Urupelma veronicae, Kaderka, Lüddecke, Rezac, Rezacova and Hüsser, 2023

Radan Kaderka, Tim Lüddecke, Milan Řezáč, Veronika Řezáčová & Martin Hüsser, 2023, Revision of the Peruvian tarantula Homoeomma peruvianum (Chamberlin, 1916): description of a new genus with eleven new species and insights to the evolution of montane tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae), Journal of Natural History 57 (41 - 44), pp. 1710-1824 : 1800-1808

Urupelma veronicae sp. n.

( Figures 62–69 , 78D ; Tables 21 , 22 , 24 )

Types

Male holotype ( MUSM-ENT 0513019 ) from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga under Nevado Veronica , 4428 m a .s .l., 8 .X .2018, R. Kaderka col .; male paratype ( MUSM-ENT 0513018 ) from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga under Nevado Veronica , 4450 m a .s .l., 8 .X .2018, R. Kaderka col .; female paratype ( MUSM-ENT 0511156 ) from Peru, Cusco, Nevado Veronica , 4405 m a . s .l ., 17 October 2016, R . Kaderka col ., female paratype ( MUSM-ENT 0511154 ) from Peru, Cusco, Nevado Veronica , 4371 m a .s .l ., 17 October 2016, R . Kaderka col.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the type locality along Nevado Veronica, 5893 m high on a snow-covered mountain in the Cusco Department , Peru .

Diagnosis

Urupelma veronicae sp. n. differs from U. ashaninka sp. n., U. johannae sp. n., U. atarraz sp. n. and U. megantonianum sp. n. in the absence of urticating setae of type IV (only type III are present).

The males of U. veronicae sp. n. differ from all congeners in the presence of short and stout embolus with well-developed PI, developed PS keel and weakly developed R keel ( Figure 65 ). Two almost equal subapical apophyses are present on male tibia I, basally fused, both with short spine. Palpal tibia retrolaterally without a cluster of short spiniform setae, the retrolateral process is present. Males of U. veronicae sp. n. and U. dianae sp. n. differ from all congeners in having R keel weakly developed and well-developed TP present in palpal bulb (developed or well-developed R keel and the presence of less developed TP in palpal bulbs of the other congeners). Males of U. veronicae sp. n. and U. dianae sp. n. differ in the habitus and colouration (see Figures 62 , 70A ).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality ( Figures 69 , 76 , 77 ).

MALE (MUSM-ENT 0513019): ( Figures 63–65 ) Total length: 15.07, carapace length 7.69, width 6.77, chelicerae with 10–11 teeth on promargin. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior eye row slightly recurved. Eye sizes and interdistances: ( Figure 63C ) AME 0.39 (oval), ALE 0.33 (oval), PME 0.29 (oval), PLE 0.36 (oval), AME-AME 0.18, AME-ALE 0.09, PME-PME 0.62, PME-PLE 0.07, ALE-PLE 0.10, AME-PME 0.04, OQ length 0.66, width 1.30. Ocular tubercle length 1.14, width 1.30, clypeus narrow, length 0.065. Fovea transverse, straight, deep, width 0.83, 4.83 from anterior edge of carapace. Labium length 1.14, width 1.58, anterior third with 17 cuspules, maxillae with 58–60 cuspules in basal half. Ventral maxilla without short spiniform setae, maxillary lobe well developed. Cuspules on labiosternal suture not joined. Sternum length 4.17, width 3.61, three pairs of sternal sigilla located near coxae III (length 0.42, 0.43 from edge of sternum), coxae II (length 0.27, 0.29 from edge of sternum) and coxae I (length 0.25). Leg formula: IV> I> II> III. Incrassate leg segments: palpal tibia and femur III. Maxillary and trochanteral stridulatory bristles absent.

Scopulae: All tarsi 100% densely scopulate, metatarsi I 70%, metatarsi II 50%, metatarsi III 0%, metatarsi IV 20% scopulate. Tarsal scopulae I–II divided by a narrow longitudinal band of setae, tarsal scopulae III–IV divided by a wide longitudinal band of setae. Dorsal face of all tarsi and cymbium with two irregular longitudinal rows of very short claviform trichobothria. Denticulation of paired tarsal claws on right legs (prolateral/retrolateral row): I 5/5, II 5/5, III 6/5, IV 7/5. Plumose setae on retrolateral face of femur IV absent.

Spination: femora I p 0-0-1, II p 0-0-2, III d 0-0-4, IV d 0-0-2 and femora of palps p 0-0-1; patellae I v 0-0-2 (apical), II v 0-0-1 (apical), III p 0-0-1, r 0-0-1, IV p 0-1-0, r 0-1-0 and patellae of palps 0; tibiae I v 1-2-2 (apical), p 1-0-1, r 0-0-1, II v 3-3-3 (apical), p 0-1-1, r 1-1-0, III v 1-3- 3 (apical), p 1-1-0, r 1-1-0, IV v 3-3-3 (apical), p 1-1-0, r 0-1-1 and tibiae of palps p 0-0-2; metatarsi I v 0-1-1 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 1-1-1, II v 3-3-1 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 0-1-1, III v 2-1-3 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 1-1-1, IV v 1-2-2-1-3 (apical), p 1-1-1-1, r 1-1-1, tarsi I–IV and tarsi of palps 0.

Palpal organ as in Figure 65 , embolus short, apically retrolaterally curved, with four keels, PS, PI, A and R keel, PS keel well developed on tegulum, PI keel subapically with oval lobe, apically with small oval lobe, A keel long, transparent, R keel present on ventral side. Tegulum with well-developed subconical basal apophysis. Sperm pore is located between PI and A keel. Retrolateral lobe of cymbium thinly covered with short spiniform setae. Prolateral cymbial lobe distinctly larger than retrolateral one. Retrolateral face of palpal tibia with distinct subapical protuberance without spiniform setae ( Figure 64A, B ). Two almost equal, basally joined subapical apophyses are present on tibia I ( Figure 64C ): a retrolateral tibial apophysis with short apical spine, a prolateral tibial apophysis with single, retrolateral spine exceeding the apex. Metatarsus I not sigmoidly curved and without basal or median protuberance on retrolateral face. When flexed, metatarsus I contacts the apex of retrolateral tibial apophysis.

Abdomen ( Figure 63F, G ): urticating setae of type III are located in a central patch. Size of the patch: length 2.69, width 3.26. PLS: length 2.91, basal segment 1.17, middle segment 0.73, apical segment 1.01, all digitiform. PMS: 0.73.

Colouration and covering setae: dorsal view: ( Figure 62 ) carapace, chelicerae and legs covered with whitish setae. Patellae I, II and palpal patella with two equal longitudinal stripes covered with whitish pubescence, patellae III, IV with two unequal diagonal stripes without covering setae. Abdomen orange brown with long yellowish-brown setae, except for central dark brown patch comprising urticating setae, and anterior light brown patch comprising pubescence without long setae. Ventral view: black, except booklung and area above epigastric scutum, which are brown ( Figure 63F ). Spinnerets black.

FEMALE (MUSM-ENT 0511156): ( Figures 67 , 68 ) Total length: 22.0, carapace length 9.5, width 8.7, caput domed, chelicerae with 12–14 teeth on promargin. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior eye row recurved. Eye sizes and interdistances: ( Figure 67C ) AME 0.37 (circular), ALE 0.26 (oval), PME 0.29 (oval), PLE 0.38 (oval), AME-AME 0.25, AME-ALE 0.16, PME-PME 0.69, PME-PLE 0.10, ALE-PLE 0.23, AME-PME 0.07, OQ length 0.806, width 1.495. Ocular tubercle flattened, length 1.248, width 1.495, clypeus absent. Fovea transverse, deep, straight, width 1.64, 6.52 from anterior edge of carapace. Labium length 1.34, width 1.91, anterior quarter with 13 cuspules, maxillae with 57–61 cuspules in basal third, short spiniform setae absent. Sternum length 4.7, width 3.9, with three visible pairs of sternal sigilla located near coxae III (length 0.26, 0.47 from edge of sternum), coxae II (length 0.26, 0.31 from edge of sternum) and coxae I (length 1.43, 0.30 from edge of sternum). Leg formula: IV> I> II> III. All leg segments uniform.

Scopulae: All tarsi 100% densely scopulate, tarsi IV on both lateral sides only, metatarsi I 90%, metatarsi II 50% scopulate, metatarsi III and IV without scopulae. Tarsal scopulae I–III divided by a longitudinal band of setae, in tarsi IV divided by a wide band of setae (scopulae on ventral side is missing). Dorsal face of all tarsi and cymbium with two irregular longitudinal rows of very short claviform trichobothria. Denticulation of paired tarsal claws on right legs (prolateral/retrolateral row): I 5/3, II 4/4, III 8/5, IV 6/0 (retrolateral claw significantly smaller, probably regenerate, denticulation on left side: 5/6. Plumose setae on retrolateral face of femur IV absent.

Spination: femora I 0, II d 0-0-1, III 0, IV 0 and femora of palps 0, patellae I–IV and patellae of palps 0, tibiae I 0, II p 0-0-1 (apical), r 0-0-1 (apical), III v 0-1-2 (apical), r 0-1-0, IV v 0-1-3 (apical), r 1-1-0 and tibiae of palps v 0-0-3 (apical), metatarsi I v 0-1-1 (apical), II v 0-2- 1 (apical), III v 2-2-2 (apical), p 0-1-1, r 0-1-1, IV v 3-2-3 (apical), p 0-1-1, r 1-1-1, tarsi I–IV and tarsi of palps 0.

Spermathecae: ( Figure 68 ) two separated seminal receptacles with short, stout convergent necks terminating in oval lobes with distinct granulation.

Abdomen: urticating setae of type III are located in oval central patch ( Figure 66 ). PLS: length 4.76, basal segment 1.77, middle segment 1.22, apical segment 1.77, all digitiform. PMS: 1.04.

Colouration and covering setae: dorsal view: ( Figure 66 ) carapace brown, caput covered with thick dark grey pubescence, the rest of carapace with thin dark grey pubescence arranged radially, chelicerae, edge of carapace, coxae and trochantera covered with pale setae, femora, patellae, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi dark grey, intermixed with long pale and dark setae. Patellae I, II and palpal patella with two almost equal parallel longitudinal stripes without covering setae, patellae III, IV with two unequal diagonal stripes. Palpal femur prolaterally partly bare. Abdomen ( Figure 67E ) covered with short dark grey setae, intermixed with long pale and dark setae, except for the oval central patch which is light brown, and two pairs of small bare spots on anterior abdomen. Length of the central patch: 3.9, width 4.3. Ventral view: anterior maxillae reddish-brown, posterior maxillae purple, labium purple, sternum, coxae, trochantera, femora, patellae, tibiae and metatarsi dark grey. Abdomen ventrally dark grey and without dark longitudinal band ( Figure 67D ). Spinnerets dark grey.

Figures

Figure 62. Urupelma veronicae sp. n. from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, 4450 m a. s.l., habitus of male paratype (MUSM-ENT 0513018), dorsal view. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 63. Urupelma veronicae sp. n., male holotype (MUSM-ENT 0513019) from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, 4428 m a.s.l. A. Carapace, coxae and trochantera, dorsal view. B. Sternum, labium, maxillae and coxae, ventral view. C. Ocular tubercle, dorsal view. D. Left maxilla, ventral view. E. Tarsus III, ventral view. F. Abdomen, ventral view. G. Abdomen, dorsal view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 64. Urupelma veronicae sp. n., male holotype (MUSM-ENT 0513019) from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, 4428 m a.s.l. A. Palpal tibia, dorsal view. B. Palpal tibia, ventral view. C. Left tibia I, prolaterally ventral view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 65. Urupelma veronicae sp. n., male holotype (MUSM-ENT 0513019) from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, 4428 m a.s.l., morphology of right palpal bulb. A. Prolateral view. B. Retrolateral view. C. Dorsal view. Large arrow shows sperm pore, short arrow shows small oval lobe at the distal end of PI keel. D. Ventral view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 66. Urupelma veronicae sp. n. from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, 4371 m a. s.l., habitus of female (MUSM-ENT 0511145), dorsal view. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 67. Urupelma veronicae sp. n., female paratype (MUSM-ENT 0511156) from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, 4405 m a.s.l. A. Carapace, coxae and trochantera, dorsal view. B. Sternum, labium, maxillae and coxae, ventral view. C. Ocular tubercle, dorsal view. D. Abdomen, ventral view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view. F. Labium and left maxilla, ventral view. Scale bars: A–C, F = 1 mm; D, E = 10 mm. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 68. A. Urupelma veronicae sp. n., female paratype (MUSM-ENT 0511156) from Peru, Cusco, Nevado Veronica. Spermathecae with separate seminal receptacles, terminating with rounded lobes, dissected from exuvia. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 69. Natural habitat of Urupelma veronicae sp. n. from Peru, Cusco, Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, view from altitude 4450 m a.s.l. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 70. A. Urupelma dianae sp. n. from Peru, Cusco, between Phiry near Ollantaytambo and Abra Málaga, 3874 m a.s.l., habitus of male paratype (MUSM-ENT 0513016), dorsal view. B. Natural habitat. Photo: R. Kaderka.

Figure 76. Distribution map of Urupelma gen. n. from Peru. Prepared by M. Hüsser.

Figure 77. Distribution map of Urupelma spp. from Urubamba River Valley, Cusco, Peru, showing highly diversified populations and so-called ‘high mountain insularisation̍ caused by geographical barriers and restricted gene flow. Red square = Urupelma peruvianum (Chamberlin, 1916) and Urupelma sanctitheresae sp. n. from Santa Teresa, Cusco; white square = Urupelma peruvianum (Chamberlin, 1916) and Urupelma sanctimariae sp. n. from Santa María, Cusco; yellow square = Urupelma machiguenga sp. n. from Echarati, Cusco; green square = Urupelma veronicae sp. n. from Abra Málaga near Nevado Veronica, Cusco; pink square = Urupelma dianae sp. n. from between Phiry near Ollantaytambo and Abra Málaga, Cusco. Scale bar: 10 km. Prepared by R. Kaderka.

Figure 78. Urticating setae types found in single species of Urupelma gen. n. A. Urupelma sanctimariae sp. n., female paratype (MUSM-ENT 0513025). B. Urupelma sanctimariae sp. n., juvenile specimen of female paratype (MUSM-ENT 0513025) with carapace length 1.9 mm. C. Urupelma sanctitheresae sp. n., male holotype (MUSM-ENT 0513021). D. Urupelma veronicae sp. n., female paratype (MUSM-ENT 0511154). E. Urupelma machiguenga sp. n., female paratype (MUSM-ENT 0513027). F. Urupelma johannae sp. n., female holotype (MUSM-ENT 0514015). Prepared by R. Kaderka.