Synotaxus brescoviti n. sp.

Figures 1, 3–6, 19

Type material. ♂ holotype and ♀ paratype from Reserva Biológica do Una (15°10' S; 39°03' W), Una, Bahia, Brazil, 15.–28.X.2000, A.D. Brescovit et al., in IBSP 43385 and IBSP 53386, respectively.

Additional material examined. BRAZIL: Acre: Marechal Thaumaturgo, Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, 18.III.1997, L. Resende & R. S. Vieira, 1♂ (IBSP 12507) ; 19.III.1997, 1♂ (IBSP 12094); Amazonas: Borba, Rio Mapiá, 22.IV.1996, equipe IBSP / SMNK, 1♀ (IBSP 15562) ; Manaus, Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, 15–23.VIII.1991, A.D. Brescovit, 2♀ (MCN 21402) ; 18.–25.II.1992, A.D. Brescovit, 1♀ (MCN); Pará: Santarém, Alter do Chão, 26.I.1994, A.D. Brescovit, 1♂ (MCN) ; Bahia: Jussari, Reserva Natural da Serra do Teimoso, 8.–9.IV.1998, A.D. Brescovit, 1♂ (IBSP 18784); Porto Seguro, Estação Ecológica Pau Brasil, 20.IV.1998, A.D. Brescovit, 1♀ (IBSP 17847) ; 1♀ (IBSP 17808); Una, Reserva Biológica do Una, (15°10' S, 39°03' W), 15.–28.X.2000, A.D. Brescovit et al., 2♂, 3♀ (IBSP 43387­43390).

Etymology. This species is named after the spider taxonomist and collector of the type series, Antonio D. Brescovit, in recognition of the importance of his contributions to South American spider systematics.

Diagnosis. ♂♂ differ from other Synotaxus species by the thin and pointed paracymbium and the patellar apophysis emerging from the base of a conical patellar projection (Figs. 1, 3–4). ♀♀ resemble S. monoceros (Caporiacco) and S. bonaldoi by the presence of a sclerotized internal armature in the epigynum (Exline & Levi 1965: fig. 28, Fig. 14), which is heart­shaped in S. brescoviti . (Figs. 5–6).

Description. ♂ (holotype). Carapace, chelicerae, labium, endites, palps and legs orange, abdomen cream colored. Ocular area overhanging clypeus, with two central curved setae. Legs thin, with numerous setae. Abdomen elongated, pointed posteriorly. Total length 2.5, carapace 1.0 long, 0.9 wide. Patella­tibia I length 4.35, II 2.7, III 1.1, IV 2.2. Abdomen 1.5 long, 0.4 wide. Paracymbium with a basal, prolateral bump and a long, curved retrolateral prong (Fig. 3). TTA with a long, apical projection (Figs. 3–4).

♀ (paratype). Body uniformly cream colored. Abdomen shape as in ♂. Total length 5.2, carapace 1.1 long, 0.9 wide. Patella­tibia I length 4.0, II 2.5, III 1.1, IV 2.2. Abdomen 4.1 long, 1.3 wide. Copulatory openings conspicuously delimited laterally (Fig. 5). Copulatory ducts inconspicuous, apparently absent. Fertilization ducts long and slender, accessory sacs small and posteriorly connected to spermathecae (Fig. 6).

Variation. ♂♂ from state of Acre (Brazil) have only one larger curved setae on the ocular area, a relatively wider paracymbium and a thinner patellar apophysis. These are tenuous quantitative differences, and the shape and relative size of palpal sclerites are the same from specimens from other localities. Based on this, we consider these specimens as conspecific.

Distribution. Northern and northeastern Brazil (Fig. 19).