Epectris apicalis Simon, 1893

Platnick, Norman I. & Dupérré, Nadine, 2009, The Goblin Spider Genera Opopaea and Epectris (Araneae, Oonopidae) in the New World, American Museum Novitates 3649, pp. 1-44 : 30-42

Epectris apicalis Simon

Figures 105–160

Epectris apicalis Simon, 1893b: 74 (female holotype from Antipolo, Luzon , Philippines, in MNHN, examined).

Opopaea lena Suman, 1965: 227 , figs. 9–14 (male holotype from Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii, in Bishop Museum, not examined). – Saaristo, 2001: 337, figs. 112A–C, 113– 117. – Burger et al., 2003: 90, fig. 23. – Baert et al., 2008: 56. NEW SYNONYMY.

Gamasomorpha ladiguei Benoit, 1979: 198 , fig. 4A–D (female holotype from Mont La Digue, La Digue, Seychelle Islands, in Tervuren, examined by Michael Saaristo). First synonymized with O. lena by Saaristo, 2001: 337.

Opopaea mortenseni Brignoli, 1980: 6 , fig. 3 (female holotype from Lem Ngob, Thailand, in Copenhagen, examined by Michael Saaristo). First synonymized with O. lena by Saaristo, 2001: 337.

Nale lena: Saaristo and Marusik, 2008: 39 , figs. 112–118, 170–177, 179–185, 197, 201, 215, 229.

DIAGNOSIS: This distinctive species is easily recognized by the dark spot at the posterior end of the abdominal dorsum (figs. 105, 108), the long, basal protrusion on the palpal bulb (fig. 151), and the inverted V-shaped sclerotization in the female genitalic area (figs. 149, 158).

MALE (PBI_OON 26956). Total length 1.12, habitus as in figs. 105–107. CEPHALO- THORAX: Carapace pale orange, without any pattern, elongate oval in dorsal view (fig. 111), pars cephalica slightly elevated in lateral view (fig. 112), anteriorly narrowed to 0.49 times its maximum width or less; posterolateral corners angular, posterolateral edge without pits, posterior margin not bulging below posterior rim (fig. 114); anterolateral corners without extension or projections; posterolateral surface without spikes; lateral margins straight, rebordered, without denticles; surface of elevated portion of pars cephalica smooth (fig. 119), sides striated (fig. 120); deep depressions absent, fovea absent, pars thoracica without radiating rows of pits; nonmarginal pars cephalica setae dark, needlelike, in U-shaped row; nonmarginal pars thoracica setae dark, needlelike; marginal setae dark, needlelike; sides of pars cephalica with scattered pores set in slight depressions (as in fig. 126). Clypeus: Margin unmodified, curved downwards in front view, vertical in lateral view, high, ALE separated from edge of carapace by their radius or more, median projection absent; setae dark, needle-like. Chilum: Absent. Eyes: Six, well developed, all subequal; ALE oval, PME squared, PLE oval; posterior eye row procurved from both above and front (fig. 113); ALE separated by their radius to diameter, ALE-PLE separated by less than ALE radius, PME separated by less than their radius, PLE-PME separated by less than PME radius. Sternum: Longer than wide, pale orange, uniform, fused to carapace, median concavity absent; radial furrows present between coxae I–II, II–III, III–IV, wrinkled, radial furrow opposite coxae III absent; surface smooth, without pits, microsculpture only in furrows, sickle-shaped structures not touching, anterior margin with semicircular depression in middle half (fig. 122), posterior margin not extending posteriorly of coxae IV; anterior corner unmodified, lateral margin with infracoxal grooves connecting anterior and posterior openings, distance between coxae II and III greater than distance between coxae I and II, or coxae III and IV, precoxal triangles absent, lateral margins with rounded extensions between coxae, without posterior hump; setae sparse, dark, needlelike, densest laterally, originating from surface; hair tufts absent. Mouthparts: Chelicerae, endites, and labium pale orange. Chelicerae straight, anterior face unmodified; promargin without teeth, retromargin without teeth; fang toothlike projections absent, fang directed medially, shape normal, without prominent basal process, tip unmodified; setae dark, needlelike, evenly scattered; paturon inner margin with scattered setae, distal region unmodified, promargin unmodified, inner margin unmodified, laminate groove absent. Labium triangular, fused to sternum, with anterior margin

106, 109. Ventral view. 107, 110. Lateral view.

indented at middle, same as sternum in sclerotization; six or more setae present on anterior margin, subdistally with unmodified setae. Endites distally not excavated, serrula present in single row (as in fig. 128), anteromedian tip with one strong, rounded, toothlike projection (fig. 121), posteromedian part unmodified, same as sternum in sclerotization. ABDOMEN: cylindrical, without long posterior extension, rounded posteriorly, interscutal membrane without rows of small sclerotized platelets; soft portions white, without color pattern. Book lung covers large, ovoid, without setae, anterolateral edge unmodified. Posterior spiracles connected by groove. Pedicel tube short, ribbed, scutopedicel region with paired curved scutal ridges (fig. 129), scutum not extending far dorsal of pedicel, plumose hairs absent, matted setae on anterior ventral abdomen in pedicel area absent; cuticular outgrowths near pedicel absent. Dorsal scutum strongly sclerotized, pale orange, with one dark spot at posterior half, covering full length of abdomen, no soft tissue visible from above, not fused to epigastric scutum, middle surface punctate, sides punctate, anterior half without projecting denticles. Epigastric scutum surrounding pedicel, not protruding, small lateral sclerites absent. Postepigastric scutum strongly sclerotized, pale orange, long, semicircular, covering nearly full length of epigastric area, fused to epigastric scutum, anterior margin unmodified, with short posteriorly directed lateral apodemes. Spinneret scutum present, incomplete ring. Supra-anal scutum absent. Dorsum setae light, needlelike. Epigastric area setae uniform, dark, needlelike. Postepigastric area setae light, needlelike. Spinneret scutum with fringe of long setae. Interscutal membrane with setae. Dense patch of setae anterior to spinnerets absent. Colulus present. LEGS: yellow, without color pattern. Femur IV not thickened, patella plus tibia I shorter than carapace, tibia I unmodified, tibia I Emerit’s glands absent, tibia IV specialized hairs on ventral apex absent, ventral scopula absent, metatarsi I and II meso-apical comb absent, metatarsi III and IV weak ventral scopula absent, tibiae and metatarsi with scattered pores set in small depressions without raised margins. Leg spines absent. Tarsal proclaws inner face striate, retroclaws inner face striate. Tarsi I, II superior claws with one tooth on lateral surface of proclaw, five teeth on median surface, one tooth on lateral surface of retroclaw, five teeth on median surface (fig. 139). Tarsi III, IV superior claws with one tooth on lateral surface of proclaw, four teeth on median surface, one tooth on lateral surface of retroclaw, four teeth on median surface (fig. 140). Trichobothria examined with SEM, tibia: each with three; metatarsus: each with one; base rounded, aperture internal texture not gratelike, hood smooth. Tarsal organ with 2 sensilla visible. GENITALIA: Epigastric region with sperm pore visible, small, oval, situated at level of anterior spiracles (fig. 130), rebordered. Epigastric furrow without V- shaped insertions, without setae. Palp normal size, not strongly sclerotized, right and left palps symmetrical. Cymbium yellow brown, bulb yellow brown, proximal segments yellow brown, embolus dark. Embolus prolateral excavation absent. Trochanter normal size, unmodified. Femur normal size, two or more times as long as trochanter, without posteriorly rounded lateral dilation, attaching to patella subbasally. Patella longer than femur, much larger than femur, without prolateral row of ridges, setae unmodified. Tibial trichobothria examined using SEM, one. Cymbium narrow in dorsal view, completely fused with bulb, no seam visible, not extending beyond distal tip of bulb, plumose setae absent, without stout setae, without distal patch of setae. Bulb 1 to 1.5 times as long as cymbium, slender, elongated, with sharp basal protrusion, middle part strongly narrowed, with beak-shaped terminal elements (figs. 145–148, 151–156).

FEMALE (PBI_OON 26956). Total length 1.39, habitus as in figs. 108–110. As in male except as noted. CEPHALOTHORAX (figs. 115–118, 123–128): Sternum surface anterior margin unmodified. Endites anteromedian tip unmodified. Palp: claw absent; spines absent; tarsus unswollen, patella without prolateral row of ridges, tibia with three trichobothria (fig. 135); tarsal organ with elongate aperture (fig. 138). ABDOMEN (figs. 131, 157): Dorsal scutum covering more than 3/4 of abdomen, more than 1/2 to most of abdomen width. Postepigastric scutum covering about 3/4 of postepigastric area, not fused to epigastric scutum. Spinnerets not scanned. LEGS (figs. 133, 134, 136, 137): Tarsi I, II superior claws median surfaces with 15–20 small, distal teeth, lateral surfaces with five large, basal teeth (figs. 141, 142); tarsus III superior claws median surfaces with six small, distal teeth, lateral surfaces with five large, basal teeth (fig. 143); tarsus IV superior claws median surfaces with five small distal teeth, lateral surfaces with five large, basal teeth (fig. 144). GENITALIA: Ventral view: epigastric region with inverted V-shaped sclerotization situated posterior of epigastric furrow (figs. 132, 149, 158, 160). Dorsal view: sclerotized portion of T-shaped receptaculum originating at epigastric furrow, anterior of external sclerotization (figs. 150, 159).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: UNITED STATES: Florida: Monroe Co. : Big Pine Key, Long Beach National Key Deer Refuge, Long Beach Drive, 24 ° 38.716 9 N, 81 ° 19.900 9 W, Apr. 15, 2008, hand sifted, litter, broad-leaf forest (P. Sierwald, FMNH 34929 , 34931 , PBI _OON 10600, 10602 ), 33, 4♀ . MEXICO: Nayarit: Mantauchen Beach, San Blas , Sept. 9, 1966 (W. Ivie, AMNH PBI _OON 31181), 1♀ ; San Blas , May 14, 1963, 21 ° 32 9 N, 105 ° 18 9 W (W. Gertsch , W. Ivie, AMNH PBI _ OON 1391 ), 43, 2♀ ; 7 mi E San Blas , July 27, 1964 (W. Gertsch, J. Wood, AMNH PBI _ OON 1407 ), 43, 3♀ . PANAMA: Canal Zone: Balboa , May 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ PBI _OON 37517), 13 , May 14, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72459, PBI _OON 26960), 223, 26♀ , May 24, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72497, 72459 , PBI _OON 26954, 26961 ), 333, 61♀ , May 27, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72464, 72467 , PBI _OON 26953, 26964 ), 153, 16♀ , May 28, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72540, 72462 , 72497 , PBI _OON 26951, 26952 , 26962 ), 33, 2♀ , May 28–29, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 68297, PBI _OON 26965), 623, 82♀ , May 30–31, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72452, 72470 , PBI _OON 26955, 26956 ), 503, 51♀ ; Corozal, Jan. 4, 1958 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72465, PBI _OON 26959), 1♀ , May 25–26, 1964 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72469, PBI _OON 26957, 26963 ), 243, 27♀ ; Gamboa, Jan. 28, 1958 (A. Chickering, MCZ 72457, PBI _OON 26958), 1♀ . ECUADOR: Guayas: Guayaquil , Mar. 21, 1942 (H. Exline, D. Frizzell, CAS 9023416 , PBI _OON 35247), 13; Milagro , May 10, 1942 (H. Exline, D. Frizzell, CAS 9023417 , PBI _OON 26815), 13. GALAPAGOS

ISLANDS: Isla San Cristóbal: 4 km E Puerto Baquerizo Moreno , Feb. 1989, transition deciduous forest, elev. 150 (S. Peck, KBIN), 33 (identified by M. Saaristo) . Isla Santa Cruz: Puerto Ayora, garden of Hotel

Fernandina, Aug.–Sept. 1992 (S. Abbedrabbo, KBIN PBI _OON 16762), 23, 1♀. MASCARENE ISLANDS: Réunion: near Savannah , Feb. 1, 1989, ground layer at ruins, moderately moist (H. Müller, MHNG PBI _OON 12172) , 23, 4♀. SEYCHELLE ISLANDS: no specific locality, Jan. 23, 1977 (A. Rundle, AMNH PBI _OON 36431) , 13. SINGAPORE: Kent Ridge Road , Mar. 24, 1986, shrubs, litter, elev. 70 m (J., F. Murphy, AMNH PBI _OON 36579) , 13; Kusu Island , Mar. 24, 1986, scrub, stones, elev. 5 m (J., F. Murphy, AMNH PBI _OON 36578) , 1♀; MacRitchie Reserve , Oct. 10, 1982, litter, elev. 40 m (J., F. Murphy, AMNH PBI _OON 36585) , 13. PHILIPPINES: Luzon: ‘‘ Manila !’’ (per label, Antipolo per description) ( MNHN 11842 , PBI _ OON 6255 ) , 1♀ (holotype). BORNEO: Brunei: Brunei-Muara District: beach 4 km from Muara, 118 km from Kuala Belait, Nov. 27, 1988, elev. 0 m (C. Linehard, MHNG PBI _OON 15379) , 1♀. Sabah: Manutik Isle , July 29, 1979, shore, scrub, elev. 0 m (J., F. Murphy, AMNH PBI _OON 36566) , 1♀; Ulu Dusun , Aug. 6–7, 1979, garden, jungle edge, elev. 100 m (J., F. Murphy, AMNH PBI _OON 36565) , 3♀. HAWAII: Hawaii: Kau District, Route 11, mile marker 61, Feb. 6, 1997, ginger litter in cemetery (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 242 ) , 13; Puna District, MacKenzie State Park , Feb. 3, 1997 (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 245 ) , 13, 1♀. Kauai: Eleelie , Jan. 25, 1998, scrub in abandoned lot (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 244 ) , 13, 2♀; National Tropical Botanical Garden, near Poipu , Jan. 20, 1998, elev. 20 ft (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 243 ) , 13. Oahu: Kaneoe Bay , Jan. 15, 1983, mangrove litter (V. Roth, AMNH PBI _ OON 203 ) , 23. PHOENIX ISLANDS: Hull Atoll, Sept. 20, 1973 (R. Clegern, J. Davidson, AMNH PBI _ OON 211 ) , 13. COOK ISLANDS: Aitutaki: Maina Island , June 3, 1987, coconut forest (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 246 ) , 13. Rarotonga: Tuoro Hill , Mar. 10, 1987, in grass clump, elev. 200 m (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 247 ) , 2♀. MICRO- NESIA: Caroline Islands: Palau: Angaup, Father John’s Beach , Apr. 29, 1973, in beach rubble (J. Berry, J. Beatty, JAB PBI _ OON 257 ) , 3♀; Kayangel Atoll, May 22, 1973, coconut- Barringtonia litter (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 258 ) , 2♀; Koror Island , Apr. 2, 1973, taro patch litter (J. Beatty, J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 255 ) , 13, Apr. 3, 1973, same (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 256 ) , 1♀; Peleliu Island , Mar. 22, 1973, breadfruit litter on sandy soil (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 252 ) , 73, 6♀; Pulo Anna Island , Apr. 7, 1973, coconut litter (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 254 ) , 53, 4♀; Sonsorol , Apr. 6, 1973, forest litter (J., E. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 253 ) , 5♀. Ulithi: Falalop , May 2, 1980, coconut forest litter (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 259 ) , 1♀. Yap: no specific locality, June 1, 1973, among grass in cemetery (J. Berry, J. Beatty, JAM PBI _ OON 260 ) , 33. Wanyan , Apr. 17, 1980, beaten from dead coconut fronds on ground (J. Berry, J. Beatty JAB PBI _ OON 261 ) , 1♀. Marshall Islands: Kwajalein Atoll, Roi-Namur Islet , July 9, 1968, Scaerola-Messerschmidea- Pandanus litter (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 249 ) , 13, 3♀, July 22, 1969, litter in Wedelia thicket (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 248 ) , 53, 2♀. Majuro Atoll: Ejit Islet , Aug. 5, 1969, Ipomoea-Wedelia community, among trash (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 251 ) , 23, 2♀; Majuro Islet , Aug. 2, 1969, litter, breadfruit coconut community (J. Berry, JAB PBI _ OON 250 ) , 13, 1♀. Ponape: Ngatick Atoll, Ngatick Island , Jan. 17, 1970, leaf litter (M. Sabath, MCZ 72483, PBI _OON 28166), 13 , 1♀. NEW CALEDONIA: ORSTOM Centre, Noumea , Dec. 12, 1986, Berlese, litter (J. Boudinot, MNHN PBI _ OON 224 ) , 13; Ouen Toro, Noumea , Sept. 3, 1990, dry forest, elev. 125 m (N. Platnick, R. Raven, P. Goloboff, AMNH PBI _ OON 216 ) , 13.

DISTRIBUTION: Previously recorded from the Philippines, Banda Islands, Hawaii, Seychelle Islands, and Thailand, but also widespread in the New World (Florida, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands), and here newly recorded from Réunion, Singapore, Borneo, Micronesia, and New Caledonia as well.

SYNONYMY: Suman’s redescription of the species as O. lena is readily attributed to the absence of published illustrations for E. apicalis .

Figures

Figs. 105–110. Epectris apicalis Simon, habitus. 105–107. Male. 108–110. Female. 105, 108. Dorsal view.

Figs. 111–114. Epectris apicalis Simon, cephalothorax, male. 111. Dorsal view. 112. Lateral view. 113. Anterior view. 114. Posterior view.

Figs. 115–118. Epectris apicalis Simon, cephalothorax, female. 115. Dorsal view. 116. Lateral view. 117. Anterior view. 118. Posterior view.

Figs. 119–122. Epectris apicalis Simon, male, cephalothorax, SEM. 119. Carapace, dorsal view. 120. Carapace, lateral view. 121. Mounthparts, ventral view. 122. Sternum, ventral view (note anterior depression).

Figs. 123–128. Epectris apicalis Simon, female, cephalothorax, SEM. 123. Carapace, dorsal view. 124. Carapace, lateral view. 125. Carapace, posterior view. 126. Carapace pore, lateral view. 127. Sternum and mouthparts, ventral view. 128. Serrula, ventral view.

Figs. 129–132. Epectris apicalis Simon, abdomen. 129, 130. Male. 131, 132. Female. 129, 131. Anterior view. 130, 132. Epigastric area, ventral view.

Figs. 133–138. Epectris apicalis Simon, female, SEM. 133. Tibia IV, dorsal view, showing three trichobothria. 134. Metatarsus IV, dorsal view, showing single distal trichobothrium. 135. Palpal tibia, dorsal view, showing three trichobothria. 136. Base of trichobothrium from metatarsus IV, dorsal view. 137. Tarsal organ from leg III, dorsal view. 138. Tarsal organ from palp, dorsal view.

Figs. 139–144. Epectris apicalis Simon, tarsal claws, SEM. 139, 140, Male. 141–144. Female. 139, 141. Leg I, apical view. 140. Leg III, apical view. 142. Leg II, apical view. 143. Leg III, retrolateral view. 144. Leg IV, apical view.

Figs. 145–150. Epectris apicalis Simon, compound microscope. 145–148. Male palp. 149, 150. Female epigastric region. 145. Prolateral view. 146. Retrolateral view. 147. Bulb, prolateral view. 148. Bulb, retrolateral view. 149. Ventral view. 150. Dorsal view.

Figs. 151–156. Epectris apicalis Simon, left male palp, SEM. 151. Prolateral view. 152. Retrolateral view. 153. Apical region of bulb, prolateral view. 154. Same, retrolateral view. 155. Bulb, dorsal view. 156. Apical region of bulb, dorsal view (note likely fenestra).

Figs. 157–160. Epectris apicalis Simon, abdomen, female, SEM. 157. Anterior view. 158. Epigastric area, ventral view. 159. Same, digested, showing T-shaped sclerotized portion of receptaculum and lateral apodemes, dorsal view. 160. Pore near epigastric furrow, ventral view.