Zorocrates contreras, PLATNICK & UBICK, 2007

PLATNICK, NORMAN I. & UBICK, DARRELL, 2007, A Revision of the Spider Genus Zorocrates Simon (Araneae, Zorocratidae), American Museum Novitates 3579, pp. 1-44 : 22-23

Zorocrates contreras , new species figures 48–52 ; map 3

TYPE: Female holotype from Contreras , Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mar. 4, 1944; M. Cardenas), deposited in AMNH .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: Males and females have not been collected together, but are tentatively matched here on the basis of their mutual similarities to the other members of this species group. Males can easily be recognized by the greatly elongated tip of the median apophysis ( figs. 49, 50 ), females by the relatively short epigynal septum and anteriorly twisted spermathecal ducts ( figs. 51, 52 ).

MALE: Total length 9. Coloration as in Z. blas . Leg spination: femora: I p0-0-2, r0-2-2; II p0-1-1, r0-1-1; III p0-1-2, r0-2-1; IV r0-1-1; patellae IV r0-1-0; tibiae: d0-0-0, p0-0-0, r0-0- 1; II d0-0-0, p0-1-1, v4-2-2; III r1-0-1; IV d1-1- 1, v2-3-2; metatarsi: I p0-1-1, v2-2-2, r0-1-0; II r0-1-0; III r1-2-2; IV v2-3-2. Cribellum present. Retrolateral tibial apophysis thumbshaped; median apophysis elongated, with greatly elongated tip bent at right angle; tegular apophysis with excavated prolateral surface ( figs. 48–50 ).

FEMALE: Total length 9. Coloration as in Z. blas . Leg spination: femora: I d1-1-0, p0-0- 2, r0-0-0; II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0-0-0; III p0-1-2, r0-1-1; IV p0-0-1, r0-0-1; patellae IV r0-1-0; tibiae: I, II d0-0-0, p0-0-0, r0-0-0; III r1-0-1; IV d1-1-1; metatarsi: I, II p0-0-0, v2-2-2, r0-0- 0; III r1-2-2. Cribellum present. Median epigynal septum relatively short, wide, almost entirely enclosed by lateral epigynal margins; spermathecae with anteriorly extended, twist- ed ducts ( figs. 51, 52 ).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: MEXICO: México: Villa del Carbón , Apr. 19, 1999, pitfall, elev. 25 m (F. Medina, UNAM), 13, May 27, 1999, pitfalls, elev. 0–95 m (F. Medina, UNAM), 43 .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from central Mexico (map 3).

THE ALTERNATUS GROUP

Figures

Figs. 48–52. Zorocrates contreras, new species. 48. Left male palp, prolateral view. 49. Same, ventral view. 50. Same, retrolateral view. 51. Epigynum, ventral view. 52. Same, dorsal view.