Rothaeina Bennett, 2023

Bennett, Robb, Copley, Claudia & Copley, Darren, 2023, Revision of the western Nearctic spider genus Cybaeina including the description of Neocybaeina gen. nov. and Rothaeina gen. nov. (Araneae: Cybaeidae: Cybaeinae), Zootaxa 5318 (1), pp. 97-129 : 111-114

Rothaeina Bennett gen. nov.

Cybaeina (in part) Roth 1952: 197, figs 2, 4–5. Roth and Brown 1986: 2. World Spider Catalog 2023.

“New genus #1” Bennett 2005: 88, figs 22.11, 22.35–22.36, 22.38, 22.40–22.43. Bennett 2017: 99, figs 23.11, 23.35–22.36, 23.38, 23.40–22.43.

Type species. Cybaeina sequoia Roth 1952 .

Etymology. The genus name, feminine in gender, is a contraction of “Vincent Roth’s Cybaeina ” and, with affection, honours Vince’s lifelong interest in Nearctic Cybaeinae spiders.

Diagnosis. Females of Rothaeina gen. nov. are readily distinguished from other Cybaeinae with conspicuous paired, elongate, usually overlapping ventral tibia I macrosetae ( Fig. 2 ) by their elongate, convoluted spermathecae with heads, stalks, and bases slender and of similar diameter ( Figs 67–69 , 71–74 , 76–79 , 81–83 ); the males of Rothaeina gen. nov., however, are difficult to distinguish from those of Cybaeina and Neocybaeina gen. nov. See the discussion presented in the genus diagnoses of Cybaeina and Neocybaeina gen. nov. In addition, the small proximal basal projection on the tegular apophysis of the male genital bulb ( Figs 43, 48, 50 ) is diagnostic for three of the four species of Rothaeina gen. nov. with known males (tegular basal projection lacking in R. mackinleyi spec. nov.: Fig. 45 ).

Description. As for Cybaeus and in diagnoses in this paper of this genus, Cybaeina , and Neocybaeina gen. nov. Additional descriptive characters presented here. Small- to medium-sized spiders, carapace lengths averaging 1.96–2.33 mm (males) and 1.93–2.26 mm (females); females usually slightly smaller than males. Legs pale yellow to light reddish brown, unmarked. Usually five complete pairs of conspicuous elongate ventral tibia I macrosetae: pattern usually 2(+1p)-2-1p-2-2-2-0 ( Fig. 2 ).Abdomen pale to gray with or without markings. Colulus a low swelling marked by two clumps of very few setae.

Male: Patellar apophysis ( Figs 53–59 , 62, 64–65 ) variable, species diagnostic, with usually four or fewer peg setae. Retrolateral tibial apophysis ( Figs 53–54, 56–59 , 61 ) bipartite with variable distal and medial components, either may be species diagnostic depending on species; distal component nearly as long as tibia. Genital bulb ( Figs 43–51 ) with simple elongate, thin embolus; tegular apophysis well developed with distal arm large, somewhat species diagnostic and proximal arm variable, often species diagnostic.

Female: Epigyne ( Figs 66 , 70 , 75 , 80 ) with single medial or anteromedial, transverse, usually inconspicuous atrium (except usually prominent in R. beaudini spec. nov.: Fig. 66 ). Vulva ( Figs 67–69 , 71–74 , 76–79 , 81–83 ) with copulatory ducts very short, heavily sclerotized, proceeding anteriorly from atrium, separate or contiguous at atrium, readily visible ventrally through integument of uncleared epigynes as two darkened areas at lateral edges of atrium; spermathecal heads close to anterior margin of atrium; Bennett’s glands usually inconspicuous, obscured by loops of spermathecal ducts; fertilization ducts attached posteriorly to spermathecal bases.

Composition and distribution. ( Figs 85–86 ). The species of Rothaeina gen. nov. have restricted ranges within an area encompassing southwestern Oregon south to San Mateo County and Yosemite National Park in, respectively, central western and eastern California. We recognize five species: R. beaudini spec. nov. (females only), R. jamesi spec. nov., R. mackinleyi spec. nov., R. petersoni spec. nov., and R. sequoia comb. nov. The latter two species are relatively common within their distributions; the other three species are rarely recorded.

Key to the species of Rothaeina gen. nov.

(male of R. beaudini spec. nov. unknown)

1. Males.............................................................................................. 2

- Females. (Intraspecific variability and interspecific similarity of female Rothaeina gen. nov. renders specimens often difficult to identify with confidence; use the female key couplets with caution.)........................................... 5

2(1). Proximal arm of tegular apophysis with dorsal keel, usually acuminate in ventral view ( Fig. 45 ), acuminate or somewhat blunt in retrolateral view ( Figs 46 , 63 ), obscured in ventro-retrolateral view ( Fig. 47 ); distal component of retrolateral tibial apophysis extended distally over base of cymbium ( Fig. 54 )..................................... mackinleyi Bennett spec. nov.

- Tegular apophysis and retrolateral tibial apophysis otherwise................................................... 3

3(2). Patellar apophysis ( Fig. 59 ) distad with prominent basal “shoulder”........................ sequoia (Roth) comb. nov.

- Patellar apophysis ( Figs 53, 56–57 , 62, 64–65 ) dorsad with “shoulder” absent or not prominent....................... 4

4(3). Proximal arm of tegular apophysis ( Figs 48–49 ) slender, smoothly curved, with tip acuminate in ventral view.......................................................................................... petersoni Bennett spec. nov.

- Proximal arm of tegular apophysis ( Figs 43–44 , 60 ) bulky, angular, slightly twisted, with tip blunt in ventral view........................................................................................ jamesi Bennett spec. nov.

5(1). Posterior ducts of spermathecae visible ventrally through uncleared epigyne as pair of distinct ring-like structures ( Figs 75 , 80 ); vulva broad, width usually 4–5 times atrial height (measured from epigastric groove to middle of atrium) ( Figs 76–79 , 81–83 ) ................................................................................................... 6

- Posterior ducts of spermathecae usually not visible through uncleared epigyne as pair of rings ( Figs 66 , 70 ); vulva less broad, width usually less than 3.5 times atrial height ( Figs 67–69 , 71–74 ).............................................. 7

6(5). Posterior spermathecal duct rings relatively large and open ( Fig. 80 ); copulatory ducts usually contiguous at atrium ( Figs 81–83 )......................................................................... sequoia (Roth) comb. nov.

- Posterior spermathecal duct rings relatively small and tight ( Fig. 75 ); copulatory ducts usually separated at atrium ( Figs 76– 79 )........................................................................... petersoni Bennett spec. nov.

7(5). Atrium ( Fig. 66 ) usually prominent, U-shaped; vulva ( Figs 67–68 ) with medial transverse section of spermathecal ducts a minor inconspicuous feature in dorsal view............................................ beaudini Bennett spec. nov.

- Atrium ( Fig. 70 ) usually indistinct, linear; vulva ( Figs 72, 74 ) with medial transverse section of spermathecal ducts a prominent conspicuous feature in dorsal view........................................................................ 8

8(7). Spermathecal ducts with an additional loop posteriorly near fertilization duct ( Fig. 72 ).......... jamesi Bennett spec. nov.

- Spermathecal ducts lacking additional loop posteriorly ( Fig. 74 )......................... mackinleyi Bennett spec. nov.

Figures

FIGURES 1–2. Cybaeina and Rothaeina gen. nov. species (1 C. minuta female from Tofino, British Columbia; 2 R. petersoni spec. nov. male from vicinity of Yuba Pass, California). 1 Eye group, anterior. 2 Patellae, tibiae, and metatarsi of legs I and II, ventral showing ventral tibial macrosetal pattern of 2(+1p)-2-2-2-2-0 on leg I and 2(+1p)-2-2-2-1-2-0 on leg II. AME—anterior median eyes, I—leg 1, II—leg II, Mt—metatarsus, Pt—patella, Ti—tibia.

FIGURES 66–69. Rothaeina beaudini spec. nov., females from California (66–67 from Delta; 68 from Manzanita Lake; 69 from Lake Almanor), copulatory organ. 66 Epigyne, ventral. 67–69 Vulva (67–68 dorsal, 69 ventral). BG—Bennett’s gland, CD—copulatory duct, FD—fertilization duct, HS—head of spermatheca. Unlabelled arrows indicate atrial opening (66–67, 69).

FIGURES 70–74. Rothaeina gen. nov. species, females (70–72 R. jamesi spec. nov. from Klamath, California; 73–74 R. mackinleyi spec. nov. from Charleston, Oregon), copulatory organ. 70 Epigyne, ventral. 71–74 Vulva (71, 73 ventral; 72, 74 dorsal). BG—Bennett’s gland, CD—copulatory duct, FD—fertilization duct, HS—head of spermatheca. Unlabelled arrows indicate atrial openings (70–71, 74 single shafted arrows), additional loop of spermatheca (72 double shafted arrow), and medial transverse sections of spermathecae (72, 74 dashed arrows).

FIGURES 75–79. Rothaeina petersoni spec. nov., females from California (75 from Kyburz; 76 from Sierra City; 77 from Tamarack Flat; 78 from Forest Hill; 79 from near Yuba Pass), copulatory organ. 75 Epigyne, ventral. 76–79 Vulva, dorsal). BG—Bennett’s gland, CD—copulatory duct, FD—fertilization duct, HS—head of spermatheca. Unlabelled arrows indicate atrial openings (75–76, 78 single shafted arrows), and ring-like loops of spermathecae (75–76, 79 double shafted arrows).

FIGURES 80–83. Rothaeina sequoia comb. nov. females from California (80–82 from Pepperwood; 83 from Scotia), copulatory organ. 80 Epigyne, ventral. 81–83 Vulva (81 ventral; 82–83 dorsal). BG—Bennett’s gland, CD—copulatory duct, FD—fertilization duct, HS—head of spermatheca. Unlabelled arrows indicate atrial openings (80, 82–83 single shafted arrows), and ring-like loops of spermathecae (80 double shafted arrows).

FIGURES 43–52. Rothaeina gen. nov. species, males (43–44 R. jamesi spec. nov. holotype; 45–47 R. mackinleyi spec. nov. from Beaver Sulphur Forest Camp, Oregon; 48–49 R. petersoni spec. nov. from near Kyburz, California; R. sequoia comb. nov. 50, 52 from Pepperwood, California, 51 from Carlotta, California), left pedipalp. 43, 45, 48, 50 Genital bulb, ventral. 44, 46, 49 Tegular apophysis and embolus, retrolateral. 47 Tegular apophysis and embolus, ventro-retrolateral. 51 Tegular apophysis, retrolateral. 52 Distal half of embolus, ventral. DA—distal arm of tegular apophysis, E—embolus, PA—proximal arm of tegular apophysis, TR—tegular ridge. Unlabelled arrows indicate dorsal keel (45–46 single shafted arrow) and basal projection (43, 48, 50 double shafted arrow) of proximal arm of tegular apophysis and small hooks (52 dashed arrow) on embolus.

FIGURES 53–59. Rothaeina gen. nov. species, males (53 R. jamesi spec. nov. holotype; 54–55 R. mackinleyi spec. nov. from Beaver Sulphur Forest Camp, Oregon; 56–57 R. petersoni spec. nov. from near Kyburz, California; 58–59 R. sequoia comb. nov. holotype), left pedipalp. 53–54, 56, 58 Patellar apophysis and tibia, retrolateral. 55 Patella, dorsal. 57, 59 Tibia and patella, dorsal. Cy—cymbium, dRTA—distal component of retrolateral tibial apophysis, mRTA—medial component of retrolateral tibial apophysis, PTA—patellar apophysis. Unlabelled arrow indicates basal hump of patellar apophysis (59). Note: in Figs 53, 58–59 the distal end of the mRTA is a rigid spine-like process; in Figs 56–57 the mRTA terminates distally in a basally articulated macroseta.

FIGURES 60–65. Rothaeina gen. nov. species, males (60–62 R. jamesi spec. nov. holotype; 63 R. mackinleyi spec. nov. from Beaver Sulphur Forest Camp, Oregon; 64–65 R. petersoni spec. nov. from near Kyburz, California), left pedipalp. 60 Proximal arm of tegular apophysis, ventral. 61 Medial component of retrolateral tibial apophysis, retrolateral. 62, 64–65 Patellar apophysis, dorsal. 63 Tip of proximal arm of tegular apophysis, retrolateral. Unlabelled arrows indicate diagnostic characters: basal projection of proximal arm of tegular apophysis (60); dorso-basal group of peg setae (62); dorsal keel of proximal arm of tegular apophysis (63); large and small peg setae (64–65).

FIGURES 84–86. Distributions of Neocybaeina gen. nov. and Rothaeina gen. nov. species (84 Neocybaeina burnetti spec. nov. and N. xantha comb. nov.; 85 Rothaeina beaudini spec. nov., R. jamesi spec. nov., R. mackinleyi spec. nov., and R. sequoia comb. nov.; 86 Rothaeina petersoni spec. nov.) AZ—Arizona, CA—California, ID—Idaho, MT—Montana, OR—Oregon, NV—Nevada, UT—Utah, WA—Washington.