Chococtenus fantasma new species

Figs 14–17, 57.

Type material. Male holotype from Ecuador, Cotopaxi Province, Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 08–21.vi.2014, pitfall, 2105m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré, (QCAZ). One female paratype from Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 24.v.–08. vi.2014, 1 ♀, pitfall, 2105m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (QCAZ).

Additional material examined. Ecuador: Cotopaxi Province: Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 03–16. viii.2014, 1 ♂, pitfall, 2105m (DTC); 16.viii.–05. ix.2014, 1 ♂ (QCAZ); 25.xi.–08. xii.2014, 1 ♂1♀ (DTC); (- 00.42261°S - 79.5107°W), 24.v.–08. vi.2014, 4 ♂, pitfall, 2225m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (AMNH); 08–21. vi.2014, 1 ♀ (DTC); 03–16. viii.2014, 2 ♂ (DTC); 13–25. xi.2014, 1 ♀ (DTC). Otonga Biological Reserve, 21.vi.–02. vii.2014, 2 ♂, pitfall, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the Spanish language, meaning ghost.

Diagnosis. Males are distinguished by their straight spatula-liked median apophysis, from C. otongachi by the presence of a tegular retrolateral swelling and from C. suffuscus by the embolus originating prolaterally (Fig. 14) instead of medially as in the later species (Fig. 29). Females are distinguished from all species of the genus by the medium sized, unclerotized apex of median sector, and large hook-shaped lateral processes (Fig. 16).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 8.6; carapace length: 4.2; carapace width: 3.6; abdomen length: 4.4. COLORATION: As in C. otonga . LEGS: Total length: I: 24.7; II: 23.3; III: 19.8; IV: 25.1. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; 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, d1-1-1; metatarsus II p1-1-1, r1-1-1-1. 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, r1-1-1, v2-2 -1. Femur IV pl-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, v2-2 -2-1. GENITALIA: Palpal cymbial keel strong (Fig. 14). Ventral tibial apophysis rectangular, short and wide, apically transparent, retrolateral tibial apophysis spine-like (Figs 14, 15). Tegulum with large retrolateral swelling; median apophysis spatula-like; conductor lamelliform, hyaline; membranous tegular process hyaline, elongated and with a dark spot basally; embolus base not twisted; embolus thin, originating prolaterally; tip with small excavation (Fig. 14).

Female (paratype). Total length: 9.9; carapace length: 4.7; carapace width: 3.8: abdomen length: 5.2. COLORATION: As in male, slightly darker. LEGS: All legs missing. GENITALIA: Epigynum with rounded median sector, apically with medium sized unsclerotized region, slightly concave; lateral processes short, hookshaped and positioned basally (Fig. 16). Internal genitalia with elongated and curved copulatory ducts; spermathecae oval with an apical pore; fertilization ducts short (Fig. 17).

Natural history. All specimens where collected in the pitfall lines set up between 2105–2225 m, therefore inhabiting the cloud forest and qualifies as a cloud forest specialist.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality (Fig. 57).