Chococtenus fantasma, Dupérré, Nadine, 2015

Dupérré, Nadine, 2015, Description of a new genus and thirteen new species of Ctenidae (Araneae, Ctenidae) from the Chocó region of Ecuador, Zootaxa 4028 (4), pp. 451-484 : 461

Chococtenus fantasma new species

Figs 14–17 , 57 .

Type material. Male holotype from Ecuador, Cotopaxi Province, Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 08–21.vi.2014, pitfall, 2105m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré, ( QCAZ). One female paratype from Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 24.v.–08. vi.2014, 1 ♀, pitfall, 2105m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré ( QCAZ).

Additional material examined. Ecuador: Cotopaxi Province: Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 03–16. viii.2014, 1 ♂, pitfall, 2105m (DTC); 16.viii.–05. ix.2014, 1 ♂ ( QCAZ); 25.xi.–08. xii.2014, 1 ♂1♀ (DTC); (- 00.42261°S - 79.5107°W), 24.v.–08. vi.2014, 4 ♂, pitfall, 2225m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré ( AMNH); 08–21. vi.2014, 1 ♀ (DTC); 03–16. viii.2014, 2 ♂ (DTC); 13–25. xi.2014, 1 ♀ (DTC). Otonga Biological Reserve, 21.vi.–02. vii.2014, 2 ♂, pitfall, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the Spanish language, meaning ghost.

Diagnosis. Males are distinguished by their straight spatula-liked median apophysis, from C. otongachi by the presence of a tegular retrolateral swelling and from C. suffuscus by the embolus originating prolaterally ( Fig. 14 ) instead of medially as in the later species ( Fig. 29 ). Females are distinguished from all species of the genus by the medium sized, unclerotized apex of median sector, and large hook-shaped lateral processes ( Fig. 16 ).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 8.6; carapace length: 4.2; carapace width: 3.6; abdomen length: 4.4. COLORATION: As in C. otonga . LEGS: Total length: I: 24.7; II: 23.3; III: 19.8; IV: 25.1. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia I p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus I p1-1-1, r1-1-1. Femur II p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia II p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus II p1-1-1, r1-1-1-1. Femur III pl-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia III p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus III p1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2 -1. Femur IV pl-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia IV p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2 -2-1. GENITALIA: Palpal cymbial keel strong ( Fig. 14 ). Ventral tibial apophysis rectangular, short and wide, apically transparent, retrolateral tibial apophysis spine-like ( Figs 14, 15 ). Tegulum with large retrolateral swelling; median apophysis spatula-like; conductor lamelliform, hyaline; membranous tegular process hyaline, elongated and with a dark spot basally; embolus base not twisted; embolus thin, originating prolaterally; tip with small excavation ( Fig. 14 ).

Female (paratype). Total length: 9.9; carapace length: 4.7; carapace width: 3.8: abdomen length: 5.2. COLORATION: As in male, slightly darker. LEGS: All legs missing. GENITALIA: Epigynum with rounded median sector, apically with medium sized unsclerotized region, slightly concave; lateral processes short, hookshaped and positioned basally ( Fig. 16 ). Internal genitalia with elongated and curved copulatory ducts; spermathecae oval with an apical pore; fertilization ducts short ( Fig. 17 ).

Natural history. All specimens where collected in the pitfall lines set up between 2105–2225 m, therefore inhabiting the cloud forest and qualifies as a cloud forest specialist.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality ( Fig. 57 ).

Figures

FIGURE 57. Map of Ecuador showing distribution records of the thirteen new species of the genus Chococtenus. The main collecting site, Otonga Biological Reserve (white box with x inside), holds 10 species (not found: C. suffuscus, C. otongachi and C. piemontana). Other known localities for: C. otonga (white lozenge), C. cappuccino (white x), C. lasdamas (white circle), C. suffuscus (white plus sign), C. otongachi (white rectangle) and C. piemontana (upside down white triangle).

FIGURES 14 – 17. Chococtenus fantasma new species. Male. 14, 15. Female. 16, 17. 14. Palp, ventral view. 15. Palp, retrolateral view. 16. Epigynum, ventral view. 17. Internal genitalia, dorsal view. Abbreviations: Female genitalia: cd, copulatory ducts; ums, unclerotized median sector.

FIGURES 29 – 32. Chococtenus suffuscus new species. Male. 29, 30. Female. 31, 32. 29. Palp, ventral view. 30. Palp, retrolateral view. 31. Epigynum, ventral view. 32. Internal genitalia, dorsal view.