Cicurina (Cicurella) neovespera Cokendolpher 2004

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 : 33-34

Cicurina (Cicurella) neovespera Cokendolpher 2004

( Figs 64–65, 134)

Cicurina neovespera Cokendolpher 2004a: 19–20 , 22, 24, 27, 34, 41, 47– 49, figs 52–53 (description of female). — Reddell & Cokendolpher 2004: 80.

HOLOTYPE female: “ Texas: Bexar Co.: Elm Springs Cave , A.G. Grubbs, date?”. Examined ( AMNH).

Description. Female holotype

Total length: 4.23; carapace length: 1.98; carapace width: 1.35; opisthosoma length: 2.25. Eyes absent. Cheliceral promargin right side with 3 teeth (2 large, 1 small), left side likewise; retromargin right side with 4 denticles (3 large, 1 small), left side with 6 denticles (2 large, 4 small). Leg I: total length: 5.65; femur: 1.60; with long transverse slit, bearing medial, shallow indentation; atrium rectangular, almost intruded by slightly rounded dorsal plate, atrial aperture small; bursa enlarged, not fused; copulatory ducts touching at midpoint, reaching slightly over primary lobe apex; copulatory ducts constriction located medially; primary pores visible (1 seen); stalk short, recurved, joining the primary lobe at the aperture of the dictynoid pore; dictynoid pore large, rounded; primary lobe ear-shaped; secondary lobe absent; fertilization canal short, externally positioned from dictynoid pore; fertilization duct medially attached to the primary lobe base.

Distribution. Known from two caves in Bexar County ( Fig. 134): Elm Spring Cave (=Grubbs Cave ES), and Grubbs Cave No. 23, 8 km NE Helotes.

Remarks. Male unknown. The exact location of cave no 23 could not be verified and is only approximate ( Fig. 134), while Elm Spring Cave is now partially sealed with concrete for safety, and is not accessible. This makes the reassessment of the validity of that species by recollection impossible in the actual conditions. In addition, the specimen from Grubbs Cave No. 23, 8 km NE Helotes could not be located and examined to confirm the occurrence of Cicurina (Cicurella) neovespera in that cave. However, the locality is included in Fig. 134 based on Cokendolpher’s (2004a) record and indicated by an open symbol.