Histopona fioni, 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 : 28-33

Histopona fioni sp. n.

Figures 3–6 , 9–11 , 15–16 , 23–24 , 28 .

H. italica Hänggi 1990: 163 , f. 21a (m misidentified). H. italica Trotta 2005: 160 , f. 193 (m misidentified).

Type material. Holotype male: SWITZERLAND: Tessin: Bustorgna, Mte. S. Giorgio, 950 m, UTMED50 32T 496358 5083796 (lon. 8.9530° lat. 45.9077°), 3, 18/IX–3/X/1989, Hänggi A. (NMB: 0 2488 a; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ).

Paratypes: SWITZERLAND: Tessin: Bustorgna, Mte. S. Giorgio, 950 m, UTMED50 32T 496358 5083796 (lon. 8.9530° lat. 45.9077°), 33, 18/IX–3/X/1989, Hänggi A. (NMB: 20673; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ); Paruscera, Mte. S. Giorgio, 1025 m, UTMED50 32T 496391 5083968 (lon. 8.9534° lat. 45.9092°), 13, 28/IX/ 1988, Hänggi A. (NMB: 0 2488 c; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ); Mte. Generoso, Pree, 1030 m, UTMED50 32T 500869 5082904 (lon. 9.0112° lat. 45.8997°), 23, 5/IX/1989, Hänggi A. (NMB: 0 2488 b; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ); V. di Scareglia, 13, 12/X/2005, Vicentini (NMB: 0 2488 e). ITALY: Trentino-Alto Adige: Trento: Arco, Monte Biaina, Western slope, locality Gorghi, 1200 m, 2Ƥ 13/VII/1998, Vailati D.; Concei, Val Concei, Gaverdina, 1500 m, 13 4/X/1986, Vailati D.; Condino, Monte Stigolo, 1550 m, 2Ƥ 12/XI/1997, Vailati D.; Rovereto, Cengio Rosso, 450 m, 1Ƥ 21/XI/1992, Vailati D.; Storo, Val d’Ampola, 650 m, 1Ƥ 5/V/1993, Vailati D. Lombardia: Bergamo: Ardesio, Valcanale, locality Braghina, 830 m, 1Ƥ 14/IV–18/V/2010, Zucchelli W.; Averara, Alpe Cul, UTMED50 32T 548073 5099121 (lon. 9.6213° lat. 46.0439°), 1990 m, alpine pasture, 23 13/VIII–26/IX/2002, 1Ƥ 23/V–20/VII/2003, 1Ƥ 20/VII–23/VIII/2003, 1Ƥ 19/X/2003 – 5/VI/2004, Lodovici O., Pantini P. (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ); Camerata Cornello, Monte Cancervo, 1800 m, UTMED50 32T 547801 5084927 (lon. 9.6163° lat. 45.9162°), rocky area, 13 23/VII–27/VIII/2010, 13 27/VIII–7/X/2010, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Camerata Cornello, Monte Venturosa, 1850 m, UTMED50 32T 547816 5085990 (lon. 9.6166° lat. 45.9258°), rocky area, 23 10/VIII–9/IX/2009, 13 23/VII–27/VIII/2010, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Camerata Cornello, Monte Venturosa, 1950 m, UTMED50 32T 547727 5086239 (lon. 9.6155° lat. 45.9280°), pasture, 33 23/VII–27/VIII/2010, 13 27/ VIII–27/X/2010, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Camerata Cornello, Buffalora, 1100 m, UTMED50 32T 549373 5084292 (lon. 9.6366° lat. 45.9104°), beech wood 1Ƥ 15/VII–10/VIII/2009, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Camerata Cornello, Buffalora, UTMED50 32T 549133 5084660 (lon. 9.6335° lat. 45.9137°), 1150 m, bushy area in beech wood, 33 4/VI–14/VII/2009, 13 10/VIII–9/IX/2009, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Colzate, Baite Sedernello, 1200 m, 1Ƥ 17/VII/1988, Ravazzi C., Valle M. (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ), 13 2/VIII/2001, Ferrario E., Pantini P., Pellizzoli E., Valle M.; Monasterolo del Castello, Val Torrezzo, 600 m, UTMED50 32T 573220 5067560 (lon. 9.9415° lat. 45.7577°), wood, 1Ƥ 6/VII–3/VIII/1995, 13 19/IX–26/X/1995, 1Ƥ 9/V–19/VI/1996, Pantini P., Valle M. (Pantini 2000 sub H. italica ); Oneta, slopes of Monte Alben, 2Ƥ 13/VI/1990 Valle M. (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ); Parzanica, Valle dei Foppi, wood, 550 m, UTMED50 32T 580465 5064643 (lon. 10.0341° lat. 45.7306°), 23 10/VIII–19/IX/1995, 2 Ƥ 9/ 5–19/VI/1996, Pantini P., Valle M. (Pantini 2000 sub H. italica ); Premolo, in doline, South of B. ta Camplano, 1850 m, UTMED50 32T 563994 5085216 (lon. 9.8252° lat. 45.9175°), 13 22/ VII–1/X/2003 (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ); Premolo, 1850 m, UTMED50 32T 563999 5083688 (lon. 9.8250° lat. 45.9037°), rocky area, 13 19/VI–22/VII/2003, 1Ƥ 1/X/2003 – 7/VII/2004, 13 4/VIII–29/IX/2004, 1Ƥ 21/VI–21/ VII/2005 (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ); Schilpario, road to Passo Campelli, 1750 m, UTMED50 32T 596371 5097461 (lon. 10.2451° lat. 46.0239°), moraine 1Ƥ 6/VI–26/VI/2007; Serina, Valpiana, 13 IV–V/1988, 13 1988, Becci B., Pisoni R. (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ); Valgoglio, Val Sanguigno, 1000 m, UTMED50 32T 569394 5091553 (lon. 9.8957° lat. 45.9740°), beech and fir mixed wood 13, 2Ƥ 11/VI–15/VII/2009 (MSNVR), 43 15/ VII–11/VIII/2009, 43 11/VIII–15/IX/2009, 23 6/VII–7/VIII/2010, 43 7/VIII–15/IX/2010, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Vigolo, Ronchi della Bratta, 850 m, UTMED50 32T 577754 5065587 (lon. 9.9994° lat. 45.7394°), spruce wood, 1Ƥ 18/VII–10/VIII/1995, 83 10/VIII–19/IX/1995, 33, 1Ƥ 19/IX–26/X/1995, 3Ƥ 26/X/1995 – 20/II/1996, 23, 7Ƥ 20/II–2/IV/1996, 73, 3Ƥ 9/V–19/VI/1996, 2Ƥ 19/VI–8/VIII/1996, Pantini P., Valle M. (Pantini 2000 sub H. italica ); Lecco: Casargo, Val Marcia, 1000 m, UTMED50 32T 532680 5098368 (lon. 9.4223° lat. 46.0381°), wood, 83 25/VI–11/IX/2008 Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Casargo, Val Foppone, 1600–1750 m, UTMED50 32T 534471 5097454 (lon. 9.4454° lat. 46.0297°), alpine pasture, 13, 1Ƥ 25/VI–11/IX/2008, 13 13/VIII–14/IX/2009, Massaro M., Zucchelli W.; Pagnona, road to Alpe Vesina, 1400–1430 m, UTMED50 32T 530507 5102093 (lon. 9.3944° lat. 46.0717°), beech wood, 1Ƥ 26/III–1/V/1999, 23, 1Ƥ 1/V–9/VI/1999, 3Ƥ 9/VI–6/VII/1999, 13, 2Ƥ 6/ VII–11/VIII/1999, 13 11/VIII–8/IX/1999, Pantini P. (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ); Vendrogno, Mornico, 970 m, UTMED50 32T 526902 5098292 (lon. 9.3476° lat. 46.0376°), chestnut wood, 2Ƥ 14/IV–13/V/1999, 13 13/V–9/ VI/1999, 1Ƥ 9/VI–6/VII/1999, 13, 2Ƥ 6/VII–11/VIII/1999, Pantini P. (Isaia et al 2007 sub H. italica ).

Other material examined. SWITZERLAND: Tessin: Bustorgna, Mte. S. Giorgio, 950 m, UTMED50 32T 496358 5083796 (lon. 8.9530° lat. 45.9077°), 33, 5–18/IX/1989, 3–30/X/1989, Hänggi A. (NMB: 20674-20675; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ); Forello, Mte. S. Giorgio, 1095 m, UTMED50 32T 495925 5084377 (lon. 8.9474° lat. 45.9129°), 13, 05–18/IX/1989, Hänggi A. (NMB: 20679; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ); Mte. Generoso, Pree, 1030 m, UTMED50 32T 500869 5082904 (lon. 9.0112° lat. 45.8997°), 33, 30/VII–12/VIII/1988, 25/VIII–5/IX / 1989,18/IX– 7/X/1989, Hänggi A. (NMB: 20676-20678; Hänggi 1992 sub H. italica ), ITALY: Lombardia: Bergamo: Entratico, I Moi, 13 (paratype of Histopona italica , misidentification), 5/IV/1957, Bonino.

Etymology. The species is dedicated to Fion Bolzern, firstborn of AB. The species epithet is a name in apposition.

Diagnosis. Males ( Figures 3–6 , 15 ) can be separated by the absence of a patellar apophysis (present in torpida - group, except H. vignai Brignoli 1980 ), the distally tube-like elongated radix (absent in myops - and strinatii -group, plate-like and distally bifid in H. italica ) and the distally strongly elongated conductor (broadly rounded in H. italica ). Females ( Figures 23–24 , 28 ) 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 strongly diverging margin (parallel in H. italica ), the unpaired “bursa copulatrix” (completely paired copulatory ducts in myops - and strinatii -group) with anterior margin v-shaped (straight or convex in H. italica ) and the narrow lateral lobes of the copulatory ducts (broad in H. italica ). See also Table 1 .

Description. Measurements and ratios of male (n=2, holotype male and paratype male from Pagnona): carapace 2.93–3.27 long, 2.20–2.42 wide. Head region 1.17–1.29 wide; PER 0.61–0.78 wide. Chelicerae 1.35–1.44 long, 0.54–0.58 wide. Labium as long as wide or moderately wider than long. Gnathocoxa ratio width to length: 0.510–0.571. Sternum 1.54–1.73 long, 1.27–1.46 wide. Opisthosoma 2.96–3.75 long, 1.85–2.15 wide. Ratio bulb length (laterally from cymbium base to conductor tip) to cymbium length: 0.79–0.80. Leg measurements are given in Table 2.

Measurements of females (n=2, paratypes from Pagnona and Rovereto): carapace 3.03–3.33 long, 1.95–2.24 wide. Head region 1.22–1.33 wide; PER 0.59–0.75 wide. Chelicerae 1.54 long, 0.68–0.69 wide. Labium moderately wider than long. Gnathocoxa ratio width to length: 0.62–0.64. Sternum 1.57–1.69 long, 1.25–1.40 wide. Opisthosoma 3.50–3.73 long, 2.27–2.42 wide. Epigynal plate 0.98–1.04 long, 1.04–1.10 wide; atrium 0.24– 0.26 long, 0.89–0.98 wide. Receptaculum 0.19 wide. Leg measurements are given in Table 2.

Eyes: in dorsal view both eye rows straight or slightly recurved; in frontal view AER straight and PER procurved ( Figures 9–10 ). Diameters: PME: 0.105–0.124; PLE: 0.105–0.143; AME: 0.060–0.086; ALE: 0.110– 0.124. Distances: PME–PME equal diameter of PME; PME–AME less than diameter of PME; PME–PLE less than diameter of PME; PME–ALE equal diameter of PME or slightly less; AME–AME 0.5–1.0 times diameter of AME; AME–ALE about half diameter of AME. Clypeus height (measured under AME) about 2.5–3.5 times diameters of AME; clypeus height (measured under ALE) about 1.5–2 times diameters of ALE.

Coloration: carapace with indistinct pattern only or not darkened. Sternum without coloration pattern. Opisthosoma dark grey green; cardiac mark moderately pronounced; posteriorly without pattern. Legs without colour pattern.

Additional somatic characters: distal margin of labium concave. Plumose hairs present on carapace, legs and opisthosoma. Three promarginal teeth, the second one from proximal biggest; 5–6 retromarginal teeth, all equal in size ( Figure 11 ). All trochanters notched. Tarsi I, II and IV with 7–8 dorsal trichobothria and 6–7 on tarsus III. No trichobothria on palp tarsi or cymbium. Colulus moderately divided into two separated plates, sometimes only recognizable as two hairy regions. PLS longer than all others with distal segment as long as or slightly longer than basal segment, both pale. PMS as long as ALS. ALS pale. The formulae of leg spination are listed in Table 3 .

Male palp ( Figures 3–6 , 15–16 ): RTA with a large dorsal branch, distally pointed, strongly sclerotized and moderately stepped; lateral branch forming moderately sclerotized finger-shaped appendix; ventral branch forming bulge-like moderately ventrodistally protruding stepped appendix. Tegulum broad ring-shaped, distally dividing into a filiform embolus and a tube-like apophysis (radix), proximal with a moderately serrated margin. Embolus originating (free apex) between 10 and 12 o'clock position; distal tip between 3 and 4 o’clock position. Conductor lamella-like, distally strongly elongated, laterally folded along the whole length; longer than alveolus, distally reaching over 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 23–24 , 28 ): rectangular epigynal plate sclerotized, often with a distinct v-shaped pattern of paler cuticula, posterior with distinct atrium region; atrium anteriorly limited by weakly sclerotized, almost straight margin of the epigynal plate; atrium posteriorly limited by a glossy sclerite (“epigynal valve”), median deeply indented with strongly diverging 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 v-shaped, then dividing into paired narrow lateral lobes directing into strongly sclerotized convoluted receptacula; fertilization ducts very short.

Distribution. Italy and Switzerland. Lombardian Prealps, from Lago Maggiore to Lago di Garda.

Ecology. Records of H. fioni sp. n. refer to forest and open habitats such as beech or fir woods and alpine pastures at moderately high elevation, from 800 to 1600 m. The species also occur in rocky areas at an elevation of 1800–2000 m. Adults are found preferably from spring to autumn.

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 9 – 10. Histopona fioni sp. n.: eyes in frontal and dorsal view. Scale = 1.0 mm.

FIGURES 11 – 12. Chelicerae and tibia with RTA of left male palp in dorsoretrolateral view. 11. Histopona fioni sp. n. 12. H. leonardoi sp. n. RTA: retrolateral tibial apophyses; RTAd: dorsal branch of RTA; RTAl: lateral branch of RTA; RTAv: ventral branch of RTA. Scale = 1.0 mm (11) and 0.5 mm (12).

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.