolateral view. J external genital area, ventral view. K spinnerets, ventral view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A–B, E, H–I), 0.5 mm (C–D, F–G, J–K).