Synemosyna myrmeciaeformis ( Taczanowski, 1871 )

Perger, Robert, Rubio, Gonzalo D. & Haddad, Charles R., 2021, On ant-like Synemosyna Hentz, 1846 spiders from Bolivia, with indirect evidence for polymorphic mimicry complexes (Araneae: Salticidae: Simonellini), European Journal of Taxonomy 748 (1), pp. 67-88 : 74-76

Synemosyna myrmeciaeformis ( Taczanowski, 1871)

Figs 3B, E , 4B, E , 5A–B , 8A–D

Janus myrmeciaeformis Taczanowski, 1871: 125 , pl. 4 fig. 9.

Simonella peckhami Mello-Leitão, 1933: 56 .

Simonella myrmeciaeformis – Peckham et al. 1889: 253, pl. 12 fig. 8. — Peckham & Peckham 1892: 81, pl. 7 fig. 4. — Simon 1901: 509, figs 605–609.

Synemosyna myrmeciformis – Galiano 1966: 367, figs 18–20, 38–39.

Type deposit

Holotype ♂ in PAS; Janus myrmeciaeformis Taczanowski, 1871 (examined).

Diagnosis

Tibial apophysis of male palp finger-like, with distinct median bend, somewhat laterally flattened; bulb large, obliquely oval, 70% of cymbium length; embolus originating prolaterally, with complete revolution around bulb, tip directed retrodistally; epigyne with transverse atrium with subtriangular excavation anteriorly ( Fig. 5A ); copulatory openings located posterolaterally in atrium, copulatory ducts directed anteriorly, with S-shaped loop at level of spermathecae, entering globular spermathecae posteriorly ( Fig. 5B ),

Material examined

Holotype

FRENCH GUIANA • ♂; Saint Laurent du Maroni ; R. Jelski leg.; PAS.

Other material

BOLIVIA – La Paz Dept • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Villa Teresa ; 16.201º S, 67.829º W; 6 Apr. 2016; R. Perger leg.; IBSI-Ara 0756 • 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Jan. 2018; R. Perger leg.; IBSI- Ara 1022 • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, 1 imm.; same collection data as for preceding; CBF . – Cochabamba Dept • 1 ♂; Villa Tunari ; 16.9844° S, 65.4094° W; 10–11 Jul. 2018; R. Perger leg.; IBSI-Ara 00763 • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 6 Dec. 2017; R. Perger leg.; IBSI-Ara 1032 • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; CBF . – Beni Dept • 3 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀; Riberalta ; 11.0163° S, 65.9958° W; 21–23 Jan. 2018; R. Perger leg.; CBF .

Comparisons

The shape of the tibial apophysis and the embolus with complete circular revolution are shared with S. americana ( Peckham & Peckham, 1885) ( Mexico to Venezuela) and S. petrunkevichi (Chapin, 1922) ( USA, Cuba). However, both species can be separated by a smaller bulb (65% of cymbium length in S. americana and 50% in S. petrunkevichi ). In addition to differences in genitalic characters, S. americana and S. petrunkevichi have the carapace not or only slightly narrowed between the cephalic and thoracic areas.

The carapace narrowed between cephalic and thoracic areas, and the globular and small spermathecae of S. myrmeciaeformis , are shared with S. paraenesis Galiano, 1967 ( Brazil, French Guiana). Females of the latter can be distinguished from those of S. myrmeciaeformis by the spermathecae located in a protuberance in the epigastric area and the copulatory ducts entering the spermathecae laterally, while entering the spermathecae posteriorly in S. myrmeciaeformis ( Fig. 5B ). Additionally, the tibial apophysis of the male palp of S. paraensis is bifurcate.

Variation

Three different color forms were observed, displaying a different geographic pattern: orange (in all three locations) ( Fig. 8A ), orange forms with black cephalic part (Villa Tunari, Cochabamba Dept, and Riberalta, Beni Dept) ( Fig. 8B ), or dark brown (Villa Teresa, La Paz Dept) forms ( Fig. 8C–D ). There was no apparent sex-related difference in body color. However, there may be an ontogenetic change in body color. Orange variants were observed within a generally smaller size range of 3.1–6.7 mm (n = 11), dark brown individuals in a range of 6.3–8.05 mm (n = 10), and orange forms with a black cephalic part in a range of 5.84–8.00 mm (n = 20). The dark brown and orange forms with black cephalic part are described here for the first time.

Geographical and ecoregion distribution ( Fig. 7 )

Synemosyna myrmeciaeformis is known from Venezuela (type locality), French Guiana, Brazil ( Peckham & Peckham 1892; Galiano 1966) and Bolivia ( Cutler 1981a; present study). This species was found in ecoregions of the Amazon biome north of 16° S ( Fig. 7 ). The distributional data of S. myrmeciaeformis refers to Cordillera La Costa montane forest, Guianan moist forest, and Uatuma- Trombetas moist forest (ecoregion regionalization according to Olson et al. 2011). In the present study, the species was collected in Sub-Andean Southwest Amazon forest (Villa Tunari, Riberalta) and Bolivian Yungas forest (Villa Teresa).

Remarks

Taczanowski (1871) described S. myrmeciaeformis based on a male. Peckham & Peckham (1892) described the female, although Galiano (1966) mentioned that no female could be found among the material examined by Peckham & Peckham (1892). Cutler & Müller (1991) stated that the female of S. myrmeciaeformis was still considered to be unknown. The females collected in the current study are consistent with the description of Peckham & Peckham (1892), which we here consider to be valid. The female is illustrated here for the first time ( Figs 4B, E , 5A–B , 8 A-C). With a maximum BL of 8.05 mm, S. myrmeciaeformis is the largest Bolivian species of Synemosyna collected in this study (maximum BL of S. aurantiaca 7.0 mm and of S. nicaraguaensis 5.85 mm).

Figures

Fig. 3. Dorsal and lateral habitus, males (all CBF). A, D. Synemosyna aurantiaca (Mello-Leitão, 1917). B, E. S. myrmeciaeformis (Taczanowski, 1871). C, F. S. nicaraguaensis Cutler, 1993. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 4. Dorsal and lateral habitus, females (all CBF). A, D. Synemosyna aurantiaca (Mello-Leitão, 1917). B, E. S. myrmeciaeformis (Taczanowski, 1871). C, F. S. nicaraguaensis Cutler, 1993. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 5. Genitalia of Synemosyna spp. A–B. S. myrmeciaeformis (Taczanowski, 1871). A. Epigyne. B. Spermatheca and copulatory duct. C–F. S. nicaraguaensis Cutler, 1993. C. Epigyne. D. Spermatheca and copulatory duct. E. Palp, retrolateral view. F. Idem, ventral view.

Fig. 8. A–D. Color variants and potential model ants for Synemosyna myrmeciaeformis (Taczanowski, 1871). A. Orange female, Villa Teresa, La Paz Dept. B. Orange female with dark cephalic part, Riberalta, Beni Dept. C. Dark brown female, Villa Teresa, La Paz Dept. D. Dark brown male, same location. E. Pseudomyrmex simplex (Smith, 1877). F. P. tenuis (Fabricius, 1804). G. P. triplarinus (Weddell, 1850). H. P. gracilis (Fabricius, 1804).

Fig. 7. Ecoregion distribution of Synemosyna spp. Orange circle = S. nicaraguaensis Cutler, 1993; red star = S. myrmeciaeformis (Taczanowski, 1871); blue diamond = S. aurantiaca (Mello-Leitão, 1917).