Falconina cafetera, Ibarra-Núñez & Marín, 2024

Ibarra-Núñez, Guillermo & Marín, Linda, 2024, First record of the genus Falconina (Araneae, Corinnidae) from Mexico, with a description of a new species and observations on its interactions with ants, Zoosystematics and Evolution 100 (3), pp. 1099-1106 : 1099-1106

Falconina cafetera sp. nov.

Figs 1–4 , 5–10 , 11–16 , 17–20 , 21–23

Type material.

Mexico • 1 ♂ holotype; Chiapas, Municipio de Tapachula, Finca Santa Anita ; 15.1579 ° N, 92.3438 ° W; 980 m a. s. l.; 24 Oct. 2012; L. Marín leg.; in soil of coffee orchard, kept alive, became adult 7 Dec. 2012 ( ECOTAAR-011484 ) .

Paratypes. Mexico • 1 ♀ (allotype); Chiapas, Municipio de Tapachula, Finca Irlanda ; 15.1697 ° N, 92.3400 ° W; 1070 m a. s. l.; 20 Jul. 2012; L. Marín leg.; in soil of coffee orchard ( ECOTAAR-011485 ) • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; became adult 10 Dec. 2012 ( CNAN) • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; became adult 11 Dec. 2012 ( MCZ) • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; became adult 12 Dec. 2012 ( AMNH) • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; became adult 14 Dec. 2012 ( ECOTAAR-11489 ) • 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; 15.1554 ° N, 92.3403 ° W; 830 m a. s. l.; 31 Jul. 2011; ( CNAN) • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ( ECOTAAR-11491 ) • 1 ♂; same data as for allotype; ( ECOTAAR- 11492 ) • 1 ♂; Chiapas, Municipio de Tapachula, Camino a Raymundo Enríquez ; 14.8738 ° N, 92.3096 ° W; 100 m a. s. l.; 15 Oct. 2015; E. Chamé-Vázquez leg.; in suburban cacao orchard ( ECOTAAR-011498 ) .

Etymology.

The specific name is an arbitrary combination of letters derived from the Spanish word for coffee plantation, “ finca cafetalera, ” where this species was first collected.

Differential diagnosis.

Males and females differ from all other species by having most of their opisthosoma light in color with some dark patches (Figs 1–4 , 21 ), while in all other species it is mostly dark with some light patches. Males of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. are similar to F. albomaculosa by sharing a long apical spur, by having only two lobes (ventral and median) on the retrolateral tibial apophysis, and by having a lighter, less sclerotized, longitudinal stripe (TPlss) on the sclerotized tegular process (Figs 5 – 16 ; figs 13 A, 14 A in García and Bonaldo 2023). Males of F. cafetera sp. nov. differ from F. albomaculosa by having a prominent prolateral tibial apophysis (small in F. albomaculosa ), a relatively longer tibia, with the length of the prolateral margin of the tibia (including PTA) about two thirds the cymbium length on its prolateral margin (about half the cymbium length in F. albomaculosa ), a massive cymbial retrolateral basal process (smaller in F. albomaculosa ) (Fig. 6 ; fig. 13 A in García and Bonaldo 2023); the apical spur slender (thicker in F. albomaculosa ); and the median lobe of the RTA subtriangular (squared in F. albomaculosa ) (Fig. 7 ; fig. 13 B in García and Bonaldo 2023). The epigynum of F. cafetera sp. nov. females is similar to that of F. albomaculosa in having the posterior margin of the anterior epigynal plate procurved and close to the posterior margin of epigynum, PVP slightly projected posteriorly (Fig. 17 ; fig. 14 C in García and Bonaldo 2023), and dorsally by having copulatory ducts in heavily sclerotized, wide chambers (Fig. 18 ; fig. 14 D in García and Bonaldo 2023); F. cafetera sp. nov. females differ from F. albomaculosa in having the posterior margin of the anterior epigynal plate with a shallow notch (notch pronounced in F. albomaculosa ), the posterior margin of the posterior vulvar plate almost straight (procurved in F. albomaculosa ) (Fig. 17 ; fig. 14 C in García and Bonaldo 2023), in dorsal view the posterior vulvar plate wider than long (about as wide as long in F. albomaculosa ), with its anterior margin straight (procurved in F. albomaculosa ), primary spermathecae separated by about four times their own diameter (separated by less than three diameters in F. albomaculosa ), and by having secondary spermathecae inserted anteriorly in relation to primary spermathecae (secondary spermathecae inserted medially in F. albomaculosa ) (Fig. 18 ; fig. 14 D in García and Bonaldo 2023).

Description.

Male (holotype). Color pattern and habitus. Carapace dark brown, pars thoracica lighter, eyes surrounded by narrow black rings; chelicerae dark brown, labium and endites brown, distal margins of endites white; sternum light brown with brown margin; palpal trochanter to patella light brown, tibia dark brown, cymbium brown; legs: coxa, trochanter yellowish brown, femur to metatarsus dark brown, with dorsal lighter patches, tarsus light brown; opisthosoma orange (light yellow in ethanol), with two small oval black patches at the sides of anterior half, a thick, transversal black band at posterior half, with a thin, transverse orange (light-yellow in ethanol) line near its posterior margin, the thick black band continues to the sides, narrowing, posteriorly directed, surrounding the spinnerets, dorsum with an orange (yellow in ethanol), narrow, coriaceous dorsal scutum on the anterior two thirds (Figs 1–2 , 21 ). Carapace mostly glabrous, with very short, sparse, translucid setae, with a few sparse long setae on the ocular area; fovea longitudinal; chelicera geniculate, with prominent cheliceral boss, anterior face with abundant small tubercles supporting small erect setae and a few sparse long setae, promargin of cheliceral furrow with rows of long bristles, with three teeth (second tooth largest), retromargin with four teeth; sternum with scattered small tubercles and a few long, scattered setae. Dorsum of opisthosoma covered with abundant, small, translucid setae, darker over and around the black patches, with scattered long setae, venter with abundant, small, gray setae (Figs 1–2 ). Metatarsi III – IV with dense preening brush. Measurements. Total length 5.94; carapace length 2.81, width 2.25, sternum length 1.45, width 1.40; opisthosoma length 3.05, width 2.16. Anterior, posterior eye rows procurved; anterior median eyes largest, separated by a little less their diameter; anterior eye row width 0.76, posterior eye row width 0.90; median ocular quadrangle length 0.40, anterior width 0.46, posterior width 0.44; clypeus height 0.28. Legs measurements. I total 9.04 (femur 2.40 / patella 1.00 / tibia 2.20 / metatarsus 1.84 / tarsus 1.60); II 8.04 (2.32 / 0.92 / 1.84 / 1.76 / 1.20); III 7.57 (2.06 / 0.76 / 1.55 / 1.84 / 1.36); IV 9.97 (2.60 / 0.91 / 2.12 / 2.76 / 1.58). Leg formula 4123. Legs spination. Femora: I d 1-1, p 0-0 - 1; II d 1-1, p 0-0 - 2; III – IV d 1-1 - 1, p 0-1 - 1, r 0-0 - 1; tibiae: I v 4-4 - 4; II v 4-4, p 1; III – IV d 0-0 - 1, p 1-0 - 1, r 1-0 - 1, v 2-2 - 2; metatarsi: I – II v 2-2; III – IV p 1-1, r 1-1, v 2-2 - 2. Male Palp. Tibia heavily sclerotized, conoid, wider than long, its length about two thirds the cymbium length, with a rounded, prolateral apophysis ( PTA) conspicuous, distally oriented, RTA bilobed, with a massive, subtriangular, median lobe ( ML) projected retrodistally, concave on its inner face, and with a smaller ventral lobe ( VL) with conical base, its retrolateral face membranous, where arises a long, straight, thin apical spur ( AS) pointing ventrodistally, its tip slightly sinuous (Figs 5–7 ). Cymbium (Cb) about twice as long as wide, with a heavily sclerotized, wide, squared, prolateral basal process, having a shallow grove facing the PTA (Figs 5–6 , 8–9 ); with a massive, heavily sclerotized cymbial retrolateral basal process ( CRP) much extended proximally, opposite to ML, subquadrate, somewhat ear-like in ventral view (Figs 6 , 7 , 9 ), its dorsal face convex, its ventral face concave (Figs 6 , 9 ). Bulb structures heavily sclerotized, subtegulum (ST) long, partially visible on prolateral view (Figs 5 , 8 ), completely visible in the expanded bulb (Figs 11–16 ), in which is also visible the petiole (Pe), as a slightly sclerotized rectangular plate at the dorsal part of alveolus, united to the basal hematodocha (Fig. 12 , 15 ). The spermophore (Sp) occupies the basal half of bulb; tegulum ( T) convex, occupying almost all width of alveolus, narrowed on its proximal margin (Figs 5–10 ), prolonged distally as a prolateral, laminar tegular process ( TP), longer than wide, subrectangular, slightly convex, with a longitudinal, lighter, less sclerotized stripe (TPlss), its distal prolateral corner rounded, its distal retrolateral corner pointed, its retrolateral margin (next to the less sclerotized stripe) hidden by the ventral process of the embolar base ( VPE) (Figs 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ); embolar base ( EB) rounded, heavily sclerotized, arising on the dorsal, distal tegulum, in ventral view hidden by the tegular process, in prolateral view between subtegulum and tegular process (Figs 5 , 8 ); embolus (E) starting on the ventral side of EB, spine-like, angled at mid length (Figs 7 , 10 , 11–16 ), embolar base with two processes beyond embolus, a short, blunt retrolateral process ( RPE) (Figs 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 16 ), and a greatly developed U-shaped ventral process ( VPE) issuing from EB, proximally directed, overlapping the distal-retrolateral area of the tegulum, then making an U-twist (Figs 7 , 10 , 13 , 16 ), widening to form a heavily sclerotized, convex, subtriangular plate distally oriented, adjacent and overlapping the retrolateral margin of TP, in ventral view hiding the E and part of the EB (Figs 5 – 16 ); conductor (C) membranous, slender, sinuous, arising from the distal, retrolateral corner of T, flattened and slightly widened distally, ending in front of embolus tip (Figs 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 16 ).

Female (allotype). Color pattern as in male, except palpal tibia, tarsus brown, tip of tarsi light brown; opisthosoma without dorsal scutum, posterior thick transversal black band with two middle, orange (light yellow in ethanol), threadlike chevrons (Figs 3–4 ). Measurements. Total length 5.32; carapace length 2.40, width 1.90, sternum length 1.27, width 1.20; opisthosoma length 2.92, width 2.20. Anterior eye row width 0.68, posterior eye row width 0.78; median ocular quadrangle length 0.34, anterior width 0.36, posterior width 0.38; clypeus height 0.18. Legs measurements. I total 6.20 + (2.10 / 0.84 / 1.80 / 1.46 / lacking); II 7.03 (1.98 / 0.78 / 1.61 / 1.40 / 1.26); III 6.45 (1.80 / 0.61 / 1.43 / 1.65 / 0.96); IV 8.74 (2.28 / 0.79 / 1.91 / 2.44 / 1.32). Leg spination. As in male, except femora: II d 1-1, p 0-0 - 1; IV d 1-1 - 1, p 1-0 - 1, r 0-0 - 1; tibiae: II v 4-4, p 2; IV p 1-0 - 1, r 1-0 - 1, v 2-2 - 2; metatarsus: III p 1-1 - 1, r 1-1 - 1, v 2-2 - 1 r. Female genitalia. Epigynum heavily sclerotized, wider than long, maximum width at posterior half; anterior plate ( AEP) occupying about nine-tenths of epigynum length, posterior margin (PmEP) procurved, close to posterior margin of posterior vulvar plate ( PVP), with a median, small, copulatory opening (CO) partially covered by a shallow hood (Figs 17 , 19 ); with posterior margin of PVP almost straight, slightly projected over epigastric furrow, occupying about four-fifths of epigynum width (Figs 17 , 19 ); dorsally, vulva with a wider than long, subrectangular PVP occupying the posterior two-fifths of epigynum, having anterolateral sclerotized extensions (ExPVP) joined to primary spermathecae (S 1) (Figs 18 , 20 ); copulatory ducts ( CD) visible in the cleared epigynum, long, slender, widening distally, ducts inside heavily sclerotized wide chambers, about half as long as epigynum, almost contiguous, ending at about one-tenth of anterior epigynum margin, where emerges on each, an anteriorly, small, globular secondary spermatheca (S 2), separated one from the other by about five diameters, followed posteriorly by an elliptic, disk-like S 1, just lateral and closely joined to the anterior end of each wide chamber, separated one from the other by about three diameters, its width about two diameters that of S 2; fertilization duct ( FD) short, arc-shaped, sclerotized, originating on the posterior margin of each S 1, lateral to the point where extensions of PVP join to S 1 (Figs 18 , 20 ).

Variation.

Males (n = 7): total body length 4.88–6.60; carapace length 2.42–3.00; carapace width 2.08–2.38; leg I: femur 2.30–2.63, patella 0.90–1.06, tibia 2.05–2.44, metatarsus 1.78–1.97, tarsus 1.49–1.90; leg IV: femur 2.48–2.78, patella 0.85–1.03, tibia 2.02–2.28, metatarsus 2.65–3.04, tarsus 1.49–1.70. Females (n = 3): total body length 5.22–5.76; carapace length 2.30–2.44; carapace width 1.77–1.96; leg I: femur 1.95–2.10, patella 0.71–0.84, tibia 1.67–1.80, metatarsus 1.37–1.46, tarsus 1.24–1.25; leg IV: femur 1.96–2.28, patella 0.72–0.79, tibia 1.64–1.91, metatarsus 2.20–2.44, tarsus 1.21–1.32.

Distribution.

Known only from the collection localities in Chiapas, México. This is the first record for a Falconina species in Mexico and the northernmost native species of this genus in continental America.

Field observations and rearing trials.

In the coffee plantations, specimens of F. cafetera sp. nov. were observed wandering in tree trunks with Azteca sericeasur Longino, 2007 ( Formicidae : Dolichoderinae ) nests (at heights between 1 and 1.6 m above the ground) or in the soil leaf litter accumulated at the base of those trees, but rarely far away from trees with ant nests. In order to corroborate that F. cafetera sp. nov. lives in close proximity with A. sericeasur ants, nests of these ants were disturbed by stirring a fine stick into them. After the disturbance, active F. cafetera sp. nov. spiders were observed coming out of the nests along with some excited ants; however, when ants were very close to spiders, these tended to evade them. In order to test whether F. cafetera sp. nov. consumed A. sericeasur individuals, feeding trials were carried out at Finca Irlanda. For these trials, 18 spiders were captured alive (Fig. 21 ), and each spider was put into a 1 - liter plastic container with approximately 25 A. sericeasur ants. After 24 hours, we found 11 ants dead, and two spiders were observed with an ant on their chelicerae (Fig. 22–23 ). However, we do not know if the spiders preyed on alive, healthy ants or consumed dead or injured ants. Additionally, six juvenile spiders were collected alive and reared at the Colección de Arácnidos del Sureste de México (32 km away from the coffee plantations, without the availability of Azteca ants). These juveniles were offered two types of prey. For the first two weeks, each juvenile received two Camponotus sp. Mayr, 1861 ants ( Formicidae : Formicinae ). Every two days, the spiders accepted the Camponotus ants as prey. Later, in lack of ants, one Anastrepha sp. Schiner, 1868 fruit fly ( Diptera , Tephritidae ) was offered to each of these juveniles every three days; all flies were accepted as prey. All laboratory-reared individuals (except one that escaped its cage) reached adulthood.

Figures

Figures 1–4. Habitus of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. 1, 2. male; 3, 4. female; 1, 3. dorsal view; 2, 4. ventral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (1–4).

Figures 5–10. Male palp of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. 5–7. Field-collected specimen (ECOTAAR- 011492); 8–10. Laboratory-reared specimen recently molted (ECOTAAR- 011489); 5, 8. Prolateral view; 6, 9. Ventral view; 7, 10. Retrolateral view; AS — apical spur of RTA; C — conductor; Cb — cymbium; CRP — cymbial retrolateral basal process; E — embolus; EB — embolar base; ML — median lobe of RTA; PTA — prolateral tibial apophysis; RPE — retrolateral process of embolar base; Sp — spermophore; ST — subtegulum; T — tegulum; TP — tegular process; VL — ventral lobe of RTA; VPE — ventral process of embolar base. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (5–10).

Figures 11–16. Expanded male palp of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. 11–13. Field-collected specimen (ECOTAAR- 011492); 14–16. Drawings based on figures 11–13; 11, 14. Prolateral view; 12, 15. Ventral view; 13, 16. Retrolateral view; C — conductor; E — embolus; EB — embolar base; H — hematodocha; Pe — petiole; RPE — retrolateral process of embolar base; ST — subtegulum; T — tegulum; TP — tegular process; VPE — ventral process of embolar base.

Figures 17–20. Female epigynum of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. 17–18. Field-collected specimen (ECOTAAR- 011491); 19–20. Drawings based on figures 17–18; 17, 19. Ventral view; 18, 20. Dorsal view (cleared); AEP — anterior epigynal plate; CD — copulatory duct; CO — copulatory opening; ExPVP — extension of posterior vulvar plate; FD — fertilization duct; PmEP — posterior margin of the epigynal plate; PVP — posterior vulvar plate; S 1 — primary spermatheca; S 2 — secondary spermatheca. Scale bar: 0.5 mm (17).

Figures 21–23. Live specimens of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. 21. Pair of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. collected to be used in feeding trials, showing color pattern of living specimens; 22, 23. Male and female living specimens of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. each feeding on an Azteca sericeasur ant; 22. Male; 23. Female.