Chococtenus lasdamas new species

Figs 25–28, 57.

Type material. Male holotype from Ecuador, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Otonga Biological Reserve, Las Damas (- 00.39506°S - 78.98100°W), 23.vii.–05.viii.2014, pitfall, 1209m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (QCAZ). Two female paratypes from Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Otonga Biological Reserve, Las Damas (- 00.39506°S - 78.98100°W), 05–16. viii.2014, 2 ♀, pitfall, 1209m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (QCAZ).

Additional material examined. Ecuador: Cotopaxi Province: Otonga (- 00°25’S - 79°00’W) 02. viii.1997, 1 ♂, pasture, 1♂, cane sugar, I. Tapia, P. Ponce (QCAZ); San Francisco de las Pampas, Casa César Tapia (- 00.42413°S - 78.95719°W), vi–viii.2013, 2 ♂1♀, 1426m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia (DTC). Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas: Otonga Biological Station, Las Damas (- 00.39506°S - 78.98100°W), 28.vi.–12. vii.2014, 8 ♀, pitfall, 1209m, E. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC); 12–23. vii.2014, 7 ♂4♀ (DTC); 23.vii.–05. viii.2014, 1 ♂1♀ (DTC); 05–16. viii.2014, 6 ♂ (DTC); 16.viii.–03. ix.2014, 8 ♂2♀ (AMNH).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality, Las Damas, in Otonga Biological Reserve.

Diagnosis. Males are distinguished by their unique median apophysis with strong pointed projection basally (Figs 25, 26). Females are distinguished by the heart-shaped median sector of their epigynum (Fig. 27), from C. cuchilla by the copulatory openings positioned laterally (Fig. 28), rather than ventrally as in the later species (Fig. 12).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 8.0; carapace length: 4.0; carapace width: 3.2; abdomen length: 4.0. COLORATION: Carapace as in C. cappuccino . Legs light orange-brown with black band apically on femora, tibiae and metatarsi. Abdomen with pale median band wide, dark brown with spatulate white setae in cluster, apically reddish-brown. LEGS: Total length: I: 17.0; II: 16.9; III: 15.0; IV: 18.1. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1- 1-1-1, r1-1; tibia I p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus I p1-1-1, r1-1-1. Femur II p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia II p1-1, r1-1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus II p1-1-1, r1-1-1. Femur III pl-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia III p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus III p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2 -2. Femur IV pl-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia IV p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1- 1-1, v1-1 -1-2. GENITALIA: Palpal cymbial keel strong (Fig. 25). Ventral tibial apophysis wide, rectangular, apically dark, retrolateral tibial apophysis wide, spine-like (Figs 25, 26). Tegulum oval; median apophysis short, basally with strong projection; conductor lamelliform, hyaline, folded apically; membranous tegular process hyaline, elongated, wide, with apical dark spot; embolus base not twisted; embolus wide, originating prolaterally, tip straight (Fig. 25).

Female (paratype). Total length: 7.9; carapace length: 4.0; carapace width: 3.4; abdome length: 3.9. COLORATION: As in male. LEGS: Total length: I: 11.1; II: 11.0; III: 10.4; IV: 12.5.

LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia I p0, r0, d0; metatarsus I p0, r0. Femur II p1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia II p0, r1, d0; metatarsus II p0, r0. Femur III pl-1-1-, r1-1-1-1; tibia III p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus III p1-1-1, r1-1, v2-2 -2. Femur IV pl-1-1, r1-1; tibia IV p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v0-0-0-1. GENITALIA: Epigynum with heart-shaped median sector, apically with narrow unsclerotized sector, slightly concave; lateral processes short, positioned basally (Fig. 27). Internal genitalia with elongated and curved copulatory ducts; head of spermathecae oval, base of spermathecae triangular; fertilization ducts short (Fig. 28).

Natural history. Specimens where collected in the pitfall lines set up at 1209 m, in Las Damas, the North side of Otonga Biological Reserve, and in San Francisco de las Pampas, at 1426 m, therefore inhabiting the premontane evergreen forest and the low evergreen montane forest.

Distribution. Ecuador: Cotopaxi and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Provinces (Fig. 57).