Nops sublaevis Simon, 1893

Sánchez-Ruiz, Alexander & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2018, A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Nops MacLeay (Araneae: Caponiidae) with the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the Nopinae genera, Zootaxa 4427 (1), pp. 1-121 : 105-107

Nops sublaevis Simon, 1893

Figures 72A‒G ; 73A‒L

Nops sublaevis Simon, 1893b: 450 , pl. 9, fig. 14. Males and female syntypes from Colonia Tovar (10°24′20″N, 67°17′22″W), Aragua, Venezuela ( NHM; not examined, apparently lost).

Remarks. Searches of syntypes in NHM were unsuccessful. However, two males from Maracay, Aragua (20 km SW of type locality) match with original description and figures of Simon (1893b).

Additional material examined. VENEZUELA: Aragua: Maracay, Rancho Grande (currently Parque Nacional Henri Pittier , 10°22′48″N, 67°37′8.4″W), 27.vii.1946, W.M. Bebee, 1♂ ( AMNH) . Ditto , 31.viii.1946, W.M. Bebee, 1♂ ( AMNH) . Ditto , 5.vii.1946, W.M. Bebee, 1♀ ( AMNH) . Trujillo: 6.1 km. N Bocono , 31.iii.1992, L. Herman, 1♀ ( AMNH) .

Diagnosis. Males and females resemble similar congener Nops meridionalis , which have a similar abdominal pattern as in figure 6I, by having the PLS longer than the PMS and the posterior unpaired claws small ( Fig. 5C ); but can be distinguished by having the embolus slightly curved and shorter than palpal tibia ( Fig. 72B‒D ) and females without invagination on receptaculum ( Figs 72G ; 73G‒I).

Description. Male (Maracay, AMNH): Carapace dark orange ( Fig. 72A ). Chelicerae, endites, labium legs orange, coxae and trochanters lighter. Abdomen dorsally greenish gray, with the most common pattern as in figure 6I, ventrally light pale gray. Anal tubercle and spinnerets light gray. Total length 8.8. Carapace 5.4 long, 3.3 wide. Sternum 4.6 long, 3.0 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.8; II: 3.7; III: 3.5; IV: 3.9. Posterior unpaired claws small, as in other three‒clawed spiders with small denticles. PLS longer than PMS. Palp with embolus shorter than palpal tibia, slightly curved ( Figs 72B‒D ; 73A); tip with two ventral short extensions and a reborded dorsal margin ( Fig. 73 B‒C, E ).

Female (Maracay: AMNH). Carapace, chelicerae, labium, coxae, legs, endites and sternum as in male. Abdomen as in male ( Fig. 72E ). Anal tubercle and spinnerets whitish yellow. Total length 9.2. Carapace 5.6 long, 3.5 wide. Sternum 4.8 long, 3.4 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.9; II: 3.85; III: 3.6; IV: 4.05. Posterior unpaired claws ( Fig. 73L ) and PLS as in male. External genital area with strongly sclerotized anterior plate and lep, remarkable ess ( Fig. 72F ). Internal genitalia without invagination on receptaculum and uterus externus with narrow base ( Figs 72G ; 73G‒I).

Distribution. Known from Venezuela ( Fig. 55B ).

Figures

FIGURE 5. A–C diagrams of tarsal claws in Nops MacLeay showing only distal part of tarsi and claws (other structures as setae, frictional hairs or basal membrane were omitted). A–B Nops guanabacoae MacLeay. C Nops agnarssoni Sánchez–Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayón. D diagram of metatarsus and tarsus I in Nops guanabacoae MacLeay showing membranous modifications of Nopinae legs (other structures as setae, frictional hairs or basal membrane were also omitted). Abbreviations: aj—adesmatic joint, ar—arolium, ca—crista, CwL—claw lever, gl—gladius, MtS –metatarsal dorsal stopper, SC—pretarsal paired claws, IC—pretarsal unpaired claw. Scale bar: 40 µm (A–B), 0.5 mm (D).

FIGURE 55. Distribution maps. A Nops itapetinga n. sp.; B Nops sublaevis Simon.

FIGURE 72. Nops sublaevis Simon; A–D male (Aragua: AMNH); E–G female (Aragua: AMNH). A habitus, dorsal view. B left palp, prolateral view. C left palp, ventral view. D left palp, retrolateral view. E habitus, dorsal view. F external genital area, ventral view. G internal genitalia, dorsal view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, ess—sclerotization around spiracles, go—genital opening, pp—posterior plate, re—receptaculum, ue—uterus externus. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, E), 0.5 mm (B–D, F–G).

FIGURE 73. Nops sublaevis Simon; A–F male (Aragua: AMNH); G–L female (Aragua: AMNH). A left palp, prolateral view. B tip of left embolus, prolateral view. C same, retrolateral oblique view. D left tibial brush, prolateral view. E tip of left embolus, ventral view. F left stridulatory pick, prolateral view. G internal genitalia, dorsal view. H receptaculum, dorsal view. I pretarsus on leg I, ventral view. J tarsus on left leg IV, prolateral view. K pretarsal claws on left leg IV, prolateral oblique view. L same, anterior oblique view. Abbreviations: ar—arolium, CwL—claw lever, CwS—claw slit sensilla, ete—embolar tip extensions.