Architis Simon, 1898

Santos, Adalberto J., 2007, A revision of the Neotropical nursery-web spider genus Architis (Araneae: Pisauridae), Zootaxa 1578 (1), pp. 1-40 : 4-5

Architis Simon, 1898

Architis Simon 1898a: 292 (type species by monotypy, A. tenuis Simon, 1898 ). Carico 1981: 140–141.

Sisenna Simon 1898a: 292 (type species by monotypy, S. helveola Simon, 1898 ). Synonymy established by Carico (1993).

Diagnosis. Males of Architis and Staberius differ from all other neotropical pisaurid genera by the copulatory bulb with a wide DTP occupying more than half the width of the cymbial alveolus (e.g. Figs 2A , 4A ), a vestigial median apophysis and the embolus that is mostly hidden under the DTP, with only the apical part exposed at the retrolateral margin of the tegulum ( Figs 4A–D , 20A, C, D ). The former genera can be differentiated by the shape of the VTA, which is variable in Architis but never T-shaped as in Staberius ( Carico 1981; fig. 34). Females of Staberius are also similar to those of some Architis species , but can be recognised by the LL of epigynum medially fused over MF ( Carico 1981: figs 36–37). Female genitalic structures of Architis species are variable, with no single diagnostic character. They can be differentiated from other pisaurids either by the LL of the epigynum that is medially projected over the MF ( A. helveola ; Fig. 12D ) or posterior-ventrally projected ( A. brasiliensis comb. nov.; A. capricorna Carico, 1981 and A. robusta Carico, 1981 ; Figs 16C , 18E , 19D ). The CD of the internal genitalia can present three diagnostic configurations: elongated and medially coiled ( A. brasiliensis comb. nov., A. capricorna , A. erwini sp. nov. and A. robusta ; Figs 13E , 16D , 18F , 19E ); simple and longitudinally oriented ( A. colombo sp. nov., A. fritzmuelleri sp. nov. and A. helveola ; Figs 12E , 14F , 15D ); or encapsulated. In this configuration, the CD can be inside a median sclerotised case ( A. cymatilis , A. maturaca sp. nov., A. dianasilvae sp. nov., A. tenuipes (Simon, 1898) , and A. turvo sp. nov.; Figs 3D , 5E , 8F , 9D , 10C ), inside epigynal wall folds ( A. comaina sp. nov. and A. ikuruwa Carico, 1981 ; Figs 7D , 8B ) or both ( A. altamira sp. nov.; Fig. 8D ). The first configuration can be seen in A. tenuis , although the CD is extremely short and restricted to the posterior end of the stalk of the spermatheca ( Fig. 2D ; Sierwald 1989: fig. 23).

Description. Total length 2.9–6.1 (males), 3.1–11.3 (females). Carapace oval, narrowest anteriorly, widest between coxae II and III. Pars cephalica as high as pars thoracica. Colouration variable, from dark brown to yellow-green, homogeneous or with lateral and median longitudinal pale stripes. Variably covered with dark stout or thin white setae. Ocular area variably darker, eyes surrounded by black rings. Thoracic fovea longitudinal, usually marked. Remaining sulci inconspicuous. Anterior eye row procurved (straight in A. tenuipes ) in frontal view ( Figs 14B , 15B , 18B ; Carico 1981: figs 7–11), relative eye size variable. Posterior eye row recurved in dorsal view, eyes of similar size ( Figs 5A , 10A , 12A , 13A , 14A , 15A , 18A ; Carico 1981: figs 1–6; 1989: fig. 1). Clypeus height approximately 0.5 to 1.7 times anterior median eyes diameter. Chilum present, subtriangular, with a discrete median notch. Chelicerae moderately robust, usually darker than carapace, with three promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Cheliceral boss small, inconspicuous. Endites rectangular, slightly notched ectally, rounded and with anteromedian scopula apically. Labium longer than wide, truncated distally, notched laterally at proximal half. Sternum as long as wide, posteriorly triangular, with posterior tip projecting between coxae IV. Female pedipalpus with cylindrical tarsus and one pectinate claw. Leg tarsi with apical pseudosegment ( Fig. 19C ) that carries paired pectinate tarsal claws and a smooth inferior claw. Ventral pilosity usually denser than dorsal, without scopula. Leg spination pattern (only surfaces with spines): Femora d1-1-1, l1-1; patellae d1; tibia I and II d1-1, v2-2-2, III and IV d1-1-1, v2-2-2; metatarsus I and II d2 v2-2-2, III and IV d2-2, l1, v2-2-2. Pedipalpus spination: femur d1-1; patella d1-1; tibia d1-1; tarsus d1-2 l1(apical).

Opisthosoma pilose, oval to cylindrical, longer than wide. Colouration dark gray to yellow-green with guanine spots. Venter usually paler than dorsum. Six spinnerets, posterior laterals longer and narrower than anterior laterals. Colulus present, subtriangular, approximately half the length of anterior lateral spinnerets.

Male pedipalp tibia with bifid retrolateral apophysis, with a ventral and a dorsal branch. Ventral tibial apophysis present. Prolateral border with an excavated area in which a posterior cymbial lobe fits. Tegulum curved, elongated transversally, median apophysis fused to tegulum, reduced to a wrinkled area ( Figs 4A, C ). Conductor hyaline, embolus filliform, arising from an extremely enlarged distal tegular projection.

Female epigynum moderately sclerotised, median field and lateral lobes clearly separated. Internal female genitalia with a pair of spermathecae, variable in size and shape; copulatory ducts conspicuous.

Figures

FIGURES 2A–D. Architis tenuis Simon. A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, male pedipalpus, lateral view; C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B, 0.2 mm; C–D, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 3A–D. Architis cymatilis Carico. A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, male pedipalpus, lateral view; C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B, 0.2 mm; C–D, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 4A–E. Architis spp. (SEM). A–B, A. tenuis Simon: A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, detail of male pedipalpus, conductor, embolus and apex of DTP, ventral view. C–E, A. cymatilis Carico: C, right male pedipalpus, ventral view; D, detail of right male pedipalpus, conductor and embolus, ventral view; E, male right coxa I, ventral view. Scale bars: A, C, 100 µm; B, D–E, 10 µm.

FIGURES 5A–E. Architis maturaca sp. nov. A, female habitus, dorsal view; B, male pedipalpus, ventral view; C, male pedipalpus, lateral view; D, female epigynum, ventral view; E, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, 0.5 mm; B–C, 0.2 mm; D–E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 7A–D. Architis comaina sp. nov. A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, male pedipalpus, lateral view; C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B, 0.2 mm; C–D, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 8A–F. Architis spp. A–B, A. ikuruwa Carico: A, female epigynum, ventral view; B, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. C–D, A. altamira sp. nov.: C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. E–F, A. dianasilvae sp. nov.: E, female epigynum, ventral view; F, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Arrows point to the copulatory opening. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 9A–D. Architis tenuipes (Simon). A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, male pedipalpus, lateral view; C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B, 0.2 mm; C–D, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 10A–C. Architis turvo sp. nov. A, female habitus, dorsal view; B, female epigynum, ventral view; C, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, 0.5 mm; B–C, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 12A–E. Architis helveola (Simon). A, female habitus, dorsal view; B, male pedipalpus, ventral view; C, male pedipalpus, lateral view; D, female epigynum, ventral view; E, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, 0.5 mm; B–C, 0.2 mm; D–E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 13A–E. Architis erwini sp. nov. A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male pedipalpus, ventral view; C, male pedipalpus, lateral view; D, female epigynum, ventral view; E, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. The arrow points to the distally extended margin of tibia. Scale bars: A, 0.5 mm; B–C, 0.2 mm; D–E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 14A–F. Architis colombo sp. nov. A, female habitus, dorsal view; B, female prosoma, frontal view; C, male pedipalpus, ventral view; D, male pedipalpus, lateral view; E, female epigynum, ventral view; F, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. The arrow points to the prolateral excavation of the pedipalpal tibia. Scale bars: A–B, 0.5 mm; C–D, 0.2 mm; E–F, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 15A–D. Architis fritzmuelleri sp. nov. A, female habitus, dorsal view; B, female prosoma, frontal view; C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B, 0.5 mm; C–D, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 16A–D. Architis robusta Carico. A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, male pedipalpus, lateral view; C, female epigynum, ventral view; D, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. The arrow points to the retrolateral projection of the VTA. The embolus can be seen arising close to conductor and through the transparent DTP. Scale bars: A–B, 0.2 mm; C–D, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 18A–F. Architis brasiliensis (Mello-Leitão). A, female habitus, dorsal view; B, female prosoma, frontal view; C, male pedipalpus, ventral view, D, male pedipalpus, lateral view, E. female epigynum, ventral view; F, Female internal genitalia, dorsal view. The arrow points to the retrolateral projection of the VTA. The embolus can be seen arising close to the conductor and through the transparent DTP. Scale bars: A–B, 0.5 mm; C–D, 0.2 mm; E–F = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 19A–E. Architis capricorna Carico. A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, male pedipalpus, lateral view; C, female tarsus IV, apex, prolatero-ventral view; D, female epigynum, ventral view; E, female internal genitalia, dorsal view. The arrow points to the retrolateral projection of the VTA. The embolus can be seen arising close to conductor and through the transparent DTP. Scale bars: A–B, 0.2 mm; C–E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 20A–C. Architis spp. (SEM). A–B, A. brasiliensis (Mello-Leitão): A, male pedipalpus, ventral view; B, female internal genitalia, detail of left copulatory duct and spermatheca, dorsal view. C–D: A. capricorna Carico; C, male pedipalpus, ventral view; D, male pedipalpus, conductor, ventral view. * indicates prolateral lobe of conductor. Scale bars: A, C–D, 100 µm; B, 10 µm.