Agyneta sheffordiana, Dupérré, Nadine & Paquin, Pierre, 2007

Dupérré, Nadine & Paquin, Pierre, 2007, Description of five new spiders from Canada (Araneae: Linyphiidae), Zootaxa 1632, pp. 1-20 : 3-5

Agyneta sheffordiana new species

( Figs 1–9 , 19 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE: Canada: Québec: Parc National de la Yamaska [45.42°N, 72.39°W] 1ɗ 18.– 25.vii.2006, pitfall, deciduous forest in regeneration, A. Mochon ( AMNH); ALLOTYPE: Canada: Québec: Parc National de la Yamaska [45.42°N, 72.62°W] 1Ψ 18.–25.vii.2006, pitfall, mixed forest, A. Mochon ( AMNH); PARATYPES: Canada: Québec: Parc National de la Yamaska [45.42°N, 72.62°W] 1ɗ 16.– 23.v.2006, 1Ψ 30.v.–06.vi.2006, 1Ψ 27.vi.–04.vii.2006, 1Ψ 04.–11.vii.2006, Berlese extraction, mixed forest, A. Mochon ( CPAD); Parc National de la Yamaska [45.42°N, 72.39°W] 1ɗ 20.–27.vi.2006, 1ɗ 25.vii.– 01.viii.2006, pitfall, deciduous forest in regeneration, A. Mochon ( CPAD); Parc National de la Yamaska [45.44°N, 72.60°W] 2Ψ 18.–25.vii.2006, pitfall, open field, A. Mochon ( CPAD).

Material examined. Canada: Manitoba: Onanole, 1 km N of [50.66°N, 99.97°W] 1ɗ 18.vii.1979, pitfall, field-forest edge, S.J. Miller ( CNC); Riding Mountain National Park, 1 km S North Gate [50.88°N, 100.25°W] 2ɗ 19.vi.–03.vii.1979, pan trap, aspen woods, D.B. Lyons ( CNC); Riding Mountain National Park, Bison Enclosure [50.88°N, 100.25°W] 1Ψ 19.vi.–04.vii.1979, pitfall, prairie, D.B. Lyons ( CNC); Riding Mountain National Park, near Refuse Pit [50.88°N, 100.25°W] 1Ψ 29.viii.–04.vii.1979, pan trap, aspen woods, S.J. Miller ( CNC). New Brunswick: Kouchibouguac National Park [46.80°N, 65.05°W] 1Ψ 16.– 29.viii.1977, G.G. Calderwood ( CNC); Nova Scotia: Bridgewater [48.37°N, 64.52°W] 10ɗ 28.vi.1966, 4ɗ 1Ψ 06.–26.vii.1966, 3ɗ 06.vii.1966, 1ɗ 26.vii.1966, 1Ψ 25.viii.1966, 1Ψ 02.viii.1966, 2ɗ 2Ψ 10.vii.1967, 3ɗ 1Ψ 13.vii.1967, 2Ψ 04.vii.1968, 1ɗ 1Ψ 16.viii.1968, pitfall, in oak, D.G. Embree ( CNC); Fredericton, Lincoln [45.93°N, 66.67°W] 1Ψ 02.–03.vii.1969, T.R. Renault ( CNC); Ontario: Alfred [45.56°N, 74.89°W] 1ɗ 2Ψ 16.v.1981, Berlese, humus of tree bases in sphagnum bog, A. Davies ( CNC); Bryon Bog [Sifton Botanical Bog], London, Middlesex County [42.97°N, 81.32°W] 1ɗ 27.iv.1985, sweeping, edge of field, J. Heraty ( CNC); Temagami, 7 miles S of [10 km] [41.12°N, 79.97°W] 1Ψ 01.–13.viii.1973, pitfall, tall grass in forest, C. Starr ( CNC); Elm Creek, 1 mile E of [1.6 km] [46.52°N, 84.02°W] 9ɗ 01.–19.vi.1973, pitfall, edge of hardwood forest, J. Redner & C. Starr ( CNC); Camden East [44.33°N, 77.73°W] 1ɗ 04.vii.1963, pitfall, hayfield, A.L. Turnbull ( CNC); Carleton Place, 10 km W of [45.14°N, 76.14°W] 7ɗ 10.v.–06.vi.1989, pitfall, mixed woods, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Kenora [49.82°N, 94.43°W] 1ɗ 10.v.–16.vi.1963, pitfall, under poplar in wood, A.L. Turnbull ( CNC); Port Cunnington (Muskoka) [45.26°N, 79.03°W] 1ɗ 18.v.1975, 1Ψ 23.–26.viii.1975, sifting leaf litter in forest, under rocks, W. Maddison ( CNC); Blackburn [45.44°N, 75.55°W] 1ɗ 1Ψ 22.v.1953, E.C. Becker ( CNC); Québec: Philipsburg [45.04°N, 73.08°W] 2ɗ 27.v.– 14.vi.1982, pitfall, edge of deciduous forest, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Gatineau Park, King Mountain [45.48°N, 75.87°W] 1ɗ 3Ψ 04.–18.vi.1974, pitfall, deciduous forest, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Gatineau Park, King Mountain [45.48°N, 75.87°W] 1ɗ 3Ψ 28.v.–04.vi.1974, pitfall, oak-maple forest, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Gatineau Park, edge of Holly Lake [46.55°N, 76.52°W] 1ɗ 10.v.–06.vi.1989, 2Ψ 05.–30.vi.1989, pitfall, grassy clearing, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Gatineau Park, Saint-Françoisde-Masham [45.63°N, 76.07°W] 1ɗ 05.–30.vi.1989, pitfall, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Gatineau Park, Lac Bourgeois [45.50°N, 75.87°W] 1Ψ 09.vii.1982, Allyson & Martin ( CNC); Venise-en-Québec [45.08°N, 73.15°W] 2ɗ 28.v.–14.vi.1982, pitfall, edge of deciduous wood, C.D. Dondale & J. Redner ( CNC); Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Morgan Arboretum [45.40°N, 73.95°W] 5ɗ 16Ψ 12.vi.2003, 23Ψ 27.vi.2003, 3Ψ 16.vii.2003, 2Ψ 05.viii.2003, pitfall, C. Buddle (LEM).

Diagnosis. Agyneta sheffordiana most resembles Agyneta simplex (Emerton 1926) but differs in the form of the genitalia; male palp of A. sheffordiana has a long, straight lamella characteristica ( Figs 1–3 ) bearing a spike at mid-point whereas the lamella characteristica of A. simplex is curved, smoothly tapering apically, with a large plate-like component at mid-point; embolus proper of A. sheffordiana is short and concealed, located in the middle of the embolus ( Fig. 4 ) while the embolus proper of A. simplex is exposed and situated more apically; sperm duct of A. sheffordiana has a well developed Fickert’s gland ( Fig. 4 ) while it is absent or Appo apical pocket of paracymbium, ATA anterior terminal apophysis, BC bursa copulatrix, BT big tubercule, CD copulatory ducts, CO copulatory openings, DP dorsal plate, DSA distal suprategular apophysis, E embolus, EM embolic membrane, EP embolus proper, F fundus, FC fertilization canal, FD fertilization ducts, FG Fickert’s gland, LC lamella characteristica, LL lateral lobe, LW lateral wall, MSA marginal suprategular apophysis, P paracymbium, PHD pit hook depression, Pi pit, Po pockets, PPS proximal part of scape, PT protegulum, PTA palpal tibial apophysis, R radix, S spermatheca, SB scapus bag, Sc scape, SD sperm duct, Se serrated part of embolus, SPT suprategulum, St stretcher, TA terminal apophysis, T tegulum, Th thumb, TP tailpiece, VP ventral plate. Terminology follows Hormiga (2000), Saaristo (1973) Saaristo & Tanasevitch (1996).

not visible under microscope for A. simplex . The female epigynum of A. sheffordiana is characterized by the parallel sides of proximal part of scape ( Fig. 6 ) while A. simplex has a scape gradually narrowing with converging sides.

Description. Male (n=5): Total length: 1.25–1.47; carapace length: 0.56–0.61; carapace width: 0.38– 0.44; carapace finely reticulate, shiny, light khaki-brown (1245M); radiating lines and carapace margin suffused with dark gray (417M), cephalic region ornamented by a dark gray marking forming a trident, with 3 short erect setae along midline. Sternum dark gray (417M). Chelicerae light khaki-brown (1245M), with wide, transverse gray band; promargin with 3–4 teeth, retromargin with 3–4 denticles. Cheliceral stridulatory organ visible, with ~ 16 striae; associated stridulatory pick at base of palpal femur present. Abdomen uniformly colored, light gray (401M) to dark gray (405M) densely covered with decumbent setae; book lung cover light yellow (127M) finely reticulate. Legs light yellow (129M), prolateral and retrolateral surface of palpal femora and leg femora I–III suffused with dark gray; leg formula 4123; tibia I–IV with two dorsal macrosetae; metatarsus I with dorsal trichobothrium (Tm I 0.21–0.24); Tm IV absent. Palpus length: 0.22–0.24. Palpal tibia with one retrolateral, one dorsal trichobotria ( Fig. 1 ); cymbium with dorsal conical protuberance ( Fig. 1 ) and prolateralo-basal big tubercule (BT) ( Fig. 2 ); paracymbium (P) with large apical pocket (Appo), proximal part bearing six setae ( Fig. 1 ); apical section of embolus (E) long and curved, embolus proper (EP) short and concealed ( Figs 3, 4 ); sperm duct (SD) with well developed Fickert’s gland (FG) located in the embolus ( Figs 3, 4 ); lamella characteristica (LC) long, straight, with one spike at mid-point, apex with small denticles ( Figs 1– 3 ), denticles variable ( Fig. 5 ); anterior terminal apohysis (ATA) spine-like, with a few setae apically ( Fig. 3 ).

Female (n=5): Total length: 1.53–1.69; carapace length: 0.57–0.66; carapace width: 0.41–0.44. Overall coloration as in male. Carapace with 5 erect setae along midline. Chelicerae promargin with 4 teeth, retromargin with 3 denticles. Cheliceral stridulatory organ visible, with ~ 15 striae; associated stridulatory pick at base of palpal femur present. Abdomen densely covered with decumbent setae; book lung cover as in male. Leg formula 4123; palpal tibia and tarsus dark gray (417M); palpal tarsal claw present but highly reduced; tibia I– IV with two dorsal macrosetae; tibial macrosetae longer and heavier than males; metatarsus I with dorsal trichobothrium (Tm I 0.22–0.24); Tm IV absent. Epigynum width: 0.15–0.17. Epigynum with proximal part of scape (PPS) large, side parallel, not going over the pit (Pi) ( Fig. 6 ); pit hook depression (PHD) shallow ( Fig. 6 ); spermathecae (S) consisting of two receptacula: one large, rounded and one small and oblong ( Figs 7, 8 ).

Distribution. Northeastern North America. In Canada from Nova Scotia to Manitoba ( Fig. 19 ).

Habitat. Coniferous and deciduous forest litter.

Etymology. Named after Shefford (Québec, Canada), the township where the species was first noticed by the authors.

Figures

FIGURE 19. Localities of Agyneta sheffordiana new species and Sisicus volutasilex new species in North America.

FIGURES 1 – 9. Agyneta sheffordiana new species. 1, palpus of male, retrolateral view, arrow points to conical protuberance; 2, palpus of male, prolateral view; 3, expanded male palpus, schematic illustration; 4, excised embolus; 5, variation of tip of lamella characteristica, schematic illustration; 6, epigynum, ventral view; 7, spermathecae, ventral view; 8, spermathecae, dorsal view; 9, epigynum, lateral view. Scale bars for figures 1 – 3, 6 – 8; 4, 5, 9 = 0.05 mm.