Ctenus falconensis Schenkel, 1953

Polotow, Daniele & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2012, Redescription of five Amazonian species of Ctenus Walckenaer (Araneae, Ctenidae, Cteninae), Zootaxa 3338, pp. 49-59 : 51-52

Ctenus falconensis Schenkel, 1953

Figs 2 A–C

Ctenus falconensis Schenkel, 1953: 36 , figs 32a–c ( male holotype and female paratype from El Pozon, 10° 58'N, 68° 43'W, Departamento Acosta , Falcon , Venezuela, XI–XII.1924, Wiedenmeyer col., deposited in NHMB, examined).

Note. The dissection epigynum of the female paratype was not allowed and therefore we were not able to examine the female internal genitalia of this specimen. The tibia, metatarsus and tarsus of leg IV of the male holotype were detached from the body and mixed with the detached and broken female legs; it was thus impossible to distinguish male and female legs, however, we can confirm that leg IV of the male specimen was unmodified.

Diagnosis. Males of Ctenus falconensis resemble those of Ctenus paubrasil ( Brescovit & Simó 2007: figs 31–32) by the shape of the laminar basal projection of the embolus, but can be distinguished by the prolaterally pointed tegular projection, the short and ventrally pointed retrolateral tibial apophysis and an additional basal projection of the retrolateral tibial apophysis ( Figs 2 A–B). Females of C. falconensis resemble those of Ctenus amphora ( Höfer et al. 1994: figs 1c–d) by the subrectangular epigynal median sector, but can be distinguished by the oblique ovoid lobes and by the shape of the ovoid projection ( Fig. 2 C).

Description. Male (holotype). Colouration: the holotype is faded. Total length 12.70. Carapace 7.20 long and 5.70 wide. Clypeus 0.16 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.35, ALE 0.25, PME 0.50, PLE 0.52. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth, median larger; 4 retromarginal teeth, basal small; with intermarginal denticles. Leg measurements: I: femur 8.20/ patella 3.50/ tibia 8.00/ metatarsus 7.50/ tarsus 2.40/ total 29.60; II: 7.80/ 3.50/ 7.00/ 7.00/ 2.20/ 27.50; III: 6.70/ 2.80/ 5.30/ 6.20/ 1.80/ 22.80; IV: 8.50/ 3.10/ -/ -/ -/ -. Leg formula 4123. Leg spination: tibia I v2- 2 -2-2-2, r0-1-0, p0, II v2-2 -2-2-2, r0-1-0, p1-1-0, III v2-2 -2, r1-1-0, p1-1-0; metatarsus I v2-2 -2, r1-0-1, p0, II v2- 2 -2, r1-0-1, p-1-0-0, III v2-2 -2, r1-1-1, p1-1-1; metatarsus IV unmodified. Palp: tibia as long as cymbium; RTA on apical part of tibia, short and broad, pointed ventrally ( Fig. 2 B); cymbium elongate, without basal projections; tegulum projecting prolaterally; embolus with large base, short tip and retrolateral apical process; embolus with laminar basal projection; median apophysis cup-shaped bimarginate, short; conductor hyaline, laminar, fixed to tegulum in median area, C-shaped in retrolateral view ( Figs 2 A–B).

Female (paratype). Colouration: the paratype is faded. Total length 11.30. Carapace 4.80 long and 3.70 wide. Clypeus 0.17 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.22, ALE 0.12, PME 0.34, PLE 0.34. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth, median larger; 4 retromarginal teeth, basal small; with intermarginal denticles. Leg measurements, formula and spination: all legs are detached and broken. Epigynum: median sector subrectangular, projected anteriorly; with two projected oblique ovoid lobes; entrance of copulatory ducts as projected lobes; lateral spurs originating medially in lateral sector ( Fig. 2 C).

Additional material examined. None

Distribution. Known only from the type locality, north of Venezuela ( Fig. 7 ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Ctenus falconensis (male holotype and female paratype). Male genitalia. A. Male palp in ventral view; B. Male palp, retrolateral view. Scale bar: 2.00 mm. Female genitalia. C. Epigynum, ventral view; D. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bar: 1.00 mm. Abbreviations: C, conductor; CY, cymbium; E, embolus; LBP, laminar basal projection of the embolus; LL, lateral lobes; LS, lateral sectors; MA, median apophysis; MS, median sector; OL, ovoid lobes; OP, ovoid projection; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; TE, tegulum; TI, tibia.

FIGURE 7. Collection localities of five Ctenus species. A. South America; B. Close up, northeastern South America. Legend: square = C. delesserti; black circle = C. falconensis and C. sigma; gray circle = C. nigritus; triangle = C. serratipes.