Euathlus vanessae, Quispe-Colca & Ferretti, 2021

Quispe-Colca, Oscar M. & Ferretti, Nelson, 2021, First record of the tarantula genus Euathlus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) in Peru, with the description of a threatened new species, Iheringia, Série Zoologia (e 2021026) 111, pp. 1-10 : 2-9

Euathlus vanessae sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4D20 CAD 2-887E-

4B7A-8762-93DAEB8AA220

Figs 1-19 , Tabs I, II

Type material. Holotype ♂, PERU: Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto , Moquegua, 17°12’33.67”S, 70°37’49.36”W, 3589 m a.s.l., 09.IX.2020, O. M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 234 ) . Paratypes, PERU: Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto, Torata : ♀, Asana, in Queñua relicts and forest ( Polylepis besseri Hieron ), 17°08’56.43”S, 70°34’18.36”W, 4153 m a.s.l., 04.IX.2018, O.M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 227 ) ; ♀, same collection data as for preceding, 05.IX.2018, O.M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 228 ) ; ♀, 17°09’43.00”S, 70°43’25.37”W, 3632 m a.s.l., 07.I.2019, O.M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 230 ) ; ♀, 17°04’9.94”S, 70°37’36.47”W, 3855 m a.s.l., 26.II.2020, O.M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 231 ) ; ♀, 17°07’30.86”S, 70°42’27.78”W, 3535 m a.s.l., 03.IX.2020, O.M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 232 ) .

Additional material examined. PERU: Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto, Torata: 3 juveniles, Asana , in Queñua relicts and forest ( Polylepis besseri Hieron ), 17°08’56.43”S, 70°34’18.36”W, 4153 m a.s.l., 05.IX.2018, O.M. Quispe-Colca col. ( MUSA-AR 229 ); ♂ juvenile, same collection data as holotype ( MUSA-AR 233 ) .

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Vanessa Quequejana Puma, first author’s great friend, who collected the first specimen and for her great assistance during the fieldwork.

Diagnosis. Male ( Fig. 1 ) differs from all the known Euathlus species (excepting E. grismadoi and E. manicata ) by the copulatory bulb with a well-developed prolateral AK ( Fig. 3 ). Additionally, male differs from E. manicata by the absence of spiniform setae on the first coxae and maxillae ( Fig. 7 ), and from E. grismadoi by the presence of a serrated PI having three teeth ( Figs 4, 5 ) and a higher number of labial cuspules (more than 70 in E. vanessae sp. nov. and 24 in E. grismadoi ). Male copulatory bulb resembles that of E. truculentus by the serrated PI (PERAFÁN & PÉREZ- Miles, 2014, Fig. 8B ) but differs by the slender embolus, the presence of an AK and the more distance between PI and PS (PI and PS very close to each other in E. truculentus, PERAFÁN & PÉREZ- MILES, 2014, Fig. 8B ). Female ( Fig. 2 ) differs from congeners by the shape of the spermathecae ( Fig. 14 ), with two wide seminal receptacles (shorter than in E. grismadoi and E. tenebrarum ) with a semi-spheroid chamber joined by a very short duct (longer duct in E. grismadoi ).

Description. Male holotype (MUSA-AR 234). Total length: 26.36. Carapace ( Fig. 6 ): length 11.10, width 10.61. Chelicerae with 6-7 teeth on promargin, with granulation near last two basal teeth; cheliceral teeth pattern from the basal end: right side: VVVVVVV, left side: VVVVVV. Anterior eye row slightly procurved, posterior eye row recurved. Eye siZes and interdistances: AME 0.26, ALE 0.28, PME 0.24, PLE 0.30, AME-AME 0.34, AME-ALE 0.17, PME-PME 0.79, PME-PLE 0.13, ALE-PLE 0.23, AME-PME 0.15, OQ length 0.74, width 1.60. Ocular tubercle oval and slightly elevated ( Fig. 8 ), length 1.13, width 1.60, clypeus 0.22. Fovea transverse, deep, recurved ( Fig. 6 ), width 2.40. Labium length 1.50, width 1.70, anterior third with 76 cuspules, maxillae right/left with 99/98 cuspules. Sternum ( Fig. 7 ): length 5.48, width 4.74. Abdomen ( Fig. 10 ): length 14.95, width 10.95. PLS three-segmented, length 5.04, basal segment 2.04, middle segment 1.56, apical segment 1.44, all digitiform. PMS (one segment), length 1.06. Abdomen with type III urticating setae located in a medial dorsal patch ( Fig.10 ). Urticating setae patch: length 4.23, width 6.65. Leg pattern: IV>I>II>III ( Tab. I). Scopulae: all tarsi, 100% scopulated. Metatarsi I 70% scopulated, metatarsi II 40% scopulated, metatarsi III 25% scopulated and metatarsi IV 20% scopulated. Tarsi I-II with complete scopula, divided with a thin longitudinal row of short setae, tarsi III-IV with scopula entire. Tibial apophysis ( Fig. 9 ) with two branches with retrolateral branch slightly longer than prolateral, both branches with a subapical internal short spine. Retrolateral branch with subapical external short spine (only at right tibial apophysis). Metatarsus I slightly curved. Flexion of metatarsus I retrolateral to the tibial apophysis. Cymbium with lobes of similar siZes. Palpal bulb ( Figs 3-5 ) with unequal prolateral keels, PS and PI well-development, PI has serrated edge with three teeth, presence of prolateral AK. Spination: femora I p 0-0-2, r 0-0-(1-0); II p 0-(1-0)-2, r 0-0-1; III p (1-0)-0-(2-1), r 0-(0-1)-(2-1); IV p 0-1-(1-2), r 0-0-(2-1) and femora of palps p 0-0-1. Patellae I p 1-(0-2)-1; II 0; III p 0-0-(1-0); IV 0 and patellae of palps 0. Tibiae I v 3-(2-3)-1 (apical), p (0-1)-1-(1-2), r (3-2)-(0-2)-(2-1); II v (4-3)-4-3, p (1-2)-(0-1)-1, r 1-0-(1-0); III v 1-2-3 (apical), p (1-2)-(2-1)-2, r (3-2)-0-(0-1); IV v 2-2-3 (apical), p (1-0)- 1-1, r 1-1-2 and tibiae of palps v (2-1)-1-0, p 1-(3-2)-(2-1). Metatarsi I v 1-0-1 (apical), p 1-0-0; II v (3-2)-(1-0)-2 (apical); III v (3-2)-2-3 (apical), p 1-(0-1)-1, r 1-(2-1)-1; IV v 3-(3- 2)-3 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 2-(1-2)-2. Tarsi I - IV and tarsi of palps 0. Coloration (in life): carapace dark brown, widely covered with light brown setae from the anterior edge of ocular tubercle to the fovea, and light brown setae on the margins and dorsal chelicerae. Legs dark brown, with abundant long golden-brown setae. Femora with three parallel longitudinal stripes (two dorsal and one retrolateral); patellae and tibiae with two parallel longitudinal stripes; and one longitudinal stripe reaching the third part of the metatarsi I-II, and the fourth part in the metatarsi III-IV. Abdomen dark brown, with abundant coppery setae on the base, with a large patch of golden-brown urticating setae.

Female paratype (MUSA-AR 230). Total length: 33.40. Carapace ( Fig. 11 ): length 14.70, width 13.76. Chelicerae with 7 teeth on promargin, with granulation near last two basal teeth; cheliceral teeth pattern from the basal end: right side: VVVVVVv, left side: VVVVVv. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior eye row recurved. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.33, ALE 0.44, PME 0.29, PLE 0.45, AME-AME 0.47, AME-ALE 0.32, PME-PME 1.02, PME-PLE 0.17, ALE-PLE 0.27, AME-PME 0.30, OQ length 1.16, width 2.21. Ocular tubercle oval and slightly elevated ( Fig. 13 ), length 1.64, width 2.21, clypeus 0.45. Fovea transverse, straight ( Fig. 11 ), width 2.65. Labium length 2.32, width 2.56, anterior third with 76 cuspules, maxillae right/left with 98/103 cuspules. Sternum ( Fig. 12 ): length 6.88, width 6.25. Abdomen ( Fig. 15 ): length 16.75, width 12.40. PLS three-segmented, length 6.46, basal segment 2.61, middle segment 1.88 apical segment 1.97, all digitiform. PMS (one segment), length 1.86. Abdomen with type III urticating setae located in a medial dorsal patch ( Fig. 15 ). Urticating setae patch: length 4.64, width 6.48. Leg pattern: IV>I>II>III (Tab. II). Scopulae: all tarsi, 100% scopulated. Metatarsi I 60% scopulated, metatarsi II 50% scopulated, metatarsi III 40% scopulated and metatarsi IV 20% scopulated. Tarsi I-IV with complete scopula, divided with a thin longitudinal row of short setae. Spination: femora I p 0-0-1; II p 0-0-0-1; III p 0-0-1, r 0-0-(0-1); IV r 0-0-1 and femora of palps p 0-0-1. Patellae I - IV 0 and patellae of palps v 0-0-1 apical. Tibiae I v 1-(2-1)-3 apical); II v 1-(2-1)-3 apical, p 0-(0-1)-0; III v (1-2)-(2-1)-(2-3) apical, p 1-1-0, r (1-0)-(1-0)-(0-1); IV v 0-2-3 apical, p 0-1-0, r 1-1-2 and tibiae of palps v 1-1-3 apical, p 1-(1-2)-0, r 0-0-1. Metatarsi I v (1-0)-0-2 apical; II v 1-(1-0)-(2-3) apical; III v 2-(2-1)-3 apical, p (1-0)-1-(1-0), r 0-1-1; IV v 1-2-(2-3) apical, p 0-1-1, r (2-1)-(2-3)-1. Tarsi I - IV and tarsi of palps 0. Spermatheca: with two wide seminal receptacles, each with an oval chamber pointing laterally and two ventral projections ( Fig. 14 ). Coloration (in alcohol): carapace reddish brown, covered with light brown setae on the margins and dorsal chelicerae. Legs reddish brown, with abundant long golden-brown setae. Femora with three parallel longitudinal stripes (two dorsal and one retrolateral); patellae and tibiae with two parallel longitudinal stripes; one longitudinal stripe reaching the third part of the metatarsi I-II, and the fourth part in the metatarsi III-IV; and one longitudinal stripe reaching the third part of tarsi of palps. Abdomen dark brown, with light coppery setae on the base, with a large patch of golden-brown urticating setae.

Distribution. Euathlus vanessae sp. nov. is found along the high Andean zone from Mariscal Nieto province, Moquegua region, Peru, approximately in altitudes between 3100 and 4200 m a.s.l. ( Fig. 18).

Natural history. The habitat of the new species is characterized by a cold and arid environment of stony soils, typical of the dry puna. The vegetation comprises mainly scrub (low shrubs, perennial herbaceous plants), cacti, as well as “queñua” relicts and forest ( Polylepis besseri Hieron ) ( Figs 16, 17 ). The mean annual temperature is about 9-12.5°C, with the mean annual precipitation of approximately 169 mm, being December to March the wettest months, while the relative humidity is about 40.7% ( KNIGHT PIESOLD CONSULTING, 2008). The male holotype was found in September 2020 (ending winter in the southern hemisphere) under a stone without any apparent shelter. The female paratype was found in January 2019 (summer) inside a tubular burrow under a stone.

Conservation status. Euathlus vanessae sp. nov. has an area of occupancy (AOO) of less than 500 km 2 and is currently known from less than five locations, including a Polylepis besseri forest, categoriZed in Peru as Vulnerable ( MINAG, 2006). Based on the IUCN (2019) categories and criteria, we suggest Endangered (EN): B1ab (iii) + 2ab (iii) as a conservation category for E. vanessae sp. nov.

Figures

Figs 1, 2. Euathlus vanessae sp. nov., habitus, dorsal view: 1, male holotype (MUSA-AR 234) Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto, Moquegua; 2, female paratype (MUSA-AR 228) from queñua relicts (Polylepis besseri Hieron), Asana, Torata, Mariscal Nieto, Moquegua. Photos by O. M. Quispe-Colca.

Figs 3-5. Euathlus vanessae sp. nov., male holotype (MUSA-AR 234), morphology of left palpal bulb: 3, ventral view; 4, prolateral view; 5, retrolateral view. The boxes indicate the apical embolus: serrated edge with three teeth at PI (AK, accessorial keel; PI, prolateral inferior keel; PS, prolateral superior keel). Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figs 6-10. Euathlus vanessae sp. nov., male holotype (MUSA-AR 234): 6, carapace, dorsal view; 7, sternum, labium, maxillae and coxae, ventral view; 8, ocular tubercle, dorsal view; 9, left tibial apophysis, ventral view; 10, abdomen, dorsal view (PB, prolateral branch; RB, retrolateral branch). Scale bar = 1 mm (Figs 8, 9), 5 mm (Figs 6, 7, 10).

Figs 11-15. Euathlus vanessae sp. nov., female paratype (MUSA-AR 230): 11, carapace, dorsal view; 12, sternum, labium, maxillae and coxae, ventral view; 13, ocular tubercle, dorsal view; 14, spermathecae, ventral view; 15, abdomen, dorsal view. Scale bar = 1 mm (Figs 13, 14), 5 mm (Figs 11, 12, 15).

Figs 16, 17. Different habitats where Euathlus vanessae sp. nov. has been collected: 16, cacti and scrubs, approximately at 3500 m a.s.l.; 17, low shrubs, perennial herbaceous plants and queñua relicts (Polylepis besseri Hieron) approximately at 4100 m a.s.l. Photos by O. M. Quispe-Colca.