Chococtenus kashakara, Dupérré, Nadine, 2015

Dupérré, Nadine, 2015, Description of a new genus and thirteen new species of Ctenidae (Araneae, Ctenidae) from the Chocó region of Ecuador, Zootaxa 4028 (4), pp. 451-484 : 470-472

Chococtenus kashakara new species

Figs 38–41 , 57 .

Type material. Male holotype from Ecuador, Cotopaxi Province, Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.42261°S - 79.5107°W), 16.viii.–05.ix.2014, pitfall, 2225 m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré ( QCAZ). One female paratype from Ecuador, Cotopaxi Province, Otonga Biological Reserve, 24.v.–08.vi.2014, hand collecting, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré ( QCAZ).

Additional material examined. Ecuador: Cotopaxi Province: Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.42261°S - 79.5107°W), 24.v.–08. vi.2014, 1 ♀, pitfall, 2225m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC); 19.ix.–02. x.2014, 1 ♂ (DTC). Otonga Biological Reserve, 21.vi.–02. vii.2014, 1 ♂, pitfall, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC); Otonga (- 00°25’S - 79°00’W), 09. viii.1997, 1 ♂, 2000m, I. Tapia, P. Ponce ( QCAZ).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the Kichwa language referring to the typical tree found in the cloud forest ( Lauraceae , genus Ocotea ).

Diagnosis. Males are diagnosed by their unique median apophysis with strong projection basally ( Fig. 38 ); from C. lasdamas by their wide embolus base ( Fig. 38 ) narrow in the later species ( Fig. 25 ). Females are distinguished from all species of the genus by the medially positioned lateral processes and from C. otongachi by their medium sized unsclerotized sector ( Fig. 40 ).

Description. Male (holotype). Carapace length: 4.1; carapace width: 3.7. COLORATION: Unknown, in bad shape. LEGS: All legs missing. GENITALIA: Palpal cymbial keel strong ( Fig. 38 ). Ventral tibial apophysis elongated, thumb-shaped, apically transparent, retrolateral tibial apophysis wide basally, spine-like ( Figs 38, 39 ). Tegulum oval; median apophysis with large projection basally; conductor lamelliform, short, hyaline; membranous tegular process hyaline, short, hidden; embolus base wide, not twisted; embolus wide basally, originating prolaterally, tip pointed ( Fig. 38 ).

Female (paratype). Total length: 9.3; carapace length: 4.7; carapace width: 3.3; abdomen length: 4.6. COLORATION: Carapace as in C. cappuccino . Legs with numerous black marks. Abdomen as in C. otonga . LEGS: Total length: I: 13.1; II: 12.5; III: 11.9; IV: 15.1. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1, r1-1; tibia I p0, r1, d0; metatarsus I p0, r0. Femur II p1-1-1, r1-1; tibia II p0, r1, d0; metatarsus II p0, r0. Femur III pl-1-1-1, r1; tibia III p1-1, r1-1, d1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus III p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2 -1. Femur IV pl-1-1, r1-1; tibia IV p1-1, r1-1, d1-1, v2- 2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2 -2-1. GENITALIA: Epigynum with elliptical median sector, apically with medium sized unsclerotized sector, flat; lateral processes short, positioned medially ( Fig. 40 ). Internal genitalia with elongated and curved copulatory ducts; spermathecae oval, with apical pore; fertilization ducts short ( Fig. 41 ).

Natural history. Specimens were collected in pitfalls placed at 2225 m, at the top of the cloud forest, and hand collected at an elevation of 2000 m, therefore they can be identified as cloud forest specialist.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality ( Fig. 57 ).

Figures

FIGURE 57. Map of Ecuador showing distribution records of the thirteen new species of the genus Chococtenus. The main collecting site, Otonga Biological Reserve (white box with x inside), holds 10 species (not found: C. suffuscus, C. otongachi and C. piemontana). Other known localities for: C. otonga (white lozenge), C. cappuccino (white x), C. lasdamas (white circle), C. suffuscus (white plus sign), C. otongachi (white rectangle) and C. piemontana (upside down white triangle).

FIGURES 38 – 41. Chococtenus kashakara new species. Male. 38, 39. Female. 40, 41. 39. Palp, ventral view. 39. Palp, retrolateral view. 40. Epigynum, ventral view. 41. Internal genitalia, dorsal view.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Chococtenus lasdamas new species. Male. 25, 26. Female. 27, 28. 25. Palp, ventral view. 26. Palp, retrolateral view. 27. Epigynum, ventral view. 28. Internal genitalia, dorsal view.