Grammostola vachoni Schiapelli & Gerschman 1961

Ferretti, N., Pompozzi, G. & Pérez-Miles, F., 2011, The species of Grammostola (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Central Argentina: taxonomy, distribution, and surface ultrastructure of coxal setae, Zootaxa 2828 (1), pp. 1-18 : 8-11

Grammostola vachoni Schiapelli & Gerschman 1961

( Figs. 21 , 27 , 13, 16 , 26 , 3 , 28 ; Tables 5–6)

Grammostola vachoni Schiapelli & Gerschman 1961: 204 , figs 5–6; Schmidt 2003: 12, figs 1–3.

Polyspina schulzei Schmidt 1994a: 4 , fig. 1. New synonymy.

Polyspinosa schulzei: Schmidt 1999d: 14 .

Grammostola schulzei: Bertani & Fukushima 2004: 330 , fig. 1

Types. Grammostola vachoni Schiapelli & Gerschman 1961 , holotype male, Tandil , Buenos Aires, Argentina, 26 Apr 1950 (St. B. Andrae), MACN 7152 . Female , Sierra de la Ventana, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 2007 (Ferretti, Pompozzi, Copperi), LZI 15 .

Grammostola schulzei (Schmidt 1994) , holotype female ( SMF 37537), unknown locality, originally presumed to be from Africa equatorial, Madagascar or Yemen.

Diagnosis. G. vachoni can be recognized by the following combination of characters: cephalic area slightly raised: 5.11 ± 1.46 high, n = 20 (non-paired t-test: t = 3.25, p = 0.003); presence of short and long spiniform setae on pro- and retrolateral coxal faces of legs I–III, prolateral coxae IV and retrolateral palpal maxillae ( Fig. 21 ); spermathecae with bent tubes and bowls pointing inwards ( Fig. 27 ); coloration (in vivo) black with prominent lines on patella and numerous long yellowish setae on ventral faces of all legs ( Fig. 3 ).

Description. Male (Holotype) MACN 7152: Total length, excluding chelicerae and spinnerets, 34.9. Carapace length 15.3, width 14.4. Cephalic area slightly raised. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eye sizes and interspaces: AME 0.33, ALE 0.28, PME 0.25, PLE 0.31, AME–AME 0.43, AME–ALE 0.2, PME–PME 0.92, PME–PLE 0.06, ALE–PLE 0.33, OQ length 1.75, width 2. Clypeus 0.7. Fovea straight, width 3.3. Labium length 1.7, width 2.5 with 141 cuspules, maxillae with 144 cuspules on inner third. Sternum length 6.9, width 5.5. Chelicerae with 8 teeth on promargin and 9 small teeth on retromargin. Short and long spiniform setae on pro- and retrolateral coxal faces of legs I–III, prolateral coxae IV and retrolateral palpal maxilla. Stridulatory setae present on retrolateral face of maxilla and prolateral in coxa I are typical and well developed ( Figs 28 , 13, 16 ). Tarsi I–IV densely scopulated and entire. Metatarsi I entire scopulated, II 3/4 scopulated, III 1/2 scopulated and IV 1/4 scopulated. Spination: Femorae and patellae I–IV and palps, 0. Tibiae: palp 1-2 R; I 2-1-1 P, 1-2 V, 1-1-1 R; II 1-1 P, 1-2- 2 V; III 1-2-2 P, 2-2-2 V, 1-1 R; IV 1-1-1 P, 2-2 V, 1-1-1 R. Metatarsi: I 1 P, 1 R; II 1-1-2 V, 1-1 P; III 1-1-1 V, 1-1- 2-2 P, 1-1 R; IV 1-1-1-1 V, 1-2-1 P, 2-1-1 R. Tarsi I–IV and palps 0. Tibia I with paired ventral apophyses, bearing long strong black thorn, slightly curved at tip, on inner side of primary (smallest) spur, and short conical process above secondary (longer) spur ( Fig. 26 ). Palpal organ piriform. Color (in alcohol): cephalothorax and legs light brown with yellowish hairs, abdomen dark brown.

Female LZI 15: Total length, excluding chelicerae and spinnerets, 37.10. Carapace length 15, width 12. Cephalic area slightly raised. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eye sizes and interspaces: AME 0.33, ALE 0.22, PME 0.34, PLE 0.2, AME–AME 0.60, AME–ALE 0.28, PME–PME 1.26, PME–PLE 0.05, ALE– PLE 0.38, OQ length 2.15, width 2.50. Clypeus 1.00. Fovea straight, width 1.7. Labium length 1.80, width 2.20 with 178 cuspules, maxillae with 141 cuspules on inner third. Sternum length 5.50, width 5.10. Chelicerae with 8 big teeth and 2 small on promargin and 12 small teeth on retromargin. Short and long spiniform setae on pro- and retrolateral coxal faces of legs I–III, prolateral coxae IV and retrolateral palpal maxilla. Tarsi I–IV densely scopulated and entire. Metatarsi I 3/4 scopulated, II 2/3 scopulated, III 1/2 scopulated and IV 1/4 scopulated. Spination: femorae and patellae I–IV and palps, 0. Tibiae: palp 2 V, 1 R, 1-1-1 P; I 1 V; II 1 P, 1 V; III 1-1-1 P, 2 V, 1-1 R; IV 2 V, 1-1 R. Metatarsi: I 1-1 V, 1 P; II 1-1-1 V, 1 P; III 6-2-1-2 V, 2-1-2-1-1 P, 2-1-1 R; IV 1-1-1-1-1 V, 2-1-1-1 P, 2- 1-1 R. Tarsi I–IV and palps 0. Color (in alcohol): cephalothorax and legs light brown with yellowish hairs, abdomen dark brown. Spermathecae with long bent tubes pointing inward.

Other examined material. Argentina: Cordillera de los Andes , 20 Aug 88, L. Colonel col., 1 female ( IBSP 10391 ) . Córdoba Province: Bialet Massé , Jan 1960, C. Paolini & C. Nera cols., 1 female ( MACN), 1 male ( MACN) ; Gral. Deheza , 7 Feb 1961, no collector, 1 male ( MACN) ; Gral. Roca, Balsa de Paso , 22 Mar 1959, R. N. col., 1 male ( MACN 110 ) ; Ing. Malmen, Gral. San Martín , 8 May 1962, Gallardo col., 1 female ( MACN) ; La Cumbre , 13 Sep 1952, V. Nuñez col., 1 female ( MACN LP28 ) ; La Falda , Apr 1975, Cesari col., 1 immature ( MACN) ; Mina Clavero , 16 Feb 1940, Birula col., 1 female ( MACN), 1 immature ( MACN) ; Santa Rosa de Calamuchita , 13 Jan 1961, no collector, 2 immatures ( MACN) ; South of Córdoba, Oct 1944, no collector, 1 female ( MACN) . Buenos Aires Province: Azul , Dec 1948, Barros col., 1 male ( MACN T125 ) ; Bahía Blanca , Apr 1939, Schiapelli & Gerschman cols., 1 male ( MACN 73 ) ; same locality (3842’ S; 6218’ W), 27 Oct 2008, no collector, 1 male ( LZI) ; Carmen de Patagones , 2 Mar 1970, no collector, 1 female ( MACN 1042 ) ; same locality (4048’ S; 6258’ W), no date, no collector, 1 female ( LZI) ; Curamalal , 30 Jan 1979, no collector, 1 immature ( MACN) ; Curamalal, Abra del Xinojo , no date, Soraka col., 1 female ( MACN) ; Estancia El Tropezón , road between Púan and Pigué, Nov 1969, Gallardo col., 2 females ( MACN 6757 ), 3 males ( MACN 6757 ), 1 immature ( MACN 6757 ) ; Nicolás Levalle, Salinas Las Barrancas, Villarino , Oct 1960, Schiapelli & Gerschman cols., 1 male ( MACN 185 ) ; same locality, Jan 1961, Schiapelli & Gerschman cols., 4 males ( MACN) ; Olavarría, Estancia La China , 6 Dec 1969, Galiano col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, Nov 1972, E. Maury col., 1 female ( MACN) ; Olavarría , Sierra de la China, 19 Nov 1969, E. Maury & Gallardo cols., 1 female ( MACN 6761 ) ; Sierra de la Ventana , Dec 1971, Galiano col., 1 female ( MACN 6436 ) ; same locality, Feb 1974, Toth col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, Jan 1967, Galiano col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 5 May 1951, Viccetti col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, 22 Dec 1953, Viccetti col., 2 males ( MACN) ; same locality, 12 Apr 1954, Viccetti col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 15 Jul 1954, Viccetti col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 18 Dec 1956, Viccetti col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, Dec 1941, no collector, 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, Mar 1939, Gario col., 1 immature ( MACN) ; same locality, 14 Sept 1953, Kagen col., 1 female ( MACN 55 ) ; same locality, 18 Sept 1952, E. Maury col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 1959, Gario col., 1 male ( MACN 46 ) ; same locality, Nov 1972, Echechuren col., 1 female ( MACN 6766 ) ; same locality, Jul 1972, no collector, 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 30 Jun 1978, no collector, 1 immature ( MACN 2 ) ; same locality (3807’ S; 6147’ W), 21 Jan 2009, S. Copperi col., 1 female ( LZI) ; same locality (3807’ S; 6147’ W), 21 Jan 2009, N. Ferretti, G. Pompozzi & S. Copperi cols., 1 male ( LZI) ; Sierra de la Ventana, Abra de la Ventana , Oct 1969, H. Castello col., 1 immature ( MACN) ; same locality, 4 Nov 1969, Gallardo col., 1 female ( MACN), 1 male ( MACN), 3 immatures ( MACN) ; same locality, 25 Nov 1972, E. Maury col., 2 females ( MACN) ; Sierra de la Ventana, Cerro Negro , Feb 1972, Aguilera col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 2 Mar 1972, Aguilera col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, 12 Apr 1974, Cesari col., 1 immature ( MACN 101 ) ; same locality, 12 Jun 1974, Cesari col., 2 immatures ( MACN) ; Sierra de la Ventana, Estancia Funke (3804’ S; 6202’ W), 26 Apr 2008, N. Ferretti & G. Pompozzi cols., 1 female ( LZI), 2 immatures ( LZI) ; same locality, 26 Apr 2008, G. Pompozzi col., 1 male ( LZI) ; Sierra de la Ventana, Tornquist , 1 Jan 1947, Bachman & Rossi cols., 1 female ( MACN 856 ) ; Sierra Las Tunas , 29 Sept 1968, Riggi col., 1 female ( MACN 52 ) ; Sierra Las Tunas, cerro La Tigra “ San Carlos , 21 Jan 1968, Gallardo col., 1 immature ( MACN) ; Tandil , 26 Apr 1950, Andrae col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, 14 Nov 90, L. Colonel col., 1 female ( ISBP 8277 ) ; same locality, no date, no collector, 1 male ( SMF 57834) ; same locality, no date, no collector, 1 female ( MACN 39 ) ; same locality, 5 Sept 1958, Amelane col., 3 females ( MACN M3 , M4 , M5 ), 3 immatures ( MACN) ; same locality, Jul 1950, Orfila col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, Ago 1950, Orfila col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, 6 Nov 1950, Foesstei col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, 12 Apr 1951, Amelane col., 1 female ( MACN M2 ) ; same locality, 22 May 1955, Amelane col., 1 female ( MACN M1 ) ; same locality, May 1950, Orfila col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, Dec 1950, Orfila col., 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, Jun 1968, E. Maury col., 2 females ( MACN), 1 male ( MACN) ; same locality, Dec 1943, no collector, 1 male ( MACN), 1 immature ( MACN) ; same locality, Apr 1985, C. Scioscia col., 1 male ( MACN) ; Tornquist, Cerro Colorado , Oct 1962, Soraka col., 1 female ( MACN 6768 ) ; Tornquist, Cerro Esmeralda , Oct 1972, Soraka col., 1 female ( MACN) ; same locality, Nov 1972, Soraka col., 4 females ( MACN 6769 ) ; Villa Ventana (3804’ S; 6155’ W), 2005, N. Ferretti col., 1 female ( LZI) . La Pampa Province: Parque Nacional Lihué Calel , Ago 1967, E. Maury col., 1 male ( MACN 6759 ), 3 immatures ( MACN 6759 ) ; same locality, Nov 1969, E. Maury & Gallardo cols., 1 female ( MACN 6758 ), 12 immatures ( MACN 6758 ) ; same locality, Nov 1969, E. Maury & Posadas cols., 2 females ( MACN 6764 ), 1 male ( MACN 6764 ) . Mendoza Province: Chacras de Coria , Nov 1957, Fegni col., 1 male ( MACN 4886 ) . Río Negro Province: Viedma (4048’ S; 6301’ W), no date, no collector, 1 female ( LZI) ; Villa Regina , May 1973, Soraka col., 1 female ( MACN 6763 ) . Chubut Province: Puerto Madryn , Feb 1972, Stickel col., 1 male ( MACN 6762 ) .

Distribution. Throughout the mountains and southeast of Córdoba. Hilly zones of Mendoza near Cordillera de Los Andes. Mainly found in mountainous systems of Ventania and Tandilia in southwestern and central Buenos Aires; and meadows in southern Buenos Aires province. South of La Pampa, Sierras de Lihué Calel, which comprises lower mountain ranges. North of Río Negro. Northeast of Chubut ( Fig. 31 ).

Remarks. The male type of G. vachoni and female type of G. schulzei possess a field of short spiniform setae on the pro- and retrolateral coxal faces of legs I–III, prolateral coxae IV and retrolateral palpal maxillae ( Fig. 19 ). These structures were interpreted as apomorphic for G. schulzei (Schmidt 1994) . When Schmidt (2003) described a male of G. vachoni , he did not note that this specimen had the same short spiniform setae as G. schulzei . Moreover, this individual has feathered setae on prolateral coxa I. The tibial apophysis of males of G. vachoni and G. schulzei did not differ. No differences were found in the morphology of the spermathecae. Both types have stridulatory setae on the retrolateral face of the maxillae ( Fig. 22 ). The weak hair-like stridulating bristles, indicated by Schmidt (2003) for G. vachoni are not consistent with the stridulatory setae observed in the types. For these reasons, G. schulzei is considered a junior synonym of G. vachoni .

Sympatry. In several localities, we found two species in sympatry but we did not find all three species cooccuring. In the Oriental zone of Buenos Aires Province, we found G. doeringi and G. burzaquensis living in sympatry at La Plata and Florencio Varela. In the center of the province, G. vachoni and G. burzaquensis are found together at Azul. In the southwest, there is a large overlap in the distributions of G. vachoni and G. doeringi . G. vachoni occurs mainly on hilly zones, such as Sierra de la Ventana, but some individuals collected in Bahía Blanca, Nicolas Levalle and Carmen de Patagones confirm that they also occupy in meadows. G. doeringi seems to occur strictly in meadows; in Sierra de la Ventana this species was noted only in meadows, beside roads. In La Pampa province, G. vachoni and G. doeringi occurred in sympatry at Lihué Calel, in central south of the province. In Río Negro province, G. vachoni and G. doeringi occur together at Villa Regina in the north center of the province, a zone characterized by extended meadows. Chubut province is the southernmost occurrence for the species of Grammostola treated here. The shared occurrence of G. vachoni and G. doeringi was noted in Puerto Madryn, northeast of Chubut province.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Live habitus of adult female G. vachoni from Sierra de la Ventana, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Scalebar: 12 mm. Photo: Pompozzi, G.

FIGURE 31. Distribution of Grammostola vachoni.

FIGURES 17–22. Grammostola vachoni, holotype male (MACN 7152) (17, 21), G.doeringi, neotype male (MACN 153) (18), G. schulzei, holotype female (SMF 37537) (19, 22), G. burzaquensis, holotype male (MLP 105) (20). 17. Retrolateral face of coxa I, arrows indicate the groups of spiniform setae. 18. Prolateral face of coxa I. 19. Prolateral face of coxa I. 20. Prolateral face of coxa I. 21. Prolateral face of coxa I. 22. Retrolateral face of maxilla. Scale bars = 3.5mm for 17, 18, 21; 3mm for 20, 22; 3.8mm for 19.

FIGURES 23–28. Grammostola burzaquensis, holotype male (MLP 105) (23), female paratype (24), G. doeringi, allotype female (MACN 151) (25), G. vachoni, holotype male (MACN 7152) (26, 28), female (LZI 15) (27). 23. Tibial apophyses of males. 24. Spermathecae of females. 25. Spermathecae of females. 26. Tibial apophyses of males. 27. Spermathecae of females. 28. Retrolateral face of maxilla. Scale bars = 1.25mm for 23; 3.25mm for 26; 2mm for 28; all others 1mm. Illustrations of 24, 25, 27 by Ferretti,N.

FIGURES 11–16. Grammostola vachoni (11–14, 16), Grammostola burzaquensis (15). 11. Detail of apical zone of long spiniform setae. 12. Short and long spiniform setae. lsp = long spiniform setae, ssp = short spiniform setae. 13. Stridulatory setae on retrolateral face of maxilla. 14. Detail of short barbs with curved tips. 15. Stridulatory setae on retrolateral face of maxilla. 16. Detail of one stridulatory setae.