Mazax O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898

Silva-Junior, Cláudio J., Martínez, Leonel, Villarreal, Eduardo & Bonaldo, Alexandre B., 2024, Two fancy spines and a collar: a taxonomic review of the myrmecomorphic spider genus Mazax O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae) in South America, European Journal of Taxonomy 968 (1), pp. 219-255 : 222-224

Genus Mazax O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898

Mazax O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898: 275 , pl. 34 fig. 2

(type species: Mazax spinosa Pickard-Cambridge, 1898: 276 , by monotypy).

Mazax – Reiskind 1969: 258.

Diagnosis

Mazax differs from all other American genera of Castianeirinae by the presence of a long, rugose abdominal pedicel collar ( Figs 4E , 17E–F ) and by the dorsal abdominal scutum bulging strongly anteriorly ( Figs 3B, E , 8B, E , 16B, E ; Reiskind 1969: figs 282–283, 285). The presence of spiniform AS II inserted on tubercles ( Figs 8E , 10E ) is also informative, but they are absent in both sexes of M. ajax and M. xerxes , and in females of M. chickeringi , M. mokana sp. nov., and M. leonidas sp. nov. A similarly developed pedicel collar and modified AS II also occur in the Asian genus Serendib Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 . Mazax can be distinguished from Serendib by having the PER straight or slightly recurved ( Figs 4B , 7A ) (strongly recurved in Serendib ; Zhang & Zhang 2023: figs 1a, 4a), AS I short or absent (very long in Serendib ; Zhang & Zhang 2023: fig. 3a–b), and by the presence of a chemosensory patch on the male palpal cymbium ( Figs 6C , 19D ) (absent in Serendib ; Zhang & Zhang 2023: fig. 8a, c).

Key to the species of Mazax O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898

1. Males ................................................................................................................................................. 2

– Females ........................................................................................................................................... 12

2. Carapace darker posteriorly ( Fig. 15D–E ; Reiskind 1969: fig. 280) ................................................ 3

– Carapace otherwise ........................................................................................................................... 4

3. Tibia I ventral spination 4-4, RTA present, spiniform AS II present ( Fig. 14D–F, I–J ) ( Colombia) .. ............................................................................................................................. M. leonidas sp. nov.

– Tibia I ventral spination 5-5, RTA absent, AS II absent ( Reiskind 1969: figs 226–229, 280–281) ( Costa Rica) ............................................................................................... M. xerxes Reiskind, 1969

4. Tibia I ventral spination 2-1 or 3-2 ................................................................................................... 5

– Tibia I ventral spination 3-3, 4-4, or 5-4 ........................................................................................... 7

5. Tibia I ventral spination 2-1; embolus long (¼ of bulbus length) and straight (southern Mexico) .... ........................................................................................................................ M. ajax Reiskind, 1969

– Tibia I ventral spination 3-2; embolus otherwise ............................................................................. 6

6. Embolus long (nearly ¼ of bulbus length) but twisted at tip; pedicel collar short (⅛ of abdomen length), thoracic groove present ( Cokendolpher 1978: figs 1–7) (Southwest USA) .......................... .......................................................................................................... M. kaspari Cokendolpher, 1978

– Embolus short (more than ⅒ of bulb length); pedicel collar long (¼ of abdomen length), thoracic groove absent ( Figs 16D–I , 17A, E , 19A–B ) ( Brazil) ............................................ M. tembe sp. nov.

7. Tibia I ventral spination 3-3 ( Fig. 3D–F, I–J ) ( USA to Colombia) ................. M. pax Reiskind, 1969

– Tibia I ventral spination 4-4 or 5-4 ................................................................................................... 8

8. Tibia I ventral spination 5-4 ( Fig. 10 D–F, I–J ) (South America) ...................................................... .......................................................................................... M. acanthaspis ( Simon, 1896) comb. nov.

– Tibia I ventral spination 4-4 .............................................................................................................. 9

9. AS II inserted on large tubercle (tubercle approximately half the length of the setae) ( Fig. 8E ) ... 10

– AS II inserted on small tubercle (tubercle less than ⅓ the length of the setae) ( Figs 14E , 15E ) ....11

10. Carapace without feathery setae, thoracic groove absent; embolus twisted ( Fig. 8D–F, I–J ) (Central America to Colombia) .............................................................................. M. spinosa ( Simon, 1898)

– Carapace with feathery setae, thoracic groove present; embolus not twisted and without keels ( Fig. 13D–J ) ( Argentina) ....................................................... M. ramirezi Rubio & Danişman, 2014

11. RTA present ( Fig. 14D–F, I–J ) ( Colombia) ........................................................ M. mokana sp. nov.

– RTA absent ( Reiskind 1969: figs 222–225, 282) ( Jamaica) ............... M. chickeringi Reiskind, 1969

12. Neck between ST II and ST I very long (1.0 times length of ST II) ( Reiskind 1969: fig. 239 ........... ........................................................................................................................ M. ajax Reiskind, 1969

– Neck between ST II and ST I short (less than half length of ST II) ( Figs 3H , 6A , 10H ) ............... 13

13. Carapace bicolored ......................................................................................................................... 14

– Carapace otherwise ......................................................................................................................... 15

14. CO inconspicuous, under groove of epigynal surface, ST II globular ( Reiskind 1969: figs 226–227, 280–281) ( Costa Rica) ............................................................................... M. xerxes Reiskind, 1969

– CO conspicuous, small and semi-circular, ST II oval ( Fig. 15A–C, G–H ) ( Colombia) ..................... ............................................................................................................................. M. leonidas sp. nov.

15. Spiniform AS II present ( Fig. 4E ) ................................................................................................... 16

– Spiniform AS II absent ( Figs 7A , 8B ) ............................................................................................ 20

16. AS II inserted on small tubercle (less than ⅓ of setal length), carapace without feathery hairs ( Cokendolpher 1978: figs 1–7) ( USA) ............................................ M. kaspari Cokendolpher, 1978

– AS II inserted on large tubercle (more than ⅓ of setal length), carapace with feathery hairs ( Figs 3A–B, D , 4E , 5 ) ..................................................................................................................... 17

17. ST II lung-shaped; tibia I ventral spination 5-5 or 5-4 ................................................................... 18

– ST II globose; tibia I ventral spination 3-3 ..................................................................................... 19

18. Tibia I ventral spination 5-4; ST II proximal region wider than distal region, CD strongly sinuous ( Fig. 12A–D, G–H ) ( Argentina) ............................................ M. ramirezi Rubio & Danişman, 2014

– Tibia I ventral spination 5-5; ST II proximal region of same width as distal region, CD nearly straight ( Figs 9A–D , 10A–C, G–H ) (South America) ..... M. acanthaspis ( Simon, 1896) comb. nov.

19. CO located below a short transversal groove, ST I narrow (nearly ⅓ of ST II width); abdomen dark gray ventrally ( Fig. 3A–C, G–H ) ( USA to Colombia) ................................... M. pax Reiskind, 1969

– Transversal groove above CO absent; ST I wide (nearly ½ of ST II width); abdomen white ventrally ( Fig. 12A–C, J–K ) ( Brazil) ..................................................................................... M. tembe sp. nov.

20. Tibia I ventral spination 5-5 or 6-6, thoracic groove absent ( Figs 7A–C , 8A–C, G–H ) (Central America to Colombia) .............................................................................. M. spinosa ( Simon, 1898)

– Tibia I ventral spination 4-4, thoracic groove present ( Figs 9A , 12A ) ........................................... 21

21. CO positioned nearly superimposed on spermathecae in ventral view, CD straight ( Reiskind 1969: figs 222–223) ( Jamaica) ..................................................................... M. chickeringi Reiskind, 1969

– CO positioned laterally to spermathecae in ventral view, CD curved ( Fig. 14A–C, G–H ) ( Colombia) .......................................................................................................... M. mokana sp. nov.

Figures

Fig. 4. Mazax pax Reiskind, 1969, ♀ (IBSP-221914). A. Carapace, dorsal view. B. Details of posterior eye row (PER). C. Feathery hair on carapace. D. Feathery hair on pedicel collar. E. Abdomen, dorsal view (white arrow indicates pedicel collar). Scales: A–B = 500µm; C–D = 50 µm; E = 1 mm.

Fig. 17. Mazax tembe sp. nov. A, C, E. ♂ (MPEG(ARA)-38432). B, D, F. ♀ (MPEG(ARA)-38433). A–B. Carapace, dorsal view. C–D. Posterior eye row (PER). E–F. Abdomen, dorsal view. Scales: A–B = 200 µm; C–D = 50 µm; E–F = 500 µm.

Fig. 3. Mazax pax Resikind, 1969. A–C, G–H. ♀ (IBSP-221909). D–F, I–J. ♂ (ICN-Ar-8773). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view (black arrow indicates AS II). F. Ventral view. G. Epigyne, ventral view. H. Same, dorsal view. I. Palp, ventral view. J. Same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 8. Mazax spinosa (Simon, 1898). A–C, G–H. ♀ (IBSP-221867). D–F, I–J. ♂ (IBSP-221906). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view (black arrow indicates AS II). F. Ventral view. G. Epigyne, ventral view. H. Same, dorsal view. I. Palp, ventral view. J. Same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 16. Mazax tembe sp. nov. A–C, J–K. Paratype, ♀ (MPEG(ARA)-38424). D–I. Holotype, ♂ (MPEG(ARA)-38422). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view. F. Ventral view. G. Palp bulb, ventral view. H. Same, retrolateral view. I. Same, with cymbium, retrolateral view. J. Epigyne, ventral view. K. Same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 10. Mazax acanthaspis (Simon, 1896) comb. nov. A–C, G–H. ♀ (MPEG(ARA)-38440). D–F, I–J.♂(MPEG(ARA)-38442).A.Dorsalview.B.Lateralview(blackarrowindicatesASII).C.Ventralview. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view (black arrow indicates AS II). F. Ventral view. G. Epigyne, ventral view. H.Same, dorsalview.I.Palp, ventral view.J.Same,retrolateralview.Abbreviations:CD=copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 7. Mazax spinosa (Simon, 1898), paralectotype, ♀ (MNHN 18937). A. Dorsal view. B. Abdomen, ventral view. C. Tibia I, ventral view. D. Original labels. No scales.

Fig. 6. Mazax pax Reiskind, 1969. A–B. ♀ (IBSP-221914). C–D. ♂ (IBSP-221924). A. Epigyne, dorsal view. B. Same, with details of copulatory duct (CD). C. Right palp, ventral view. D. Same, with details of embolus. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CP = chemocensory patch; FD = fertilization duct; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: A, C = 100 µm; B, D = 50 µm.

Fig. 19. A–D. Mazax tembe sp. nov. A–E. ♂ (MPEG(ARA)-38432). F. ♀ (MPEG(ARA)-38434). A. Palp, ventral view. B. Same, with details of embolus. C. Same, with cymbial tip groove. D. Same, with chemosensory patch, dorsal view. E. Same, tibia, ventral view. F. Epigyne, dorso-anterior view. Scales: A = 200 µm; B = 20 µm; C = 100 µm; D–F = 50 µm.

Fig.15. Mazax leonidas sp. nov. A–C, G–H. Paratype, ♀ (CEUA-157503). D–F, I–J. Holotype, ♂ (CEUA-157502). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view. F. Ventral view.G. Epigyne, ventral view.H. Same, dorsal view.I. Palp, ventral view.J. Same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 2 mm.

Fig. 14. Mazax mokana sp. nov. A–C, G–H. Paratype, ♀ (IBSP-345142). D–F, I–J. Holotype, ♂ (IBSP- 221867). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view (black arrow indicates AS II). C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view (black arrow indicates AS II). F. Ventral view. G. Epigyne, ventral view. H. Same, dorsal view. I. Palp, ventral view. J. Same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 13. Mazax ramirezi Rubio & Danişman, 2014. A–C. Paratype, ♀ (MACN-Ar-30736). D–J. Paratype, ♂ (MACN-Ar-30733). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view. F. Ventral view. G. Palp, prolateral view. H. Same, ventral view. I. Same, retrolateral view. J. Tibia I, ventral view. Abbreviations: CP = chemocensory patch; E = embolus; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis. Scales: 0.2 mm.

Fig. 5. Mazax pax Reiskind, 1969, ♀ (IBSP-221914). A. Abdomen, lateral view, with pedicel collar and AS II. B. Abdomen, dorsal view, with details of AS II. Scales: 50 µm.

Fig. 12. Mazax ramirezi Rubio & Danişman, 2014. A–D, G–H. Holotype, ♀ (MACN-Ar 30732). E. Paratype, ♀ (MACN-Ar-30735). F. Paratype, ♀ (MACN-Ar-30736). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Tibia I, ventral view (black arrow indicates unpaired macroseta). E. Tibia I, ventral view. F. Tibia I, ventral view. G. Epigyne, ventral view. H. Same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct, CO = copulatory opening; FD = fertilization duct; ST I = primary spermatheca; ST II = secondary spermatheca. Scales: 0.2 mm.

Fig. 9. Mazax acanthaspis (Simon, 1896) comb. nov., holotype, ♀ (MNHN 10348). A. Carapace, dorsal view. B. Abdomen, dorsal view. C. Abdomen, ventral view. D. Tibia, ventral view. E. Metatarsus, ventral view. F. Original labels. No scales.