Cybaeopsis Strand, 1907

Ballarin, Francesco & Pantini, Paolo, 2022, An unexpected occurrence: discovery of the genus Cybaeopsis Strand, 1907 in Europe with the description of a new species from Italy (Arachnida, Araneae, Amaurobiidae), Zoosystematics and Evolution 98 (2), pp. 377-385 : 377

Genus Cybaeopsis Strand, 1907

Type species.

Cybaeopsis typicus Strand, 1907 from the south part of the Russian Far-East and northern Japan.

Diagnosis.

Genus closely related to Callobius but its members are smaller in size (2.5-6.5 mm vs. 8-12 mm). Males of Cybaeopsis can be easily distinguished from males of Callobius by the bifurcated retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) (vs. unbranched) and by the presence of 2-4 dorsal apophyses (Da1-4), at least 2 of them long and sharp (vs. 2-3 Da of which only one is long and sharp) (Figs 1A, B, E ; 4A, D cf. Leech 1972: figs 33, 34 for the type species Callobius bennetti (Blackwall, 1846)). Females of Cybaeopsis can be distinguished from females of Callobius by the epigyne lacking a median lobe (vs. present) and by the shape of its lateral lobes (Ll), rectangular and extended laterally, with flat posterior margins (vs. lateral lobes extended antero-posteriorly with sharp or rounded posterior margin) (Fig. 4E cf. Leech 1972: figs 225). See also Leech (1972) (sub Callioplus Bishop & Crosby, 1935) for a detailed diagnosis of the genus.

Description.

Total length 2.5-5 (male), 3-6.5 (female). Carapace brown, dark brown or orange-yellowish with darker dorsal radiating striae, fovea clearly visible. Chelicerae frontally swollen. Eight eyes arranged into 2 rows of 4, AME the smallest. Legs uniformly brownish or brown-yellowish, darkened distally. Tarsi with 3 claws, scopula and claws tufts absent. Leg formula: IV, I, II, III. Opisthosoma brown-greyish or dark grey usually with lighter chevrons marks on the dorsal side, unmarked in some specimens. Cribellum undivided. Male palp with retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) distally bifurcated, dorsal tibial apophysis divided into several branches of different length (Da1-4), at least two branches (Da1-2) long and sharp. Median apophysis (Ma) sturdy. Prolateral and retrolateral tegular outgrowth (Pto and Rto) more or less developed and protruding from tegulum. Conductor (Co) wide. Embolus (Em) short and sturdy, ribbon-like. Epigyne divided into 2 lobes by a central septum, extended laterally, median lobe absent.

Composition.

Cybaeopsis armipotens (Bishop & Crosby, 1926); C. euopla (Bishop & Crosby, 1935); C. hoplites (Bishop & Crosby, 1926); C. hoplomacha (Bishop & Crosby, 1926); C. lodovicii sp. nov.; C. macaria (Chamberlin, 1947); C. pantopla (Bishop & Crosby, 1935); C. spenceri (Leech, 1972); C. theoblicki (Bosmans, 2021) comb. nov.; C. tibialis (Emerton, 1888); C. typicus Strand, 1907; C. wabritaska (Leech, 1972)

Distribution.

North America, Russian Far-East (Sakhalin and Kurile Is.), Japan (Hokkaido Is., Eastern Honshu Is.), Southern Europe (Italy, Portugal).

Figures

Figure 1. Cybaeopsis lodovicii sp. nov. male palp. A prolateral view; B retrolateral view; C ventral view; D dorsal view; E tibial, dorsal view; F SEM image of the tibial apophyses, dorsal view; G SEM image of detail of the RTA tip; H SEM image of detail of the median apophysis, ventral view. Abbreviations: Da 1 - 3 = dorsal apophyses; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; Va = ventral apophysis. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A-D); 0.1 mm (F); 0.02 mm (G); 0.05 mm (H).

Figure 4. Cybaeopsis typicus, male and female from Kunashir Island. A male palp, retrolateral view; B ditto, prolateral view; C ditto, ventral view; D ditto, dorsal view; E epigyne, ventral view; F ditto, posterior view. Photos by Y. M. Marusik Abbreviations: Co = conductor; Da 1 - 4 = dorsal apophyses of tibia; Em = embolus; Ll = lateral lobe; Ma = median apophysis; Pto = prolateral tegular outgrowth; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; Rto = retrolateral tegular outgrowth; St = subtegulum; Te = tegulum; Va = ventral apophysis.