Trichopelma rudloffi, 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 : 375-379

Trichopelma rudloffi sp. nov. ( Figs 16A–E, 17A–H, 18A–F, 26)

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:356290BD-BAF6-421E-A17A-96272B6DEC83

Type Material. Holotype ♂, Cuba, Holguín Province, Farallones de Moa [20°29'N 74°58'W], 8.III.1994, coll. J. Rudloff ( ZMB 50608 ) ; Paratype 1 ♀, Cuba, Holguín Province, Cuchillas del Toa, Farallones de Moa [20°23'N 74°41'W], 8III.1994, coll. J. Rudloff ( ZMB 50609 ) .

Additional material. 1 juvenile, Cuba, Holguín Province, Farallones de Moa , 9.IX.1995, coll. J. Rudloff, ( ZMB 50601 ) .

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Jan-Peter Rudloff, collector of the species and many other specimens studied in this study.

Diagnosis. Males of T. rudloffi sp. nov. resemble those of T. baracoense sp. nov. and T. fidelcastroi sp. nov. by the bulb piriform ( Fig. 17E–G) but can be differentiated by the Tibia I apophysis with a prolateral branch with the associated spine the same length as the branch ( Fig. 17B, C, longer in other species). It differs from T. rudloffi sp. nov. by the small and blunt megaspine on the proventral branch and from T. baracoense sp. nov. by the lesser number of prolateral spines on the pedipalp tibia ( Fig. 17H). This species differs from T. cheguevarai sp. nov.; T. soroense sp. nov. and T. granmense sp. nov., by their piriform bulb shape (rounded with keels in T. cheguevarai sp. nov.; rounded with a recurved embolus 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 ( Fig. 18F).

Description. Male (holotype, ZMB 50608, Figs 16, 17): Abdomen and leg IV are missing. Carapace ( Fig. 16A): 7.26 long, 5.93 wide, with rigid bristles around the edge. Cephalic region 4.450 in length, thoracic striae shallow; slightly raised. Fovea recurved and deep, 0.88 wide. Ocular region ( Fig. 16C) slightly raised, 0.68 long, 1.11 wide. Anterior ocular row procurved with eight anterior setae; posterior straight with six posterior setae.

Ocular measurements: AME 0.16, ALE 0.29, PME 0.13, PLE 0.24; AME–ALE 0.13, PME–PLE 0.06, AME– PME 0.14, ALE–PLE 0.25, AME–AME 0.22, PME–PME 0.50. Chelicerae ( Fig. 16E): elongate and slender, hirsute, 3.91 long; 1.86 wide. Furrow promargin with 12 teeth, retromargin with eight tiny teeth on outer edge and five denticles near the apex. Intercheliceral tumescence basal, pallid with small bristles. Rastellum composed of thick long setae. Labium ( Fig. 16D): 0.81 long; 1.14 wide; with 37 rounded cuspules and abundant apical bristles. Labio-sternal suture narrow with two lateral sigilla well separated. Maxillae ( Fig. 16D): promargin 1.87 long, retromargin 2.54 long, 1.03 wide, with 100/87 cuspules in inner angle, developed angular heel. Sternum ( Fig. 16B): 3.23 long, 2.99 wide; sigilla small and marginal, oval. Abdomen: missing.

Lengths of legs and pedipalp (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 5.15, 3.39, 3.42, 3.64, 2.28, 17.88. II: 4.92, 3.23, 3.37, 3.76, 2.20, 17.49. III: 4.50, 2.43, 2.85, 4.09, 2.20, 16.07. IV: missing. pedipalp: 3.40, 1.97, 2.63, —, 1.27, 9.26. Chaetotaxy: Leg I: fe d0-0-2ap, pa p0-1, ti p0-1-1-0 v2-3-1ap, me v0-1-0-1, when folded the Met base touches the ventral branch, ta 0. Leg II: fe d0-0-1, pa p1-1, ti p0-1-1-0 v2-2- 3ap, me v0-1-0-1ap, ta 0. Leg III: fe d0-2-2, pa p0-2-0, ti p2-1-1 v2-1-3ap r0-1-0-1, me d2-2-2ap v3-1-1- 3ap, ta 0. Leg IV: missing. Pedipalp: fe d0-0-2, pa p1, ti p1ap v1-1-1 (with rigid setae, on the sides of the groove, where the bulb rests) r1ap, ta 0. Metatarsi and tarsi I ventrally discoloured. Tibia I with twin apophysis ( Fig. 17A–C): positioned proventrally, ventral branch curved, long, with an apical small megaspine, half of length of the ventral branch, prolateral branch small with a contiguous small spine (same length as the branch), prolateral and ventral branches well separated. Pedipalp ( Fig. 17D, H); cymbium triangular, elongate, with deep incision. Bulb ( Fig. 17E–G): 1.75 length, bulb piriform with duct tapering. Embolus 1.13 long with an apical portion slightly recurved; keels absent.

Scopulae : apical on cymbium. Legs: I: Me-Ta complete throughout the segment. II: Me complete throughout the segment (more abundant prolaterally), Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a fine band of setae. III: Me 3:4 A, divided by a band of setae, Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a band of setae. IV: legs missing. Trichobothria: (Filiform): Pedipalp: Met 7/7, 7/7 on tarsus (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae). Legs: I Ti 8/5, Me 9, Ta 7/7; II, Ti 7/6, Me 10, Ta 9/9; III Ti 7/6, Me 11, Ta 8/8. Clavate trichobothria in two rows on distal half (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae): 10/10 on pedipalp; 8/9 on tarsus I; 9/10 on tarsus II; 8/8 on tarsus III. STC two rows: I 5/4, 5/4; II 6/4, 4/6; III 4/2, 4/4; VI missing. Colour in alcohol: Chelicerae brown, carapace and legs orange-brown.

Female (paratype, ZMB 50609, Fig. 18): Total length: 16.17. Carapace ( Fig. 18A): 7.04 long, 5.12 wide. Cephalic region 4.80 long, thoracic striae shallow; caput slightly raised, almost flat. Fovea straight and deep, 1.05 wide. Ocular region ( Fig. 18E) slightly raised, 0.64 long, 1.03 wide. Anterior ocular row procurved with seven anterior setae; posterior slightly recurved with five posterior setae.

Ocular measurements: AME 0.19, ALE 0.35, PME 0.15, PLE 0.22; AME–ALE 0.16, PME–PLE 0.04, AME– PME 0.11, ALE–PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.17, PME–PME 0.46. Chelicerae: elongate and slender, 4.37 long; 2.61 wide. Furrow promargin with 15 teeth, retromargin with 10 tiny teeth on outer edge and 15 denticles near the apex. Rastellum composed of thick long setae. Labium ( Fig. 18B): 0.82 long; 1.17 wide; with 78 rounded cuspules and abundant apical bristles. Labio-sternal suture wide with two lateral sigilla well separated. Maxillae ( Fig. 18B): promargin 1.99 long, retromargin 2.65 long, 1.20 wide, with 98/95 cuspules in inner angle, developed angular heel. Sternum ( Fig. 18B): 3.37 long, 2.84 wide; all sigilla small and marginal, oval. Abdomen, dorsal ( Fig. 18C): 6.66 long, anterior edge of the booklung opening with combs present. Spinnerets ( Fig. 18D): Posterior median: 0.46 long; posterior lateral with basal: medial: apical lengths 0.79:0.42:0.22, apical segment domed. Spermathecae ( Fig. 18F): two, with a long base, curved and a concave apical lobe.

Lengths of legs and pedipalp (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 4.55, 3.17, 3.23, 2.82, 1.46, 15.23. II: 4.21, 2.86, 2.93, 2.59, 1.72, 14.32. III: 3.76, 2.27, 2.24, 2.99, 1.85, 13.09. IV: 4.88, 2.76, 3.71, 4.77, 2.42, 18.55. pedipalp: 3.35, 2.23, 2.11, —, 1.96, 9.66. Chaetotaxy: Legs: I: fe d0-0-1, pa 0, ti 0, me v1-0-1ap, ta 0; II: fe d0-0-1, pa 0, ti v1 spiniform setae, me v1-1ap, ta 0; III: fe d1ap, pa p0-2, ti p2-1 v2-1-3ap r1-0-1, me d2-2-2 v2-2-3ap, ta 0; IV: fe d0-0-1ap, pa p1, ti v3-2-3ap r1-0-1, me d2-1-2-2 v2-1-1-2-3ap, ta 0; Pedipalp: fe d1ap, pa 0, ti p2 v1-3ap, ta 0.

Scopulae : Pedipalp: complete and divided by a wide band of setae. Legs: I: Me complete throughout the segment, Ta complete throughout the segments, divided by a band of setae. II: Me-Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a band of setae. III: Me 2:3 A, divided by a wide band of rigid setae, Ta complete scopulate throughout the segment, divided by a wide band of setae and a line of bristles on each side of the central band. IV: Me 1:3 A, scarce, divided by a band of rigid setae, Ta complete throughout the segment, divided by a wide central band of setae (more abundant apically), delimited by a line of bristles on each side. Trichobothria: (Filiform): Pedipalp: Tib 6/5, 8/9 on tarsus (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae). Legs: I Ti 8/7, Me 9, Ta 7/7; II, Ti 7/5, Me 9, Ta 7/8; III Ti 4/5, Me 10, Ta 8/8; IV Ti 5/6, Me 12, Ta 7/8. Clavate trichobothria in two rows on distal half (separated by a wide band of small rigid setae): 8/10 on pedipalp tarsus; 11/10 on tarsus I; 9/10 on tarsus II; 7/8 on tarsus III; 8/6 on tarsus IV. STC one row: pedipalp claw bare; Legs: I, 4/4; II, 4/3; III, 3/3; IV 2/2. Tarsus IV cracked. Colour in alcohol: Chelicerae, carapace and legs brown-orange. Abdomen dorsal pattern faint, symmetrical, with 6 spots in the middle, and on the side of each spot a lateral line.

Distribution. Cuba, Holguín province, Moa municipality ( Fig. 26).

Comments. The male specimen lacks the abdomen and leg IV but all other important characters such as the bulb, pedipalp tibiae and tibiae I are present. These missing parts do not prevent accurate recognition of this species.