Tullgrenella melanica ( Mello-Leitão, 1941 )

Marta, Kimberly S., Bustamante, Abel A., Hagopián, Damián, Teixeira, Renato A., Brescovit, Antonio D., Valiati, Victor H. & Rodrigues, Everton N. L., 2024, Taxonomic revision of the jumping spider genus Tullgrenella Mello-Leitão, 1941 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), Zootaxa 5411 (1), pp. 1-71 : 36-38

Tullgrenella melanica ( Mello-Leitão, 1941)

Figs 7I , 20E–H , 27A–D , 28A–D , 52A–C

Zoobank. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C426B80B-32C2-4ADE-ADF8-0887B19FFFE6

Akela melanica Mello-Leitão, 1941: 181 , fig. 73, pl. 11, fig. 50 (holotype, male, ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Anisacate [31°43’19.9”S 64°24’13.7”W], ( MLP 14970 ), examined).

Evophrys albocinctus Mello-Leitão, 1941: 184 , fig. 77, pl. 11, fig. 51 (holotype, female, ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Salsipuedes [31°08’12.9”S 64°17’47.2”W], (MLP 14977), examined); Galiano, 1962: 169, pl. II, fig. 7 (Syn.).

Tullgrenella melanica : Galiano, 1970: 332, figs 25–29, 52, 61–62; Edwards, 2015: 69, figs 32I–L.

Diagnosis. Males of Tullgrenella melanica resemble those of T. yungae by bifid RTA but differ from those by the thick embolus ( Fig. 27C ) and the cymbium with distal ventral fold above the embolus ( Fig. 27C ). Females of T. melanica are very similar to females of T. yungae by the C-shaped copulatory opening ( Figs 7I vs 7J, 28C–D vs 29C–D), the longer posteriorly-opening coupling pocket ( Figs 7I vs 7J, 28C–D vs 30C–D), and the circular spermathecae ( Figs 7I vs 7J), but can be distinguished by the larger window and copulatory opening in a fillet located at the medial-ventral epigynum plate ( Fig. 28C ) and the larger spermathecae ( Figs 7I , 28D ).

Description. See Galiano (1970; Figs 7I , 20E–H , 27A–D , 28A–D ).

Material examined. URUGUAY, Canelones [34°31’44.0”S 56°17’07.6”W], 31.I.1997, F. Costa leg., 1♀ (FCE-Ar 2293); Rocha, Agua Dulces [34°16’46.93”S 53°46’49.26”W], 23.II.2020, A. Laborda leg., collected on a beach deck, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 10686); La Coronilla [33°53’24.5”S 53°31’32.3”W], 19.II.1980, E. Maury leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42217); Maldonado, Piriápolis [34°52’55.17”S 55°16’44.48”W], 22.I.2018, D. Hagopián leg., 1♂ (FCE-Ar 9571); Plaja grande [34°51’07”S 55°18’05”W], 03.XI,20187, D. Hagopián leg., collected under rocks and rubble in dunes with grass of the rambla, 2♂ (FCE-Ar 9635); ditto, 22.I.2018, D. Hagopián leg., 1♂ (FCE-Ar 9664); Sierra de las Ánimas [34°43’03.6”S 55°18’36.1”W], 17.XI.2020, A. Mailhos leg., collected in a rocky grassland, 1♀ (FCE-Ar 12259); Montevideo, Cerro de Montevideo [34°52’52.89”S 56°15’13.73”W], 22.II.1997,F.G. Costa leg., 1♀ (FCE-Ar 9380); Punta Espinillo [34°50’35.1”S 56°23’50.9”W], 13.IX.2020, A. Mailhos leg., 1♂ (FCE-Ar 10505); Paysandú, Montes del Queguay [32°10’49.31”S 57°14’18.78”W], 26–29.X.2018, D. Hagopián leg., collected on rock, 1♀ (FCE-Ar 9616); Río Negro, Ruta 24 Km 85, Estancia “Las Cadenas” [32°31’17.1”S 58°02’17.8”W], 21.I.2021, A. Mailhos leg., on sandy soil, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 10464). ARGENTINA, Buenos Aires, Sierra de la Ventana [38°08’21.6”S 61°47’38.8”W], XI.1968, M. Galiano leg., 3♀ (MACN-Ar 6247); II.1969, E. Maury leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 6248); ditto, 22–24.XI.1922, A. Peretti leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42210); ditto, VII.1973, Cesari leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42211); San Pedro [33°40’33.4”S 59°39’46.2”W], immature (MACN-Ar 0146). Córdoba [31°25’26.4”S 64°11’12.5”W], XII.1994, M.E. Galiano & C. Scioscia leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42202); Agua de Oro [31°03’43.9”S 64°18’01.2”W], III.1940, De Carlo leg., 1♂ ( MACN 6243); 1♀ 1♂ (MACN-Ar 6244); ditto [31°03’43.9”S 64°18’01.2”W], III.1940, J.M. de Carlo leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 6243); ditto, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 6244); La Rioja [29°24’46.6”S 66°51’21.4”W], 1940, I. Goméz leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 6245); Río Miranda y Ruta Nac. 40, 29°20’23.0”S 67°39’58.3”W], I.1967, M. Galiano leg., 1♂ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 6246); Alta Gracia [31°39’51.6”S 64°28’00.9”W], XI.1985, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 1173); ditto, M.E. Galiano & M. Miranda leg., 3♀ (MACN-Ar 42218), ditto, IV.1985, M..E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42150); Los Paredones [31°39’51.6”S 64°28’00.9”W], XI.1984, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 1086); Ambul [31°29’22.6”S 65°03’15.9”W], 05.II.1981, A. Roig leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42215); Camino de Pampa Achala [31°40’57.6”S 64°50’14.4”W], 19.XI.1983, M. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42203); ditto, 1♂ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 42156); ditto, 15.XI.1984, 1♂ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 42219); ditto, XI.1983, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42205); Cuesta Blanca [31°28’58.7”S 64°34’06.9”W], IX.1990, A. Peretti leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42221); Cura Brochero [31°40’00.1”S 65°01’01.5”W], 11.XI.1980, M.E.Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar1134); ditto, 18.XI.1983, 1♂ (MACNAr 42206); ditto, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42201); ditto, X.1985, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42243); ditto, 13.X.1984, 5♂ 5♀ (MACNAr 42212); ditto, XI.1985, M.E. Galiano & M. Miranda leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42199); ditto, 10.XII.1993, M.E. Galiano & C. Scioscia leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42148); Dique Cruz del Eje [30°46’18.5”S 64°45’25.3”W], 20.XI.1983, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42216); El Palmar [31°17’46.4”S 64°16’42.3”W], II.1981, P. Goloboff leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42213); Embalse Río III [31°26’05.2”S 62°06’15.1”W], 27.XII.1974, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 4225); Lago San Roque [31°23’46.6”S 64°28’27.8”W], IV.1993, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 1323); Mina Clavero [31°43’41.6”S 65°00’19.9”W], XII.1993, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42207); Quilino [31°24’57.8”S 64°11’44.6”W], 10.I.1981, A. Roig leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42224); Salsacate, El Potrero [31°19’02.3”S 65°05’18.8”W], 15.II.1981, E. Maury leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42200); Entre Ríos, [32°37’04.4”S 59°08’13.4”W], 05.II.1983, P. Goloboff leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42220); San Luis, Merlo [32°20’54.5”S 65°01’02.3”W], 15–16.XI.1985, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42153); ditto, 18.XI.1983, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 1056); ditto, XI.1985, M.E. Galiano & M. Miranda leg., 10♂ 5♀ (MACN-Ar 42154); ditto, XII.1987, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42155); ditto, 17.XI.1983, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42204); ditto, 12.XI.1982, E. Maury leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42208); XII.1987, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42209); 06.XII.1993, M.E. Galiano & C. Scioscia leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42214); La Pampa, Lihue Calel [38°00’51.8”S 65°35’04.1”W], VI.1969, E. Maury & Posadas leg., 3♂ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 6284). La Rioja [29°24’46.6”S 66°51’21.4”W], I.1964, M.P. Gomez leg., 1♂ MACN-Ar 6245); Río Miranda y Ruta Nac. 40 [29°20’23.0”S 67°39’58.3”W], I.1964, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♂ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 6246); San Luis, Camino a Santa Florentina, Famatina, [28°55’31.8”S 67°31’11.4”W], XII.1993, M.E. Galiano & C. Scioscia leg., 1♀ (MACNAr 1328); ditto, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42149); Guanchin [29°11’23.6”S 67°38’16.7”W], XI.1980, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 0998); ditto, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 0995); ditto, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 0996); ditto, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 0997); ditto, 7♂ 7♀ (MACN-Ar 42230); ditto, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42235); ditto, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42240); Cuesta Miranda [29°20’40.5”S 67°46’05.6”W], 20.XII.1979, E. Maury leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42222); Mendoza, Nihuil [27°47’01.3”S 64°15’51.3”W], 04.I.1975, E. Maury leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 6824); Las Heras [32°50’30.5”S 68°50’00.3”W], 05.IV.1979, A. Roig leg., 1♂ 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42145); ditto, 05.I.1985, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42198); ditto, XI.19775, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 42151); Mina Clavero, Entre Encantado y La Gloria [31°43’41.7”S 65°00’19.7”W], 12.XI.1984, M.E. Galiano leg., 1♀ (MACN-Ar 1128); Tucumán, Burruyacu [26°29’56.6”S 64°44’13.4”W], 22.I.1981, E. Maury leg., 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42152).

Distribution. Uruguay (Canelones, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandú, Río Negro, and Rocha) and Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza and Tucumán) ( Figs 52A–B ).

Natural history. Collected in Uruguay on grasslands. This species can be found associated with soil and under rocks. It occurs in the Chacoan subregion and South American Transitional Zone ( Figs 52A–B ). The variation in altitudinal occurrence of this species is 4–2088 m a. s. l. ( Figs 52A–B ).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Illustrations of female epigynum of Tullgrenella, dorsal view. A–E morenensis group: A T. morenensis (Tullgren, 1905) (MCN 19940), B T. guayapae Galiano, 1970 (MCN 55520), C T. brescoviti Estol, Marta & Rodrigues, 2020 (MCN 24104), D T. musica (Mello-Leitão,1945) (MCN 53372), E T. corrugata Galiano, 1981 (MACN-Ar 7206). F–H quadripunctata group: F T. quadripunctata (Mello-Leitão, 1944) (MCTP 2239), G T. nadjae Estol, Marta & Rodrigues, 2020 (MCN 56814), H T. lunata (Mello-Leitão, 1944) (MACN-Ar 6214). I–J melanica group: I T. melanica (Mello-Leitão, 1941) (MACN-Ar 6244), J T. yungae Galiano, 1970 (MCTP 39713). K–O serrana group: K T. serrana Galiano, 1970 (MCTP 12173), L T. legalissima Marta & Hagopián, sp. nov. (IBSP 118228), M T. aisenbergae Marta, sp. nov. (IBSP 123129), N T. gertschi Galiano, 1981 (MACN-Ar 7206), O T. sciosciae Marta & Bustamante, sp. nov. (MCTP 31135). P–Q peniaflorensis group: P T. peniaflorensis Galiano, 1970 (MACN-Ar 6242), Q T. selenita Galiano, 1970 (FNAC 36). Scale bars: 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 20. Photographs in vivo. A–D T. quadripunctata (Mello-Leitão, 1944):A–B. female (FCE-Ar 9395), C–D male (FCE- Ar 2284). E–H T. melanica (Mello-Leitão, 1941): E–F female (FCE-Ar 12259), G–H male (FCE-Ar 10505). Photographs by D. Hagopián.

FIGURE 27. Male of T. melanica (Mello-Leitão, 1941). A habitus (MACN-Ar 6243), dorsal view. B same, ventral view. C left palp (MCN 23782), ventral view, red arrow: tegulum central depression. D same, retrolateral view, red arrow: hook between RTA and prolatero-dorsal tibial apophysis, white dashed line: RTA. Scale bars: A–B 1 mm, C–D 0.50 mm.

FIGURE 28. Female of T. melanica (Mello-Leitão, 1941). A habitus (MACN-Ar 1328), dorsal view, red arrow: spotted coloration pattern. B same, ventral view. C epigynum (MACN-Ar 6244), ventral view. D same, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B 1 mm, C–D 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 52. Neotropical and Andean regionalization (Morrone 2014) and distributional records for species of the melanica group. A Neotropical, South America, Brazilian subregion Chacoan subregion, South America Transition Zone and Andean region. B Southern South America, focusing on species occurrence. C habitat inference, Uruguay: Río Negro, Estancia Las Cadenas, photographed by collector Damián Hagopián.