Helvetia albovittata Simon, 1901

Bedoya-Roqueme, Edwin, Nadal, María F. & Rubio, Gonzalo D., 2018, First record of the genus Helvetia Peckham & Peckham, 1894 (Araneae: Salticidae: Chrysillini) from Colombia and extension of its distribution in Argentina, Peckhamia 175 (1), pp. 1-10 : 3-8

Helvetia albovittata Simon, 1901

Figures 1–21

Helvetia albovittata Simon, 1901: 157 ; Admestina insularis Banks, 1902: 66 , pl. 2, f. 4; H. albovittata Galiano, 1963: 361 , pl. XIX, f. 17; H. otiosa Galiano, 1976: 54 , f. 8–12; H. insularis Galiano, 1989: 49 ; H. albovittata Ruiz & Brescovit, 2008: 142 , f. 13–14.

Material examined. 2♂ Colombia, Córdoba, San Antero: Punta Nisperal [9°23'47.0" N, 75°46'16.8" W], [2m] 22 Apr 2018, 3 Oct 2018, mangrove forest, manual collection, E . Bedoya – Roqueme col . ( OARA –190); 1♂, Colombia, Córdoba, Tierralta: TuisTuis [8°2'2.881" N, 76°5'29.993" W], [178m], 3 Dec 2014, humid forest, manual collection, E . Bedoya – Roqueme col . ( OARA –186). 1♂, Argentina, Chaco Province, Presidencia de la Plaza Department: Chaco National Park (26°47'20" S, 59°36'44" W], [79m], 4 Dec 2017, grassland, collected with garden–vacuum (G–vac), M . F. Nadal, G. Rubio, I. Zanone, E. Toledo & R . Aguirre col . ( CNNE 8615 ); 1♀ Corrientes Province, San Martín Department, Colonia Carlos Pellegrini , [28°32'42.13" S, 57°11'55.29" W], [67m], 20 Dec 2004, grassland, G . Avalos col . ( IBSI – Ara 690) .

Habitat. The habitats of this species seem to be very diverse. The specimens of Helvetia albovittata from Colombia were collected by hand during daylight hours in association with ant nests, on tree bark of Rhizophora mangle L. (red mangrove), in a fragment of mangrove forest of the locality of Punta Nisperal, municipality of San Antero, Cordoba, in the south of the Gulf of Morrosquillo ( Figure 1 ). Similarly on Fernandina Island this species was found associated with mangroves ( Banks 1902). The specimens from Colombia were also collected in humid forest at about 200 m asl ( Figure 2 ). In Corrientes and Chaco provinces of Argentina this species was found in grasslands, and in Córdoba, Argentina on the side of a hill ( Figure 3 ).

Diagnosis. Acc ording to Ruiz & Brescovit (2008), the male H. albovittata is easily distinguished from other Helvetia species by the very long embolus, the form of the RTA (Figures 17-18 and as described by Galiano 1976) and the presence of a depression on the retrolateral cymbium where the tip of the embolus is held in resting position (see Galiano 1976, figs. 10–11). The female resembles that of H. santarema but can be distinguished by the medial posterior fusion of the copulatory openings, similar to that of H. labiata (see Ruiz & Brescovit 2008, fig. 13).

Comparative description of specimens. Cephalothorax long, narrow and flat, with the thoracic part slightly widened ( Banks 1902). Upper margin of the AME higher than the top of the ALE, eyes of the second row closer to the third row than to the first ( Galiano 1963). A line passing through the center of the four anterior eyes is slightly recurved ( Banks 1902; Galiano 1963). Chelicerae small, straight and parallel ( Galiano 1963, 1976). The specimen described by Galiano (1976) has two teeth on the promargin and one tooth on the retromargin of each chelicera but the specimen described by the same author in 1963 had only one tooth on the retromargin. The new male and female specimens from Colombia and from Argentina described here have cheliceral teeth as described by Galiano in 1976. Endites long and straight with rounded external margins. Labium longer than wide ( Galiano 1963), exceeding half the length of the endites. Sternum longer than wide, with anterior end of same width as base of the labium ( Galiano 1963, 1976). Abdomen narrow and long. Tibia of each palp with two RTAs ( Figures 6–7 ), one directed along the retrolateral side of the cymbium, long and thick, tapering towards the end (RTA1), and another spiniform (RTA2), directed towards the ventral side of the palp (Figures 17– 18). The bulb is large and prominent at the base and has a high conical process in the middle zone ( Figures 8–9 ). The very long embolus curves around on the retrolateral part of the cymbium, where it occupies a protective depression (Figures 19–20). In the Colombian specimen the embolus makes a longer turn, while in the Argentinean specimen the embolus makes a shorter turn ( Figures 10–11 , 15– 16). The femur has a basal ventral tuberosity and in the basal prolateral position there is a curved carena bordering a depression ( Figures 8 , 19; see Galiano 1976, fig. 12). Legs short, the first the stoutest, especially the tibia ( Banks 1902), and sparsely clothed with long fine hairs from the patella to the tarsus. The first femur is somewhat claviform, with the prolateral face slightly excavated and the other leg segments are cylindrical ( Galiano 1976). Spines (specimens from Colombia): Leg I: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= p 0–0–1; M= p 1–1, r 1–1. Leg II: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v 0–0–r1; M= p 1–1, r 1–1. Leg III: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v 0–0–r1; M= whorl apical 5. Leg IV: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v 0–0–2; r 0–1–0; M= whorl apical 5. Spines (specimens from Argentina): Male: Leg I: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= 0; M= 0. Leg II: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= 0; M= r 1 apical. Leg III: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T=M= whorl apical 5. Leg IV: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v 0–0–0– 2; r 0–0–1–0; M= whorl apical 5. Female: Leg I: F=d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v 1p–0–r1; M= p 1–1, r 1–1. Leg II: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v r1–0–0; M= p 1–1, r 1–1. Leg III: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= 0; M= whorl apical 5. Leg IV: F= d 1–1–1; P= 0; T= v 0–0–2; r 0–1–0; M= whorl apical 5.

Measurements (mm; specimens from Colombia). Three males: TL= 3.61–3.81; CL= 1.54–167; CW= 0.88– 0.91; AL= 1.87–1.94; AERW= 0.77–0.97; PERW= 0.81–0.91; LOQ= 0.63–0.74; PMEP= 0.367 –0.386; eyes of the second row separated from the ALE by 0.176 -0.178 mm and from the PLE by 0.163 -0.165 mm.

Measurements (mm; specimens from Argentina). Male: TL= 3.58; CL= 1.58; CW= 1.00; AL= 2.00; AERW= 0.82; PERW= 0.82; LOQ= 0.67; PMEP= 0.29; eyes of the second row separated from the ALE by 0.36 mm and from the PLE by 0.15 mm. Female: TL= 4.55; CL= 1.75; CW= 1.05; AL= 2.65.

Coloration (specimens from Argentina). The male is very similar to the original description ( Simon 1901), the description of Banks (1902) as Admestina insularis , the subsequent redescription by Galiano (1963) and the description of Galiano (1976) as H. otiosa . Cephalothorax dark brown, covered by some scattered white hairs, especially in the thoracic part. Cephalic region blackened, sides with three bands of a different color: the dorsal band, which is thicker, is reddish brown; the most ventral band, which is the thinnest, is black; the middle band, which has an intermediate thickness between the others, is covered by white silky hairs (as in Simon 1901; Banks 1902; Galiano 1976). Tuft of yellow hairs under the PLE ( Simon 1901). Abdomen white (as described Simon 1901; Banks 1902), covered by three brown longitudinal bands ( Simon 1901; Galiano 1963), one central and two lateral, ventral part ash brown ( Galiano 1976). Sternum, chelicerae, endites and labium dark brown as described by Galiano (1976). First pair of legs dark brown and the other legs yellowish in all segments except the femur which is darker. Palps dark brown with a tuft of black hairs inserted on the basal ventral tuberosity of the femur and with feathery white hairs on the dorsal apical part of the femur (as in Galiano 1976).

The female is similar to the original description ( Simon 1901) and the subsequent redescription ( Galiano 1963). Cephalothorax brown–orange, covered with white hairs on the cephalic region, eyes surrounded by black spots and two black spots in the middle of the eye area ( Figure 12 ). Yellow spot in the middle of the cephalic region and another in front of the thoracic stria ( Figure 12 ). Abdomen light yellow as described by Simon (1901) and Galiano (1963), with 3 brown longitudinal bands, covered with brown hairs ( Galiano 1963). Sternum, chelicerae, endites, labium and legs yellow as described by Galiano (1963). Epigyne as described by Galiano (1963) and Ruiz & Brescovit (2008), oval plate with slightly convex posterior margin, with a parens-like furrow on each side of the midline. Through the transparent cuticle over the epigynum can be seen two large, elongated, sinuous structures ( Figures 13-14 ).

Coloration (male specimens from Colombia). Cephalothorax reddish brown covered by some scattered white hairs, especially in the thoracic part. Cephalic region blackened, sides have only two bands with different colors. The dorsal band, which is thicker, is reddish brown. The most ventral band, which is the thinnest, is black. Tuft of yellow hairs under the PLE (as described Simon 1901). Abdomen presents a pattern of coloration different from the specimens from Argentina. The habitus of the abdomen looks more like H. semialba ( Simon, 1901) , light coffee-brown with two diffuse longitudinal bands on the anterior followed by a pair of oblique spots and two diffuse transversal bands at the posterior. All of these bands with pale white-yellow hair. Unlike H. semialba the last band of the abdomen is transverse, not longitudinal. The sides of the abdomen are the same color as the bands and the venter is whitebrown. Chelicerae, endites and labium dark reddish brown. Sternum coffee-brown. First pair of legs dark red-brown, the remaining legs with dark brown sides ( Figures 4–5 ). Palps dark reddish brown, lighter on the top of the patella with a tuft of black hairs inserted on the basal ventral tuberosity of the femur and with feathery white hairs on the dorsal apical part of the femur ( Galiano 1976).

Distribution. Helvetia albovittata is known from Ecuador (Galápagos Islands: Fernandina Island), Brazil (states of São Paulo and Santa Catarina), Argentina (Córdoba: Embalse; now extended to Chaco: PN Chaco, and Corrientes: Colonia Carlos Pellegrini), Paraguay (locality not specified) and Colombia (department of Córdoba). The last is the first record of this genus and species from Colombia, and the northernmost record from South America. The records from Chaco and Corrientes are new for Argentina and represent intermediate localities ( Figure 21 ).

Figures

Figure 21. Known distribution of Helvetia albovittata Simon 1901 in South America. Map by Mapswire.com (https:// mapswire.com), used subject to a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.

Figures 1–3. Habitat of Helvetia albovittata Simon, 1901, reported in this study. 1, Fragment of mangrove forest from Punta Nisperal, San Antero, Córdoba, Colombian Caribbean. 2, Humid forest of TuisTuis, Tierralta, Córdoba, Colombian Caribbean. 3, Pastures of Chaco, Chaco National Park, Argentina.

Figures 4–5. Habitus of adult male Helvetia albovittata Simon 1901 (pedipalps removed). 4, Specimen from Colombia, San Antero, mangrove forest (OARA-190). 5, Specimen from Argentina, Presidencia de la Plaza Department, Chaco National Park, grassland (CNNE 8615)

Figures 6–11. Left pedipalp of male Helvetia albovittata Simon 1901 (6, 8 and 10 specimen from Colombia; 7, 9 and 11 from Argentina). 6-7, retrolateral views. 8-9, prolateral views. 10-11, ventral views.

Figures 12–14. Adult female Helvetia albovittata from Corrientes Province, Argentina (IBSI–Ara 690). 12, Dorsal view. 13, Epigyne, ventral view. 14, Epigyne, ventral view, cleared.