Meri gen. nov.

Type species. Sadala pictitarsis Simon, 1880 .

Etymology. The generic name refers to Meri, a folk hero and sun God of the Bororó people of Brazil; gender is masculine (last syllable is stressed).

Diagnosis. Species of the genus Meri gen. nov. resemble those of Nungara, Caayguara and Sadala in having the chelicerae with three promarginal teeth and intermarginal denticles (Fig. 95; Jäger et al. 2009: figs 10, 89, 109; Rheims 2010a: fig. 7, 2010b: fig. 2; Guala et al. 2012: fig. 22, Pinto & Rheims 2016: fig. 7) and a short-toothed female palpal claw (Figs 97; Rheims 2010a: fig. 7; Pinto & Rheims 2016: fig. 16). They are distinguished from Caayguara by the presence of 5–10 escort setae at base of fang (Fig. 95) (only one in Caayguara), three pairs of spines on ventral tibiae I–II (only two in Caayguara) and epigyne with MS bearing medial pocket (e.g., Figs 154, 173, 289) (smooth in Caayguara); from Sadala by the male palp with embolus with only 0.25 turn around tegulum (e.g., Figs 239, 266, 298) (0.5 to 0.75 turn around tegulum in Sadala); epigyne with MS bearing medial pocket (e.g., Figs 184, 208, 250) (with triangular scape-like projection in Sadala) and internal ducts with one turn (e.g., Figs 143–144, 177–178, 258–259) (two in Sadala); and from Nungara by the male palp with oval tegulum, with no grooves and embolus with 0.25 turn around tegulum (Figs 104, 188, 266) (tegulum circular with strong groove and embolus with 1 turn around tegulum in Nungara) and by the epigyne with lateral lobes touching posteriorly (except in M. pictitarsis comb. nov., M. vanini spec. nov. and M. yaciba spec. nov. in which LL are posteriorly covered by MS) and vulva with GP arising from ducts at first turn and SP well-defined, not convoluted (LL not touching posteriorly, GP arising from ducts close to copulatory opening, not at first turn, and spermathecae convoluted, ill-defined in Nungara).

Description. Coloration pattern ranging from orange brown to brown; prosoma with faint darker reticulated pattern of thin lines mostly on cephalic region; opisthosoma with heart mark bearing dark margins and two pairs of oval marks on either side and median chevron or triangular marks down posterior half; legs with darker metatarsi and tarsi (Figs 91–94). Total length of males 9.2–15.1, of females 10.8–20.8. Dorsal shield of prosoma generally longer than wide, can be as wide as long. Cephalic region slightly higher than thoracic region, flattening posteriorly. Fovea conspicuous on posterior third of prosoma. Eyes arranged in two straight rows; AME larger than ALE and more separated from each other than from ALE; PME smaller than PLE mostly equidistant, but can be slightly closer or further apart from each other than from PLE. Clypeus low, less than AME diameter. Chelicerae longer than wide with three promarginal teeth, the median one largest, and 3–5 retromarginal teeth, three subequal and the others smaller. Between 15 and 25 intermarginal denticles present at the base of the groove, in front of promarginal teeth. Internal margin with 5–10 escort setae (Fig. 95). Labium rebordered as wide as long. Endites slightly convergent, longer than wide, with dense scopula on internal margin. Serrula with single row of denticles (Fig. 96). Sternum longer than wide, slightly projected between coxae IV. Female palp with single pectinate claw with 5–7 short teeth (Fig. 97); sensory setae long, distally curved, with barbules along the entire setae and with distal region bearing a large rounded pore and a single filiform extension, scattered dorsally along tarsus (Fig. 102). Legs laterigrade (2143). Spination pattern in males: femora I–III: p1-1-1, d0-1-1, r1-1-1; IV: p1-1-1, d0-1-1, r0-0-1; patellae I–III: p1, r1; IV: p0, r0; tibiae I–II: p1-0-1, d1-1-1, r1-0-1, v2-2-2; III–IV: p1-0-1, d0-0-1, r1-0-1, v2-2-2; metatarsi I–III: p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v2-2-0; IV: p1-1-2, r1-1-1, v2-2-0; palp: femur p0-0-1, d0-1-2, r0-0-1; patella: p1, r1; tibia: p2-1-0, d1-0-0, r1-0-0; in females: femora I–III: p1-1-1, d0-1-1, r1-1-1; IV: p1-1-1, d0-1-1, r0-0-1; patellae I–III: p0, r1; IV: p0, r0; tibiae I–VI: p1-0-1, r1-0-1, v2-2-2; metatarsi I–III: p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v2-2-0; IV: p1-1-2, r1-1-1, v2-2-0; palp: femur: p0-0-1, d0-1-2, r0-0-1; patella: p1, r1; tibia: p2-1-0, d1-0-0, r1-1-0; tarsus p2-1-0, r2-1-0. Trochanter deeply notched. Metatarsi I–IV distally with dorsal trilobate membrane with median hook as large as lateral projections (Fig. 98). Tarsi and antertior half of metatarsi scopulate. Trichobothria present on dorsal tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi, arranged in several rows on tarsi, converging to a single row on metatarsi. Dorsal plate of bothria with one or two transversal grooves, projecting over a smooth proximal plate. Tarsal organ capsulate, with oval opening, located dorsally, at distal end of tarsi. Tarsi with pair of pectinate claws with 20–23 short teeth and claw tufts. Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide. Male epiandrium with small groups of epiandrous spigots (Fig. 99). Six spinnerets: anterior lateral spinnerets contiguous, conical and bi-segmented. Basal segment elongated and cylindrical, distal segment short and truncated. Posterior median spinnerets conical and short. Posterior lateral spinnerets conical and bi-segmented. Basal segment elongated and cylindrical, distal segment short and truncated. Male palp: tibia generally shorter than cymbium; PTA short, of various shapes (e.g., Figs 103, 150, 187, 297); RTA arising distally, of various shapes, single (e. g. Figs 104, 170, 254) or with branches (e.g., Figs 222, 240, 298); cymbium with large oval alveolus, dorsal oval scopula, bearing sensory setae, as in female, and, in some species, small retro proximal projection (RpP, e.g., Figs 163, 266); subtegulum ring-shaped; tegulum oval, smooth (e.g., Figs 127, 170, 188) or with depressions and/or protrusions, usually close to conductor (e.g., Figs 151, 188, 254); embolus short, arising from tegulum mostly at 9 o’clock position, smooth (e.g., Fig. 129), with membranous area short (not surpassing half embolus length) (e.g., Figs 141, 163, 190), long (surpassing half embolus length (e.g., Figs 165, 172), bearing long needlelike extensions (Fig. 100) or barely conspicuous, not visible with light microscopy, only SEM (e.g., Figs 241, 256, 268), bearing short needle-like extensions (Fig. 101); conductor hyaline, laminar, arising centrally from tegulum.

Female epigyne: EF of variable shapes; MAB usually present (e.g., Figs 130, 142, 250), can be imbedded in EF (e.g., Figs 182, 206, 313) or inconspicuous (e.g., Figs 208, 234, 295); LL without projections, touching posteriorly (e.g., Figs 107, 118, 154) or separated and posteriorly covered by MS (e. g. Figs 225, 289, 301); MS of variable shapes, bearing EP; EP of various shapes, opening medially (e.g., Figs 250, 257, 309) or posteriorly (e.g., Figs 173, 200, 269) on MS. Vulva: internal ducts with one turn (e.g., Figs 112, 156, 178); GP present, arising from ducts at first turn or close to SP (e.g., Figs 201, 270, 281); SP of various shapes; FD short, hook-shaped (e.g., Figs 212, 290, 310).

Composition. Twenty-five species: Meri abuna spec. nov.; M. aparia spec. nov.; M. arraijan spec. nov.; M. carabobo spec. nov.; M. conduri spec. nov.; M. formosus (Banks) comb. nov.; M. guri spec. nov.; M. jaraua spec. nov.; M. kaieteur spec. nov.; M. manaos spec. nov.; M. martinique spec. nov.; M. mathani (Simon) comb. nov.; M. munduruku spec. nov.; M. paiaia spec. nov.; M. pictitarsis (Simon) comb. nov.; M. quinari spec. nov.; M. rivai spec. nov.; M. santivincenti (Simon) comb. nov.; M. tambor spec. nov.; M. tapirapeco spec. nov.; M. trinitatis (Strand) comb. nov.; M. tumatumari spec. nov.; M. vanini spec. nov.; M. yaciba spec. nov.; M. zeteki spec. nov.

Distribution. North and northwestern South America, Panama and the Lesser Antilles (Figs 313–320).

Key to species of Meri gen. nov.

1 Males .............................................................................................. 2

- Females........................................................................................... 15

2(1) Subdistal embolic projection absent (Figs 129, 165, 190)..................................................... 3

- Subdistal embolic projection present (SdP, Figs 141, 224, 288)................................................. 7

3(2) RTA tapering towards pointed tip (Figs 152, 171, 189); embolus curved, with conspicuous membranous region bearing long needle-like extensions (mr, Figs 100–101, 165, 190)......................................................... 4

- RTA distally widened and blunt (Figs 127–128); embolus mostly straight, without membranous area or needle-like extensions (Fig. 129)........................................................................ M. carabobo spec. nov.

4(3) Tegulum strongly indented at base of embolus (Figs 163, 170); embolus with membranous region along more than half its length (mr, Figs 165, 172).............................................................................. 5

- Tegulum not strongly indented at embolus base (Figs 151, 188); embolus with membranous area along less than half its length (mr, Figs 153, 190)................................................................................... 6

5(4) RTA abruptly narrowed medially; cymbium with small retroproximal projection; tegulum slightly protruding over conductor base (RpP, Figs 163–164)................................................................ M. guri spec. nov.

- RTA gradually tapering; cymbium without retroproximal projection; tegulum not protruding over base of conductor (Figs 170–171)........................................................................... M. jaraua spec. nov.

6(4) RTA gradually tapering; tibia with retro dorsal projection; PTA anvil-shaped; tegulum not protruding over conductor base (RdP, Figs 188–189)...................................................................... M. manaos spec. nov.

- RTA abruptly narrowed medially; tibia without retro dorsal projection; PTA triangular; tegulum protruding over conductor base (Figs 151–152)............................................................................. M. formosus

7(2) RTA with ventral branch (vb, Figs 222, 298)............................................................... 8

- RTA without ventral branch (Figs 104, 239, 266)............................................................ 9

8(7) RTA distally blunt with ventral branch roughly triangular, slightly longer than wide (Fig. 222); embolus with subdistal projection long and laminar (SdP, Fig. 224)........................................................... M. pictitarsis

- RTA distally pointed with ventral branch slightly curved, roughly three times longer than wide (Fig. 298); embolus with subdistal projection hook-shaped (SdP, Fig. 300)............................................... M. yaciba spec. nov.

9(7) Embolus with large, conspicuous membranous region, bearing long needle-like extensions (mr, Fig. 100).............. 10

- Embolus with barely conspicuous membranous region (generally not distinguishable under light microscopy, only SEM), bearing short needle-like extensions (Fig. 101)................................................................ 12

10(9) Tibia without retro dorsal projection (Figs 105, 198); embolus with subdistal projection as a small protuberance, not laminar (SdP, Figs 106, 199).................................................................................. 11

- Tibia with retro dorsal projection (RdP, Fig. 140); embolus with subdistal projection laminar (SdP, Fig. 141)............................................................................................... M. conduri spec. nov.

11(9) PTA distally rounded (Fig. 103); RTA gradually tapering (Fig. 105); embolus bulging prolaterally at base (Fig. 104).......................................................................................... M. abuna spec. nov.

- PTA triangular (Fig. 196); RTA abruptly narrowed medially (Fig. 186); embolus not bulging prolaterally at base (Fig. 197)................................................................................. M. martinique spec. nov.

12(9) RTA tapering towards tip (Figs 240, 267); embolus not bulging prolaterally at base (Figs 239, 266)................... 13

- RTA distally blunt (Figs 255, 287); embolus bulging prolaterally at base (Figs 254, 286)........................... 14

13(12) RTA gradually tapering, with small dorsal branch at base (db, Fig. 240); embolus with subdistal projection directed antero-mediad (SdP, Fig. 239, 241).............................................................. M. quinari spec. nov.

- RTA abruptly narrowed medially (Fig. 267); embolus with subdistal projection directed laterad (SdP, Figs 266, 268)................................................................................................. M. trinitatis

14(12) PTA triangular (Fig. 253); RTA longer than wide (Figs 254–255); embolus bulging retrolaterally at base (Fig. 256).......................................................................................... M. tambor spec. nov.

- PTA distally rounded (Fig. 285); RTA wider than long (Figs 286–287); embolus not bulging retrolaterally (Fig. 288).......................................................................................... M. vanini spec. nov.

15(1) EP opening medially on MS (Figs 250, 257, 309).......................................................... 16

- EP opening posteriorly on MS (Figs 107, 200, 285);........................................................ 18

16(15) MS widest medially, with anterior margins converging (Figs 257, 309); SP elongated, with margins bearing few folds (Figs 258, 310).............................................................................................. 17

- MS widest anteriorly, with anterior margins diverging (Fig. 250) SP irregularly rounded, smooth (Fig. 251) M. sanctivincenti

17(16) EF without anterior groove; MS with anterior margins gradually converging (Fig. 257); internal ducts with FW C-shaped, laterad (Figs 259–259)............................................................... M. tapirapeco spec. nov.

- EF with transversal anterior groove; MS with anterior margins constricted (eg, Fig. 302); internal ducts with FW slightly reniform, postero-laterad (Figs 310–311)..................................................... M. zeteki spec. nov.

18(15) Internal ducts with GP arising close to SP, not at first turn (Figs 201, 270, 281).................................. 19

- Internal ducts with GP arising at first turn (Figs 122, 177, 243)................................................ 21

19(18) MS with anterior margins gently converging anteriorly (Figs 200, 280); SP margins with few folds (Figs 201, 281)...... 20

- MS with anterior margin constricted (Figs 269, 272); SP with convoluted margins (Figs 270, 273)............ M. trinitatis

20(19) MS medially constricted with EP slightly longer than wide (Fig. 194)....................... M. martinique spec. nov.

- MS widest medially with EP almost two times longer than wide (Fig. 273).................. M. tumatumari spec. nov.

21(18) EP subrectangular or trapezoid (Figs 118, 289)............................................................ 22

- EP triangular (Figs 121, 142, 208)...................................................................... 25

22(21) EP wider than long or as long as wide with anterior margin not surpassing half MS length (Figs 107, 154, 289)......... 23

- EP longer than wide with anterior margin surpassing MS length, along most of MS length (Fig. 112)... M. aparia spec. nov.

23(22) MS with lateral margins not constricted anteriorly and not covering LL posteriorly (Figs 107, 154)................... 24

- MS with lateral margins constricted anteriorly, covering LL posteriorly (Fig. 289).................. M. vanini spec. nov.

24(23) MS with lateral margins slightly curved (Fig. 107, 110); GP slightly longer than wide; SP ovoid (Fig. 108, 111).............................................................................................. M. abuna spec. nov.

- MS with lateral margins straight (Fig. 154); GP three times longer than wide; SP with constrictions (Fig. 155)..................................................................................................... M. formosus

25(21) MS with conspicuous transversal anterior groove (ag, Figs 121, 130)........................................... 26

- MS without anterior groove (Figs 142, 208, 242)........................................................... 28

26(25) MS widest anteriorly; EP with anterior margin not surpassing half MS length (Fig. 121); internal ducts with GP mediad (Figs 122–123)......................................................................... M. arraijan spec. nov.

- MS widest medially; EP with anterior margin surpassing half MS length (Fig. 130); internal ducts with GP antero-laterad (Figs 131–132)........................................................................ M. carabobo spec. nov.

28(26) MS widest anteriorly (Figs 208, 211, 225)................................................................ 29

- MS widest medially or posteriorly (Figs 142, 184, 242)...................................................... 32

29(28) MS covering LL posteriorly (Figs 225, 301)............................................................... 30

- MS not covering LL posteriorly (Figs 208, 211)............................................................ 31

30(29) HP 1.5 times longer than wide (Fig. 225); GP posterior to CO; FD antero laterad or laterad (Figs 226–227).... M. pictitarsis

- HP 2 times longer than wide (Fig. 301); GP in line with CO; FD antero mediad (Figs 302–303)....... M. yaciba spec. nov.

31(29) MS with lateral margins diverging anteriorly; EP more than two times longer than wide with anterior margin reaching anterior margin of MS (Fig. 208); internal ducts with FW not dilated (Fig. 209)................................. M. mathani

- MS with lateral margins running roughly parallel anteriorly; EP slightly longer than wide with anterior margin not surpassing half MS length (Fig. 211); internal ducts with FW strongly dilated (Fig. 212)................ M. munduruku spec. nov.

32(28) MS rhombus shaped with EP opening slightly anterior to posterior margin (Fig. 142); internal ducts with FW medio-posteriad and GP anteriad (Figs 143–144)........................................................ M. conduri spec. nov.

- MS of different shapes with EP opening at posterior margin (Figs 173, 214, 242); internal ducts with FW postero laterad or antero-laterad and GP mediad or posteriad (Figs 174–175, 242–244)........................................... 33

33(32) MS with anterior margins strongly bottlenecked (Figs 214, 242); SP elongate (Figs 215, 243)....................... 34

- MS with anterior margins slightly converging (Figs 173, 176, 184); SP ovoid (Figs 174, 177, 185)................... 35

34(33) MS shaped as an inverted cognac glass with EP wider than long (Fig. 214); internal ducts with GP posteriad, anterior to CO; SP with grooved margins (Figs 215–216)..................................................... M. paiaia spec. nov.

- MS Erlenmeyer-shaped with EP onger than wide (Fig. 242); internal ducts with GP mediad, posterior to CO; SP with smooth margins (Figs 243–244)................................................................. M. rivai spec. nov.

35(33) MS widest posteriorly, gently narrowing posteriorly, roughly three times longer than wide; EP with anterior margin not surpassing 0.2 MS length (Fig. 184).......................................................... M. kaieteur spec. nov.

- MS widest medially almost two times longer than wide; EP with anterior margin reaching half MS length (Figs 173, 176)... M. jaraua spec. nov.