Nops pallidus, Sánchez-Ruiz & Brescovit, 2018

Sánchez-Ruiz, Alexander & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2018, A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Nops MacLeay (Araneae: Caponiidae) with the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the Nopinae genera, Zootaxa 4427 (1), pp. 1-121 : 48-49

Nops pallidus , new species

Figures 29A‒F ; 30A‒D

Type. Male holotype from Boca de Cabañas (19°58′28″N, 75°54′35″W), Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, 21.xi.1999, A. Fong, ( BSC 507). Male paratype, same data as holotype ( BSC 505)

Remarks. The first specimens examined of Nops pallidus n. sp. were those from Boca de Cabañas, Santiago de Cuba (BSC 505 and 507), which were assigned with doubt to Nops siboney by Sánchez‒ Ruiz (2004), but were not included in the type series considering differences in size, color and shape of embolus. After examining additional material of Nops siboney from eastern and central regions of Cuba, it is clear that the specimens from Boca de Cabañas remained distinct from true Nops siboney and are here referred to Nops pallidus n. sp.

Additional material examined. CUBA: Santiago de Cuba: La Socapa (19°58′18.1″N, 75°52′24.8″W) , Bahía de Santiago de Cuba, 11.xii.2002, R. Teruel & A. Sánchez ‒ Ruiz, 1 immature ( BSC 613 ) . Ditto, 19.v.1997, R. Teruel, 1♀ immature (BSC 575). Boca de Cabañas (19°58′28″N, 75°54′35″W), 21.xi.1999, A. Sánchez‒Ruiz, 1 immature (BSC 538).

Etymology. The specific name refers to the yellow pale coloration characteristic of this species.

Diagnosis. Males resemble similar congeners Nops siboney and Nops gertschi by having a short and thick embolus, strongly curved; but can be distinguished by a less sclerotized tip ( Fig. 29B‒C ) with the sclerotized margin wider and beveled ( Fig. 30B‒C ).

Description. Male (holotype): Carapace, chelicerae, labium, coxae and legs pale yellow ( Fig. 29A ). Endites and sternum pale yellow. Abdomen pale gray, without noticeable dorsal pattern on abdomen, lighter ventrally. Anal tubercle and spinnerets light gray. Total length 8.0. Carapace 5.1 long, 3.1 wide. Sternum 3.3 long, 3.0 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.60; II: 3.55; III: 3.30; IV: 3.95. Posterior unpaired claws short ( Fig. 30D ). PLS longer than PMS ( Fig. 29E ). Femur I‒II slight elongated. Palp with embolus distinctly shorter than tibia, thick and strongly curved ( Fig. 29B‒C ); beveled tip with a wide sclerotized margin ( Fig. 30B‒C ).

Female: Unknown

Natural history. All specimens were collected under rocks or dead plants of Agave sp., in coastal and semi‒arid areas. At least the type specimens coexist sympatrically with Nops guanabacoae .

Distribution. Known only from a few localities in Santiago de Cuba Bay and Boca de Cabañas ( Fig. 29G ), also possibly present in coastal and semi‒arid intermediate areas.

Figures

FIGURE 29. Nops pallidus n. sp., male (holotype). A habitus, dorsal view. B left palp, prolateral view. C left palp, retrolateral view. D habitus, ventral view. E spinnerets, ventral view. F cephalothorax, ventral view. G distribution map. Abbreviations: dte—differentiated texture on embolus, sm—sclerotized margin on embolar tip. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, D), 0.5 mm (B–C, E–F).

FIGURE 30. A–D Nops pallidus n. sp., male (paratype); E–L Nops siboney Sánchez–Ruiz, female (BSC 618). A right palp, retrolateral oblique view. B tip of embolus, retrolateral oblique view. C same, dorsal view. D pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior view. E tarsus on left leg IV, apical prolateral view. F pretarsal claws on left leg IV, prolateral view. G internal genitalia, anterior view. H same, detail of receptaculum and uterus externus, anterior view. I detail of tracheae, anterior view. J internal genitalia, dorsal view. K. same, closer. L same, detail of receptaculum. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, dcp—dorsal chemosensory patch, dte—differentiated texture on embolus, pp—posterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, sd—seminal duct, sm—sclerotized margin on embolar tip, ue—uterus externus.