Ciniflella Mello-Leitão, 1921

Brescovit, Antonio Domingos, Grismado, Cristian J., Almeida-Silva, Lina M. & Ramirez, Martin J., 2025, On the Neotropical spider genus Ciniflella Mello-Leitão, 1921 (Araneae: Zoropsidae, Tengellinae), Zootaxa 5563 (1), pp. 345-381 : 347-353

Genus Ciniflella Mello-Leitão, 1921

Ciniflella Mello-Leitão, 1921 (type species Ciniflella lutea Mello-Leitão, 1921 by original designation).

Altellopsis Mello-Leitão, 1924 (type species Altellopsis luteus Mello-Leitão, 1924 ). Objective synonymy by Roewer 1955: 1304.

Paraltellopsis Mello-Leitão, 1925 (new replacement name for Altellopsis Mello-Leitão, 1924 , preoccupied in Amaurobiidae by Simon 1905). Synonymized by Roewer 1955: 1304.

Diagnosis. Species of Ciniflella are similar to other cribellate members of the Oval Calamistrum clade by having a calamistrum as a patch of setae not forming rows, but can be distinguished by the cribellum with two small, widely spaced patches of spigots ( Figs 2B , 7B , 14B ), and the male RTA with regularly spaced ridges ( Fig. 9 E-F, 16E).

Note. Since Altellopsis luteus Mello-Leitão, 1924 is an objective synonym of Ciniflella lutea Mello-Leitão, 1921 , both genera have the same type species hence are objective synonyms. The replacement name Paraltellopsis Mello-Leitão, 1925 although now unnecessary, also becomes another objective synonym of Ciniflella Mello-Leitão, 1921 .

Description. Small to medium sized-spiders, total length 3.00–5.60, males slightly smaller with relatively longer legs. Carapace oval in dorsal view (e.g., Figs 2A , 3A , 4A, D ), slightly convex in lateral view ( Fig. 4C ), fovea longitudinal, at same height of cephalic area. Eight eyes in two rows, anterior row about straight, posterior row slightly recurved, indirect eyes with canoe-shaped tapeta (observed in C. iguazu ). All eyes of similar size, ALE usually slightly larger, AME slightly smaller than the rest. Clypeus low, about as AME diameter ( Fig. 4F ). Chelicerae with 3–4 promarginal and 3–4 retromarginal teeth. Chilum divided. Sternum anteriorly truncated and posteriorly rounded. Labium subquadrangular, anterior margin concave, endites slightly converging anteriorly, serrula subapical, in a single submarginal row. Palpal claw pectinate ( Fig. 5F ). Leg formula 4123. Retrocoxal hymen present on coxa I as a small mound in males and females (observed in C. iguazu and C. lavras ). All trochanters notched, male tibial crack absent. Calamistrum as a patch of setae not forming rows, teeth of calamistral setae on multiple rows on each seta ( Figs 6D–E , 12I–M ). Scopulae or claw tufts absent. Three tarsal claws ( Figs 5K , 6G , 12E–F ). Superior tarsal claws pectinate, with more teeth on leg I than on leg IV, inferior tarsal claw simple. Trichobothria in about two rows on metatarsi and tarsi, about three rows on tibiae. Trichobothrial plate with transversal grooves ( Figs 5L , 12C ), tarsal organ keyhole-shaped ( Figs 5M , 13E ). Abundant scales on legs, elongate, with short setules near the base ( Figs 5I , 12D ). Spination (basic pattern): tibia I–II v2-2-2-1p, p0, r0; III v1p-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0; IV v1p-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0; metatarsus I–II v2-2-2, p0, r0; III v2-2-2, p1-1-2, r1-1-2; IV v2-2-2, p1-1-2, r1-1-2.

Opisthosoma oval, without scuta. Spinnerets (examined with SEM in C. iguazu and C. lavras , Figs 7–8 , 14–15 ): cribellum as an oval, subtriangular plate, with two well-spaced patches of spigots ( Figs 7B , 14B ), spigots with two strobila near the tip ( Fig. 7C ). Six spinnerets, ALS and PLS two segmented, PMS a single segment ( Figs 7G , 8D , 14D , 15D ). ALS with two major ampullate gland spigots on the mesal margin (the posterior one reduced to a nubbin in the male) and 6–9 piriform gland spigots; male piriform gland spigots of two size classes: those closer to the major ampullate spigots with thin shafts (SPi), the rest with thicker shafts (LPi); male piriform spigots of Ciniflella lavras are much larger than those of C. iguazu . Female piriform gland spigots resembling the SPi of the male. PMS with single minor ampullate spigot, 1–3 aciniform gland spigots, and 1–2 cylindrical gland spigots in female. PLS best observed in C. iguazu , with distal segment elongate, with five aciniform gland spigots, two cylindrical gland spigots in the female (one basal, one medial), and a distal pair of shaft spigots on a single base ( Fig. 7H–J ), interpreted as one pseudoflagelliform gland spigot plus an accompanying spigot (those are represented by two nubbins in male, Fig. 8F–G ). Tracheal spiracle small, close to the spinnerets ( Figs 7A , 8A , 14A , 15A ).

Male palpal patella without apophyses, tibia with short, relatively simple RTA, with regularly spaced striations on distal surface; cymbium usually with basal projection near RTA; dorsum of cybium with sparse chemosensory setae, without trichobothria. Tegulum oval, some species with subtegular interlocking lobe opposing small lobe on base of embolus visible in retrolateral view ( Fig. 9C ). Conductor hyaline (= Sierwald conductor, Polotow et al. 2015) originating from retroapex of tegulum, fan-shaped, embracing apex of embolus. Median apophysis simple, hook-shaped, originating on middle-retrolateral portion of tegulum, sometimes with small tooth on concave mesal margin. Embolus stout or elongate, partly articulated on basal membranous are ( Fig. 9B ) or amply fused ( Fig. 16D ) to tegulum, running clockwise (left palp ventral view), with deep longitudinal furrow, apex sometimes complex. Membranous area at base of embolus sometimes projecting into a membranous tegular process (e.g., Figs 20F , 22B ).

Epigyne with a median plate sometimes projecting over posterior part of median field, lateral lobes with bulbous projections at posterior corners of median plate ( Figs 10B , 13F , 25C, E ). At the sides of the median plate, two excavated areas receive the mating plugs (e.g., Fig. 25E ). Vulva ( Figs 25D, F , 26B, D, F ) with deep median fossa corresponding to interior of median plate, spermatheca simple, oval, accessory bulb (= head of spermatheca; = secondary spermatheca) represented only by gland ducts ( Figs 10C, D , 13G, H , 25D, F ).

Figures

FIGURE 2A−E. Ciniflella lutea Mello-Leitão, 1921. Female (holotype): A habitus, dorsal view. B Spinnerets and cribellum, ventral view. C Labels of the specimen. D Epigyne, ventral view. E Same, dorsal view.

FIGURE 3A–F. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Male (holotype MACN-Ar 46395). A habitus, dorsal view. B habitus, ventral view. C Prosoma, ventral view. D Palp, prolateral view. E Same, ventral view. F Same, retrolateral view.

FIGURE 4A–K. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Female (paratype MACN-Ar 10810). A habitus dorsal. B habitus ventral. C Habitus lateral. D Prosoma, dorsal view. E Same, ventral view. F Same, anterior view. G Left leg I, prolateral view. H Epigyne, ventral view. I Left leg IV, retrolateral view. J Trochanter IV, ventral view. K Trochanter I, ventral view. Abbreviations: Ca calamistrum.

FIGURE 5A–M. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Female (paratype MACN-Ar 10810). A Left chelicera, posterior view. B Same, ectal view. C Same, mesal view. D Same, detail of venom outlet and cheliceral gland. E Left palp, prolateral view. F Palpal claw, retrolateral view. G Same, apical view. H Left leg I, prolateral view. I Tibia I, detail of macroseta and setae. J Left tarsus I, retrolateral view. K Claws I, retrolateral-apical view. L Trichobothria of metatarsus I. M Tarsal organ of leg I. Abbreviations: CG cheliceral gland.

FIGURE 6A–G. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Female leg IV (paratype MACN-Ar 10810). A Left leg IV, retrolateral view. B Metatarsus, retrolateral view. C Same, dorsal view. D Calamistrum, retrolateral view. E Same, detail of calamistrum setae. F Tarsus IV, retrolateral view. G Claws IV, retrolateral-apical view. Abbreviations: Ca calamistrum.

FIGURE 7A–J. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Female spinnerets (paratype MACN-Ar 10810). A Spinnerets, ventral view. B Cribellum. C Inset to detail of cribellar spigots. D Left anterior lateral spinneret. E Posterior median spinnerets, posteriordorsal view. F Same, posterior view. G Right posterior lateral spinneret. H Left posterior lateral spinneret. I Right posterior lateral spinneret. J Same, detail.Abbreviations:Ac aciniform gland spigot; Acc accompanying shaft of pseudoflagelliform gland spigot; Cy cylindrical gland spigot; Pi piriform gland spigot; mAP minor ampullate gland spigot; MAP major ampullate gland spigot; Pf pseudoflagelliform gland spigot; TS tracheal spiracle.

FIGURE 8A–G. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Male spinnerets (paratype MACN-Ar 11314). A Spinnerets, ventral view. B Same, ventral-posterior view. C Left anterior lateral spinneret. D Right posterior median spinnerets. E Left posterior median spinneret. F Left posterior lateral spinneret. G Same, detail. Abbreviations: Ac aciniform gland spigot; Acc accompanying gland spigot; Nu Nubbin; LPi large piriform gland spigot; SPi small piriform gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot; MAP major ampullate gland spigot; Pf pseudoflagelliform gland spigot; TS tracheal spiracle.

FIGURE 9A–G. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Male palp (paratype MACN-Ar 11314). A Prolateral view. B Ventral view. C Retrolateral view, arrows to tegular and subtegular locking lobes, asterisk to cymbial dorbasal projection. D Dorsal view. E Tibia, dorsal view. F Same, retrolateral view. G Detail of tibial apophysis and base of cymbium, asterisk to cymbial dorbasal projection; inset showing striations on RTA. Abbreviations: C conductor; E embolus; MA median apophysis; St subtegulum; T tegulum.

FIGURE 10A–D. Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov. Female genitalia (paratype MACN-Ar 10810). A Epigyne, ventral view. B Same, posterior-ventral view. C Vulva, dorsal view, arrows to gland ducts on proximal copulatory duct. D Vulva, dorsal-lateral view, inset to gland ducts of accessory bulb. Abbreviations: AB ducts of accessory bulb; BP bulbous projection of lateral lobes; FD fertilization duct; MP median plate; pCD proximal copulatory duct; PMF posterior area of median field; S spermatheca.

FIGURE 12A–M. Ciniflella lavras sp. nov. Female (paratype IBSP 39615). A Left leg I, retrolateral view. B Same, detail of metatarsal setae. C Tibial trichobothria. D Tibial scales. E Left claws I, retrolateral view. F Left claws IV, retrolateral view. G Left tarsus IV, retrolateral view. H Left metatarsus IV, retrolateral view. I Same, detail of calamustrum. J Same, detail of calamistrum setae. K Left metatarsus IV, dorsal view. L Same, detail of calamistrum. M Same, detail of calamistrum setae. Abbreviations: Ca calamistrum.

FIGURE 13A–H. Ciniflella lavras sp. nov. Female (paratype IBSP 39615). A Left chelicera, posterior view. B Same, detail. C Same, ventral-anterior view. D Left palpal claw, retrolateral view. E Palpal tarsal organ. F Epigyne, ventral view. G Vulva, dorsal view. H Same, oblique view.Abbreviations:AB ducts of accessory bulb; BP bulbous projection of lateral lobes; FD fertilization duct; MP median plate; PMF posterior area of median field; S spermatheca.

FIGURE 14A–F. Ciniflella lavras sp. nov. Female spinnerets (paratype IBSP 39615).A Spinnerets, ventral view. B Cribellum. C Left anterior lateral spinneret. D Posterior median spinnerets. E Right posterior lateral spinneret. F Left posterior lateral spinneret.Abbreviations:Ac aciniform gland spigot; Cy cylindrical gland spigot; Pi piriform gland spigot; mAP minor ampullate gland spigot; MAP major ampullate gland spigot; TS tracheal spiracle.

FIGURE 15A–F. Ciniflella lavras sp. nov. Male spinnerets (paratype IBSP 39615). A Spinnerets, ventral view. B Reduced cribellum. C Left anterior lateral spinneret. D Left posterior median spinneret. E Left posterior lateral spinneret. F Epiandrum. Abbreviations: Ac aciniform gland spigot; LPi large piriform gland spigot; mAP minor ampullate gland spigot; MAP major ampullate gland spigot; Nu nubbin; Pf pseudoflagelliform gland spigot; SPi small piriform gland spigot; TS tracheal spiracle.

FIGURE 16A–E. Ciniflella lavras sp. nov. Male palp (paratype IBSP 39615).A Left palp, prolateral view. B Same, dorsal view. C Same, retrolateral view. D Same, ventral view. E Detail of retrolatetral tibial apophysis, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: C conductor; E embolus; MA median apophysis.

FIGURE 20A–F. Ciniflella armasi sp. nov. Male (IBSP 276882): A Chelicerae, ventral view. B Same, left side, detail. C Male palp, retrolateral view. D Same, detail retro-ventral view. E Same, detail retrolateral view. F Same, ventral view, asterisk to mesal tooth on median apophysis. Abbreviations: C conductor; E embolus; MA median apophysis; MTP membranous tegular process.

FIGURE 22A–D. Ciniflella marambaia sp. nov. Male (IBSP 58362; SEM):A Chelicerae, ventral view. B left palp, ventral view. C Same, detail, retrolateral view. D Same, retro-ventral view. Abbreviations: C conductor; E embolus; MA median apophysis; MTP membranous tegular process.

FIGURE 25A–F. Male and female genitalia. A Ciniflella iguazu sp. nov., male palp, ventral view (holotype MACN-Ar 46395). B Same, retrolateral view. C Female epigyne, cleared, ventral view, arrow to approximate position of copulatory opening (paratype MACN-Ar 46413). D Same, dorsal view. E Ciniflella lavras sp. nov., female epigyne, cleared, ventral view, asterisks on mating plugs (paratype IBSP 39615). F Same, dorsal view.

FIGURE 26A–F. Epigynes in ventral (A, C, E) and dorsal view (B, D, F). A–B Ciniflella armasi sp. nov. C–D Ciniflella lutea Mello-Leitão, 1921, holotype. E–F Ciniflella pains sp. nov.