Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895

Valdez-Mondragón, Alejandro, Jiménez, Maria Luisa & Palacios-Cardiel, Carlos, 2025, On the sympatric spiders from the Baja California Peninsula: Descriptions of the males of Syspira longipes Simon and S. tigrina Simon (Araneae: Miturgidae), with new synonyms, Zootaxa 5722 (3), pp. 301-325 : 311-317

Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895

Figs 31‒64 , 67, 68 , 75

S. tigrina Simon, 1895: 135 (female holotype, presumed lost). Simon 1897: 131, fig. 124.

S. analytica Chamberlin, 1924: 663 , fig.107 (description of the female) syn. nov. Olmstead (1975): 12, figs 1, 2, 7‒9, 18. Syspira synthetica Chamberin, 1924: 665 , figs 109, 110 (description of male and female) syn. nov. Olmstead (1975): 13.

Type material: MEXICO: Baja California Peninsula: Female holotype presumed lost .

Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California Sur, Los Cabos, camino a la Rivera km 17, Cabo Pulmo ( 23.5756667 -109.5600027, 27 m), 21.IX.2016, xeric shrub, hand collection. C. Palacios, A. Brindis, D. Garavito & L. Medrano, leg. 1♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5602). Sierra de la Laguna , Cañón de San Dionisio ( 23.5377 -109.7982, 371 m), 22.IX.2016, low deciduous forest, hand collection, C. Palacios, A. Brindis. D. Garavito & L. Medrano, leg. 3♀, 1 imm. (CARCIB-Ar-5603). Camino a la reserva de la Biósfera ( 23.5107, -110.0417, 502 m), 28.IX.2016, low deciduous forest, hand collection, C. Palacios, A. Brindis, D. Garavito & L. Medrano, leg. 2♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5609). La Paz, El Comitán, Reserva Laura Arriaga ( 24.1298, -110.4357, 9 m), 11.III.2006, sarcocaule shrub, pitfall traps, G. Nieto-Castañeda leg. 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5604). El Comitán, same data, 21.V.2019 hand collection, A. Brindis & C. Palacios leg. 1♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5611). Las Playitas ( 23.9855, -110.1872, 399 m), 09.VII.2009. xeric shrub, C. Palacios leg. 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5605). Las Playitas, same data, 06.V.2010, 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5606). Rancho Ancón ( 24.0065, -110.1001, 668 m), 30.III.2023, transition from thorny scrub to low deciduous forest, C. Palacios, D. Chamé-Vázquez & J. Rojas-Castillo leg. 2♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5608). Todos Santos , San Pedrito de la Palma ( 23.3898, -110.2073, 17 m), 20.IX.2016, xeric shrub, hand collection, C. Palacios, A. Brindis, D. Garavito & L. Medrano, leg. 2♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5610). Comondú, Carambuche-San Isidro ( 26.237, -112.0022, 119 m), 10.VII.2009, mesic vegetation, C. Palacios leg. 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5607) .

Other material. From Chamberlin (1924) ( S. analytica Chamberlin , syn. nov. and S. synthetica Chamberlin , syn. nov. (= S. tigrina ) (not examined): MEXICO: Baja California: 1♀ ( CAS) from Bahía de los Ángeles ( 28.9520, 113.5650), 27.VII.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. 1 immature, 10? ( MCZ) from San Francisquito Bay, V.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. 2 imm. ( CAS) from Isla Mejia ( 29.5570, -113.5717), 30.IV.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. Baja California Sur: 1♀, 4 imm. ( CAS) from Isla Ballena ( 24.4827, -110.4034), 9. VI.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. Several imm. ( CAS) from Isla Ildefonso ( 26.6324, -111.4307), 17. V.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. 1♀, several imm. ( CAS) from Isla (Islotes) Las Galeras ( 25.7411, -111.0443), 13. VI.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. 2♀, 3♂ ( CAS 1449, 1450) from Isla Patos, 23.IV.1921. J.C. Chamberlin leg. 1♂ ( MCZ) from Puerto Escondido ( 25.8125, -111.3116), 14. VI.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. 1♂, 1♀, several specimens ( MCZ) from San José del Cabo ( 23.0991, -109.7192), 14. VI.1921, J. C. Chamberlin leg. 3 imm. ( MCZ) from Isla Pelicano, 06.VII.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. Ten and three specimens (?) ( CAS) from Isla San José ( 24.9790, -110.6176), 10. VI.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. Sonora: 1♀ ( MCZ) from Guaymas ( 27.9113, -110.9160), 14.IV.1921, J.C. Chamberlin leg. 10 specimens (?) ( MCZ) same data as previous material, 09.IV.1921, E.P. Van Duzee leg. Records by Olmstead (1975): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Arizona, Pima County, Santa Catalina Mountains , 1 specimen ( 32.4518 -110.8533), Pima County, Tucson, 3 specimen ( 32.2183, -110.9987), Santa Cruz County, Oro Blanco Mountains 5 specimens ( 31.4908, -111.2931), Santa Cruz County, Ruby 1 specimen ( 31.4632, -111.2377), Yuma County, Gabel, 1 specimen. California, Riverside County Joshua Tree National Monument, Cottonwood Canyon 5 specimens ( 33.8715, -115.9115), Riverside County Lower Covington Flat 1 specimen ( 34.0464, -116.3158), Riverside County Pinyon Wells 13 specimens ( 33.9001, -116.0879), Riverside County Pleasant Valley 7 specimens ( 33.9472, -116.1041), Riverside County Squaw Tank 2 specimens ( 33.9288, -116.0757), Riverside County Morongo Valley 1 specimen ( 34.0427, -116.5828), Riverside County Whitewater Canyon 4 specimen ( 33.9628 -116.6498), San Diego County Jamacha 1 specimen ( 32.7407, -116.9092), Mountain Spring 1 specimen ( 32.6715, -116.1105), Sheep Canyon 1 specimen ( 33.3665, -116.4778). MEXICO: Baja California, Ensenada, 37 mi. NW Bahía de Los Ángeles 1 specimen ( 29.2486, -114.0923), 38 mi. N Laguna Chapala 1 specimen ( 29.9221, -114.5042), Puerto Santo Tomás 5 specimens ( 31.5561, -116.6776). Baja California Sur, Mulegé, San Ignacio 3 specimens, Loreto, 1 specimen ( 26.0140, -111.3526), San Javier Misión 2 specimens ( 25.8604, -111.5441), Puerto Escondido 1 specimen ( 25.8120, -111.3153), Comondú, Santo Domingo 2 specimens ( 25.4925, -111.9210), San Luis Gonzaga Misión 1 specimen ( 24.9082, -111.2912), La Paz 8 specimens ( 24.1438, -110.3125), 17 mi. N Todos Santos, Arroyo, Hondo 17 specimens ( 23.7124, -110.2293), El Triunfo 1 specimen ( 23.8014, -110.1074), Cabo San Lucas 7 specimens ( 22.9019, -109.9114), Agua Caliente, Región del Cabo 2 specimens ( 23.4165, -109.7639), La Rivera 2 specimens ( 23.5928 -109.5763), San José del Cabo 2 specimens ( 23.0991 -109.7192), Isla Ballena 1 specimen ( 24.4827, -110.4034), Isla Cedro 1 specimen ( 28.2036, -115.1958), Isla Cerralvo 14 specimens ( 24.2188, -109.8901), Isla Coronado 1 specimen ( 26.1111, -111.2758), Isla Natividad 1 specimen ( 27.8643, -115.1704), Isla Patos 2 specimens, Isla San José 1 specimen ( 24.9790, -110.6176), Isla Santa Catalina 1 specimen ( 25.6570, -110.7901), Isla Santa Inés 1 specimen ( 27.0379, -111.9121) Punta Palmilla 1 specimen ( 23.0102, -109.7199), 10 mi. S Colonia Region del Cabo 1 specimen, Isla Raya 1 specimen, La Burrera 2 specimens ( 23.4386, -109.6952), San Domingo 1 specimen. Sonora, Guaymas 1 specimen ( 27.9113, -110.9160), Desemboque 2 specimens ( 30.5729, -113.0041), 10 mi. E de Alamos 5 specimens ( 27.0246, -108.7735), Minas Nuevas 1 specimen ( 27.0623, -109.0112), Isla San Martin 1 specimen.

Diagnosis. Syspira tigrina has three dark stripe markings, two are longitudinal and almost parallel, beginning near coxa I and ending before the posterior edge of the carapace; these stripes are separated by at least the distance between the anterolateral eyes. The third stripe is perpendicular to the other two and is closer to the posterior edge of the carapace ( Figs 31, 33 , 67, 68 ). Living specimens of S. tigrina are sand color ( Figs 67, 68 ). Syspira tigrina has the embolar base thin ( Figs. 35, 37 , 55‒58 ), the embolus is short ( Figs 35 , 39 , 43 , 49 , 55‒58 ), the median apophysis is present ( Figs 35, 36, 38 , 39, 42 , 43, 46‒48 ). Subtegulum (St) is short ( Figs 35 , 55‒58 ), the tegulum is poorly sclerotized ( Figs 35, 38 , 55‒58 ). The process on embolar base (pEB) is absent ( Figs 35, 38 , 39 , 43 , 55‒58 ). The cymbium is short ( Figs 35‒46 , 55‒58 ), whereas the cymbial groove (CbGv) is slightly visible ( Figs 37 , 45 , 50 ). RTA in ventral view in S. tigrina is slightly cylindrical and with distal tip curved, hook-shaped ( Figs 35‒37 , 39‒41 , asterisk 52, 53, 55‒58). Female epigynum is as long as wide ( Figs 59, 62 ), posterior plates (PP) short in S. tigrina ( Figs 59, 62 ), atrial hood (H) with trapezoidal-shaped ( Figs 59, 62 ).

Description (male) (CARCIB-Ar-5604). Measurements: Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 7.49. Carapace 4.12 long, 3.37 wide. Clypeus length 0.20. Chelicerae length 1.6. Diameter of ALE 0.20, AME 0.16, PLE 0.20, PME 0.20. Sternum 2.10 long, 1.8 wide. Leg femur length: I—4.37; II—4.0; III—4.0; IV—5.0. Leg spination: I—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d-0-0-1; metatarsus v2-2-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d0; II—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d0; III—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-1, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-2-2; IV—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-2, p1-1-1, r1-1-1, d1-1-1.

Prosoma. Carapace pale yellow dorsally, with two paramedian broken dark bands and numerous black setae and white setae on the sides of ocular region and carapace border ( Fig. 31 ). Posterior slope of carapace with two dark brown spots. Fovea longitudinal. Ocular region pale orange, eight eyes, with two eye rows slightly procurved in dorsal view ( Fig. 31 ). Clypeus short, same length as ALE, PLE, and PME diameter, with long setae. Sternum yellow, almost circular, longer than wide ( Fig. 32 ). Labium dark yellow, longer than wide, becoming paler distally, not fused to the sternum. Endites orange, longer than wide, rhomboid-shaped, becoming paler in prolateral part ( Fig. 32 ).

Chelicerae. Dark orange, with long frontal setae. Fangs reddish, prolateral margin of chelicerae with three equal teeth, retrolateral margin with two equal teeth, black boss present.

Legs. Coxae yellow, trochanters dark yellow, femora pale yellow ventrally and darker yellow dorsally with three dark rings. Femora III-IV with two diffuse ventral dark rings. Patellae and tibia yellow. Metatarsi and tarsi dark yellow with scarse scopula. Tarsi claw with five teeth and stuff.

Opisthosoma. Longer than wide, grey dorsally with white and black setae. Anterior slope with long black setae, with a middle dorsal lanceolate dark band and posterior dark chevron bands ( Fig. 31 ). Opisthosoma dark grey ventrally, with dark grey region around spinnerets ( Fig. 32 ).

Palps. Tibia cylindrical, pale yellow, with three macrosetae in prolateral view ( Figs 36, 38 ). RTA poorly sclerotized on proximal part and sclerotized hook shape on distal part ( Fig. 35‒37 , 39‒42 , 52, 53 ). Palp tibia with barbed, long setae and thin, acuminate setae ( Figs 52‒54 ). Embolus (E) long, forming a complete loop ( Fig. 35 , 39, 41 , 43 ). Embolar base (EB) wide and thinner distally ( Fig. 35 ). Median apophysis (MA) long and curved ( Fig. 35, 37, 38 , 39‒42 , 43, 46‒48 , 55‒58 ). Process on embolar base (pEB) absent ( Figs 35 , 55‒58 ). Embolar base (EBp) finger-shaped ( Fig. 35 ). Conductor (C) translucent and as long as wide ( Figs 35, 37 , 39, 41 , 43, 47, 48 , 55‒58 ). Cymbium with long and numerous distal setae ( Figs 36‒46 , 50 ). Cymbial groove (CbGv) conspicuous, as long as tibia ( Figs 37 , 41 , 45 , 50‒51 ). CbGv with barbed setae ( Figs 50, 52 ). Palp tibia with barbed, long setae and thin, acuminate setae ( Figs 53, 54 ).

Female (CARCIB-Ar-5602). Measurements: Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 13.37. Carapace 4.62 long, 3.75 wide. Clypeus length 0.25. Chelicerae length 2.25. Diameter of ALE 0.20, AME 0.20, PLE 0.20, PME 0.18. Sternum 2.25 long, 2.0 wide. Leg femur length: I—3.62; II—3.75; III—3.12; IV—4.25. Leg spination: I—tibia v2- 2-2, p0, r0, d0; metatarsus v2-0-0, p0, r0, d0; II—tibia v2-2-2, p0, r0, d0, metatarsus v2-0-0, p0, r0, d0; III—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-1, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-2-2; IV—tibia v2-2-1, p1-1-1, r1-1-1, d2-2-2, metatarsus v2-2-1, p1-1-1, r1-1-1, d2-2-2.

Similar to the male, except for the following differences:

Prosoma. Darker yellow than male, dark reticulated pattern from ocular region to posterior part more marked ( Fig. 33 ). Ocular region darker than male. Clypeus is smaller than ALE diameter. Sternum, labium, and endites darker orange than male ( Fig. 34 ).

Chelicerae. Darker reddish than male, with some long setae frontally, with protruding condyles more visible than male. Chelicerae with same dentation as male.

Legs. Coxae and trochanters dark yellow ventrally. Ventrally, femora darker yellow than male; dorsally, darker orange than male, with dark rings more visible. Patellae paler orange than male, without dorsal dark spots. Tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi darker yellow than male, setose, tibiae without dark spots.

Opisthosoma. Longer and wider than male, dorsally slightly paler grey than male. Anterior part with less setae than male. Dorsally, spots paler grey than male ( Fig. 33 ). Ventrally, paler yellow than male, grey region around spinnerets paler than male ( Fig. 34 ).

Epigynum. Atrium hood (H) visible, wider than long ( Figs 59‒63 ), anterior to posterior plates (PP), which are slightly sclerotized ( Figs 59‒63 ). PP with oval edges to anterior part ( Figs 59‒63 ). Primary spermathecae (S1) coiled and kidney-shaped, secondary spermathecae (S2) smaller and coiled, projecting anterodistally ( Figs. 60‒64 ). Copulatory ducts almost parallel, slightly curved in ventral view, fertilization ducts small, next to epigastric furrow ( Figs 59‒63 ).

Variation. Males (N=6). Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 7.49‒9.26 (mean= 8.64). Carapace 4.12‒5.25 (mean= 4.65) long, 3.00‒4.00 (mean= 3.54) wide. Sternum 1.60‒2.25 (mean= 2.05) long, 2.20‒1.55 (mean= 1.88) wide. Leg femur length I: 3.50‒5.12 (mean= 4.54). Males with little morphological variation in palp shape ( Figs 35 , 43 , 55‒58 ). Two males from San Isidro were collected with the palp expanded (asterisks, Figs 39, 41, 42 ), which probably corresponds to males collected during mating. Females (N=6). Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 9.50‒ 13.37 ( x = 11.18). Carapace 4.25‒4.75 (mean= 4.46) long, 3.37‒3.75 (mean= 3.58) wide. Sternum 2.00‒2.50 (mean= 2.19) long, 1.85‒2.20 (mean= 1.98) wide. Leg femur length I: 3.37‒3.75 (mean= 3.62). Females with high variation in external and internal structures of the genitalia. PP with rounded posterior edges in some females ( Figs 59, 60 ), but with straight posterior edges in others ( Figs 62, 63 ). Some females with S1 and S2 longer than others ( Figs 61, 64 ). Some females with S1 separated from each other ( Fig. 64 ), with others have S1 closer to each other ( Fig. 61 ).

Remarks. The work of Simon (1895) describes some arachnids, including S. tigrina , from Baja California in the collections of Dr. Geo. Marx from Washington; however, no specific locality is given, just the brief mention of: “ Arachnides observés en basse Californie ( Mexique) ” (Arachnids observed in Baja California ( Mexico). Later, Simon (1897) makes a brief description of a S. tigrina female and designates it as type material deposited in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France (MNHN); unfortunately, this material is apparently lost. Nevertheless, two specimens collected by Simon (MNHN-AR-AR15053) without dates, are deposited at the MNHN, but were not examined.

Natural history. The species is mainly active at night. Pitfall trap collections indicate that this species represents up to 50% of all wandering spider abundance where they are found, suggesting they are an important component of the desert ground spider assemblage ( Nieto-Castañeda 2004; Nieto Castañeda & Jiménez 2009).

Distribution. MEXICO: Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora. USA: California and Arizona ( Fig. 75 ).

Figures

FIGURE 75. Distribution records of S. longipes (circles) and S. tigrina (triangles). Mexico: BCS, Baja California Sur; BC, Baja California; CHI, Chihuahua; SON, Sonora. The United States: CAL, California; ARI, Arizona; NME, New Mexico; TEX, Texas.

FIGURES 31‒34. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. 31–32, Male (CARCIB-Ar-055), habitus, dorsal and ventral views, respectively. 33–34, Female (CARCIB-Ar-055), habitus, dorsal and ventral views, respectively. Scale bars: 5 mm.

FIGURES 35‒38. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. Male left palp. 36‒36, Ventral anddorsal views, respectively.37‒38, Retrolateral and prolateral views, respectively. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 39‒42. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. Male from San Isidro, Municipality Comondú, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Left expanded palp. 39‒40, Ventral and dorsal views, respectively. 41‒42, Retrolateral and prolateral views, respectively. Asterisks indicate the expanded tegulum. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 43‒48. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. Male left palp under Scanning Electron Microscope. 43‒44, Ventral and dorsal views, respectively. 45‒46, Retrolateral and prolateral views, respectively. 47‒48, Detail of the apical projection on embolar base and median apophysis, prolateral and ventral views, respectively (asterisk indicates the conductor).

FIGURES 49‒54. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. Male left palp under Scanning Electron Microscope. 49, Detail of base of embolus, ventral view. 50, Detail of the embolus and the cymbial groove, retrolateral view. 51, Detail of the setae of the cymbial groove. 52, Detail of the RTA and setae, retrolateral view (asterisk indicates the RTA). 53, Detail of the RTA and setae, dorsal view. 54, Detail of the setae on basal part of the tibia.

FIGURES 55‒58. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. Males. Palp variation of different populations from Baja California Sur, Mexico, ventral views. 55‒56, Males from Rancho Ancón, Municipality La Paz. 57‒58, Males from Santuario de los Cactus, Municipality La Paz. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 59‒64. Syspira tigrina Simon, 1895. Females. Epigyna variation of different localities from Baja California Sur, Mexico. 59‒60, Female from Santuario de Los Cactus, Municipality La Paz, ventral views, not dissected and dissected, respectively. 61, Female from Santuario de Los Cactus, Municipality La Paz, dorsal view. 62‒63, Female from Los Cabos, road La Rivera-Cabo Pulmo, Municipality Los Cabos, ventral views, not dissected and dissected, respectively. 64, Female from Los Cabos, road La Rivera-Cabo Pulmo, Municipality Los Cabos, dorsal view. Scales bars: 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 65–68. Living specimens of the genus Syspira Simon, 1895 from Sierra del Novillo, Municipality La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. 65‒66, Female and male of S. longipes, respectively. 67‒68, Female and male of S. tigrina, respectively.