Epicratinus pikachu, Gonçalves & Brescovit, 2020

Gonçalves, Ricardo Antonio & Brescovit, Antonio Domingos, 2020, Taxonomic review and cladistic analysis of Neotropical spider genus Epicratinus Jocqué & Baert, 2005 (Araneae: Zodariidae) with description of eleven new species, Zootaxa 4886 (1), pp. 1-77 : 25-29

Epicratinus pikachu sp. nov.

Figs 20–21 .

Type. Male holotype from Reserva Ecológica Inhamum , 4º42’01”S, 43º03’49”W, Caxias, Maranh „o, Brazil, 25/ I/2008, R. Ribeiro, deposited in IBSP 211494. Paratype: 1♀, same place, 04/IX/2005, A.S. Costa, deposited in IBSP 133107 .

Additional material examined: BRAZIL, Maranh „o, Caxias, Reserva Ecológica Inhamum , 4º42’01”S, 43º03’49”W, 1♀ , 02–05/X/2007, J.F.B. Lima-Lobato & F. Limeira de Oliveira ( IBSP 129055 A); 1 ♁, 16–20/ IX/2007, J.F.B. Lima-Lobato et al. ( IBSP 133106 ) ; 1♀, 01/V/2007, F. Limeira de Oliveira & J.F.B. Lima-Lobato ( IBSP 133111 ) ; 2♁, 12/XI/2005, A.S. Costa ( IBSP 133109 ) ; 2♁, 11/XII/2005 ( IBSP 133108 ) ; 1♁, 16/XII/2005 ( IBSP 133113 ) ; 1♁, 25/I/2008, R. Ribeiro ( IBSP 133110 ) ; Piauí, José de Freitas, Fazenda Nazareth , 4º47’58.1”S, 42º37’48.8”W, 2 Ƌ, 1♀ , 31.I.2004, V.O. Costa ( MPEG 007993 ) ; 22 Ƌ ( MPEG 008002 ) ; 1♀ ( MPEG 008003 ) .

Diagnosis. Males de E. pikachu sp. nov. are easily recognized by short and wide RTA directed outward with membranous extremity and cymbium without concavity and prominently prolateral basal projection semicircular conspicuous, tegulum with bifid conductor and short embolus, TAEB in hook format. Females have the epigynum externally showing the globular spermathecae apart (distance of a spermathecae) and rounded ( Figs 20 , 21 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to Pikachu, a fictional rodent and electrical creature that appear in an assortment of video games, anime etc., licensed by The Pokémon Company. The female epigynum resembles the face of Pikachu.

Description. Male (IBSP 211494). Color: carapace brown uniform, sternum dark orange, brown chelicerae, pale yellow coxae, predominantly yellowish-brown legs; dorsal abdomen predominantly dark brown with nine spots (2-2-2-2-1) and medium dorsal light brown shield with two of these nine spots, short setae throughout the abdomen; ventral abdomen dark brown with two white patches on the sides (one on each side), little sclerotinized, dark brown and orange above the epigastric furrow. Total length 5; carapace length 2.6; width 1.85; abdomen length 2.15; maximum length of spinnerets 0.25; chelicerae length 0.9; clypeus height 0.6. Eyes: diameters AME 0.08, ALE 0.12, PME 0.11, PLE 0.16. Interdistances AME-AME 0.04, AME-ALE 0.1, PME-PME 0.07, PME-PLE 0.27, ALE-PLE 0.04. Spinulation: I: Fe d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0, v0; Pa d0, p0, r0, v0; Ti d0, p0, r0, v2-1-2; Me d0, p0-1-1, r0, v2-1-2. II: Fe d1-1-0, p0-1-1, r0, v0; Pa d0, p0, r0, v0; Ti d0, p0, r0, v1-2-2; Me d0, p0, r0-0-1, v2-1-3. III: Fe d2-2- 3, p0, r0, v0; Pa d0-0-1, p0-1-0, r0-1-0, v0; Ti d1-1-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v4-3-3; Me d2-2-2, p1-1-1, r0-0-1, v2-2-2. IV: Fe d2-2-3, p0, r0, v0; Pa d0-0-1, p0-1-0, r0-1-0, v0; Ti d1-1-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v2-2-2; Me d1-1-2, p1-1-2, r1-1-2, v2-2-2. Formula: 4123

Measurements of legs:

Palp. Femur with 1 dorsal spine (0-1-0); patella with a well conspicuous prolateral medium bristle; tibia with retrolateral basal projection and row of median setae (same width of the patella) along this projection, small median projection in the prolateral margin and a long dorsal seta at the base of this projection; Short and wide RTA directed outward with membranous and tufted extremity with small bristles and small basal portion; cymbium without sulcus and prominent semicircular basal prolateral projection that fits the tip of the RTA, four distal spines (two of these are prolateral); Subtegulum with a curved ridge; tegulum with a visible median haematodocha and a hook-shaped projection; bifid conductor; short and conspicuous embolus.

Female (IBSP 133107). Color: carapace light brown, uniform, sternum dark orange, brown chelicerae, coxae and leg burnt yellow; dorsal abdomen predominantly dark brown with nine spots (2-2-2-2-1), short bristles throughout the abdomen; abdomen ventral dark brown with two pale yellow bands on the sides (one on each side) going up almost to the center of the abdomen, little sclerotinized, dark brown and orange above the epigastric furrow. Total length 6; carapace length 3.08; width 1.85; abdomen length 3.35; maximum length of spinnerets 0.24; chelicerae length 1.1; clypeus height 0.72. Eyes: diameters AME 0.08, ALE 0.1, PME 0.11, PLE 0.11. Interdistances AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE 0.11, PME-PME 0.09, PME-PLE 0.33, ALE-PLE 0.06. Spinulation: I: Fe d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0, v0; Pa d0, p0, r0, v0; Ti d0, p0, r0, v2-1-1; Me d0, p0-0-1, r0, v1-2-2. II: Fe d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0, v0; Pa d0, p0, r0, v0; Ti d0, p0, r0, v1-1-1; Me d0, p0, r0, v1-2-2. III: Fe d1-1-1, p1-0-1, r0-0-1, v0; Pa d0-0-1, p0-1-0, r0-1-0, v0; Ti d1- 1-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v2-2-2; Me d0-1-2, p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2-2. IV: Fe d1-2-1, p0-0-1, r0-0-1, v0; Pa d0-0-1, p0-1-0, r0-1-0, v0; Ti d1-2-0, p1-0-1, r1-0-1, v2-1-2; Me d1-1-2, p1-1-1, r1-2-1, v2-2-2. Formula: 4123.

Measurements of legs:

Femur Patella Tibia Metatarsus Tarsus Total I 1.6 0.65 1.3 1.2 1.1 5.85 II 1.45 0.65 1.05 1.1 0.95 5.2 III 1.4 0.75 0.95 1.35 0.85 5.3 IV 1.85 0.8 1.5 2.1 1.1 7.35

Epigynum. Ventrally present medium atrium and circular spermathecae united by basal margin, distant the diameter of a spermathecae. Internally with copulatory ducts following the epigastric furrow and rounded shape spermathecae with visible chambers.

Variation. Males (n = 10): total length 5.87‾6.2, carapace 2.5‾2.7, femur I 1.53‾1.62. Females (n = 5): total length 6.6‾6.9, carapace 3.01‾3.15, femur I 1.55‾1.66.

Distribution. Northeast of Brazil ( Fig. 40 ).

Figures

FIGURE 20. A. Epicratinus pikachu sp. nov. (IBSP 211494) Habitus male, dorsal view. B. Male, ventral view. C. (IBSP 133107) Female, dorsal view. D. Female, ventral view. (Scale = 1 mm).

FIGURE 21. A. Epicratinus pikachu sp. nov. (IBSP 211494) Male palp, dorsal view. B. (IBSP 211494) and C. (IBSP 133110) Ventral view. D. (IBSP 133111) Epigynum, ventral view. E. (IBSP 133111) Vulva. F. Vulva. (Scale in A, B = 0.5; C, D, E, F = 0.2 mm.).

FIGURE 40. Area of occurrence of Epicratinus omegarugal sp. nov., E. perfidus, E. pikachu sp. nov. and E. vader sp. nov. (clade B).