Priscula piapoco Huber, 2000

Huber, Bernhard A. & Villarreal, Osvaldo, 2020, On Venezuelan pholcid spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 718, pp. 1-317 : 235-236

Priscula piapoco Huber, 2000

Figs 802–803 , 819 , 826–828 , 1060

Priscula piapoco Huber, 2000: 141 , figs 539–540 (♂).

Notes

This species was previously known from three male specimens originating from two localities in Mérida state: the type locality “ 20 km SE Azulita, ULA Biol. Res. La Carbonera” [approximately 8.632° N, 71.367° W], and “Teleferico Estación La Montaña ” [8.575° N, 71.116° W]. Here we newly describe the female from specimens originating from less than 1 km from the type locality. The male accompanying these females died while moulting, but the chelicerae and palps are fully moulted and appear identical to the types.

Diagnosis (amendments; see Huber 2000)

Females barely distinguishable from P. andinensis González-Sponga, 1999 and P. piedraensis GonzálezSponga, 1999 but main epigynal plate with pair of dark areas at posterior margin more distinct and closer together and pore plates slightly more angular anteriorly laterally ( Figs 819 , 828 ).

New record

VENEZUELA – Mérida • 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 22098), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-110), forest near La Carbonera (8.6276° N, 71.3688° W), 2380 m a.s.l., 8 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.) .

Description of female

Females in general similar to males, also with curved hairs on all legs (femora, tibiae, metatarsi). Dark rings on legs more distinct, with indistinct third ring on femora at half length. Brown mark anterior of spinnerets medially divided. Tibia 1 in five females: 6.8–7.4 (mean 7.1). Epigynum ( Fig. 826 ) simple oval plate slightly bulging, very similar to P. andinensis and P. piedraensis but main epigynal plate with pair of dark areas at posterior margin more distinct and closer together; posterior plate very short but wide. Internal genitalia ( Figs 819 , 828 ) with pair of large pore plates and distinctive pair of partly sclerotized lateral posterior elements (asterisk in Fig. 819 ).

Distribution

Known from three neighboring localities in the Venezuelan state Mérida (Fig. 1060). All localities are at about 2300–2450 m a.s.l.

Natural history

The newly collected specimens were found in a well-preserved forest fragment, in large, rather flat webs that transformed into a funnel that led into some hole or crevice in a rock, hollow tree, or log.

Figures

Figs 796–803. Priscula Simon, 1893; live specimens. 796–799. P. andinensis González-Sponga, 1999; male and female from Mérida, Mucuy (796, 797), female with egg sac from Trujillo, between Boconó and Burbusay (798), light juvenile from Lara, between Barquisimeto and Boconó (799, ZFMK Ven18-205). 800–801. P. piedraensis González-Sponga, 1999; females from Mérida, Las Piedras. 802–803. P. piapoco Huber, 2000; females with egg sacs from Mérida, La Carbonera.

Figs 818–819. Priscula Simon, 1893; cleared female genitalia, dorsal views (asterisks: distinctive lateral posterior elements). 818. P. andinensis González-Sponga, 1999; from Mérida, Mucuy (ZFMK Ar 22085). 819. P. piapoco Huber, 2000; from Mérida, La Carbonera (type locality; ZFMK Ar 22098). Scale lines: 1 mm.

Figs 820–828. Priscula Simon, 1893; epigyna, ventral views and cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. 820–822. P. andinensis González-Sponga, 1999; from Mérida, Mucuy (ZFMK Ar 22085). 823–825. P. piedraensis González-Sponga, 1999; from Mérida, Las Piedras (type locality; ZFMK Ar 22096). 826–828. P. piapoco Huber, 2000; from Mérida, La Carbonera (type locality; ZFMK Ar 22098).