Corythalia xanthopa Crane, 1948

Bayer, Steffen, Höfer, Hubert & Metzner, Heiko, 2020, Revision of the genus Corythalia C. L. Koch, 1850, part 1: Diagnosis and new species from South America (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae: Euophryini), Zootaxa 4806 (1), pp. 1-144 : 84-87

Corythalia xanthopa Crane, 1948

Figs 2B , 40 A–E, 59E, 63D, 66F, 69K, 74B, 78D

Corythalia xanthopa Crane 1948: 29 , figs 9E–F, 10E–F (description & illustration of ♂ & ♀). Holotype ♂ from Venezuela: State of Aragua: near Maracay: Rancho Grande , water trail ca. 10°21’N, 67°41’W, 1100 m, lower cloud forest, leg. 14 Mar 1946 in the course of 45 th and 46 th Expeditions of the Department of Tropical research of the New York Zoological Society to Venezuela, made during 1945 and 1946 under the direction of Dr William Beebe, Cat. No. 461195 Collections of the Department of Tropical Research , New York, today possibly AMNH. Paratype (1 ♀) with the same data as for holotype, except leg. 02 Sep. 1946, Cat No. 461196 Coll. Dept. Trop. Res. NY, today possibly at AMNH; all type material could currently not be found by the curators of the AMNH (however, must not inevitably be lost), thus not examined, however, additional material of C. xanthopa , once examined by Crane, was available and could be re-examined, see below.

Material examined. VENEZUELA: State of Aragua: near Maracay: Rancho Grande, all were taken within a radius of 2 kilometers of Rancho Grande , ca. 10°21’N, 67°41’W, 1100 m, lower cloud forest: 2 ♂, leg. 1945, AMNH- IZC 00326883; 3 ♂, leg. Mar , 1945, AMNH-IZC 00326886 ; 1 ♂, leg . 02 Sep. 1946, AMNH-IZC 00326888; 2 ♂, July–Aug. 1946, AMNH-IZC 00326891; 1 ♂, leg. 10 Sep. 1946, AMNH-IZC 00326892; 4 ♂, 2 ♀, AMNH-IZC 00326903; 1 ♀, 1946, AMNH-IZC 00326906; 1 ♀, AMNH-IZC 00326915; 1 ♀, leg. Apr. 1945, reared, produced 3 egg sacs, died 30 July 1945, AMNH-IZC 00326948; 1 ♀, 1945, AMNH (collection number not yet given) (all leg. 1945–1946 in the course of 45 th and 46 th Expeditions of the Department of Tropical research of the New York Zoological Society to Venezuela, made during 1945 and 1946 under the direction of Dr William Beebe; all specimens with Cat No. 461202 Coll. Dept. Trop. Res. NY) .

Diagnosis. Males distinguished from those of all other Corythalia species by the following characters in combination: embolus (E) (actual tubular section) quite long and narrow [distinctly longer than width of tegulum (T) and at central section just slightly more than 1/4 the proximal width of ventral tibial bump (VTB), Figs 40A , 66F ], protruding from embolus base (EB) in a large semicircle-shaped curve; retrolateral margin of EB clearly recognisable in ventral view and not covered by E; EB distinctly narrow (narrower than 1/2 the width of T) ( Figs 40A , 66F ). Females distinguished from those of all other Corythalia species by the following characters in combination: connective duct (DST) between secondary (SS) and primary spermthecae (PS) quite broad, especially initially, after arising from SS (slightly broader than 2/3 the diameter of PS) and meeting PS (postero-) medio-ventrally, thus medial margin of PS entirely recognisable ( Figs 40D , 78D ); epigynal windows (W) anteriorly with large gap as septum (SW) of W being quite short and anterior endings not strongly diverging ( Figs 40C , 74B ).

Description. Male (only one of the larger males measured, except for very few characters): total length 5.7, carapace length 2.8, maximal carapace width 1.9, width of eye rectangle 1.8, opisthosoma length 2.3, opisthosoma width 1.5, fovea length 0.14–0.19. EYES: AME 0.57, ALE 0.40, PME 0.10, PLE 0.34, AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.03, PME–PME 1.53, PME–PLE 0.21, ALE–PLE 0.73, PLE–PLE 1.27, clypeus height at AME 0.36, clypeus height at ALE 0.66. Cheliceral furrow with 2 (additional tooth also extremely small and both teeth located directly next to each other) promarginal and 1 retromarginal teeth. SPINATION (for time reasons spination pat- terns of only one of the larger male specimens could be taken, except for few cases, here spination patterns listed in order of frequency): palp: no spines. Legs: femur I 1300, II 1400, III 1500, 1400, IV 0500, 1400; patella I–II 1000, III–IV 1010; tibia I 2002, 2003, II 3013, 2013, III 2123, 2133, IV 3133, 2133; metatarsus I 2014, II 2024, III 3134, IV 4144, 4134. MEASUREMENT OF PALP AND LEGS: palp 1.8–2.2 [0.8–0.9, 0.3–0.3, 0.2–0.2, 0.7–0.8], I 3.9–4.7 [1.3–1.5, 0.6–0.7, 0.8–1.0, 0.7–0.9, 0.5–0.6], II 4.1–4.9 [1.4–1.6, 0.6–0.7, 0.9–1.1, 0.7–0.9, 0.5–0.6], III 5.4–6.3 [1.7–2.0, 0.8–0.9, 1.1–1.3, 1.2–1.4, 0.6–0.7], IV 5.6–6.4 [1.8–2.1, 0.6–0.7, 1.3–1.4, 1.3–1.5, 0.6–0.7]. LEG FORMULA: 4321. COPULATORY ORGAN: embolus (E) quite long [distinctly longer than width of tegulum (T)], quite narrow (width of E at central section only about1/4 the width of VTB proximally), protruding from embolus base (EB) in a large semicircle-shaped curve, but at distal section with minimal curve distally, with tip having almost distal orientation ( Figs 40A , 66F ); retrolateral margin of EB clearly recognisable; width of embolus base (EB) less than 1/2 the width of T; T about as broad as cymbium (but both quite slim in comparison to the situation in many other Corythalia species; Figs 40A , 66F ); sperm duct double-stacked S-shaped (with distal loop quite narrow), occupying slightly more than 3/4 of T from retrolateral; proximal tegulum lobe not distinguished from from remaining section of T, but T in retrolatero-proximal direction blunt-rounded conically converging; cymbium in ventral view distally slim and conically converging, at distalmost section ovoid; palpal tibia short, broader than long ( Figs 40 A– B, 66F, 69K) and ventral tibial bump in ventral view medium-sized, conical and distally narrowly rounded, located distally at prolateral section at palpal tibia; RTA narrow, moderately long, with retrolatero-distal direction, dorsal serration missing ( Figs 40A , 66F ), in retrolateral view RTA distinctly slim ( Figs 40B , 69K ). COLOURATION: see genus description for conservative aspects. Carapace dark (red-) brown ( Fig. 59E ). Legs dark (red-) brown, except for patellae III & IV and tarsi III & IV and proximal 1/4 sections of femora being lighter ( Fig. 59E ). Opisthosoma like noted in genus description under general dorsal colouration, however, entire opisthosoma covered by light scale hairs and transversal light bands relatively narrow, posteriormost band medially clearly interrupted, central band without chevron patch centrally ( Fig. 59E ). Consider that in living spider entire opisthosoma might appear light beige because of dense covering with light scale hairs. In preserved specimens scale hairs often rubbed-off enabling recognition of typical transverse light bands.

Female (measurements of all females examined as range): total length 4.9–6.5, carapace length 2.3–2.9, maximal carapace width 1.8–2.1, width of eye rectangle 1.7–1.9, opisthosoma length 2.1–3.2, opisthosoma width 1.5– 2.4, fovea length 0.17–0.20. EYES: AME 0.51–0.60, ALE 0.30–0.41, PME 0.05–0.08, PLE 0.29–0.36, AME–AME 0.03–0.04, AME–ALE 0.04–0.06, PME–PME 1.41–1.58, PME–PLE 0.20–0.29, ALE–PLE 0.66–0.74, PLE–PLE 1.22–1.32, clypeus height at AME 0.22–0.33, clypeus height at ALE 0.50–0.65. Cheliceral furrow with 2 (additional tooth also extremely small and both teeth located directly next to each other) promarginal and 1 retromarginal teeth ( Fig. 2B ). SPINATION (spination patterns of the specimens listed in order of frequency): palp: no spines. Legs: femur I 1300, II 1500, 1400, III 1500, IV 0500, 0600; patella I–II 1000, III–IV 1010; tibia I 2002, 2003, II 3014, 3003, 2013, III 3123, 3133, IV 3133; metatarsus I 2024, 2014, II 2024, III 3134, IV 4144. MEASUREMENT OF PALP AND LEGS: palp 1.8–2.6 [0.7–1.0, 0.3–0.4, 0.3–0.5, 0.5–0.7], I 3.6–4.8 [1.1–1.5, 0.6–0.7, 0.8–1.1, 0.7–1.0, 0.4–0.5], II 3.6–4.9 [1.1–1.6, 0.6–0.7, 0.8–1.1, 0.7–1.0, 0.4–0.5], III 4.8–6.3 [1.6–2.1, 0.6–0.8, 1.0–1.4, 1.1–1.4, 0.5–0.6], IV 5.0–6.2 [1.6–1.9, 0.6–0.7, 1.0–1.4, 1.3–1.6, 0.5–0.6]. LEG FORMULA: 4321, 4312, 3412, 3421. COPULATORY ORGAN: epigyne with more or less oval epigynal windows (W) but anterior margins of W with distinct gap; septum of W moderately broad and anteriorly slightly diverging ( Figs 40C , 74B ); epigynal field broader than long; primary (PS) and especially secondary spermathecae (SS), visible through cuticle of epigyne, PS filling proximal 1/2 of W from posterior ( Figs 40C , 74B ). Vulva with medium-sized, round to sac-shaped PS; SS not only narrower than PS but also just slightly broader than connective ducts (DST) between SS and PS; heads of spermathecae arising posterolaterally ( Figs 40 D–E, 78D); copulatory ducts medium-sized and with transversal lateral to antero-lateral direction; DST broad, especially at initial section, meeting PS (postero-) medio-ventrally; fertilisation ducts narrow, arising medio-anteriorly on PS, bent laterally ( Figs 40 D–E, 78D). COLOURATION: see genus description for conservative aspects. Carapace dark (red-) brown ( Fig. 63D ). Legs dark (red-) brown, except for tarsi III & IV being lighter and patellae III & IV sometimes slightly lighter ( Fig. 63D ). Opisthosoma actually like noted in genus description under general dorsal colouration, however, often with broad light longitudinal bands at both lateral sections from anterior parts of opisthosoma to central band ( Fig. 63D ); transversal light bands quite narrow; chevron-like patch in central band missing but dark area between posterior margin of central band to anterior margin of posterior band medially with batch of two to three light and narrow chevron-patches; posterior band medially clearly interrupted ( Fig. 63D ).

Intraspecific variation of male and female copulatory organs. In some males embolus protruding even more retrolaterally and retrolatero-proximal ending of tegulum (T) rather rounded ( Fig. 66F ) than in others ( Fig. 40A ) where retrolatero-proximal ending of T might show a minimal bulge retrolaterally. In some specimens embolus at very distal section with minimal curve distally ( Fig. 40A ).

Epigyne of some females may showing anterior margins of epigynal windows (W) running posteriorly medially, shortly before reaching each other, then running parallel, almost touching each other, for a little distance until running out in the anterior section of septum ( Fig. 74B ). Septum in some specimens slightly narrower ( Fig. 74B ) than in others ( Figs 40C ). Connective ducts (DST) between secondary and primary spermathecae (PS) in some females reaching further posteriorly before turning laterally to meet PS ( Figs 40 D–E) than in others ( Figs 78D ). Accordingly, in some females DST (seemingly) slightly longer ( Fig. 40D ) than in others ( Fig. 78D ).

Remarks. As mentioned above and like in the cases of the species C. fulgipedia and C. chalcea as well, also firstly described by Crane, the types (holotype male and paratype female) could not be found at the arachnid collection of the AMNH, where actually all Crane material should have been deposited since the Department of Tropical research of the New York Zoological Society no longer existed or its collections no longer existed, respectively. See remark under the species description of C. fulgipedia for further details about possible causes for the possible loss of the types, etc. As long as the types cannot be found and re-examined, we find that for the present study the following proceeding it is a good compromise: the re-examination and illustration/ measurement/ characterisation of the additional specimens from the type locality (Rancho Grande) that were determinated by J. Crane herself. Some of these specimens were even used as samples/ templates for illustrations or measurements in Crane (1948). It goes without saying that all the specimens examined in the course of the present study exactly corresponded to each illustration of the male palp or the female epigyne/vulva in Crane (1948) for C. xanthopa .

Corythalia xanthopa might be related to C. blanda as the following basic characters are similar: embolus (E) retrolaterally clearly protruding from embolus base (EB) and running in a long and wide curve prolatero-distally; retrolateral margin of EB in ventral view recognisable; similar proximal section of tegulum; RTA quite long and slim. However, regarding the female genital morphological characters a close relationship to C. blanda cannot be inferred: epigynal windows with clearly different structure; Vulva with primary spermatheca being larger than secondary and connective ducts between both spermathecae without helical curve at central section in C. xanthopa and vice versa in C. blanda .

Distribution. Currently known only from Aragua, Venezuela.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Corythalia spp., distal half of chelicerae, ventral view, showing very short cheliceral claws and (tiny) size and arrangement of teeth at pro- and retrolateral margins of cheliceral furrow. Corythalia latipes, male neotype from Bahia, Brazil. A right chelicera. Corythalia xanthopa, female AMNH-IZC 00326915 from Aragua, Venezuela. B left chelicera.

FIGURE 40. Corythalia xanthopa, specimens from Aragua, Venezuela. A–B Male M-2, AMNH-IZC 00326903, left palp (A ventral view; retrolateral view). C–E Female F-1, AMNH-IZC 00326903, epigyne (C ventral view; D vulva, dorsal view; E schematic course of internal duct system).

FIGURE 59. Corythalia spp., photographic images of male specimens, dorsal view. Corythalia electa: A Lectotype from Colombia. Corythalia chalcea: B. Male AMNH-IZC 00327853 from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia metallica: C Holotype from St. Vincent Island. Corythalia blanda: D Paralectotype M-3 from Trinidad. Corythalia xanthopa: E Male AMNH-IZC 00326886-II from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia latior sp. nov.: F. Holotype from El Beni, Bolivia. Corythalia hadzji: G Lectotype from Upper Demerara-Berbice, Guyana. Corythalia trochophora Bayer, sp. nov.: H Holotype from Tungurahua, Ecuador. Corythalia lineata Bayer, sp. nov.: I Holotype from East Berbice-Corentyne, Guyana.

FIGURE 63. Corythalia spp., photographic images of female specimens, dorsal view. Corythalia chalcea: A Female AMNH- IZC 00327847 from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia longiducta sp. nov.: B Holotype from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia blanda: C Lectotype from Trinidad. Corythalia xanthopa: D Female F-2, AMNH-IZC 00326903, from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia valida: E Paralectotype F-2 from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia fragilis sp. nov.: F Paratype SMNK-ARA 02229 from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia opima: G Female SMF 8434 from Santa Ana, El Salvador. Corythalia spiralis: H Female IBSP 53142 from São Paulo, Brazil.

FIGURE 66. Corythalia spp., photographic images of left palps of male specimens, ventral view. Corythalia electa: A Lectotype from Colombia. Corythalia chalcea: Male AMNH-IZC 00327893 (B) and male AMNH-IZC 00327910-3 (C) from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia metallica: D Holotype from St. Vincent Island. Corythalia blanda: E Paralectotype M-3 from Trinidad. Corythalia xanthopa: F Male M-4, AMNH-IZC 00326903 from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia latior sp. nov.: G Holotype from El Beni, Bolivia. Corythalia hadzji: H Lectotype from Upper Demerara-Berbice, Guyana. Corythalia trochophora Bayer, sp. nov.: I Holotype from Tungurahua, Ecuador. Corythalia lineata Bayer, sp. nov.: J Holotype from East Berbice-Corentyne, Guyana. Corythalia hamulifera Bayer, sp. nov.: K Holotype from south-eastern part of Ecuador.

FIGURE 69. Corythalia spp., photographic images of left palps of male specimens, retrolateral view. Corythalia cincta: A Holotype from Presidente Hayes, Paraguay. Corythalia scutellaris Bayer, sp. nov.: B Holotype from south-eastern part of Ecuador. Corythalia waleckii: C Syntype MIZ 225794 from Cayenne, French Guiana. Corythalia tropica: D Holotype from Falcon, Venezuela. Corythalia foelixi Bayer, sp. nov.: E Holotype from Cayenne, French Guiana. Corythalia fulgipedia: F Male AMNH-IZC 00327329 from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia electa: G Lectotype from Colombia. Corythalia chalcea: H Male AMNH-IZC 00327893 from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia metallica: I Holotype from St. Vincent Island. Corythalia blanda: J Paralectotype M-1 from Trinidad. Corythalia xanthopa: K Male M-2, AMNH-IZC 00326903, from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia latior sp. nov.: L Holotype from Beni, Bolivia.

FIGURE 74. Corythalia spp., photographic images of epigynes, ventral view. Corythalia blanda: A Lectotype from Trinidad. Corythalia xanthopa: B Female F-2, AMNH-IZC 00326903, from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia valida: C Paralectotype F-2 from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia fragilis sp. nov.: D Holotype, E Paratype SMNK-ARA 02233 and F Paratype SMNK-ARA 02229 from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia opima: G Paralectotype from eastern part of Guatemala. Corythalia spiralis: H Female FR-973-00111 from St. Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana.

FIGURE 78. Corythalia spp., photographic images of vulvae, dorsal view. Corythalia fragilis sp. nov.: A Holotype, B Paratype SMNK-ARA 02229, C SMNK-ARA 02235 from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia xanthopa: D Female AMNH-IZC 00326906, from Aragua, Venezuela. Corythalia valida: E Paralectotype F-2 from Amazonas, Brazil. Corythalia opima: F Paralectotype from eastern part of Guatemala. Corythalia spiralis: Females G SMNK-ARA 14032 from Amazonas, Venezuela and H SMNK- ARA 02513 from Amazonas, Brazil.