Corythalia C.L. Koch, 1850

Bayer, Steffen, Höfer, Hubert & Metzner, Heiko, 2020, Revision of the genus Corythalia C. L. Koch, 1850, part 1: Diagnosis and new species from South America (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae: Euophryini), Zootaxa 4806 (1), pp. 1-144 : 9-11

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4806.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:722DB6C9-2C18-48EB-B202-7F2AFF47F49F
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03D88781-FF9D-C15E-66AB-F8AC65A84EFF
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Corythalia C.L. Koch, 1850
status

Treatment

Genus Corythalia C.L. Koch, 1850 View in CoL View at ENA

Corythalia C.L. Koch, 1850: 67 View in CoL [type species: Euophrys latipes C.L. Koch, 1846 , transferred to Corythalia View in CoL by C.L. Koch (1850)]; Simon 1901: 652, 654–655, 657; Chickering 1946: 125; Crane 1948: 3; Kraus 1955: 62; Galiano 1962: 15; Zhang & Maddison 2012: 30 View Cited Treatment ; Zhang & Maddison 2015: 15.

Dynamius Simon, 1888: 204 [type species: Jotus opimus Peckham & Peckham, 1885 , transferred to Dynamius by Simon (1888)]; Simon 1901: 652, 654–655, 657 (synonymy, transfer of Dynamius opimus to Corythalia View in CoL ).

Escambia Peckham & Peckham, 1896: 41 [type species: Escambia conspecta Peckham & Peckham, 1896 ]; Simon 1901: 652, 655, 657 (synonymy, transfer of Escambia conspecta to Corythalia View in CoL ).

Makthalia Badcock, 1932: 45 [type species: Makthalia cincta Badcock, 1932 ]; Mello-Leitão 1939: 84 (synonymy, formal transfer of Makthalia cincta to Corythalia View in CoL ).

Taeoma Mello-Leitão, 1939: 89 [type species: Taeoma circumflexa Mello-Leitão, 1939 ]; Galiano 1962: 15 (synonymy, transfer of Taeoma circumflexa and Taeoma barbipes Mello-Leitão, 1939 to Corythalia View in CoL ).

Dinattus Bryant, 1943: 482 [type species: Dinattus heros Bryant, 1943 ]; Zhang & Maddison 2015: 15 (synonymy, formal transfer of all Dinattus species to Corythalia View in CoL ).

Diagnosis. Corythalia is distinguished from all other salticid genera by the following characters in combination: cheliceral fangs very short (in resting position tips of the two claws at most reaching each other, but not crossing as in most other salticid genera), retromargin of cheliceral furrow with one very small and slim (tiny) tooth ( Figs 2A View FIGURE 2 , 3A View FIGURE 3 ), promargin either with one tooth or, more rarely, with two teeth located very close together or even connected with each other, all teeth very small and slim (often even tiny). Anterior surface of cheliceral base medio-distally with small lobe with several hairs ( Figs 2 View FIGURE 2 A–B, 3A–B). Males with long, dark fringe of hairs on tibiae and metatarsi of walking legs III, often similarly well developed on legs I–II ( Figs 3 View FIGURE 3 D–E, 59G, 60I). Embolus coiled, at least at its disc-shaped base ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ). Tegulum proximally extending beyond proximal margin of cymbium and partly covering palpal tibia, generally in form of a proximal lobe (at retrolateral section) ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ). Male palpal tibia ventrally usually with bump ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ). Distal haematodocha developed ( Fig. 64F View FIGURE 64 ). Epigyne with epigynal windows, separated by a longitudinal septum ( Figs 1 View FIGURE 1 B–C). In general, vulva with primary and secondary spermatheca (the former mostly larger than the latter), both connected by a narrow and long duct, often longer than diameter of primary spermatheca ( Fig. 1D View FIGURE 1 ). In dorsal view carapace anteriorly not broader than centrally ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ). Anterior lateral eyes in frontal view clearly located further dorsally than anterior median eyes ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ). Opisthosoma dark brown with at least one light, usually broad, transverse band ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ), only rarely narrow and/or interrupted medially. Most species with three light transverse bands on abdomen. Carapace at proximo-lateral margins mostly with broad bands of light scale hairs ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ). RTA mostly with dorsal serration ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ).

Description. Medium-sized jumping spiders. Body length of males 3.5–8.6 mm, of females 4.0– 10.5 mm. Width of anterior part of carapace slightly narrower than widest section of carapace. Posterior median eyes slightly closer to posterior lateral eyes than to anterior lateral eyes ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ). In lateral view dorsal margin of carapace running parallel to the longitudinal axis of body in central third, decreasing abruptly behind and decreasing rather smoothly in front ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ). Anterior median eyes and anterior lateral eyes relatively small in comparison to many other salticid genera, not occupying complete carapace width in frontal view. Clypeus below anterior median eyes comparatively low. Chelicerae short and weak, basal article about 1.5 times longer than broad. Cheliceral furrow with one tooth or, more rarely, two teeth (if two, than both located very closely together) anteriorly and one posteriorly, all teeth very slim and small ( Figs 2 View FIGURE 2 A–B, 3A). Cheliceral base dorso-medio-proximally with lobe carrying several long hairs that are sometimes slightly curved. Labium approximately as long as wide ( Figs 3F View FIGURE 3 , 4A View FIGURE 4 ) or in- significantly longer than broad. Gnathocoxae (endites) about 1.5 times longer than wide, diverging distally and in males with broad, short, pointed “corner” laterally, almost at predistal section ( Figs 3A View FIGURE 3 , 4A View FIGURE 4 ). Females without such a “corner” or at best minimally indicated ( Fig. 3F View FIGURE 3 ). Sternum shield-shaped, about 1.5 times longer than broad ( Figs 4 View FIGURE 4 B–C). Palps in males ( Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ) and females without claw. Tarsi of legs distally with two inhomogeneous tarsal claws, prolateral tarsal claws with more teeth (10–15 in forelegs; 15–20 in hind legs) than retrolateral ones (5–10 in forelegs; 10–15 in hind legs). Legs as in most salticids, rather short (metatarsus I about 0.3–0.5x carapace length), those of males slightly longer than those of females. LEG FORMULA: 3412, 4312, 3421 or 4321. SPINATION OF PALP AND LEGS: variable within each species and among the species; some patterns, however, very conservative. Mostly, no species-specific spination pattern recognisable. At the following positions spines are always absent: all articles of palps, tarsi, ventral surfaces of all femora and all patellae. Ventral spines on tibiae and metatarsi mostly paired. Conservative patterns: spination on metatarsus III mostly 3134, on patellae I–II mostly 1000, on patellae III– IV mostly 1010. Males with long, dark fringe of hairs on tibiae and metatarsi of leg pairs I–III [especially ventrally, slightly less developed dorsally; fringe hairs most distinctly developed on leg pair III, in some species missing at leg pairs I–II ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ), or in a few species also appearing on leg pair IV, but less distinct ( Fig. 59G View FIGURE 59 )]. COLOURA- TION: chelicerae brown to dark red-brown. Sternum generally yellowish-brown, slightly darker on lateral margins. Carapace brown, red-brown or dark brown, eye region even darker than further proximal sections, often with light scales, the latter often in small patches, more densely arranged ( Figs 3B, 3D View FIGURE 3 ). Proximal sections of lateral margins with broad bands of dense, light scales ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ). Coxae, trochanteres and sternum generally lighter brown (often even beige or yellowish) than carapace and legs. Palp yellowish light brown or light red-brown, except for palpal tibia and tarsus, which are darker; palpal patella and distal 2/3 of femur in males with many light scales ( Figs 3B View FIGURE 3 , 5 View FIGURE 5 ). Legs from yellowish-beige and light brown to dark brown; generally coxae (incl. trochanteres), patellae (at least III and IV) and distal parts of tibiae (sometimes also distal parts of metatarsi), as well as tarsi, lighter than remaining articles ( Figs 3D View FIGURE 3 , 4B View FIGURE 4 ); mentioned articles in males often only slightly lighter. However, several species have (almost) unicoloured brown to dark brown legs, or at least only the proximalmost articles (coxae and trochanteres) and tarsi III & IV lighter. Opisthosoma dorsally brown to dark brown with at least one transversal light band (build partly by pigmentation and partly by light scales); lateral, posterior and anterior surfaces often also with light colouration (light bordering) ( Figs 3D View FIGURE 3 , 59F View FIGURE 59 , 60D View FIGURE 60 , 62D, 62I View FIGURE 62 , 63B, 63D, 63F View FIGURE 63 ), ventrally with distinctly lighter basic colouration than dorsally, mostly grey-brown to beige ( Fig. 4B View FIGURE 4 ). General dorsal colouration of opisthosoma: brown to dark brown with three light transverse bands; anteriormost of such broadest, but often not as light as central one, being second broadest and often containing dark chevron-like patch centrally; posteriormost band clearly narrowest and sometimes centrally interrupted. Anterior lateral spinnerets 2–2.5x longer than broad and slightly conical, posterior median and posterior lateral spinnerets distinctly more slender (3.5–5x longer than broad) and approximately cylindrical, about as long as anterior lateral spinnerets ( Fig. 4E View FIGURE 4 ). COPULATORY ORGANS: Male palp with elongated tegulum, proximally with distinct lobe (generally in retrolateral section). Embolus coiled (at least at the embolus base section), mostly moderately long ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ), sometimes rather short ( Figs 17A View FIGURE 17 , 20A, 20C View FIGURE 20 , 21A View FIGURE 21 ) and rarely long and filiform ( Figs 52 View FIGURE 52 A–B, 53A–B, 54A–B). Embolus base and arising point of embolus prolatero- or centro-distally on tegulum. Regular, meaning, explicit conductor missing. Rarely membranous structure (with partial function of a conductor?) in direct longitudinal conjunction with embolus ( Figs 50 View FIGURE 50 A–B, 67E–H), termed embolic lamina by most authors working on Salticidae . Distal and basal haematodocha present ( Fig. 64F View FIGURE 64 ). Subtegulum mostly not easily recognisable in ventral view. Cymbium (rarely only slightly) broader than palpal tibia and patella and dorsally with (not very dense) scopula at distal 1/6 to distal 1/3 ( Figs 4D, 4F View FIGURE 4 , 68A View FIGURE 68 , 69D View FIGURE 69 , 70D View FIGURE 70 ). Length and density of scopula with hardly any variation among different species (at least not distinguishable from intraspecific variation). RTA mostly moderately long and generally serrated dorsally ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ), its base in retrolateral view in a few species quite broad. Female epigyne mostly with distinct epigynal windows (e.g. Figs 1 View FIGURE 1 B–C, 6C, 8A, 71, 72). Primary spermathecae mostly visible through epigynal cuticula. Vulva generally with primary and secondary spermatheca, connective duct between these two, fertilisation duct and copulatory duct (e.g. Figs 1D View FIGURE 1 , 30D View FIGURE 30 , 75 View FIGURE 75 , 77 View FIGURE 77 ). Spermathecal heads usually arising from secondary spermathecae.

Biology. According to Crane (1948) feeding behaviour of Corythalia specimens is typical salticid-like, which means leaping on the prey. Most specimens of Corythalia were captured in pitfall traps, by visually screening the ground, sieving leaf litter or in tree eclectors. The genus is therefore supposed to comprise mainly litter inhabiting and ground active spiders. The very short cheliceral fangs suggest a prey spectrum of rather small arthropods with weak cuticle, e.g. springtails (Collembola), psocids (Psocoptera) and other small soil or bark-dwelling animals. Several Corythalia species seem to be specialised on ants as prey (G. Ruiz, pers. comm.).