Chococtenus suffuscus new species

Figs 29–32, 57.

Type material. Male holotype from Ecuador, Pichincha Province, La Unión del Toachi, Centro de Educación Ambiental Otongachi, 03.iv.2015, night collecting, E. Tapia (QCAZ). Two female paratypes, same data (QCAZ).

Additional material examined. Ecuador: Cotopaxi Province: San Francisco de Las Pampas (- 00º25’16’’S - 78º57’04’’W), 27. iii.1997, 1 ♂, 1500m, I. Tapia, P. Ponce (QCAZ); San Francisco de las Pampas, Casa César Tapia (- 00.42413°S - 78.95719°W), vi–viii.2013, 3 ♂2♀, 1426m, C. Tapia, C. Tapia (QCAZ); 10. v.2003, 2 ♂, malaise trap, Toronche (QCAZ); 01. xii.1995, 1 ♀, 1500m, M. Carrera (QCAZ). Pichincha Province: La Unión del Toachi, Centro de Educación Ambiental Otongachi, vii.2014, 3 ♀, hand collecting, N. Dupérré (DTC): 25. ii.2015, 2 ♀, night collecting, E. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC); Maquipucuna (0º2’30.5’’N 78º39’53.2’’W), 03.xi. 2013, 1487m, L. Jaramillo (QCAZ). Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Province: Otonga Biological Station, Las Damas (- 00.39506°S 78.98100°W), 28.vi.–12. vii.2014, 3 ♀, pitfall, 1209m, E. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC); 28.vi.–12. vii.2014, 4 ♂ (DTC); 28.vi.–12. vii.2014, 4 ♂ (DTC); 12–23. vii.2014, 3 ♂2♀ (DTC); 23.vii.–05. viii.2014, 3 ♀ (DTC); 23.vii.– 05. viii.2014, 8 ♂ (DTC); 23.vii.–05. viii.2014, 3 ♀ (DTC); 05–16. viii. 2014, 3 ♂ (DTC); 05–16. viii. 2014, 2 ♀ (DTC);16.viii.–08. ix.2014, 8 ♂3♀ (AMNH).

Etymology. The specific name is a Latin adjective in apposition, meaning brown.

Diagnosis. Males are distinguished by their straight, spatula-like median apophysis (Fig. 29), from C. fantasma by the embolus originating medially and from C. otongachi by presence of a retrolateral tegular swelling (Fig. 29). Females are diagnosed by the narrow apex of the median sector of the epigynum and small, inconspicuous lateral processes (Fig. 31).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 8.9; carapace length: 4.6; carapace width: 3.9; abdomen length: 4.3. COLORATION: As in C. otonga . LEGS: Total length: I: 26.0; II: 25.1; III: 20.1; IV: 26.4. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia I p1-1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus I p1-1-1, r1-1-1. Femur II p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia II p1-1-1, r1-1, 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; tibia IV p1-1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1-1, v1-1 -1-1. GENITALIA: Palpal cymbial keel strong (Fig. 29). Ventral tibial apophysis rectangular, apically transparent, retrolateral tibial apophysis short, spine-like (Figs 29, 30). Tegulum with large retrolateral swelling; median apophysis elongated, spatula-like; conductor lamelliform, hyaline, folded apically; membranous tegular process hyaline, elongated, wide, with apical dark spot; embolus base not twisted; embolus thin, originating medially, tip straight (Fig. 29).

Female (paratype). Total length: 11.0; carapace length: 6.0; carapace width: 3.9; abdomen lenght: 5.0. COLORATION: As in male, slightly darker. LEGS: Total length: I: 18.9; II: 18.1; III: 16.3; IV: 19.7. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia I p0, r1, d0; metatarsus I p0, r0. Femur II p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia II p0, r1, d0; metatarsus II p0, r0. Femur III pl-1-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia III p1-1-1, r1-1, d1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus III p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1, v2-2 -2. Femur IV pl-1-1, r1-1; tibia IV p1-1, r1-1, d1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1-1, r1-1- 1-1, v1-1 -1-1. GENITALIA: Epigynum with elliptical median sector, apically with narrow unsclerotized sector, flat; lateral processes small, positioned medially (Fig. 31). Internal genitalia with elongated and curved copulatory ducts; spermathecae oval; fertilization ducts short (Fig. 32).

Natural history. Specimens were hand collected at three different localities, in the premontane evergreen forest and in the low evergreen montane forest, between 800–1500 m.

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