Trichopelma baracoense, Ríos-Tamayo, 2024

Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky, 2024, Taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Trichopelma Simon, 1888 (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Trichopelmatinae) in Cuba, with the descriptions of seven new species and a new species of Thalerommata Ausserer, 1875, Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 10 (2), pp. 347-399 : 353-356

Trichopelma baracoense sp. nov. ( Figs 2A–G, 3A–H, 4A–F, 26)

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E8B062A4-F744-477A-ACD7-DFB1B24889EB

Type material. Holotype ♂, Cuba, Guantánamo Province, Sabana, Maisí [20°16'N 74°15'W], 10.IV.1994, coll. A. Sánchez, [under stone in grass area], ( ZMB 50610 ) ; Paratype 1♀, Cuba, Guantánamo Province, Punta de Maisí [20°16'N 74°9'W], 27.XII.1994, coll. J. Rudloff ( ZMB 50620 ) ; 1♀, Yunque de Baracoa , [20°21'N 74°34'W], 11.IX.1995, coll. J. Rudloff, ( ZMB 50602 ) .

Additional material. 1♀, 1 juvenile Cuba. Guantánamo Province, El Recreo, Nibujón [20°30'31.10"N 74°39'15.71"W], 5.III.1998, coll. R . Teruel ( ZMB 50612 ) ; 1 juvenile, Yunque de Baracoa [20°21'5.07"N 74°34'25.82"W], 11.IX.1995, coll. J. Rudloff ( ZMB 50600 ) .

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the municipality and city of Baracoa, where the species is present. Baracoa was the first city founded in Cuba.

Diagnosis. Males of T. baracoense sp. nov. resemble those of T. fidelcastroi sp. nov. and T. rudloffi sp. nov. by the bulb piriform ( Fig. 3E–G). They can be differentiated from T. fidelcastroi sp. nov. by the lesser number of prolateral spines on pedipalp tibia ( Fig. 3H), and from T. rudloffi sp. nov. by the proventral branch of the tibia I apophysis with a sharper apical megaspine and the prolateral branch with the associated spine slightly longer than the small branch ( Fig. 3B, C). The new species can be distinguished from T. cubanum by the STC with two rows of spines; from T. cheguevarai sp. nov. by the bulb with absence of keels; from T. soroense sp. nov. and T. granmense sp. nov. by the embolus slightly recurved ( Fig. 3E–G, recurved in T. soroense sp. nov. and procurved in T. granmense sp. nov.). Females can be distinguished from all other species by the shape of their spermathecae with wide stalk truncated apically ending in a rounded lobe ( Fig. 4F).

Description. Male (holotype, ZMB 50610, Figs 2, 3). Total length: 11.40. Carapace ( Fig. 2A): 5.66 long, 4.65 wide. Cephalic region 3.74 long, thoracic striae shallow; caput almost flat. Fovea slightly recurved and deep, 0.57 wide. Ocular region ( Fig. 2C) slightly raised, 0.52 long, 0.94 wide. Anterior ocular row procurved with five anterior setae; posterior slightly recurved with eight posterior setae.

Ocular measurements: AME 0.20, ALE 0.25, PME 0.14, PLE 0.21; AME–ALE 0.10, PME–PLE 0.04, AME– PME 0.09, ALE–PLE 0.15, AME–AME 0.12, PME–PME 0.45. Chelicerae ( Fig. 2E): elongate and slender, hirsute, 3.00 long; 1.49 wide. Furrow promargin with 11 teeth, retromargin with 5 tiny teeth on outer edge and 13 denticles near the apex. Intercheliceral tumescence basal, pallid with small bristles. Rastellum composed of thick long setae. Labium ( Fig. 2D): 0.57 long; 0.76 wide; with 30 rounded cuspules and abundant apical bristles. Labio-sternal suture a narrow groove with two lateral sigilla well defined, almost joined. Maxillae ( Fig. 2D): promargin 1.53 long, retromargin 1.94 long, 0.89 wide, with ~66/64 cuspules in inner angle, developed angular heel. Sternum ( Fig. 2B): 2.47 long, 2.26 wide; sigilla small and marginal, oval. Abdomen, dorsal ( Fig. 2F): 5.08 long, anterior edge of the booklung opening with combs present. Spinnerets ( Fig. 2G): posterior median: 0.25 long; posterior lateral with basal: medial: apical lengths 0.64:0.36:0.22.

Lengths of legs and pedipalp (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 4.51, 2.69, 3.20, 3.41, 2.15, 15.95. II: 4.28, 2.41, 3.22, 3.53, 2.19, 15.63. III: 3.99, 1.89, 2.50, 3.96, 2.24, 14.57. IV: 5.12, 2.17, 4.14, 5.84, 2.51, 19.78. pedipalp: 2.52, 1.62, 2.10, —, 1.12, 7.36. Chaetotaxy: Leg I: fe d0-0-1ap, pa p0-1-0, ti p0-1-1, v3- 1-1-1-1ap, me v0-1-0-1ap, when folded it touches the outer side of the megaspine of the ventral branch, ta 0. Leg II: fe d0-2-2, pa p0-0-1, ti p0-1-1-0 v2-2-3ap, me v1-0-1, ta 0. Leg III: fe d0-2-2, pa p0-0-2, ti p1-2- 1 v3-2-3ap r0-1-1, me d2-2-2ap v2-2-3ap, ta 0. Leg IV: fe d0-2-2, pa p1, ti p0-1-1-0 v3-3-0-3ap r1-2-1, me d2-1-2-2ap v3-1-1-2-3ap, ta 0. Pedipalp: fe d0-0-1, pa 0, ti p1-2-1-1ap (with rigid setae, more abundant in the prolateral apical side), ta 0. Metatarsi and tarsi I ventrally discoloured; tarsi IV cracked. Tibia I with twin apophysis ( Fig. 3A–C): positioned proventrally, ventral branch curved, long, with an apical megaspine half the length of the ventral branch; prolateral branch small with a contiguous spine (a slightly longer litter longer than the branch), prolateral and ventral branches well separated. Pedipalp ( Fig. 3D, H); cymbium triangular, elongate, with deep incision. Bulb ( Fig. 3E–G): 1.62 long, bulb piriform with duct tapering. Embolus short piriform 1.04 long, apical portion slightly recurved ( Fig. 3F); keels absent.

Scopulae : apical on cymbium. Legs: I: Me 3:4 A, Ta complete throughout the segment. II: Me 3:4 A, Ta complete throughout the segment. III: Me 3:4 A, Ta complete, divided by a band of setae delimited by a line of bristles on each side. IV: Me 1:2 A, divided by strong setae, Ta complete, divided by two central rows of setae and a line of bristles on each side. Trichobothria: (Filiform): Pedipalp: 5/5 on tarsus (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae). Legs: I Ti 8/6, Me 8, Ta 6/6; II, Ti 7/6, Me 10, Ta 7/6; III Ti 5/5, Me 9, Ta 6/6; IV Ti 6/5, Me 10, Ta 10/10. Clavate trichobothria in two rows on distal half (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae): 6/5 on pedipalp; 7/6 on tarsus I; 5/5 on tarsus II; 8/9 on tarsus III; 9/8 on tarsus IV. STC one row: I 5/4, 3/5; II 5/3, 4/3; III 4/4, 4/3; IV 5/4, 4/4. Colour in alcohol: chelicerae and dorsal surface of legs covered by whitish setae. Chelicerae brown, carapace and legs brown-orange. Abdomen dorsal pattern faint, symmetrical, with 5 clear spots in the middle, and on the side of each spot a lateral line.

Female (paratype, ZMB 50620, Fig. 4A–F). Total length: 19.43. Carapace ( Fig. 4A): 6.42 long, 5.37 wide. Cephalic region 4.51 long, thoracic striae shallow; caput raised, numerous setae behind the ocular group and fovea, reaching the end of the carapace. Fovea straight and deep, 0.96. Ocular region ( Fig. 4E) slightly raised, 0.65 long, 1.11 wide. Anterior ocular row procurved with 10 anterior setae; posterior slightly recurved with seven posterior setae.

Ocular measurements: AME 0.20, ALE 0.29, PME 0.15, PLE 0.24; AME–ALE 0.19, PME–PLE 0.06, AME– PME 0.09, ALE–PLE 0.23, AME–AME 0.14, PME–PME 0.49. Chelicerae: elongate and slender, 4.45 long; 2.38 wide. Furrow promargin with 12 teeth, retromargin with seven tiny teeth on outer edge and 13 denticles near the apex. Rastellum composed of thick long setae. Labium ( Fig. 4B): 0.87 long; 1.25 wide; with 42 rounded cuspules and abundant apical bristles. Labio-sternal suture a narrow groove with two lateral sigilla well defined, almost joined. Maxillae ( Fig. 4B): promargin 2.16 long, retromargin 2.71 long, 1.26 wide, with 60/65 cuspules in inner angle, developed angular heel. Sternum ( Fig. 4B): 3.13 long, 3.01 wide; sigilla small and marginal, oval. Abdomen, dorsal ( Fig. 4C): 9.27 long, anterior edge of the booklung opening with combs present. Spinnerets ( Fig. 4D): Posterior median: 0.56 long; posterior lateral with basal: medial: apical lengths 0.77:0.56:0.32, apical segment domed. Spermathecae ( Fig. 4F): two, with a wide base, a constriction and a circular apex.

Lengths of legs and pedipalp (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 4.42, 3.25, 3.05, 2.54, 1.48, 14.74. II: 3.79, 2.83, 2.55, 2.50, 1.53, 13.21. III: 3.65, 2.32, 2.11, 3.06, 1.62, 12.76. IV: 5.03, 2.72, 3.81, 5.13, 2.10, 18.78. pedipalp: 3.71, 2.11, 1.92, —, 1.99, 9.18. Chaetotaxy: Legs: I: fe d0-0-1, pa 0, ti 0, me v0-0-1ap, ta 0; II: fe d0-0-1, pa 0, ti pr 0-1-1-0 v1-1 spiniform setae-0, me v0-1-1ap, ta 0; III: fe d0-0-1-1ap, pa p0-2, ti p0-2-1 v2-1-3ap r1-0-1, me d2-2-2 v2-2-3ap, ta 0; IV: fe d0-0-1ap, pa 0, ti v2-2-3ap r1-0-1, me d2-2-1-2ap v2-2-2-3, ta 0; Pedipalp: fe 0, pa 0, ti p0-2-0 v1-1-3ap, ta 0.

Scopulae : Pedipalp: complete and divided by a wide band of setae. Legs: I: Me 3:4 A, divided by a band of setae, Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a wide band of setae. II: Me 1:2 A (more abundant prolateral), Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a wide band of setae. III Me 1:4 A, Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a very wide band of setae and a line of bristles on each side of the central band. IV Me 1:4 A, scarce, divided by a band of strong setae, Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a wide central band of setae (more abundant apically, almost occupying the wide of the apex), delimited by a line of bristles on each side. Trichobothria: (Filiform): Pedipalp: Ti 8/7, 8/6 on tarsus (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae). Legs: I Ti 6/5, Me 8, Ta 8/8; II, Ti 6/5, Me 9, Ta 7/7; III Ti 5/5, Me 8, Ta 9/8; IV Ti 5/5, Me 11, Ta 9/9. Clavate trichobothria in two rows on distal half (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae): 7/11 on pedipalp tarsus; 8/9 on tarsus I; 8/6 on tarsus II; 6/6 on tarsus III; 8/9 on tarsus IV. STC one row: pedipalp claw bare; Legs: I, 2/2; II, 5/2; III 1/0; IV 0/1. Tarsus IV cracked. Colour in alcohol: Chelicerae, carapace and legs brown-orange. Abdomen dorsally brown, dorsal pattern symmetrical, with 4 spots in the middle (anterior larger), and a small lateral spot on the side of each central.

Distribution. Cuba, Guantánamo province, municipalities of Maisí and Baracoa ( Fig. 26).