Modisimus tiburon, 2010

Huber, Bernhard A., Fischer, Nadine & Astrin, Jonas J., 2010, High level of endemism in Haiti’s last remaining forests: a revision of Modisimus (Araneae: Pholcidae) on Hispaniola, using morphology and molecules, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 158 (2), pp. 244-299 : 277-278

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00559.x
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5491026
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03D3130F-7A19-7414-DC50-BE30FB5A4285
treatment provided by	Valdenar
scientific name	Modisimus tiburon
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

MODISIMUS TIBURON HUBER & FISCHER View in CoL SP. NOV.

( Figs 51, 52 View Figures 38–62 , 73 View Figures 63–82 , 157–160 View Figures 154–160 , 199 View Figure 199 )

Type: Male holotype from ‘Case Dent’ (18°20.2 ′ N, 72°16.4 ′ W), La Visite N. P., Dept Sud-Est, Haiti GoogleMaps ; 1880 m a.s.l., ravine in pine forest, 27 November 2007 (B.A. Huber), in ZFMK ( Haiti 2a) .

Etymology: The species name refers to the Tiburon Peninsula that encompasses Haiti’s southern coast; it is used as a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis: Medium-sized species with distinctive epigynum shape ( Figs 51, 52 View Figures 38–62 , 160 View Figures 154–160 ). Similar to M. leprete sp. nov., but distinguished by pattern of modified hairs on male chelicerae ( Fig. 158 View Figures 154–160 ), larger epigynum, and relatively smaller and narrower pore plates ( Fig. 159 View Figures 154–160 ). Also similar to M. enriquillo sp. nov. (palps and male chelicerae), but without apophyses on female sternum, and with different epigynum shape.

Male (holotype): Total length, 3.1; carapace width, 1.5. Leg 1: 31.6 (8.3 + 0.6 + 8.3 + 11.2 + 3.2); tibia 2, 5.8; tibia 3, 4.8; tibia 4, 6.1. Tibia 1 L/d: 55. Habitus similar to M. seguin sp. nov. (cf. Figs 27–29 View Figures 17–37 ), carapace pale ochre-white, with wide brown lateral margins posteriorly, thoracic furrow also dark brown, dark median spot posteriorly; ocular area and clypeus brown, clypeus with pair of lateral dark-brown bands; sternum medially brown with some light spots, laterally whitish; legs ochre to greenish brown, tips of femora and tibiae whitish, darker rings subdistally on femora and tibiae; abdomen bluish-grey, densely covered with black spots dorsally (except heart area) and laterally, with some small white spots forming disrupted lines; genital area and area in front of spinnerets light brown, bluish spot in between. Ocular area strongly elevated; thoracic furrow distinct. PME–PME, 175 Mm; PME diameter, 135 Mm; PME–ALE, 175 Mm; AME–AME, 20 Mm; AME diameter, 35 Mm. Sternum wider than long (1.1/0.9), unmodified. Chelicerae with patch of ~20 short modified hairs on each side ( Fig. 158 View Figures 154–160 ). Palps as in Figure 157 View Figures 154–160 , coxa with retrolateral apophysis, femur with rounded proximal and pointed distal ventral apophyses; procursus without dorsal spine-like process, bulb with large, weakly curved apophysis, and complex membranous and sclerotized subdistal projections. Legs without spines; all femora with many short vertical hairs; curved hairs on all tibiae and metatarsi; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 12%; prolateral trichobothrium missing on tibia 1, present on all other tibiae. Tarsus 1 with ~30 pseudosegments.

Variation: Second male from type locality with a few weak spines distally on femur 2. Tibia 1 in two other males: 7.9 and 8.4.

Female: In general similar to male, sternum with pair of low and indistinct elevations on posterior margin. Tibia 1 in eight females: 6.1–7.0 (mean 6.4). Epigynum, composed of two oval plates, with two pairs of brushes/combs of stronger hairs ( Figs 51, 52 View Figures 38–62 , 160 View Figures 154–160 ); dorsal view as in Figures 73 View Figures 63–82 and 159 View Figures 154–160 .

Distribution: Known from two localities in Massif de la Selle, south-east Haiti ( Fig. 199 View Figure 199 ). Near La Visite, this species was found in the thick layer of pine leaves overhanging an embankment (together with M. fuscus ); near Kenscoff, it was found in little cavities of rocks and soil in a ravine.

Material examined: Haiti: Dept Sud-Est, La Visite N. P., ‘ Case Dent’: 1♂, holotype above; same data, 1♂, 7♀ and one juvenile ( ZFMK, Haiti 2); same data, 3♂, 3♀ and three juveniles, in pure ethanol ( ZFMK, Haiti 67); La Visite N. P., broadleaf forest patch (‘ Berac’ , 18°19.7 ′ N, 72°17.7 ′ W), 1580 m a.s.l., 27 November 2007 (B.A. Huber), 1♀, in pure ethanol ( ZFMK, Haiti 68). Dept Ouest, near Kenscoff, at 18°27.5 ′ N, 72°17.4 ′ W, 1220 m a.s.l., in escarpment of ravine, 10 December 2007 (B.A. Huber), 1♂ and 4♀ ( ZFMK, Haiti 25); same data, 2♂, 1♀ and four juveniles, in pure ethanol ( ZFMK, Haiti 74) GoogleMaps .