Linothele tsachilas, Dupérré, Nadine & Tapia, Elicio, 2015

Dupérré, Nadine & Tapia, Elicio, 2015, Descriptions of four kleptoparasitic spiders of the genus Mysmenopsis (Araneae, Mysmenidae) and their potential host spider species in the genus Linothele (Araneae, Dipluridae) from Ecuador, Zootaxa 3972 (3), pp. 343-368 : 359-361

Linothele tsachilas new species

Figs. 37–40

Material examined. Female holotype from Ecuador, Santo Domingo de Las Tsáchilas , Parroquia San José de Alluriquín, La Florida (00.25254°S 79.03043°W), 884m, 17.xii.2014, hand collected from web with juvenile Mysmenopsis, E. Tapia ( QCAZ). Female paratype, Santo Domingo de Las Tsáchilas , Parroquia San José de Alluriquín, La Florida (00.25254°S 79.03043°W), 884m, 30.x.2014, hand collected from web, E. Tapia ( QCAZ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality Santo Domingo de Las Tsáchilas .

Diagnosis. Females are diagnosed by their closely positioned spermathecae ( Figs. 39, 40 ). From L. longicauda , L. aequatorialis and L. cousini by their carapace margin, coxae and trochanters with golden setae ( Fig. 37 ).

Description. Female: Total length: 17.5; carapace length: 9.0; carapace width: 7.0; abdomen length: 8.5; abdomen width: 5.0. Cephalothorax: Carapace slightly longer than wide, brown, with black along radiating lines and margin, with a few golden setae and numerous black setae; margin with few golden setae and numerous black setae; cephalic region elevated, delimited by deep furrow; fovea recurved, deep ( Fig. 37 ). Chelicerae dark brown, with few golden setae and numerous long black setae; promargin with 13 teeth, fang furrow with four denticles, retromargin without teeth. Labium with seven cuspules, base dark brown, apex light brown. Maxillae light reddishbrown with 60–65 cuspules, maxillary lyra absent. Sternum light yellow-brown with orange margin and pale band medially, covered with long, black, erect setae, flat, slightly longer than wide, with three small oval sigilla, weakly rebordered, border light yellow ( Fig. 38 ). Eyes: eight on a tubercle; AME round, separated by half their width; LE- PME oval, LE touching, ALE largest; PME smallest, separated by four times their diameter; anterior row straight, posterior row recurved ( Fig. 37 ). Abdomen: Elongated oval, dark brown with few patches of golden setae, with a purplish tinge and numerous short black setae and erect black setae ( Fig. 37 ); ventrally dark brown covered with black setae. Spinnerets: PLS dark brown, apical segment lighter brown, total length: 9.5, basal median apical: 3.0/ 3.0/3.5 respectively; PMS brown, total length: 1.9. Legs: Overall brown; coxae light yellow-brown ventrally; femora I–II with light brown band dorsally and prolaterally; femora III–IV with light brown band dorsally and retrolaterally; trochanters and coxae with a few golden setae, remaining segments covered with black setae ( Fig. 37 ); tarsi I–IV flexible and pseudosegmented, with weak scopulae; leg formula 4123; total length: I 27.0 II 24.0 III 22.5 IV 29.5; leg articles length (femur/patella/tibia/metatarsus/tarsus): leg I 7.5/3/6.5/6/4; leg II 6.5/3/5/5.5/4; leg III 6 /3/4.5/5/4; leg IV 7.5/3/6.5/8.5/4. Paired tarsal claws bipectinate, legs I–II with rows of 6 teeth, claws III–IV with rows of 5 teeth; third claw bare. Palpal claw unipectinate with row of 7 teeth. Legs spination: leg I: femur d1- 1-1-1, p0-0-1, r0-0-1; tibia r1-1-0, v1-1 -2; metatarsus v2-2 -2. Leg II: femur d1-1-1, r0-0-1; tibia r1-1-0, v1-1 -2; metatarsus r1-0-0, v2-2 -2. Leg III: femur d0-0-1, p1-1-1-1, r1-1-0; tibia p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-0-0, v2-2 -2; metatarsus p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -3. Leg IV: femur d1-1-1, p1-1-0, r1-1-0; tibia p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-0-0, v2-2 -2; metatarsus p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -3. Genitalia: Spermathecae joined at base, close together, with elongated apically tapering spermathecae, with numerous vesicles on short stalk medio-apically ( Figs. 39, 40 ).

Male: Unknown.

Distribution. Ecuador, Santo Domingo de Las Tsáchilas .

Natural history. Specimens were collected in a foothill forest at 884m elevation. This species builds webs approximately 50 x 30 cm near the ground, and the retreat is underneath or in a hole of a dead tree trunk. The two specimens collected live in sympatry with L. zaia and L. quori , but seem to prefer distinct microhabitats.

Figures

FIGURES 37 – 40. Linothele tsachilas n. sp. Female. 37, Holotype, lateral view. 38, Sternum, ventral view. 38, Holotype internal genitalia, dorsal view. 40, Paratype internal genitalia, dorsal view.