Synaphris saphrynis, LOPARDO & HORMIGA & MELIC, 2007

LOPARDO, LARA, HORMIGA, GUSTAVO & MELIC, ANTONIO, 2007, Spinneret Spigot Morphology in Synaphrid Spiders (Araneae, Synaphridae), with Comments on the Systematics of the Family and Description of a New Species of Synaphris Simon 1894 from Spain, American Museum Novitates 3556 (1), pp. 1-28 : 3-15

Synaphris saphrynis , new species

figures 1–62

TYPES: 1♂ holotype and 7♂ paratypes from SPAIN: Toledo , Huecas, 29.v.2003, Kleijn et al. col. (30T-395937) (♂ holotype in MNCN-20.02/16523; 4♂ paratypes in MNCN- 20.02/16524 , 1♂ paratype in AMNH, 1♂ paratype in MCZ, 1♂ paratype in CAS) .

ETYMOLOGY: The species epithet is an arbitrary combination of letters.

DIAGNOSIS: Males of Synaphris saphrynis , n.sp. can be distinguished from other Synaphris species by the following combination of palpal characters: conductor with tegular groove accompanying the distal portion of the embolus; with two distal apophyses, the ventral one (hereafter ‘‘Cap’’, ‘‘subterminal apophysis’’ of Marusik et al. 2005) clearly bipartite with both tips rounded (i.e., without an irregular border); an embolar membranous expansion (‘‘lamella’’ of Marusik et al. 2005); width of embolar expansion base 2/5 the width of the expansion (i.e., base of expansion width/expansion width: 0.40).

DESCRIPTION: Male: Total length 1.00 (0.95–1.08). Carapace length 0.44 (0.43–0.47), width 0.40 (0.38–0.43), height 0.20 (0.19–0.23). Carapace with four setae (bases referred to as ‘‘tubercles’’ in Marusik et al., 2005) along midline and four laterally, two on each side ( figs. 3, 4 ). Midline setae located on clypeus (one), slightly posterior to PME (one), and on dorsalmost carapace surface (two). Lateral setae located between LE (one pair), and slightly posterior to central one behind PME. Chelicerae with median keel ending in single strong promarginal tooth; retromarginal teeth absent ( figs. 3, 5 , 8, 9 ). Promargin of chelicera with three lateral short hairs with larger bases and rounded strong scale on dorsal surface ( figs. 3, 6 ). Labrum globose, with minute denticles grouped on its ventral surface, globose expansion arising from anterior surface ( figs. 5 , 8, 10 ). Maxillary setae scarce ( figs. 5 , 8, 10 ; compare to symphytognathid maxillary setae in Griswold et al. 1998: fig. 21C ), distal maxillary setae clavate (arrow in fig. 5 ). Clypeus slightly convex, height 0.14 (0.12–0.15), ca. 5–6 AME diameters. Sternum length 0.27 (0.24–0.28), width 0.29 (0.26–0.30), length/width 0.96 (0.89–1.00), cuticle squamate ( fig. 7 ), posterior margin truncated, wide, about two times width of coxa IV ( figs. 2 , 7 ). Abdomen oval, length 0.50 (0.47– 0.64), width 0.44 (0.40–0.47), height 0.36 (0.36–0.43). Three epiandrous spigots centrally distributed along the epigastric furrow ( figs. 31, 32 ). Legs: leg formula 45123. Leg measurements: see table 1 . Femoral spot and prolateral clasping spine absent ( figs. 11, 13, 14 ). Setae on legs with large elevated, striated bases ( figs. 17, 18 , 20, 22 ). Leg tarsi without pseudosegmentation ( figs. 12 , 19, 23, 24 ). Tarsal-metatarsal joint constricted ( figs. 11, 12, 16–18 , 27 ). Distal area of metatarsi with dorsal band of anastomosed ridges ( figs. 17, 18 ; the ‘‘subdistal anastomosed lyriform organ’’ of Marusik and Lehtinen, 2003). Legs without spines, tarsal organ located in middle dorsal region of tarsus, capsulate, with rounded orifice ( figs. 19, 20 ). Three claws, serrate accessory (false claw) setae present. Claw teeth (paired claws/ inferior claw): Leg I, paired claws with five teeth/ inferior claw with two teeth and one dorsal denticles ( figs. 23–25 ); II and III, four teeth/ as leg I; IV, two teeth/ two teeth and one dorsal denticle ( figs. 28 , arrow in 29). Distal tooth two times longer than other teeth in paired claws. Leg hairs serrate. Cuticular surface of appendages squamate ( fig. 20 ). Tarsus slightly longer than metatarsus on legs I and II, same length on legs III and IV (see table 1 , figs. 11, 12, 16 , 27 ). Trichobothria: Trichobothrial bases simple and smooth, with proximal hood bearing two lateral ridges, similar on all legs and segments ( figs. 15 , 21, 22 ). Tarsal trichobothria absent. Legs I and II, tibia 1-1-0; metatarsus 0-1-0. Legs III and IV, tibia p1-2- 0-0; metatarsal trichobothria absent. Color: Carapace brown with undefined lighter radii, surface slightly wrinkled; sternum brown, darker than carapace, not homogeneous but without definite pattern, border with thick orange stripe. Legs orange. Abdomen greenish black, with pattern of irregular transversal lighter bands. Eyes: AME black, other eyes pearly white. Diameter: AME 0.02, PME 0.02, PLE 0.03, ALE 0.04. Respiratory system: Anterior booklungs transformed into tracheae, connected by a transverse duct ( figs. 30 , 35–37, 39 ). Anterior spiracles connected to epigastric furrow ( figs. 2 , 31 ). Five tracheal tubes arise from each anterior spiracle, four oriented anteriorly toward cephalothorax, one oriented laterally first, then turning posteriorly. Posterior tracheal system ( figs. 30 , 34, 37–39 ) with two distant spiracular openings ( figs. 2 , 33 ) exteriorly connected by thin ridge (i.e., one wide spiracular opening). Thin ridge leading to deep, flat, membranous atrium, anteriorly ending in sclerotized Ushaped duct that connects tracheal ducts arising from spiracles. Two main tracheal bundles arise from the junction of tracheal ducts and U-shaped atrial duct, one on each side, directing tracheoles mainly anteriorly. Smaller clumps diverge laterally, some tracheoles seem to branch off clumps and disperse irregularly around abdominal space. Both tracheal systems seem to reach into prosoma. Spinnerets ( fig. 40 ): Colulus large and fleshy, triangular, about half length and width of ALS, with three setae ( fig. 41 ). ALS ( fig. 42 ) with one MAP spigot, accompanied by nubbin and tartipore, separated by weak furrow from PI field, which contains four piriform spigots with reduced bases, interspersed with few tartipores. PMS ( fig. 43 ) with only one spigot, no nubbin. PLS ( figs. 44, 45 ) with only two spigots of different morphology (see Discussion below). Palp ( figs. 46–62 ): Tibia rounded retrolaterally, without apophyses ( figs. 47 , 53, 55 ). One tibial trichobothrium located dorsal and distally ( fig. 56 ). Cymbium capsulated, comprising two distinct areas: one rounded, dorsal, retrolateral, with hairs, one membranous (indistinguishable under light microscope), prolateral, with no setae ( figs. 49, 54 ). Retrolateral margin of cymbium with notch delimiting basal paracymbium ( figs. 47 , 52, 53 , 60 ). Measurements: femur 0.12 (0.11–0.14), patella 0.05 (0.05–0.06), tibia length 0.07(0.06–0.07), tibia width 0.12 (0.09– 0.12), tibia length/width 0.55 (0.55–0.67). Embolus filiform, long, thin with thickened tip ( figs. 46 , 51 , 59, 62 ). Embolar base flat, ventral, with dorsal flat translucent, membranous expansion ( figs. 46 , 49, 50 ; ‘‘lamella’’, Marusik et al., 2005; Marusik and Lehtinen, 2003). Base of embolar expansion about 2/5 its maximum width. Embolus running clockwise (in left palp), exteriorly surrounding junction of two areas of cymbium, which areas may act as cymbial conductor ( figs. 46 , 54 ). Tegular groove also present, accompanying embolus toward tip of bulb, terminating in pointed apophysis ( figs. 50 , 59 ; ‘‘terminal apophysis’’, Marusik et al., 2005; Marusik and Lehtinen, 2003). This apophysis may act as conductor, and presents small pore opening close to tip ( fig. 61 ).Dorsal edge of embolar expansion with weak furrow, which might also be related to embolus ( figs. 50, 51 ). Ventral to pointed apophysis is another apophysis, with two pointed tips ( figs. 50 , 57, 58 ; ‘‘subterminal apophysis’’, Marusik et al., 2005; Marusik and Lehtinen, 2003). Spermatic duct seems to undergo one transverse loop before reaching embolar base. Diameter of spermatic duct gradually decreases throughout its length, except for a sudden widening before entering base of embolus for fraction of loop length (arrow in fig. 48 ).

Female: Unknown.

NATURAL HISTORY: The specimens were collected in pitfall traps from dry wheat and barley fields.

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from the type locality.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: SPAIN: Toledo: Huecas, same locality, 29.v.2003, 6 ♂; 15.v.2003, 1 ♂, Kleijn et al. col. (A. Melic 5739-A).

THE POSITION OF SYNAPHRIS SAPHRYNIS n.sp. WITHIN SYNAPHRIS

Marusik and Lehtinen (2003: 150) divided Synaphris into two separate species groups, although they did not provide an explicit phylogenetic justification for the monophyly of these two groups. Although the diagnostic characters for these two species groups seem sound, the monophyly of the two groups remains untested, and species membership to the species groups seems to be based on overall similarity. The letourneuxi group includes those species with palpal embolic lamella, two distal apophyses (the ventral one bipartite), a tegular groove accompanying the distal portion of the embolus, coiled copulatory ducts in females, and the absence of an epigynal depression. Species of this group are distributed from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia. The calerensis group includes those species without embolic lamella (although, as these authors suggested, this feature should be carefully checked), two entire distal apophyses, no tegular groove, and an oval depression in the epigynal area. Species of this group are endemic to the Canary Islands. The presence of an embolic lamella, a lower apophysis bipartite, and the tegular furrow in Synaphris saphrynis , n.sp. suggest that this species belongs to the letourneuxi group.

Figures

Fig. 1. Map showing the geographic distribution of the described species of Cepheia and Synaphris around the Mediterranean region in Europe. For the geographic distribution of the recent species from Madagascar, see Miller (in press). For Synaphris, each location represents one described species. For Cepheia, all locations represent the geographical distribution of Cepheia longiseta.

Figs. 2–6. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype. 2. Ventral view; 3. Frontal view; 4. Cephalothorax, lateral view; 5. Detail of mouthparts, frontal view, arrow to clavate maxillary setae; 6. Detail of cheliceral prolateral short hairs.

Figs. 7–10. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype. 7. Sternum, ventral view; 8. Mouthparts, ventral view; 9. Mouthparts, posterior view; 10. Detail of mouthparts, showing labrum and labium, ventral view.

Figs. 11–18. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, right leg I. 11. Prolateral view; 12. Tarsus and metatarsus, retrolateral view; 13. Femur, ventral view; 14. Same, detail at femoral spot area; 15. Tibia and patella, dorsal view; 16. Tarsus and metatarsus, dorsal view; 17. Detail of tarsus-metatarsus joint, dorsal view; 18. Same, prolateral view.

Figs. 19–26. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, right leg I. 19. Tarsus, dorsal view; 20. Same, detail of tarsal organ; 21. Tibia, dorsal view, detail of trichobothrial base; 22. Metatarsus, dorsal view, detail of trichobothrial base; 23. Tarsal claws, prolateral view (prolateral superior claw broken); 24. Same, retrolateral view; 25. Same, dorsal view; 26. Tibia-metatarsus joint, prolateral view.

Figs. 27–29. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, right leg IV. 27. Tarsus and metatarsus, dorsal view; 28. Tarsal claws, frontal-retrolateral view; 29. Same, retrolateral view, arrow to dorsal denticle on inferior claw.

Fig. 30. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, schematic drawing showing tracheal system, dorsal view.

Figs. 31–39. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, respiratory system and epiandrous spigots. 31. Anterior respiratory spiracles and epigastric furrow; 32. Same, detail of epiandrous spigots; 33. Posterior respiratory spiracles; 34–39: Digested abdomen showing internal tracheal arrangement; 34. Anterior and posterior tracheae, general view; 35. Anterior tracheae, general view; 36. Same, detail on anterior tracheal arrangement; 37. Detail of posterior tracheae; 38. Same; 39. Same, showing both tracheal arrangement.

Figs. 40–45. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, spinnerets. 40. Spinning field; 41. Same, ventral view; 42. Right anterior lateral spinneret; 43. Posterior median spinnerets; 44. Right posterior lateral spinneret; 45. Left posterior lateral spinneret. Abbreviations are spelled out in appendix 1.

Figs. 46–48. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, left palp. 46. Prolateral view; 47. Retrolateral view; 48. same, cleared. Abbreviations are spelled out in appendix 1.

Figs. 49–56. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, left palp. 49. Prolateral view; 50. Prolatero-apical view; 51. Apical view (see detail in fig. 59); 52. Apical-retrolateral view (see detail in fig. 62); 53. Retrolateral view (see detail in figs. 57, 60); 54. Dorso-prolateral view; 55. Dorsal view; 56. Detail of palpal tibia and tibial trichobothrial base. Abbreviations are spelled out in appendix 1.

Figs. 57–62. Synaphris saphrynis, n.sp. Male paratype, left palp, details. 57. Detail of apex, showing embolus, terminal and subterminal apophyses, and paracymbium, in retrolateral view (detail of fig. 53); 58. Same, closer view of terminal and subterminal apophyses; 59. Detail of apex in apical view (detail of fig. 51); 60. Detail of retrolateral paracymbium; 61. Detail of apophyses, apical view; 62. Embolus tip. Abbreviations are spelled out in appendix 1.