Pseudoclamoris burgessi, Huesser, Martin, 2018

Huesser, Martin, 2018, A first phylogenetic analysis reveals a new arboreal tarantula genus from South America with description of a new species and two new species of Tapinauchenius Ausserer, 1871 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae), ZooKeys 784, pp. 59-93 : 59

Pseudoclamoris burgessi sp. n. Figs 4, 5, 6

Material examined.

Male holotype and female paratype from Leticia, Colombia deposited in SMF, leg. Auer, 2010; examined.

Other material examined.

1 female (MHCOL_00182) and 1 male (MHCOL_00201) from Iquitos, Peru in collection, leg. Auer; examined

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition as a recognition to Joseph Burges, USA who collected important material for this study.

Diagnosis.

Females of Pseudoclamoris burgessi differ from all other species of the genus by the lack of reddish setae on legs and opisthosoma (compare Figure 4a with Figure 13). From P. gigas comb. n. by the type locality and the shape of spermatheca where dual lobes appear to be more apart (compare with Schmidt 2003: figs. 6c, 614). Females differ from P. elenae comb. n. by the shape of spermatheca (dual lobed instead of multilobed as seen in P. elenae comb. n., Fig. 1 in Schmidt 1994b). Males of P. burgessi differ from those of other Pseudoclamoris species by the presence of an additional spine located distally on Rap.

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition: The specimens (raised in captivity) were offspring of a wild caught specimen that were originally collected from a burrow and preserved in 80% ethanol. The original colouration of the caught specimen is faded due to the preservation. Right legs I, III, IV, and right pedipalp were removed for measurements and photographs and stored in vial with specimen. Tissue for DNA was extracted.

General colouration: The specimen is faded black/brown in colour Cephalothorax: Carapace 6.541 mm long and 5.214 mm wide; densely clothed with faded pubescence; appressed to the surface; fringe covered in long setae not closely appressed to the surface; hirsute appearance; foveal groove is medium deep and straight. The pars cephalica region rises very gradually from the foveal groove on a straight plane towards the ocular area; AER is procurved; PER is recurved; clypeus extends slightly on a curve. LBl 1.512 and LBw 2.891; sternum hirsute, clothed with faded brown, densely packed, short setae Abdomen: Densely clothed in short black/brown pubescence with numerous longer, lighter setae interspersed (generally red or orange in situ)

Legs: Hirsute; densely clothed in faded brown pubescence. Metatarsus I is straight. F1 14.123; F1w 3.142; P1 6.142; T1 11.521; M1 10.212; A1 6.125; F3 12.012; F3w 3.042; P3 4.062; T3 7.524; M3 8.145; A3 5.214; F4 13.012; F4w 3.042; P4 5.012; T4 11.102; M4 12.051; A4 5.105; femur III is normal. All tarsi are fully scopulate. Extent of the metatarsal scopulation, leg III (SC3) = 55% and leg IV (SC4) = 78%. Two ventral spinose setae are on metatarsus III, five ventral spinose setae on metatarsus IV, one prolateral spinose seta on tibia I, and one megaspine on the apex on the retrolateral branch of the tibial apophyses. Coxa I: Prolateral surface is covered by fine, hair-like setae. Tibia I: two apophyses that do not originate from a common base; Pap short and strong, with one short spine on inner face; the Rap is well developed, broad at its base with one short and strong spine on the inner face and two short and strong spines distally. Pedipalps: Hirsute, densely clothed in the same setal colour as the other legs, with numerous longer ventral setae, one spinose seta at the apical, prolateral femur and three prolateral spinose setae on the palpal tibia; PTl 7.012, PTw 2.125. When extended, embolus tapers with a curve to the retrolateral side; embolus slender, no keels; distinct dorsal and ventral transition from bulb to embolus

Description of female paratype.

Specimen preparation and condition: The examined specimens, raised in captivity, are offspring of wild caught specimen that were collected live from a burrow, and preserved in 80% ethanol. The original colouration has faded due to the preservation. A 50 mg tissue sample was extracted for DNA analysis. The genital plate with spermathecae was removed and cleared, then stored in a vial with the specimen.

General colouration: faded black/brown. Cephalothorax: Carapace is 17.456 mm long, and 16.245 mm wide; densely clothed with short faded black/brown pubescence, closely appressed to the surface, the fringe densely covered in slightly longer setae; foveal groove is medium deep and slightly procurved. The pars cephalica region gently rises from the thoracic furrow, arching anteriorly toward the ocular area; AER is slightly procurved, PER is very slightly recurved; clypeus extends forward on a curve. LBl 1.627 and LBw 2.982; sternum is covered with short faded setae. The abdomen is densely clothed dorsally in short faded black setae with longer, lighter setae (generally red or orange in situ). Spermathecae: paired and separate, with capitate bulbs widening towards the bases and not fused, two lobes on each end. Legs: are densely clothed in short faded black/brown pubescence. F1 16.145; F1w 4.234; P1 8.241; T1 13.356; M1 11.278; A1 7.252; F3 11.412; F3w 3.845; P3 6.265; T3 9.156; M3 11.589; A3 6.256; F4 14.163; F4w 4.167; P4 7.532; T4 12.356; M4 13.578; A4 6.521. All tarsi are fully scopulate. Extension of metatarsal scopulation: Leg III (SC3) = 58% and leg IV (SC4) = 79%. There is one ventral and one prolateral spinose seta on metatarsus III, and four ventral spinose setae and one prolateral spinose seta on metatarsus IV. Coxa I: prolateral surface is covered by very thin tapered and fine, hair-like setae. Pedipalps: densely clothed in the same setal colour as the other legs, with one spinose seta on the apical, prolateral femur, four prolateral (two at the apical, prolateral border with the tarsus) spinose setae and one ventral spinose seta on the tibia.

Distribution and natural history.

Lowland rainforest of the Amazon region of the countries of Colombia and Peru. Ecuador as distribution is highly likely due to the occurrence very close to the border of Ecuador in Leticia, Columbia. Pseudoclamoris burgessi is sympatric with Tapinauchenius sp. in the same mentioned region (Auer, pers. comm.)

Remarks.

No threat through poaching or smuggling of animals out of the country of origin is to be expected, since P. burgessi is bred in the pet-trade all around the world for several years now. Egg sacs of P. burgessi typically contain between 80 and 220 spiderlings, depending on the size of the female. (pers. obs. and Rast pers. comm.)