Cicurina (Cicurella) menardia Gertsch 1992

Paquin, Pierre & Dupérré, Nadine, 2009, of 60 troglobitic species of the subgenus Cicurella (Araneae: Dictynidae), and a first visual assessment of their distribution, Zootaxa 2002, pp. 1-67 : 32

Cicurina (Cicurella) menardia Gertsch 1992

( Figs 58–59, 137)

Cicurina menardia Gertsch 1992: 98 , figs 59–60, 157–158 (description of male and female). — Jackman 1997: 162.

HOLOTYPE female: “ Texas; Menard Co. Powell’s Cave , 16 September 1978 J. Reddell ”. Examined ( AMNH).

Description. Female holotype

Total length: 3.55; carapace length: 1.60; carapace width: 0.90; opisthosoma length: 1.95. Eyes absent. Cheliceral promargin right side with 3 teeth (2 large, 1 small), left side likewise; retromargin right side with 6 denticles (3 large, 3 small), left side 7 denticles (3 large, 4 small). Leg I: total length: 4.45; femur: 1.25; patella: 0.45; tibia: 1.10; metatarsus: 1.00; tarsus: 0.65; leg IV: total length: 5.25; femur: 1.45; patella: 0.45; tibia: 1.20; metatarsus: 1.40; tarsus: 0.75. Tarsal claw IV: 0.10. Epigynum: 0.392. Epigynal ventral plate with moderate transverse slit, bearing medial, shallow, inverted U-shaped indentation; atrium squared, intruded by dome-shaped dorsal plate, going over the epigynal slit, atrial aperture minute; bursa not enlarged nor fused; copulatory ducts touching at midpoint, reaching over primary lobe apex; copulatory ducts constriction located sub-basally; primary pores not visible; stalk short, procurved, joining the primary lobe upon aperture of the dictynoid pore; dictynoid pore rounded; primary lobe elongated; secondary lobe absent; fertilization canal long, externally reaching the dictynoid pore; fertilization duct internally attached to the primary lobe base.

Distribution. Only reported from the type locality: Powell’s Cave (Menard County, Texas, Fig. 137).

Remarks. Both sexes described. The figures 59 and 60 of Gertsch (1992) clearly show that they are not of the same specimen. The copulatory ducts in ventral view extend below the primary lobe and in the dorsal view they extend beyond the primary lobe. The epigynum of the holotype is somewhat damaged on the left side. Gertsch added: “ 8 miles west of Menard, from M-section maze” in his paper to facilitate location of the type locality, and the precise location of the collection.