Escaphiella nye, Platnick & Dupérré, 2009

Platnick, Norman I. & Dupérré, Nadine, 2009, The American Goblin Spiders Of The New Genus Escaphiella (Araneae, Oonopidae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2009 (328), pp. 1-151 : 32-41

Escaphiella nye , new species Figures 129–141 ; map 2

TYPE: Male holotype from the Atomic Energy Commission’s Nuclear Test Site at Mercury, Nye Co. , Nevada (Aug. 10, 1964), deposited in AMNH (PBI_OON 26816).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of E. hespera and E. litoris , but have a much longer embolus, and a distinct ventral bulge on the embolar base (figs. 140, 141); females are unknown.

MALE (PBI_OON 26816): Total length 1.22 (figs. 129, 130, 137). Carapace pale orange, surface of elevated portion of pars cephalica smooth, sides granulate, granulate microsculpture not reaching elevated portion of pars cephalica (fig. 132). Eyes: ALE circular, PME squared; ALE separated by less than their radius, ALE-PLE touching, PME touching throughout most of their length (fig. 133). Sternum pale orange, without radial furrows between coxae I–II, II–III, III–IV, surface smooth, microsculpture absent (fig. 135). Chelicerae, endites, and labium pale orange. Endites anteromedially with long, spiniform, anteriorly directed extension (fig. 138). Abdomen cylindrical; book lung covers large, round; pedicel tube short, ribbed, scutum extending far dorsal of pedicel (figs. 134, 136); dorsal scutum yellow, covering full length of abdomen, no soft tissue visible from above, middle surface smooth, sides smooth; postepigastric scutum yellow, sides finely striate. Legs yellow. Right and left palps symmetrical, proximal segments yellow; embolus dark; femur enlarged, cymbium and bulb yellow, embolus long, embolar base with prolateral projection (figs. 131, 139–141).

FEMALE: Unknown.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: UNITED STATES: California: Inyo Co. : Inyo Mountains , 0.5 mi N 1800 m level of Lead Canyon, Mar. 9–Aug. 13, 1981, pitfall, elev. 2300 m (D. Giuliani, CAS 9026661, PBI_OON 2644), 18.

DISTRIBUTION: Eastern California and western Nevada (map 2).

Escaphiella litoris (Chamberlin) , new combination Figures 142–171 ; map 2

Scaphiella litoris Chamberlin, 1924: 594 , figs. 24, 25 (male holotype from Puerto Escondido , Baja California Sur, Mexico, in CAS; examined).

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of E. hespera but have the embolus abruptly narrowed at the tip of the base, which is less twisted (figs. 162–164); females lack the pair of posterior epigynal sclerotizations diagnostic for E. hespera , and have instead a more medially situated, rounded opening (figs. 166, 171).

MALE (PBI_OON 3031): Total length 1.80 (figs. 150, 151, 154). Carapace pale orange, surface of elevated portion of pars cephalica granulate, sides granulate; lateral margins with blunt denticles (figs. 152, 161). Eyes: ALE circular, PME squared; ALE separated by less than their radius, ALE-PLE touching, PME touching throughout most of their length, PLE-PME touching (fig. 155). Sternum pale orange, with radial furrows between coxae I–II, II–III, III–IV, surface finely reticulate, microsculpture covering entire surface, furrows finely reticulate (fig. 153). Chelicerae, endites, and labium pale orange. Endites with modified setae on apex (light microscope). Abdomen cylindrical; book lung covers large, ovoid; pedicel tube medium, ribbed (fig. 156); scutopedicel region with widely oval scutal ridge, scutum extending far dorsal of pedicel, two small circumflexed ridges present anterior to book lung covers (figs. 157, 158); dorsal scutum pale orange, covering full length of abdomen, no soft tissue visible from above, middle surface finely reticulate, sides finely reticulate; postepigastric scutum pale orange, sides finely reticulate (fig. 160). PMS present as single median projection with setae but no spigot (figs. 147, 149). Legs pale orange. Right and left palps symmetrical, proximal segments pale orange; embolus dark; femur normal size; cymbium pale orange (fig. 159); bulb yellow; embolus abruptly narrowed (figs. 162–164).

FEMALE (PBI_OON 3028): Total length 1.75 (figs. 165–170). Abdomen with soft portions of dorsum white; scutopedicel region unmodified. PMS present as single median projection with spigot (fig. 146). Epigynum with medially situated, rounded opening (figs. 148, 171).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: UNITED STATES: California: Sa n Diego Co.: Borrego Campground , Nov. 1959, under rock (D. Merkel, AMNH PBI_OON 26813), 1♀ ; Mountain Springs, near Desert View Tower, Mar. 29, 1960 (W. Gertsch, W. Ivie, R. Schrammel, AMNH PBI_OON 26812), 3♀. MEXICO: Baja California Norte: 13.2 mi S El Rosario on Rt. 1, Nov. 29, 1962 (P. Craig, D. Dailey, CAS PBI_OON 2625), 18, 2♀. Baja California Sur: Agua Verde, ca. 40 air mi SE Loreto , Mar. 8, 1987, under rock (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3029), 18 ; Arroyo Hondo , 17 mi N Todos Santos, Feb. 4, 1966 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26805), 1♀ ; Chuenque , 13.4 mi S Loreto, Jan. 13, 1982, thorn forest (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3016), 1♀ ; Isla Danzante , 25 ° 459320N, 111 ° 159280W, July 13–18, 1999 (R. Aalbu, K. Brown, I. Stahl, F. Piñero, CAS 9026365 , PBI_OON 2654), 1♀ ; Isla San Marcos, May 12, 1921 (J. Chamberlin, CAS 9026682 , PBI_OON 2624), 1♀ (paratype) ; Juncalito, 13.4 mi S Loreto , Feb. 26, 1987, thorn forest (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3014), 18 ; La Paz, Sept. 8, 1963 (P., D. Craig, CDU PBI_OON 3018), 18, Feb. 1–3, 1965 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26808), 18 ; near La Paz , July 1990, pitfalls (T. Jackson, AMNH PBI_OON 26811), 18, 1♀ ; 8 mi S Loreto, base of La Giganta , Jan. 27, 1965 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26598), 18 ; 26 mi S Loreto , Jan. 1–2, 1977 (C. Griswold, L. Vincent, CAS 9026363 , PBI_OON 2651), 1♀ ; Muleje´, Jan. 26, 1965 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26810), 1♀ ; Puerto Escondido , May 29, 1921 (J. Chamberlin, CAS 1378 , PBI_OON 263), 18 (holotype), same (9026681, PBI_OON 2626), 1♀ (allotype) ; Punta Calamajue (abandoned fishing village), Ensenada , 29 ° 41.1199N, 114 ° 09.7749W, July 1, 2008, elev. 5.4 m, sand dunes and rocky slopes, UV detection at night (H. Montaño, E. González, AMNH PBI_OON 29752), 1♀ ; 2.2 mi NW Rancho Caracol , 27 ° 349390N, 113 ° 209000W, July 11–12, 1999, elev. 500 m, at night (R. Aalbu, K. Brown, F. Piñero, CAS 9026364 , PBI_OON 2652), 1♀ ; San Ignacio, Feb. 24, Mar. 11, 1987, under rocks, palm grove (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3015, 27315), 2♀, Mar. 11, 1987, decaying palm thatch (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3028), 18 ; San José de Comondú canyon, near 26 ° N, 112 ° W, Feb. 15, 1966 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26809), 1♀ ; San José del Cabo ( USNM PBI_OON 26814), 1♀ ; 6 mi W San José del Cabo , Jan. 8, 1982, under granite, thorn forest (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3017), 18 ; 17 mi N San José del Cabo , Feb. 9, 1966 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26806), 1♀ ; Santa Rosalía , Feb. 19, 1966 (V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 26807), 1♀ ; Santispac , Bahia Concepción, Jan. 1, 1982, under volcanic rock (D. Ubick, CDU PBI_OON 3031), 18 ; Sierra del Placer, Mulege´, 21 km from junction of Bahía Tortugas and Bahía Asunción , 98 km E Vizcaíno, 27 ° 28.9289N, 114 ° 17.0939W, June 28, 2008, elev. 262 m, stabilized sand dunes with scrub vegetation, UV detection at night (H. Montaño, E. González, AMNH PBI_ OON 1051), 28 ; Valle Perdito , 2 mi N Reserva Gate, 23 ° 219490N, 110 ° 019120W, July 16, 1999 – Sept. 13, 2003 (R. Aalbu, CAS 9026667 , PBI_OON 2657), 1♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: California and Baja California (map 2).

Escaphiella iguala (Gertsch and Davis) , new combination Figures 172–195 ; map 3

Scaphiella iguala Gertsch and Davis, 1942: 1 , figs. 1–3 (male holotype from Iguala , Guerrero, Mexico, in AMNH; examined).

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of E. nye in having a relatively long embolus, but have a squared, rather than ventrally bulging, embolar base (figs. 185, 186); the female genital area has a large, circular anterior sclerite, a pair of smaller, lateral sclerites, and a crescent-shaped, unsclerotized posterior area (figs. 188, 189).

MALE (PBI_OON 36864): Total length 1.37 (figs. 172, 173, 181). Carapace pale orange, surface of elevated portion of pars cephalica granulate, sides granulate, obvious granulation covering entire carapace; lateral margins with blunt denticles (figs. 175, 178). Eyes: ALE circular, PME squared; ALE touching, ALE-PLE touching, PME touching throughout most of their length, PLE-PME touching (fig. 179). Sternum pale orange, without radial furrows between coxae I–II, II–III, III–IV, surface finely reticulate, microsculpture covering entire surface (fig. 180). Chelicerae, endites, and labium pale orange. Endites anteromedially with short, dark, spiniform tip. Abdomen ovoid; book lung covers large, ovoid; pedicel tube medium, ribbed, scutopedicel region unmodified, scutum extending far dorsal of pedicel, small, faint scutal ridge present above pedicel (figs. 174, 176); dorsal scutum pale orange, covering more than 3/4 of abdomen, no soft tissue visible from above, middle surface reticulate, sides reticulate; postepigastric scutum pale orange, sides reticulate (fig. 177). PMS present as single median projection (light microscope). Legs pale orange. Right and left palps symmetrical, proximal segments pale orange; embolus dark; femur normal size; cymbium and bulb pale orange, embolar base squared (figs. 183–186).

FEMALE (PBI_OON 36864): Total length 1.41 (figs. 182, 187, 188, 192–195). Abdomen with soft portions of dorsum white (fig. 190). Epigynum with large, circular anterior sclerite (fig. 189).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: MEXICO: Colima: 10 mi S Colima, Aug. 1, 1954 (W. Gertsch, AMNH PBI_OON 36865), 18, 2♀. Guerrero: summit, 4 mi W Cacahuamilpa , 18 ° 419N, 99 ° 349W, Sept. 3, 1966 (J., W. Ivie, AMNH PBI_OON 36866), 28, 3♀ ; Iguala , June 19, 1936 (A., L. Davis, AMNH PBI_OON 36868), 18, 1♀ (holotype, allotype) ; 12 mi S Iguala , July 29, 1956 (W. Gertsch, V. Roth, AMNH PBI_OON 36687), 18, 2♀. Morelos: 12 mi S Cuernavaca , May 3, 1963, 18 ° 459N, 99 ° 159W, May 3, 1963 (W. Gertsch, W. Ivie, AMNH PBI_OON 36864), 28, 2♀ ; Tepoztlán , 18 ° 589N, 99 ° 079W, May 5, 1963 (W. Gertsch, W. Ivie, AMNH PBI_OON 36869), 18, 3♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from Colima, Guerrero, and Morelos, Mexico (map 3).

Figures

Figs. 129–134. Escaphiella nye, new species, male. 129. Habitus, dorsal view. 130. Same, ventral view. 131. Left palp, dorsal view. 132. Carapace, dorsal view. 133. Same, anterior view. 134. Anterior portion of abdomen, oblique lateral view.

Figs. 135–141. Escaphiella nye, new species, male. 135. Cephalothorax, ventral view. 136. Anterior portion of abdomen, ventral view. 137. Habitus, lateral view. 138. Endite, lateral view. 139. Left palp, prolateral view. 140. Same, ventral view. 141. Same, retrolateral view.

Figs. 142–149. Escaphiella litoris (Chamberlin). 142. Male, chelicerae, anterior view. 143. Same, posterior view. 144. Male, fang, posterior view. 145. Same, ventral view. 146. Female, spinnerets, posterior view. 147. Male, spinnerets, posterior view. 148. Female, epigynum, ventral view. 149. Male, posterior median spinneret, anterior view.

Figs. 150–155. Escaphiella litoris (Chamberlin), male. 150. Habitus, dorsal view. 151. Same, ventral view. 152. Carapace, dorsal view. 153. Cephalothorax, ventral view. 154. Habitus, lateral view. 155. Same, anterior view.

Figs. 156–164. Escaphiella litoris (Chamberlin), male. 156. Abdomen, lateral view. 157. Anterior portion of abdomen, oblique lateral view. 158. Same, anterior view. 159. Left palp, dorsal view. 160. Epigastric region, ventral view. 161. Carapace, lateral view. 162. Left palp, prolateral view. 163. Same, ventral view. 164. Same, retrolateral view.

Figs. 165–171. Escaphiella litoris (Chamberlin), female. 165. Habitus, dorsal view. 166. Same, ventral view. 167. Carapace, dorsal view. 168. Cephalothorax, ventral view. 169. Carapace, lateral view. 170. Habitus, lateral view. 171. Epigynum, ventral view.

Figs. 172–180. Escaphiella iguala (Gertsch and Davis), male. 172. Habitus, dorsal view. 173. Same, ventral view. 174. Abdomen, anterior view. 175. Carapace, dorsal view. 176. Anterior portion of abdomen, lateral view. 177. Epigastric region, ventral view. 178. Carapace, lateral view. 179. Habitus, anterior view. 180. Cephalothorax, ventral view.

Figs. 181–186. Escaphiella iguala (Gertsch and Davis). 181. Male, habitus, lateral view. 182. Female, same. 183. Left male palp, dorsal view. 184. Same, prolateral view. 185. Same, ventral view. 186. Same, retrolateral view.

Figs. 187–195. Escaphiella iguala (Gertsch and Davis), female. 187. Habitus, dorsal view. 188. Same, ventral view. 189. Epigynum, ventral view. 190. Habitus, anterior view. 191. Carapace, dorsal view. 192. Cephalothorax, ventral view. 193. Carapace, lateral view. 194. Anterior portion of abdomen, oblique lateral view. 195. Same, oblique anterior view.