Nops ernestoi Sánchez – Ruiz, 2005

Figures 13H‒L; 14A‒F

Nops ernestoi Sánchez – Ruiz, 2005: 24, figs 1–2. Male holotype from Hotel Montaña, 10 km. NE from Jarabacoa (19°09′06″N, 70°35′59″W), 550 m , La Vega, Dominican Republic, 18.vii–4.viii.1995, S. Fit & J. Peck (BSC 517); female paratype, same data as holotype (BSC 522); male paratype, same data as holotype (BSC 521, left palp and leg IV for SEM); two females paratypes, same data as holotype (AMNH); two females paratypes and one immature, same data as holotype (BSC 518); all types examined. Penney, 2008: 77, fig. 5.33.

Remarks. Subsequent visits to the type locality provided no additional material. The area where the types were collected is currently under intense deforestation.

Diagnosis. Males resemble similar congeners Nops toballus and N campeche n. sp. by having a long and prolaterally twisted embolus; but can be distinguished by its embolus with a wider base, strongly curved at middle, and strongly twisted on the distal two thirds (Fig. 14B‒C), ending with three short extensions on tip (Fig. 13K‒L). Females with wide invagination on receptaculum and uterus externus with narrow base (Fig. 14F).

Description. Male (holotype): Carapace dark orange. Chelicerae, palps, endites, labium, sternum and legs orange; coxae and trochanters lighter. Abdomen dark gray, dorsal pattern as in figure 6I. Anal tubercle and spinnerets lighter than abdomen. Total length 8.2. Carapace 5.3 long, 3.3 wide. Sternum 3.6 long, 3.2 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.80; II: 3.75; III: 3.1; IV: 4.1. Posterior unpaired claw elongated and dorsally reflexed (Fig. 13H). PLS longer than PMS. Palp with a globose semi‒quadrate elongate bulb and an embolus longer than palpal tibia, with a wider base, strongly curved at middle, and strongly twisted on the distal two thirds (Fig. 14B‒C), ending in three short extensions (Fig. 13K‒L).

Female (AMNH): Carapace, chelicerae, labium, legs, coxae, endites and sternum as in the male. Abdomen as in male, but somewhat lighter. Anal tubercle and spinnerets lighter than abdomen. Total length 8.8. Carapace 5.8 long, 3.4 wide. Sternum 3.9 long, 3.3 wide. Leg measurements: I: 4.0; II: 3.85; III: 3.4; IV: 4.3. Posterior unpaired claws and spinnerets as in male. External genital area with sclerotized anterior plate and strongly sclerotized and wide lep, almost four times the spiracles width, remarkable ess (Fig. 14E). Internal genitalia with wide invagination on receptaculum and uterus externus with narrow base (Fig. 14F).

Natural history. All specimens from the type locality were collected under rocks in a small semi‒deciduous forest, behind the Hotel Montaña in Jarabacoa.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 25A).