Antikuna cyanofemur Kaderka, Ferretti & Hüsser, 2021

Kaderka, Radan, Ferretti, Nelson, Hüsser, Martin, Lüddecke, Tim & West, Rick, 2021, Antikuna, a new genus with seven new species from Peru (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) and the highest altitude record for the family, Journal of Natural History 55 (21 - 22), pp. 1335-1402 : 1343-1352

Antikuna cyanofemur Kaderka, Ferretti & Hüsser , sp. nov.

( Figures 9–18 and 49 , Tables 3 and 4)

Types: Male holotype ( MUSM-ENT 0513578 ) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana , 4.430 m a .s .l., 17 .X .2019, R. Kaderka col ., female paratype ( MUSM-ENT 0513574 ) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana , 4,437 m a .s .l., 17 .X .2019, R. Kaderka col ., female paratype ( MUSM-ENT 0513575 ) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana , 4,433 m a .s .l., 17 .X .2019, R. Kaderka col.

Etymology: The specific name is derived from the colouration of femora which are dark blue.

Diagnosis: The males of Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov. differ from all other congeners in having light brown legs with dark femora with blue iridescence ( Figure 9 ), a spatulate retrolateral branch of tibial apophyses carrying two apical spines and in having prolateral accessory keel on tegulum of the palpal bulb ( Figure 13 ) and unipartite tegular protuberance. The females differ from all other congeners in having black legs and a black abdomen dorsally covered with long reddish-brown setae ( Figures 15 , 16 ), and in the shape of spermathecae ( Figure 18 ).

Distribution and natural history ( Figures 10 and 49 ): Known only from the type locality in Peru, Junín, Waytapallana. In that locality, spiders were found under stones in shallow burrows. During the field work it was cloudy, with temperatures up to 10.5°C and snow showers till 11:00 a.m.

MALE (MUSM-ENT 0513578) ( Figures 9 and 11 – 13 ): Total length: 22.15, carapace length 9.95, width 9.79, chelicerae with 11 – 12 teeth on promargin. Cheliceral teeth pattern from basal end: right side: vVVVVVVVVVv, 2 small and 9 big teeth. Left side: vVVVVVVVVVvv, 3 small and 9 big teeth. Anterior eye row slightly procurved, posterior eye row recurved. Eye sizes and interdistances ( Figure 11 (c)): AME 0.34 (circular), ALE 0.40 (oval), PME 0.26 (oval), PLE 0.29 (oval), AME-AME 0.27, AME-ALE 0.13, PME-PME 0.70, PME-PLE 0.13, ALE-PLE 0.21, AME-PME 0.14, OQ length 0.83, width 1.55. Ocular tubercle length 1.30, width 1.55, clypeus narrow, length 0.065. Fovea transverse, slightly procurved, width 1.72, 6.63 from anterior edge of carapace. Labium length 1.27, width 1.90, anterior third with 1 cuspule, maxillae with 107 – 113 cuspules in basal half on moderately elevated area. Ventral maxilla with short spiniform setae. Sternum length 4.88, width 4.37, three pairs of sternal sigilla located near coxae III (length 0.33, 0.46 from edge of sternum), coxae II (length 0.29, 0.23 from edge of sternum) and coxae I. Sigilla on labiosternal suture joined. Leg pattern: I> IV>II>III. Incrassate leg segments: slightly incrassate femur III. Maxillary and trochanteral stridulatory bristles absent.

Scopulae: All tarsi 100% densely scopulate, metatarsi I 90%, metatarsi II 60%, metatarsi III 50%, metatarsi IV 30% scopulate. Tarsal scopulae I undivided, tarsal scopulae II divided by a longitudinal line of setae, tarsal scopulae III–IV divided by a longitudinal band of setae. Dorsal face of all tarsi and cymbium with two irregular longitudinal rows of very short claviform trichobothria. Denticulation pattern of paired tarsal claws on right legs (prolateral/retrolateral row): I 6/0, II 3/3, III 4/1, IV 4/1. Plumose setae on retrolateral face of femur IV absent.

Spination: femora I p 0-0-3, d 0-1-0, II p 0-0-2, r 0-0-1 (apical), d 0-1-0, III d 0-0-2, IV d 0-0-1 and femora of palps p 0-0-1; patellae I v 0-0-3 (apical), p 0-1-0, II p 0-1-0, r 0-0-2 (apical), III 0, IV r 0-1-0 and patellae of palps 0; tibiae I v 4-2-2, p 1-1-1, r 1-1-1, II v 4-3-3-3 (apical), p 0-1-2, r 1-1-1-1, III v 3-2-1-4 (apical), p 0-2-0, r 0-2-0, IV v 4-4-3 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 1-1-1 and tibiae of palps p 0-0-2; metatarsi I v 0-0-3 (apical), p 1-1-0, II v 3-4-4 (apical), p 2-2-1-2, r 1-1-1-1, III v 4-4-1-6 (apical), p 1-1-1-2, r 0-2-1-1, IV v 3-3-2-2-4 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 2-2-1, tarsi I – IV and tarsi of palps 0.

Palpal organ as in Figure 13 , embolus retrolaterally bent, carrying four keels, PS, PAc, PI, A and SA keel, PS keel is well-developed mainly on tegulum, less on embolus, in parallel position with PI keel. PI keel apically with subtriangular lobe. PAc is located on tegulum between basal ends of PS and PI keel. A keel long and transparent. SA keel is distally terminating with a tooth. Sperm pore is located between PI and A keel. Tegulum with short granulated apophysis, projecting anteriorly. Retrolateral lobe of cymbium without short spiniform setae. Prolateral cymbial lobe distinctly larger than retrolateral one. Palpal tibia distally tapering. Retrolateral face of palpal tibia without subapical protuberance and a cluster of spiniform setae ( Figure 12 (a)). Two unequal subapical apophyses are present on tibia I ( Figure 12 (b)): a longer retrolateral tibial apophysis, apically spatulate, with two short and stout subapical spines, a shorter prolateral tibial apophysis with short single retrolateral spine. Metatarsus I not sigmoidly curved and without basal or median protuberance on retrolateral face. When flexed, metatarsus I contacts both tibial apophyses.

Abdomen ( Figure 11 (e)): urticating setae of type III are located in central patch. Size of the patch: length 4.91, width 4.34. PLS: length 3.97, basal segment 1.69, middle segment 0.88, apical segment 1.40, all digitiform. PMS: 1.22.

Colouration and covering setae: dorsal view ( Figure 9 ): carapace, chelicerae, coxae and trochanters light brown, carapace without long setae, femora dark grey with violet iridescence, patellae, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi light brown. Patellae I, II and palpal patella with two equal longitudinal stripes with pale pubescence, patellae III, IV with two such unequal diagonal stripes. Abdomen dorsally with a wide longitudinal band of long reddish-brown setae, except for central black patch of urticating setae, laterally yellowish brown without such reddish-brown setae. Abdomen with two dorsal spots located in anterior half. Ventral view: maxillae and labium dark brown, coxae and sternum dark grey, femora dark grey with violet iridescence, patellae, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi dark grey. Abdomen ventrally dark grey, except for posterior booklungs, which are brown ( Figure 11 (d)). Spinnerets black.

FEMALE (MUSM-ENT 0513574) ( Figure 16 ): Total length: 26.00,carapace length 11.40,width 10.59, caput elevated, chelicerae with 10 – 12 teeth on promargin. Cheliceral teeth pattern from basal end: right side: VVVVVVVVVV, 10 big teeth. Left side: vVVVVVVVVVVv, 10 big and 2 small teeth. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior eye row recurved. Eye sizes and interdistances ( Figure 17 (c)): AME 0.34 (circular), ALE 0.31 (oval), PME 0.26 (oval), PLE 0.28 (oval), AME- AME 0.30, AME-ALE 0.19, PME-PME 0.87, PME-PLE 0.13, ALE-PLE 0.31, AME-PME 0.14, OQ length 0.81, width 1.73. Ocular tubercle: length 1.43, width 1.73, clypeus narrow, length 0.156. Fovea transverse, slightly procurved, width 2.29, 7.64 from anterior edge of carapace. Labium length 1.68, width 2.59, anterior third with 5 cuspules, maxillae with 102 – 113 cuspules on elevated tubercle in basal half and short spiniform setae in apical half. Sternum length 5.82, width 4.62, with three visible pairs of sternal sigilla located near coxae III (length 0.45, 0.39 from edge of sternum), coxae II (length 0.39, 0.42 from edge of sternum) and coxae I (length 0.13, 0.20 from edge of sternum). Leg pattern: I>IV>II>III. All leg segments uniform.

Scopulae: All tarsi 100% densely scopulate, metatarsi I 90%, metatarsi II 70%, metatarsi III 60%, metatarsi IV 20% scopulate. Tarsal scopulae I undivided, tarsal scopulae II, III divided by a longitudinal band of setae, in tarsi IV divided by a wide band of setae. Dorsal face of all tarsi and cymbium with two irregular longitudinal rows of very short claviform trichobothria. Denticulation pattern of paired tarsal claws on right legs (prolateral/retrolateral row): I 5/5, II 6/5, III 6/6, IV 6/7. Plumose setae on retrolateral face of femur IV absent.

Spination: femora I p 0-0-1, II p 0-0-1, III d 0-0-1, IV d 0-0-1 and femora of palps p 0-0-1, patellae I – IV and patellae of palps 0, tibiae I v 0-0-2 (apical), II v 0-0-2 (apical), p 0-1-1, III v 0-0-2 (apical), p 0-1-0, IV v 0-2-2 (apical), r 0-2-0 and tibiae of palps v 0-0-4 (apical), p 1-0-1, metatarsi I v 0-1-2 (apical), II v 1-2-5 (apical), III v 1-3-7 (apical), p 0-1-1, r 0-0-2, IV v 4-3-5-3 (apical), p 0-0-1, r 0-1-2, tarsi I – IV and tarsi of palps 0.

Spermathecae ( Figure 18 (c – f)): two divergent seminal receptacles, sclerotised and basally joined.

Abdomen: urticating setae of type III are located in oval central patch. PLS: length 5.31, basal segment 2.21, middle segment 1.38, apical segment 1.72, all digitiform. PMS: 1.25.

Colouration and covering setae: dorsal view ( Figure 16 ): carapace black with sparse bronze pubescence and thick pale pubescence on the edge, chelicerae, coxae and trochantera black with bronze pubescence, femora black with violet iridescence, patellae black with two light brown longitudinal stripes, patellae I, II and palpal patellae with two almost equal stripes, patellae III, IV with two unequal diagonal stripes, tibiae black with two parallel light brown stripes, metatarsi black with one central light brown stripe extended in basal third, and tarsi black. Palpal femur prolaterally partly bare. Abdomen ( Figure 17 (d)) black with longitudinal band of long reddish-brown setae. Length of central patch: 4.81, width 5.62. Ventral view: dark grey, except for labium and maxillae which are reddish-brown. Abdomen ventrally dark grey ( Figure 17 (e)). Spinnerets dark grey.

Variation: The variation in the morphology of palpal bulb is shown in Figures 13 and 14 . The variation in the shape of spermathecae is shown in Figure 18 .

Figures

Figure 9. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov. from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana, habitus of mature male (MUSM ENT 0513578). Scale bar = 10 mm. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 10. Habitat of Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov. from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 11. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., male holotype (MUSM ENT 0513578) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. (a). Carapace, 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 bar = 1 mm. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 12. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., male holotype (MUSM ENT 0513578) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. (a). Palpal tibia, retrolateral view. (b). Tibia I, ventrally-prolateral view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 13. Antikunacyanofemur sp.nov.,male holotype (MUSM-ENT 0513578) from Peru,Junín,Huancayo, Waytapallana, morphology of right palpal bulb. (a). Prolateral view. (b). Retrolateral view. (c). Dorsal view. (d). Ventral view.Arrow shows apical subtriangular lobe on PI keel. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo by R.Kaderka.

Figure 14. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., male paratype (MUSM-ENT 0513579) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana, morphology of right palpal bulb. (a). Prolateral view. (b). Retrolateral view. (c). Dorsal view. (d). Ventral view. Arrow shows apical subtriangular lobe on PI keel. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 15. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov. from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana, habitus of mature female (MUSM ENT 0513575). Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 16. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov. from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana, habitus of female paratype (MUSM ENT 0513574). Scale bar = 10 mm. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 17. Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., female paratype (MUSM ENT 0513574) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. (a). Carapace, dorsal view. (b). Sternum, labium, maxillae and coxae, ventral view. (c). Ocular tubercle, dorsal view. (d). Abdomen, dorsal view. (e). Abdomen, ventral view. (f). Labium and left maxilla, ventral view. Scale bar = 1 mm (a, b, c, f). Scale bar = 10 mm (d, e). Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 18. (a). Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., female (MUSM ENT 0513575) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. Spermathecae with two separated seminal receptacles, dissected from a dried exuvia, ventral view. (b). Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., immature female (car. 6.7) (MUSM ENT 0513576) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. Spermathecae with two separated seminal receptacles, dissected from exuvia. (c–f). Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., female paratype (MUSM ENT 0513574) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. Spermathecae with two separated seminal receptacles. (c, d). Dissected from exuvia. (c). Ventral view. (d). Dorsal view. (e–f). Dissected from specimen in alcohol. (e). Ventral view. (f). Dorsal view. (g–h). Antikuna cyanofemur sp. nov., female paratype (MUSM ENT 0513575) from Peru, Junín, Huancayo, Waytapallana. Spermathecae with two separated seminal receptacles, dissected from specimen in alcohol. (g). Ventral view. (h). Dorsal view. Arrows show inner basal extension. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photo by R. Kaderka.

Figure 49. Distribution map of Antikuna gen. nov. in Peru. Prepared by M. Hüsser.