Histopona leonardoi, Bolzern, Angelo, Pantini, Paolo & Isaia, Marco, 2013

Bolzern, Angelo, Pantini, Paolo & Isaia, Marco, 2013, Revision of the Histopona italica group (Araneae: Agelenidae), with the description of two new species, Zootaxa 3640 (1), pp. 23-41 : 24-28

Histopona italica Brignoli 1977

Figures 1–2 ; 13–14; 21–22; 27

H. i. Brignoli 1977: 35, f. 14–15, 17–18 (Df, m misidentified = H. leonardoi sp. n.). H. i. Deeleman-Reinhold 1983: 336, f. 18–19 (f).

H. i. Hänggi 1990: 163, f. 21a–b (m misidentified = H. fioni sp. n., f misidentified). H. i. Trotta 2005: 160, f. 193–194 (m misidentified = H. fioni sp. n., f misidentified).

Type material. Holotype female: ITALY: Lazio: Roma: Colli Albani, Monte Cavo, 1Ƥ 5/V/1968, Brignoli P.M. (MSNVR).

Paratypes: ITALY: Piemonte: Cuneo: Maritime Alps, Val Pesio, Small lakes of Marguareis, 2100 m, 2Ƥ 7/ 1968, Osella G. (MSNVR). Toscana: Firenze: Borgo San Lorenzo, Polcanto, 1Ƥ 11/III/1972, Magini F. (MSNVR). Marche: Pesaro: Apecchio, Serra Val di Carda, 13, 1Ƥ 11/IV/1971, Bianchi R. (MSNVR). Lazio: Rieti: Amatrice, Monti della Laga, Capricchia, 1150–1300 m, 1Ƥ IX/1968, Osella G. (MSNVR). Molise: Campobasso: Bojano, 500–700 m, 1Ƥ 18/IX/1967, Minelli A. (MSNVR); Matese, Piani di Campitello, 1500 m, 1Ƥ 22/IX/1967, Minelli A. (MSNVR); Isernia: Roccamandolfi, 820 m, 2Ƥ 29/VI/1967, Riggio, Osella G. (MSNVR).

Other material examined. ITALY: Piemonte: Cuneo: Garessio, Trappa, UTMED50 32T 419066 4892581 (lon. 7.9874° lat. 44.1819°), riparian wood 600 m, 13, 1Ƥ, 10/IV/2004, Beikes S. Liguria: Genova: Mezzanego, Ghiaiette, 850 m, UTMED50 32T 537328 4918352 (lon. 9.4868° lat. 44.4174°), beech wood, 13, 2Ƥ, 31/X/2009 – 25/V/2010, 12Ƥ 25/V–18/VIII/2010, Lodovici O., Pantini P., Valle M.; Mezzanego, Forest of Monte Zatta, c/o ex.

Colonia Devoto, 1050 m, UTMED50 32T 537328 4918352 (lon. 9.4688° lat. 44.4174°), beech wood, 53, 4 Ƥ, 31/ X/ 2009 – 25/V/2010, Lodovici O., Pantini P., Valle M. (NMB: 20773), 13, 4Ƥ 25/V–18/VIII/2010, 2Ƥ 25/V/2010 Lodovici O., Pantini P.; Propata, Monte Cremado, 1460 m, 23 2/V–5/VI/1998, Cartasegna F., Pesce D. (CG); La Spezia: Varese Ligure, Passo Cento Croci, 1000 m, UTMED50 32T 549768 4918763 (lon. 9.6251° lat. 44.4204°), 23, 1Ƥ IV– VIII/1991, Cerbino R., Valle M., 13, 1Ƥ IX/1991 – V/1992, Buttarelli G., Cerbino R., Pantini P., Valle M., 13, 2Ƥ VI– IX/1992, Pantini P., Valle M.; Savona: Bormida, SP 15 for Colla Melogno, 670 m, small stream, 1Ƥ 28/V/2001; Calizzano, Colle del Melogno, 1000 m, 2Ƥ, 13/VI–12/VII/1999, Trotta A. (CG); Calizzano, Colla Melogno, 920 m, beech wood, 1Ƥ 28/V–17/VII/2001, 3Ƥ 18/ 7–10/X/2001; Calizzano, Rio dell’Uscio, 990 m, 1Ƥ 13/VI–12/VII/1999, Trotta A.; Sassello, Rio del Nido, 1000m, beech wood, 43, 1Ƥ, 18/VII–10/X/2001. Emilia Romagna: Parma: Bedonia, Passo di Montevacà, 800 m, UTMED50 32T 548856 4931317 (lon. 9.6149° lat. 44.5335°), 23 IV–VIII/1991, Cerbino R., Valle M., 43 IX/1991 – V/1992, Buttarelli G., Cerbino R., Pantini P., Valle M., 33, 2Ƥ XI/1992 – IV/1993, Pantini P., Valle M.; Corniglio, Lagdei, 1320 m, fir wood, 93, 15/VII–7/X/ 1997, Fabbri R.; Tornolo, Tarsogno, 800 m, UTMED50 32T 549775 4921065 (lon. 9.6254° lat. 44.4411°), 13, 1Ƥ IV– VIII /1991, Cerbino R., Valle M., 13 IX/1991– V/1992, Buttarelli G., Cerbino R., Pantini P., Valle M., 2Ƥ 25/X/ 1992, Valle M., 23, 3Ƥ 1994, Pantini P., Valle M.; Piacenza: Bobbio, Passo Penice, 1100 m, UTMED50 32T 525987 4960430 (lon. 9.3285° lat. 44.7967°), wood, 13, 8Ƥ 20/V–20/VI/2001 (2Ƥ NMB: 20668), Pantini P., 2Ƥ 20/VI–31/VII/2001, Pantini P., 133, 8Ƥ 19/IX/2001 – 20/III/2002 Pantini P. (73, 6Ƥ missing number), 2Ƥ 26/IV– 27/VI/2002, Pantini P.; Bobbio, road for Monte Penice, UTMED50 32T 525246 4959349 (lon. 9.3191° lat. 44.7870°), 1400 m, road margin, 1Ƥ 31/VII–19/IX/2001, Pantini P., 13 19/IX/2001 – 20/III/2002; Modena: Guiglia, cave “Buco dell’Albero, ER-Mo 267, 585 m, 1Ƥ 9/X/2000. Toscana: Firenze: Marradi, Badia Valle, 430 m, 1Ƥ 23/ IV/2003, Usvelli A.; Pistoia: Abetone, botanical garden “Le Regine”, 1275 m, 2Ƥ 2–29/VI/2003, Colombetta G. (CG). Marche: Ascoli Piceno: Montemonaco, Isola San Biagio, 990 m, mown meadow, 7Ƥ 23/VI–27/VII/2004, 13, 2Ƥ 1/IX–7/X/2004, Rismondo M., Fabbri R.; Macerata: Fiuminata, road to Passo Cornello, 600 m, 13, 1Ƥ VI– XII/1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P. Valle M.; Sarnano, Colle, 550 m, mixed broadleaved wood, 2Ƥ 1/IX–7/X/2004, Rismondo M., Fabbri R.; Pesaro: Piobbico, Monte Nerone, 1300 m, 13 18/IX/1992, Pantini P., Valle M. Umbria: Perugia: Nocera Umbra, Colle Aprico, slope of Monte Pennino, 700 m, 63 VI– XII /1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P. Valle M., 1Ƥ I– VI/1992, 13, 1Ƥ VI– IX/1992, Pantini P., Valle M., 3Ƥ 14/VI/ 1992, Buttarelli G., Pantini P. Valle M.; San Giustino, Monte Moriccio, 900 m, 53 VI– XII/1991, 1Ƥ I– VI/1992, 23, 2Ƥ VI– IX/1992, 1Ƥ IX/1992 – VI/1993, Pantini P., Valle M.; 2Ƥ San Giustino, Parnacciano, 700 m, 193, 6Ƥ VI– XII/1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P. Valle M., 2Ƥ 13/VI/1992, 43, 4Ƥ VI– IX/1992, Pantini P., Valle M.; Sigillo, Piani di Monte, 1200 m, 33, 1Ƥ VI– XII/1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P. Valle M., 33 I– VI/ 1992, 13 VI–IX/1992, Pantini P., Valle M. Lazio: Frosinone: Guancino, Vermicaro, Cave “Gnomo gnomo”, 13, 4/ X/2003, Baroncini G.; Roma: Subiaco, Monti Simbruini, Campo Buffone, 6Ƥ 28/VII/2009, La Casella F. Abruzzo: Pescara: Carpineto della Nora: Gran Sasso, Voltigno, 1550 m, beech wood, 13 12/X/2001, Marotta O., 23 4/X/ 2002, Marotta O., Zuppa A.M.; Teramo: Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia, Gran Sasso, 900 m, towards Lake of Pagliara, mixed broadleaved wood, 13 3/X/2002, Marotta O., Carissimi D., 13 26/X/2002, Marotta O., Matin K., 13 7/X/2003, Marotta O.; Rocca Santa Maria, Monti della Laga, Ceppo, Pietralta, fir wood, 43, 1Ƥ 28/X/2001, Marotta O.; Rocca Santa Maria, Monti della Laga, Ceppo, road to Acquamorta, 1450 m, fir wood, 53, 3Ƥ 6/X/ 2002, 113, 5Ƥ 4/IX/2003, 83 7/X/2003, Marotta O.; Rocca Santa Maria, Monti della Laga, Ceppo, towards Lago dell’Orso, beech wood 1650 m, 13 13/III/2002, Marotta O., Zuppa A.M., 33 6/X/2002, Marotta O.; Tossicia, Gran Sasso, Tozzanella, on the way to Colle Pelato, 1050 m, fir wood 63 18/XI/2001, Marotta O., Matin K., 1Ƥ 27/VIII/ 2002, Marotta O., Di Marco C., 93 3/X/2002, Marotta O., Carissimi D., 53 26/X/2001, Marotta O., Matin K.; Valle Castellana, Monti della Laga, Ceraso, 655–850 m, mixed wood, 18Ƥ 25/VII/2001, Marotta O., Zuppa A.M., 13 6/X/2001, 33, 2Ƥ 28/X/2001, 1Ƥ 7/VIII/2003 Marotta O. Basilicata: Potenza: San Severino Lucano, Santuario Madonna del Pollino 153, 2Ƥ VI/1989 – V/1990, Valle M., 83, 7Ƥ VI/1990 – VI/1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P., Valle M., 13, 1Ƥ 1992, Pantini P., Valle M.; Viggianello, Piani di Ruggio, 1Ƥ VI– VIII/1989, 93, 3Ƥ, IX/1989 – V/1990, Valle M.; Viggianello, Visitone, 23 IX/1989– V/1990, Valle M. Calabria: Cosenza: Fagnano Castello, Lago Trifoglietti, 1050 m, UTMED50 32T 587837 4378173 (lon. 16.0223° lat. 39.5487°), 13 24/VIII/ 2008, Valle M.; Reggio Calabria: Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte, 800 m, 13 24/V/1990, Valle M.; Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte, Gambarie, 1300 m, 23 VI/1990– VI/1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P., Valle M.; Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte, tra Gambarie e Montalto, 1500 m, 3Ƥ IX/1989 – V/1990, Valle M. 1Ƥ VI/1990 – VI/1991, Buttarelli G., Ghilardi E., Pantini P. Valle M. REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO: Castello di Chiesanuova: Fosso di Canepa, 250 m, 2Ƥ 12/VII–11/VIII/2010, Fabbri R.; Mulini, Fosso di Canepa, 300 m, wood 5Ƥ 28/IV–25/V/2010, 7Ƥ 13/VII–25/VIII/2010, Fabbri R.

Diagnosis. Males ( Figures 1–2 , 13–14 ) can be separated by the absence of a patellar apophysis (present in torpida group, except H. vignai Brignoli 1980 ), the plate-like and distally bifid elongated radix (absent in myops - and strinatii group) and the distally broadly rounded conductor. Females ( Figures 21–22 , 27 ) can be separated from other Histopona species by the glossy median indented posterior epigynal sclerite (much longer and with anterior margin only moderately indented in torpida group) with parallel margin, the unpaired “bursa copulatrix” (completely paired copulatory ducts in myops - and strinatii group) with anterior margin straight or convex and the broad lateral lobes of the copulatory ducts. See also Table 1 .

Description. Measurements of male (n=1, paratype from Apecchio): carapace 2.95 long, 2.21 wide. Head region 1.06 wide; PER 0.64 wide. Chelicerae 1.24 long, 0.54 wide. Labium as long as wide or moderately wider than long. Gnathocoxa ratio width to length: 0.56. Sternum 1.55 long, 1.30 wide. Opisthosoma 2.28 long, 1.93 wide. Ratio bulb length (laterally from cymbium base to conductor tip) to cymbium length: 0.801. Leg measurements are reported in Table 2.

Measurements of female (n=1, paratype from Apecchio): carapace 2.95 long, 2.01 wide. Head region 1.10 wide; PER 0.66 wide. Chelicerae 1.25 long, 0.54 wide. Labium as long as wide or moderately wider than long. Gnathocoxa ratio width to length: 0.536. Sternum 1.52 long. 1.30 wide. Opisthosoma 3.33 long. 2.20 wide. Epigynal plate 1.01 long. 1.08 wide; atrium 0.23 long. 0.84 wide. Leg measurements are given in Table 2.

Eyes: in dorsal view both eye rows straight or slightly recurved; in frontal view AER and PER procurved, AER may be almost straight. Diameters: PME: 0.137–0.145; PLE: 0.143–0.145; AME: 0.084–0.086; ALE: 0.148–0.154. Distances: PME–PME about half diameter of PME or less; PME–AME less than diameter of PME; PME–PLE about half diameter of PME or slightly less; PME–ALE less than diameter of PME; AME–AME about half diameter of AME or slightly less; AME–ALE less than half diameter of AME. Clypeus height (measured under AME) less than or equal to 3 diameter of AME; clypeus height (measured under ALE) less than or equal to 1.5 diameter of ALE.

Coloration: carapace with broad, continuous dark margin; two longitudinal symmetrical darkened bands present on carapace; head region median with narrow dark band. Sternum without coloration pattern. Opisthosoma dark grey green; cardiac mark moderately pronounced; posteriorly with indistinct pattern of chevrons. Legs without coloration pattern.

Additional somatic characters: distal margin of labium straight or moderately concave. Plumose hairs present on carapace, legs and opisthosoma. Three promarginal teeth, the most proximal smallest; 5–6 retromarginal teeth, decreasing in size proximally. All trochanters notched. Tarsi I and IV with 7–8, tarsi II and III with 6–7 dorsal trichobothria. No trichobothria on palp tarsi or cymbium. Pale colulus divided into two separated plates, sometimes only recognizable as two hairy regions. PLS longer than all others with distal segment as long as basal segment; both darkened. PMS as long as ALS. ALS moderately darkened. The formulae of leg spination are listed in Table 3 .

Male palp ( Figures 1–2 , 13–14 ): RTA with a large dorsal branch, distally pointed, strongly sclerotized and moderately stepped; lateral branch forming moderately sclerotized finger-shaped appendix; ventral branch forming rounded bulge-like appendix, protruding ventrodistally. Tegulum broad ring-shaped, distally dividing into a filiform embolus and a plate-like apophysis (radix) distally divided into a pointed and a more rounded projection. Embolus originating (free apex) at 11 o'clock position, distal tip between 2 and 3 o’clock position. Conductor lamella-like, distally broadly rounded and moderately elongated, laterally folded along the whole length; shorter than alveolus, distally reaching at least to alveolus margin; terminal end forming moderately sclerotized peak. Connection of conductor and tegulum membranous, band-like. Median apophysis and tegular apophysis absent.

Epigynum and vulva ( Figures 21–22 , 27 ): epigynal plate sclerotized, rectangular, posterior with distinct atrium; atrium anteriorly limited by strongly sclerotized, m-shaped margin of the epigynal plate with a posteriorly tapered median region; atrium posteriorly limited by a glossy sclerite (“epigynal valve”), median deeply indented with almost parallel margins; between anterior margin and posterior sclerite atrium covered by membranous white cuticula. Copulatory openings located at anteriolateral border of atrium. Copulatory duct first unpaired (“bursa copulatrix”), anteriorly straight or convex, then dividing into broad paired lateral lobes directing into strongly sclerotized convoluted receptacula; fertilization ducts very short.

Distribution. Italy, from Maritime Alps to Aspromonte along the Apenninic chain.

Ecology. Records of H. italica mostly refer to forest habitat (beech, mixed broadleaved and fir woods). The species occurs more rarely in mown meadows and caves. Elevation ranges from 250 ( San Marino) to 1600 m (Abruzzo). Adults occur all over the year.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Left male palp in ventral, dorsal, dorsolateral and retrolateral view. 1, 2. Histopona italica Brignoli 1977 (paratype, Marche); 3, 4, 5, 6. H. fioni sp. n.; 7, 8. H. leonardoi sp. n. C: conductor; E: embolus; R: radix; RTA: retrolateral tibial apophyses; RTAd: dorsal branch of RTA; RTAl: lateral branch of RTA; RTAv: ventral branch of RTA.

FIGURES 13 – 20. Left male palp in ventral, and retrolateral view. 13, 14. Histopona italica; 15, 16. H. fioni sp. n.; 17 – 20. H. leonardoi sp. n., large sclerotized (17 – 18) and small “ normal ” palps (19 – 20). Scale = 1.0 mm. R: radix. The arrow indicates the distinctly stepped connection between conductor and tegulum in H. italica.

FIGURES 21 – 26. Epigyne and vulva in ventral view. Vulva cleared with clove oil. 21, 22. Histopona italica (holotype); 23, 24. H. fioni sp. n.; 25, 26. H. leonardoi sp. n. Scale = 1.0 mm. EV: epigynal valve.

FIGURES 27 – 29. Schematic drawing of vulva in ventral view. 27. Histopona italica; 28. H. fioni sp. n.; 29. H. leonardoi sp. n. CO: copulatory opening; EV: epigynal valve; FD: fertilization duct; latCD: lateral lobe of the copulatory duct; RC: receptaculum; Arrows indicate the posterior margin of the copulatory duct. Scale = 1.0 mm.