Schiapellia Mello­Leitão, 1938: 115

RAMÍREZ, MARTÍN J., 2003, The Spider Subfamily Amaurobioidinae (Araneae, Anyphaenidae): A Phylogenetic Revision At The Generic Level, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2003 (277), pp. 1-262 : 58-62

Schiapellia Mello­Leitão, 1938: 115 (type species by original designation Schiapellia gerschmanni Mello­Leitão, 1938 ). NEW SYNONYMY.

SYNONYMY: The type species of Schiapellia is here considered a junior synonym of Axyracrus elegans .

DIAGNOSIS: Resembles Amaurobioides and Aysenia in having a recurved posterior eye row, distinguished by the complex embolar process, reduced median apophysis, reduced basal portion of the primary conductor (without canal), and by the epigynal median field slightly elevated, frequently with copulatory plugs.

DESCRIPTION: Carapace wide in front, posterior eye row recurved, ocular area projecting (fig. 21A). Chelicerae strong, slightly smaller in males, with three teeth on promargin, two on retromargin. Spines on anterior legs unmodified. Male palpal tibia slightly longer than wide, RTA long, pointed (fig. 21D, E). Tegulum with sort basal notch (fig. 21F). Sperm duct with pronounced loop on anterior dorsal margin (fig. 21H). Embolus not associated with canal on primary conductor, with complex basal process. Median apophysis reduced. Basal portion of primary conductor reduced to weakly sclerotized lobe, without canal. Apical portion thick, heavily sclerotized, with wide, shallow canal. Paramedian apophysis with two blunt, heavily sclerotized cusps (fig. 21G). Secondary conductor absent. Epigyne (fig. 21B, C) with median field slightly elevated, weakly sclerotized. Lateral lobes curved, narrow, widely separated. Copulatory openings often obstructed by copulatory plugs, occasionally entire median field covered by massive plug. Spermathecae elongate, copulatory ducts irregular, not coiled. Accessory bulbs voluminous.

COMPOSITION: Only the type species.

Axyracrus elegans Simon

Figure 21

Axyracrus elegans Simon, 1884: 140 (several females, presumed syntypes, from Chile, Cabo de Hornos, Horn, in MHNP, examined), 1887: E23, 1897 a: 98. Ramírez, 1995a: 366.

Schiapellia gerschmanni Mello Leitão, 1938: 116 (female holotype from Argentina, Isla de los Estados, in MACN­Ar 35425, examined). NEW SYNONYMY.

Amaurobioides boydi Forster, 1970: 175 (female holotype from Chile, Magallanes, Isla Navarino, Pto. Willams, 30 m, 14.I.1964, J.C. Boyd no. 128 F. coll., BPBM 10678, right appendages mounted on separate slide, examined). NEW SYNONYMY.

SYNONYMY: The presumed female syntypes are not labeled as types, but correspond well with the description and collection data. They were compared with the holotype of Schiapellia gerschmanni and Amaurobioides boydi , and with numerous specimens collected in the same area; no relevant differences were found. The epigyne of the holotype of A. boydi is lost, but the figures provided by Forster (1970) are enough for the identification.

DIAGNOSIS: See generic diagnosis.

FEMALE (Bahía San Antonio MACN­Ar 9807): Total length 6.25. Carapace length 2.93, width 1.77, wider on leg II. Length of tibia/metatarsus: I, 1.43/1.27; II, 1.33/1.23; III, 0.99/1.02; IV, 1.60/1.40. Palpal tarsus length 0.69. Chelicerae strong, with two teeth on retromargin, basal one largest. Sternum length 1.40, width 0.90. Spines: leg I, femur d 1–1–1, p d1ap; tibia v 2–2–2; metatarsus v 2bas. II, femur = I; tibia v r1–2–2, p 0 or 0–1. Metatarsus = I. III, femur d 1–1–1, p and r d1ap; tibia v 0­ p1–2, p 0–1, r d1–1; metatarsus v 2–0–2, p and r 0­ d1–1, d 2ap or 0­ p1–2. IV, femur d 1–1–1, r d1ap; tibia v p1­ p1–2, r d1–1; metatarsus v 2­ p1–2, p 1ap or 0­ d1–1, r 1ap, d r1ap or 2ap. Abdomen length 3.60, width 1.90, spiracle–epigastrium 1.87, spiracle–spinnerets 0.18. Col­ or: brown with dark brown pattern (fig. 21A); ocular area much darker, legs I and II darker from tibia to tarsus; sternum, endites, and labium dark brown, venter brown. Epigyne: see generic description.

MALE (Bahía San Antonio MACN­Ar 9807): Total length 5.45. Carapace length 2.67, width 1.70. Length of tibia/metatarsus: I, 2.20/1.93; II, 2.03/1.83; III, 1.47/1.50; IV, 1.97/1.83. Chelicerae smaller than those of female, vertical. Sternum length 1.37, width 0.80. Spines: leg I, femur d 1–1–1, p d1ap, r d1; tibia v 2–2–2, p 1­ d1–1, r 0–1; metatarsus v 2–2–0, p d1­ d1­ d1, r d1. II, femur = I or p 0­ d1­ d1. Tibia and metatarsus = I. III, femur d 1–1–1, p and r 0­ d1­ d1; tibia v 2–2–2 or p1–2–2, p and r 1­ d1­ 1­ 0; metatarsus v 2–2–2, p d1­ d1–1, r 0­ d1–1, d 0­ p1–2. IV, femur d 1–1–1, p and r d1ap or p 0; tibia v 2–2–2, p 1­ 0­ 1­ 0, r 1­ d1­ 1­ 0; metatarsus v 2–2–2, p 0­ d1–1, r d1–0–1, d 0­ p1–2. Abdomen length 2.67, width 1.50, spiracle–epigastrium 1.50, spiracle–spinnerets 0.15. Col­ or as in female but more heavily contrasting, anterior legs much darker from tibia to tarsus. Palp: see generic description.

VARIABILITY: The female holotype of Amaurobioides boydi has an additional, small apical tooth on the left cheliceral promargin, retromargin; spines also differ by: tibia II, v r1­ r1–2; metatarsus III, IV, v 2–0– 2. These differences are interpreted as anomalies and not included in the dataset.

NATURAL HISTORY: According to the labels, many specimens were collected under stones or logs at seashore.

DISTRIBUTION: Tierra del Fuego and Magallanes.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: ARGENTINA: Tierra del Fuego: Bahía Aguirre , 13.II.1949, S. Núñez, 13 ( MACN­Ar 2804 ) ; Bahía Buen Suceso , 16–31.I.1986, E. Maury, 13 1♀ 1 immature ( MACN­Ar 9806 ) ; Pen­´ı nsula Hardy, Isla Hoste, Bahía Orange , 2– 3.I.1963, P.J. Darlington, 13 2♀ ( MCZ) ; Isla de los Estados , I–II.1935, J.A. Dagerre and A. Carcelles, 1♀ ( MACN­Ar) ; XII.1967, A. Bachmann, 1♀ 2 immatures ( MACN­Ar) ; Bahía Crosby , 18.X.1941, 6♀ 1 immature ( MACN­Ar) ; Bahía San Antonio , 6– 13.II.1982, J.C. Chébez, 13 1♀ ( MACN­Ar 9807 ) ; Puerto Perry , I.1982, J.C. Chébez, 1♀ ( MACN­Ar) ; Puerto San Juan , en troncos podridos, A. Carcelles, I.1934, 2♀ (MACNAr 35425) ; Ushuaia , 25.II.1959, J. Vellard, 1 immature ( MACN­Ar) ; 22.II.1959, J. Vellard, 1♀ ( MACN­Ar). CHILE: Región XII (Magallanes y Antártica): Magallanes: Guarello , loc. 92, 18.XII.1978, S. Jacquemard, 1♀ 4 immatures ( IRSN IG 25934 ), loc. 91, 1♀ ( IRSN IG 25934 ) ; Isla Alacalufes , loc. 98, 20.XII.1978, S. Jacquemard, 13 ( IRSN IG 25934 ) ; Isla Hermit , 13– 14.III.1961, B. Malkin, 4♀ 4 immatures ( CAS) ; Isla Hermit, St. Martin’s Cove , 13– 14.III.1961, B. Malkin, 4♀ 4 immatures ( AMNH) ; Isla Hoste, Bahía Orange , 2– 3.I.1963, P.J. Darlington, 13 2♀ ( MCZ) ; María Virginia, J. Vellard, 2♀ 1 immature ( MACN­Ar) ; Rusffin , 9.III.1957, J. Vellard, 2 immatures ( MACN­Ar) ; 9.II.1959, J. Vellard, 1♀ ( MACN­Ar). No Locality: (presumably from Chile) 13 ( IRSN IG 23934 ) .

AYSENIA TULLGREN Table 9

Aysenia Tullgren, 1902: 54 (type species by monotypy Aysenia elongata Tullgren, 1902 ). Simon, 1903a: 1031. Ramírez, 1995a: 381 (transferred from Clubionidae ), 1997: 178.

DIAGNOSIS: Resembles Aysenoides in having an elongate body, a recurved posterior eye row, and the third leg directed forward,

TABLE 9 Synapomorphies of Aysenia and Internal Clades but can be distinguished by having the carapace wider in front (fig. 22A; as in Amaurobioides ), irregular spermathecae (instead of spherical), and an unmodified, flattened embolar process (instead of spinelike).

DESCRIPTION: Carapace very narrow, wider anteriorly, posterior eye row recurved, ocular area projecting (fig. 22A). Chelicerae strong, with three teeth on promargin, 2–4 regular teeth on retromargin. Legs generally short, leg III directed forward (figs. 23F, 24A). Tibia I with ventral x­p1­ x spine displaced prolaterally (fig. 24E). Male palp with long, pointed RTA. Copulatory bulb variable in size, median apophysis unmodified, paramedian apophysis with two cusps. Primary conductor well developed, with canal. Secondary conductor small, fused to anterior margin of tegulum, without canal. Embolus short, with basal process flattened (figs. 23B, 24B). Epigyne with median field not elevated, copulatory ducts contorted or coiled, spermathecae with irregular lumen (figs. 22D, 23E).

NATURAL HISTORY: Almost nothing is known of the behavior and habitat of these spiders, and most species are rare in collections. The elongate body and the anteriorly oriented third legs suggest that they may live in tubes. Some immatures similar to A. cylindrica were collected by beating vegetation in Malleco, Contulmo.

DISTRIBUTION: Southern forests of Chile and Argentina.

COMPOSITION: A. elongata Tullgren , three species here newly described, and several still undescribed species.

Aysenia elongata Tullgren

Figure 22

Aysenia elongata Tullgren, 1902: 54 (female lectotype and female paralectotype [only a carapace, broken] here designated, from Chile, Río Aisén Valley, in NRS, examined). Simon, 1903a: 1031. Merian, 1913: 12. Ramírez, 1995a: 366.

DIAGNOSIS: Distinguished from other Aysenia species by having large female accessory bulbs.

FEMALE (lectotype): Total length 2.67. Carapace length 1.00, width 0.50, slightly wider on leg III (fig. 22A). Length of tibia/metatarsus: I, 0.42/0.32; II, 0.35/0.28; III, 0.23/ 0.18; IV, 0.37/0.25. Palpal tarsus length 0.20. Chelicerae strong, with thick anterior bristles, three contiguous teeth on retromargin, promargin not seen, three very small teeth according to Tullgren (1902). Sternum length 0.57, width 0.33. Spines (those on femora and legs III–IV hardly visible, tentative): femora all d 1–1–1. Leg I, tibia v 2–2–0 (xp1­ x displaced prolaterally, fig. 22B); metatarsus v 2bas. II, tibia r1­ r1–0 or r1; metatarsus v r1­ r1–0, p 1. III, tibia apparently 0 (all scored as missing entries); metatarsus v 1ap and apical group of thick setae. IV, tibia v p1­ p1­ p1; metatarsus v p1–2­ comb (preening comb not in a definite line). Abdomen length 1.61, width 0.55, spiracle close to spinnerets. Color: types badly faded. Abdomen described by Tullgren (1902: 57): ‘‘The color seems to have been greenish­yellow on the back with two longitudinal reticulated brown­violet bands confluent at the hind­end. On the sides there are longitudinally arranged scattered short stripes of the same color. The venter is one­colored light yellowbrown.’’ Epigyne (fig. 22C, D): lateral lobes separate, median field and copulatory openings in epigastric fold, all weakly sclerotized. Spermathecae irregular, contiguous, copulatory ducts contorted. Accessory bulbs voluminous.

MALE: Unknown.

MORPHOLOGICAL REMARKS: The course of the copulatory ducts, although not clearly discernible, suggests some coiling on oblique axes.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: None.

Figures

Fig. 21. Axyracrus elegans Simon (Tierra del Fuego, male from Bahía Buen Suceso, female from San Antonio). A. Female. B. Epiginum, ventral view. C. Cleared epigyne, dorsal view. D. Male palpal cymbium, ventral view. E. Same, retrolateral view. F. Male copulatory bulb, ventral­apical view. G. Same, retrolateral view. H. Same, apical­dorsal view. Scale bars = A, 1 mm; B, C, F–H, 0.2 mm; D, E, 0.5 mm. (C1 = primary conductor; MA = median apophysis; PBE = process on base of embolus; PMA = paramedian apophysis.)

Fig. 22. Aysenia elongata Tullgren, female lectotype. A. Carapace. B. Right leg I, prolateral view. C. Cleared epigyne, ventral view. D. Same, dorsal view. Scale bars = A, B, 0.2 mm; C, D, 0.1 mm.