Califorctenus, Jimenez, María Luisa, Berrian, James Edwin, Polotow, Daniele & Palacios-Cardiel, Carlos, 2017

Jimenez, María Luisa, Berrian, James Edwin, Polotow, Daniele & Palacios-Cardiel, Carlos, 2017, Description of Califorctenus (Cteninae, Ctenidae, Araneae), a new spider genus from Mexico, Zootaxa 4238 (1), pp. 97-108 : 101

Califorctenus new genus

Type species. Califorctenus cacachilensis sp. nov. here designated.

Included taxa. Only the type species, Califorctenus cacachilensis sp. nov.

Etymology. The genus name is derived from the combination of “Califor” in reference to the word “ California ” and “ Ctenus ”. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis. Califorctenus gen. nov. resembles species of Amauropelma , Thoriosa and Trogloctenus by the morphology of the epigynum, with laterally elongated median fields that are curved dorsally to form a pocket ( Fig. 6B ) and basas lateral projections of the epigynum ( Fig. 6A ). Califorctenus gen. nov. can be distinguished from them by the morphology of the male palp, with embolus cylindrical and elongated, locking lobes of embolus positioned retrolaterally and median apophysis cup-shaped and elongated.

Description. Ecribellate ctenids. Large-size spiders, 18.9–27.0 mm total length. Carapace piriform. Thoracic region without marks and with a long and deep thoracic groove. Ocular area slightly elevated with anterior border black and hyaline setae between the eyes and the same color as the thoracic region. Ocular area with eight eyes arranged in the ctenoid pattern 2-4-2 ( Fig. 3D ); PME and PLE eyes on black tubercles. Chelicerae robust with three promarginal teeth and four retromarginal teeth and two, one or none intermarginal denticles ( Figs. 3E , 4A ). Labium longer than wide, with notches in the base of each side and with a row of black and long setae in the anterior margin. Sternum and endites longer than wide. Trochanters of all legs deeply notched. Legs with spines. Tibia I and II with five pairs of ventral spines. Metatarsus I and II with three pairs of ventral spines. Ventral scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi denser in females and scarce in males. Tarsi with capsulate tarsal organ ( Fig. 4D ) and two pectinate claws each with 2 to 5 teeth and dense claw tufts. Trichobothria base with seven grooves ( Fig. 4C ). Female pedipalp claw pectinate with eight pairs of teeth ( Fig. 4 E-F). Opisthosoma oval without dorsal pattern. Embolus a long whip originating on the basal part of tegulum and with locking lobes retrolaterally ( Fig. 5A ). Conductor laminar, hyaline and curved supporting the embolus tip ( Fig. 5 A–C ). Subtegulum prolateral and tegulum with a basal membranous area. Long median apophysis with cup shape at tip ( Fig. 5 A–B ). Tibia with an apical RTA and ventral tibia process; RTA divided into basal and apical branches (visible in lateral view.). Apical branch longer and projecting almost like a "T" in ventral view ( Fig. 5 A–B, D ). Epigynum a sclerotized single plate, wider than long, with a narrow bulging median sector, wide sclerotized ovoid lobes, round lateral sector and wide lateral process, copulatory openings located laterally. Dorsally with thick copulatory ducts and wide copulatory pockets. Spermathecae ovoid and long fertilization ducts originating at the lateral base of the spermathecae ( Fig. 6 A–D ).

Distribution. Califorctenus gen. nov. is found in México in the state of Baja California Sur.

Figures

FIGURE 3, A – E. Califorctenus cacachilensis sp. nov. A. Male, dorsal view. B. Female, dorsal view. C. Egg sac. D. Ocular area, anterior view. 5. (SEM) Right chelicerae, retrolateral margin.

FIGURE 4, A – F. Califorctenus cacachilensis sp. nov. A. (SEM) Right chelicerae, anterior view. B. (SEM) Stridulatory file on right chelicera. C. (SEM) Trichobothria. D. (SEM) Tarsal organ. E. (SEM) Female pedipalp claw, lateral view. F. (SEM) Female pedipalp claw, anterior view. Arrows on figures 5 and 8 point to intermarginal denticles and tarsal organ.

FIGURE 5, A – D. Califorctenus cacachilensis sp. nov. A. Male pedipalp, ventral view. B. Male pedipalp, retrolateral view. C. (SEM) Conductor, prolateral view. D. (SEM) RTA, ventral view. Abbreviations: C = conductor, MA = median apophysis, BMA = basal membranous process, E = embolus, VTP = ventral tibial process, St = subtegulum.

FIGURE 6, A – D. Califorctenus cacachilensis sp. nov. A. Epigynum, ventral view. B. Epigynum, dorsal view. C. (SEM) Epigynum, ventral view. D. (SEM) Epigynum, dorsal view. Abbreviations: OL = ovoid lobe, LS = lateral sector, LP = lateral process, MS = median sector, CP = copulatory pockets, S = spermathecae, CD = copulatory ducts, FD = fertilization ducts.