Eucteniza diablo, Bond, Jason E. & Godwin, Rebecca L., 2013

Bond, Jason E. & Godwin, Rebecca L., 2013, Taxonomic revision of the Trapdoor spider genus Eucteniza Ausserer (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Euctenizidae), ZooKeys 356, pp. 31-67 : 47-49

Eucteniza diablo sp. n. 'The Baja California Trapdoor Spider’Figs 1, 31-36

Type material.

Male holotype (EU081), from Mexico, Baja California Sur, 3.2km S of La Paz, 24.103, -110.307 5, 58m 10.viii.1966; additional male paratypes (EU095) from Baja California Sur, Mexico, El Sombrero Trailer Park in La Paz, 24.1331, -110.2998 5, 47m 3.vii.1968, coll. M. Bentzien; additional female paratype (EU102) from Mexico, Baja California Sur, 2mi S of Santa Rita, 24.572, -111.4364 4, 36m 16.xi.1968, coll. E.L. Sleeper and F.J. Moore. Male holotype and male and female paratypes deposited in AMNH.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the highest peak on the Baja Peninsula, "Picacho del Diablo".

Diagnosis.

Male Eucteniza diablo specimens can be differentiated from all other species in the genus by having, in combination, leg I tibia megaspines borne on a mid-ventral apophysis, small microspines on the ventral distal aspect of metatarsus, short ventral spines on tarsus I, and a curved tarsus III (Figs 31, 32, 35). Similar to Eucteniza zapatista but lacking retrolateral spines on male palpal tibia (Fig. 34).

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen preserved in 80% EtOH. Multiple legs removed, stored in vial with specimen. Coloration faded. General coloration. Carapace dark reddish brown 2.5YR 3/4. Abdomen yellowish red 5YR 4/6. Cephalothorax. Carapace 6.31 long, 5.15 wide, glabrous, no distinct fringe, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Foveal groove strongly procurved, deep and shelf-like. Eyes without tubercle. AER slightly procurved, PER straight. AME, PME subequal, AME slightly smaller and PLE reduced in size, very small. Sternum with light setae, STRl 3.56, STRw 3.12. Posterior sternal sigilla in center, not contiguous, irregular shape, medial anterior sigilla pair inset, anterior pair marginal. Chelicerae with anterior tooth row comprising 5 large teeth, posterior margin with single row of 7 teeth. Palpal endites with cuspules distributed across entire face, labium with 14 cuspules, LBw 1.12, LBl 0.81. Rastellum consists of 8 spines. Abdomen. Moderate to dense setation. Legs. Leg I: 5.65, 2.50, 4.10, 3.95, 2.70; leg IV: 5.75, 2.50, 4.75, 5.00, 3.05. Very light scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus leg III slightly curved, microspines on metatarsus proximal to junction with tibia; small spines on tarsus I ventral surface (Figs 31, 32, 35); TSp 4, TSr 0, TSrd 0. Pedipalp. PTw 1.28, PTl 2.50, Bl 1.31 (Fig. 34).

Variation.

Known only from the type specimens.

Description of female paratype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen preserved in same manner as male holotype. Color. Carapace dark red 2.5YR 3/6. Spinnerets light yellow. Cephalothorax. Carapace 6.3 long, 5.9 wide, glabrous. Lacks fringe. Foveal groove deep and procurved. Tubercle absent. AER very slightly procurved, PER straight. AME, PME subequal. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 4.40, STRw 3.65. Posterior sigilla large and nearly contiguous, medial anterior sigilla relatively large and positioned more towards center. Chelicerae anterior tooth row armed with 6 teeth with posterior margin comprising 4 teeth. Palpal cuspules numerous and widespread across endites; labium with 12 cuspules, LBw 1.14, LBl 0.88. Rastellum consists of 10 spines positioned on a mound. Walking legs. Leg I 14.43 long. Tarsus I with 12 widely scattered trichobothria. Legs I, II with heavy, asymmetric scopulae. PTLs 32, TBs 15. Preening combs absent. Spermathecae simple bulb (Fig. 36).

Additional material examined.

Mexico: Baja California Sur: 27.3mi S Santa Rita, 24.2548, -111.2376 5, 29m, SC Williams, J Bigelow, M Bentzien 27.vii.1968 [EU097, 1♂, AMNH]; La Paz city limits, 24.1331, -110.2998 5, 8m, SC Williams, MA Cazier, M Bentzian, WK Fox, J Bigelow 13.vii.1968 [EU094, 1♂, AMNH].

Distribution.

Known from the La Paz municipality of Baja California Sur, Mexico (Fig. 1).