Cicurina (Cicurella) vibora Gertsch 1992

Paquin, Pierre & Dupérré, Nadine, 2009, of 60 troglobitic species of the subgenus Cicurella (Araneae: Dictynidae), and a first visual assessment of their distribution, Zootaxa 2002, pp. 1-67 : 53-55

Cicurina (Cicurella) vibora Gertsch 1992

( Figs 120–121, 130)

Cicurina vibora Gertsch 1992: 98 , figs 55–56 (description of female). — Jackman 1997: 162; Paquin & Hedin 2004: 3243–3245, 3254.

HOLOTYPE female: “ Texas; Williamson Co. Rattlesnake Filled Cave; 100 yds. S.E. of Cricket Cave , 24 August 1963, J. Reddell & B. Russell ”. Examined ( AMNH).

Description. Female holotype denticles (2 large, 4 small), left side likewise. Leg I: total length: 6.55; femur: 1.80; patella: 0.70; tibia: 1.70; metatarsus: 1.50; tarsus: 0.90; leg IV: total length: 7.90; femur: 2.10; patella: 0.70; tibia: 1.90; metatarsus: 2.10; tarsus: 1.10. Tarsal claw IV: 0.20. Epigynum: 0.210 mm (half). Epigynal ventral plate with short transverse slit, bearing medial, very deep, inverted V-shaped indentation; atrium almost completely intruded by a triangular dorsal plate, atrial aperture small; bursa not enlarged nor fused; copulatory ducts widely separated at midpoint, reaching below primary lobe apex; copulatory ducts constriction located; primary pores visible (1 seen); stalk, short, slightly curved, horizontal, joining the primary lobe at the aperture of the dictynoid pore; dictynoid pore rounded; primary lobe light-bulb shape; secondary lobe absent; fertilization canal long, internally positioned from dictynoid pore; fertilization duct internally attached to the primary lobe base.

Distribution. Known from Rattlesnake Filled Cave ( type locality), Temples of Thor Cave, and Sunless City Cave (Williamson County, Texas, Fig. 130). The record from Sunless City Cave was identified to species by a DNA match of an immature specimen (see Paquin & Hedin 2004).

Remarks. Male unknown. Gertsch (1992) gives “southwest of Cricket Cave” in his paper, which differs slightly from the label data. The precise location of Rattlesnake Filled Cave ( type locality) has been forgotten and recent efforts to clarify the situation were not successful (James R. Reddell, pers. comm.). Similarly, the location of Cricket Cave is also a mystery. However, Reddell & Finch (1963) provided enough information to estimate the location of Rattlesnake Filled Cave, and these data are judged precise enough for our purposes (see Fig. 130).