Melloleitaoina Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960

Perafan, Carlos & Perez-Miles, Fernando, 2014, Three new species of Melloleitaoina Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) from northern Argentina, ZooKeys 404, pp. 117-129 : 119

Genus Melloleitaoina Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960

Type species.

Melloleitaoina crassifemur Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960

Diagnosis.

Both sexes have a reduced number of labial cuspules (6-14), all tarsal scopulae divided and metatarsal IV scopulae absent. Males differ from other Theraphosinae by having a thickened femur III, palpal organ with a long and curved embolus with two prolateral keels (PI and PS) (Figs 3-4, 9-10, 16-17 and 26-27), and tibial apophysis with two very unequal branches (Figs 6, 11, 21 and 29). Females differ from other Theraphosinae by having spermathecae with two granulated seminal receptacles with a slight constriction near the apex (Figs 15 and 25) and spiniform setae on promargin of coxae III and IV (Figs 19 and 20). Females have type IV urticating setae while males have III-IV intermediated urticating setae.

Affinities.

Melloleitaoina species share with Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 and Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892, principally by the general morphology of the palpal bulb and tibial apophysis. Melloleitaoina males can be distinguished additionally from those of Plesiopelma by lacking nodule on metatarsi I and having only III-IV intermediated urticating setae. They can be distinguished from Tmesiphantes by having sigillas more rounded, male femur III incrassate and female spermathecae with granulated seminal receptacles and spiniform setae on promargin of coxae III and IV.

Distribution.

Northern Argentina. Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy provinces (Fig. 1).