Zorocrates aemulus Gertsch

PLATNICK, NORMAN I. & UBICK, DARRELL, 2007, A Revision of the Spider Genus Zorocrates Simon (Araneae, Zorocratidae), American Museum Novitates 3579, pp. 1-44 : 38-39

Zorocrates aemulus Gertsch figures 103–107 ; map 4

Zorocrates aemulus Gertsch, 1935: 23 , figs. 31 , 32 (male holotype and female allotype from Starr Co., Texas, in AMNH, examined).

DIAGNOSIS: Males of this distinctive, small species can easily be recognized by the triangular median apophysis ( fig. 104 ), females by the triangular epigynum ( fig. 106 ).

MALE: Total length 6. Coloration as in Z. karli . Leg spination: femora: I d1-1-0, p0-0-2, r0-0-0; II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0-0-0; III p1-1-1, r1- 1-1; IV p0-2-1, r0-0-1; patellae IV r0-1-0; tibiae: I d0-0-0, p0-0-0, v4-2-2, r0-0-0; II d0- 0-0, p0-0-1, v4-2-2, r0-0-0; III r1-0-1; IV d1-1- 1; metatarsi: I, II p0-0-1, v2-2-2, r0-0-0; III r1- 2-2. Cribellum present. Retrolateral tibial apophysis relatively narrow; median apophysis triangular; tegular apophysis deeply bifid ( figs. 103–105 ).

FEMALE: Total length 8. Coloration as in male. Leg spination: femora: I d1-1-0, p0-0-2, r0-0-2; II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0-0-0; III p0-1-2, r0- 1-2; IV d1-1-0, p0-1-0, r0-0-1; patellae IV r0-1- 0; tibiae: I d0-0-0, p0-0-0, v4-2-2, r0-0-0; II d0- 0-0, p0-0-0, v2-1r-2, r0-0-0; III r1-0-1; IV d1-1- 1; metatarsi: I, II p0-0-1, v2-2-2, r0-0-0; III r1- 2-2; IV p1-2-2. Cribellum present. Epigynum with elevated, triangular midpiece, strongly narrowed anteriorly; spermathecal bulbs situated laterally ( figs. 106, 107 ).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: UNITED STATES: Texas: Hidalgo Co. : 30 mi W Edinburg, Nov. 24, 1934 (S. Mulaik, Rutherford, Welch, AMNH), 33, 4♀ , same (MCZ 56228), 13, 1♀ ; 30 mi SE Edinburg , Nov. 24, 1934 (S. Mulaik, Rutherford, Welch, AMNH), 13, 2♀ ; Weslaco, May 8, 1987, pitfall in woods (D. Dean, TAMU), 13. Kerr Co.: Raven Ranch , Aug. 1939 (D. Mulaik, AMNH), 3♀ . Starr Co.: 0.5 mi E Rio Grande City , Nov. 11, 1934, brick yard (S. Mulaik, AMNH), 13, 1♀ (types) ; 5 mi E Rio Grande City , Jan. 21, 1939 (S. Mulaik, AMNH), 13, 2♀ . Uvalde Co.: Burial Cave, 2.5 mi S Indian Creek Cave , Feb. 1, 1963, at bottom of 40 ft entrance drop (J. Reddell, AMNH), 13. Val Verde Co. : Wren Cave , 36 mi N Del Rio, Apr. 9, 1968 (J. Reddell, T. Mollhagen, AMNH), 23. Wichita Co. : Midwestern State University Farm, Oct. 9, 1976, under rock (J. Cokendolpher, AMNH), 1♀ . MEXICO: Nuevo León: Chipinque , Feb. 25, 1964, open woods, under stones (W. Peck, CAS), 1♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from Texas and adjacent Nuevo León (map 4).

Figures

Figs. 103–107. Zorocrates aemulus Gertsch. 103. Left male palp, prolateral view. 104. Same, ventral view. 105. Same, retrolateral view. 106. Epigynum, ventral view. 107. Same, dorsal view.

Figs. 27–31. Zorocrates badius Simon. 27. Left male palp, prolateral view. 28. Same, ventral view. 29. Same, retrolateral view. 30. Epigynum, ventral view. 31. Same, dorsal view.

Figs. 32–36. Zorocrates pictus Simon. 32. Left male palp, prolateral view. 33. Same, ventral view. 34. Same, retrolateral view. 35. Epigynum, ventral view. 36. Same, dorsal view.