Platnickia elegans (Nicolet)

Grismado, Cristian J. & Platnick, Norman I., 2008, Review of the Southern South American Spider Genus Platnickia (Araneae, Zodariidae), American Museum Novitates 3625 (1), pp. 1-20 : 4-14

Platnickia elegans (Nicolet)

Figures 1 –26, 34–37, 52–57, 75–78

Drassus elegans Nicolet, 1849: 455 , pl. 4, fig. 3, 3a–d (female lectotype from Valdivia or San Cárlos de Chiloe´ , Chile, in MNHN, designated by Jocque´, 1991: 76, examined).

Drassus similis Nicolet, 1849: 456 (female holotype from Valdivia , Chile, in MNHN, examined by Jocque´, 1991: 78). First synonymized by Simon, 1889: 218.

Storena elegans: Simon, 1889: 218 .

Platnickia elegans : Jocque´, 1991: 75, figs. 37, 151– 160.

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of P. bolson in having a well-sclerotized tegular apophysis (figs. 6, 7, 52–54), but differ in having the tegular apophysis thicker, slightly shorter, and less sinuous, and by the tegular extension, which is proportionately shorter and broader; the retrolateral tibial apophysis is also less acute. Females can be distinguished by the squared-shaped median field of the epigynum (fig. 56) and by the longer internal spermathecal heads (fig. 57).

DESCRIPTION: Male (Nahuelbuta; figs. 25, 34, 35): Total length 4.68. Carapace 2.40 long, 1.52 wide. Femur II 1.40 long. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.10, PME 0.10, PLE 0.10; AME-AME 0.04, AME-ALE 0.06, PME-PME 0.08, PME-PLE 0.18, ALE- PLE 0.06. Carapace, femora, patellae dark brown, lighter on proximal parts of femora III, IV, dorsal parts of patellae; remaining podomeres yellowish, except for darkened distal rings on tibiae III, IV; coxae ventrally pale yellowish; mouthparts, palps dark brown; sternum brown with leaf-shaped, lighter central area; abdominal dorsum whitish, with black cardiac mark, series of short lateral transverse stripes on both sides, fused medially near caudal area as chevrons; sides blackish, venter also blackish, flanked by two whitish bands; pre-epigastric area purplish brown; spinnerets brown. Leg spination: femora: I d1-1-1 (last one very thin), p1(subap), 1(ap); II d1-1-1, p1(subap), 1(ap); III d0-1-1, dp0-0-1-1- 1, dr0-0-1-1-1; IV d1-1-1, dp0-0-2/1, dr0-0-1/0; tibiae: I p1-1, vp1(ap); II vr1-1-1, vp0-0-1; III v2-2-2, p1-1, r1-1; IV v2-2-2, r1-1; metatarsi: I v(ap)2, r(ap)1, p(ap)1; II v0-1-1, r(ap)1, p(ap)1; III v1-2-2, p1(ap), r1(ap), dp1(ap), dr1(ap); IV v1-1-2, p0-1-0-1-1, r1(ap), dr0-1-1; tarsi: III vr0-0-1-1, vp0-0-1; IV vr0-0-1-1, vp1(subap). Palp (figs. 4–7, 52–55): retrolateral tibial apophysis inconspicuous, with cluster of modified hairs; tegular apophysis well sclerotized, relatively sinuous; tegular extension massive, longitudinal, with dorsal fold where embolus fits in resting position (fig. 7).

F E M A L E (Palmas de Ocoa; figs. 2 6, 36, 37): Total length 5.57. Carapace 2.48 long, 1.50 wide. Femur II 1.22 long. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.14; AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.06, PME-PME 0.12, PME-PLE 0.16, ALE-PLE 0.05. Coloration as in male,

though lighter in general; cephalic area lighter than remainder of carapace, abdominal dorsal markings less profuse, dark pigment of venter restricted to two paraxial bands and semicircle in front of spinneret area. Leg spination: femora: I d1-1-1 (last one very thin), p1(subap); II d1-1-1 (last one very thin), p1(subap); III d0/1-1-1, p1/2(subap), r0/1(subap); IV d1-1-1(last one very thin); tibiae: I v2(ap), p1(very thin)-0-0; II v1-1-2, p1-0-1; III p1-1, r1-1, v2-2-2; IV v1/2-1/2-2, r1-1, p0/1-1; metatarsi: I v0-2-2, p1(ap), r0/1(ap); II v1-2-

21. Carapace, lateral view. 22. Abdomen, ventral view. 23. Epigynum, ventral view. 24. Same, cleared, dorsal view.

2, p2(ap); III r1-1-1, p0-1-1, v2-2-2; IV v1-1-1 (zigzagging) + 2(ap), r0-1-2, p0-1-1, dr1(ap), dr1(ap); tarsi: III vp0-0-1, vr0-0-1-1; IV vp0-0- 0-1-1, vr0-1-1-1-1 (zigzagging), r1. Epigynum with more or less rectangular median field (fig. 56); paired copulatory openings with crestlike structures at inner corners (figs. 13, 14); two large, globose spermathecae, each

Figs. 25–33. Dorsal habitus of preserved specimens. 25, 28, 30, 32: Male. 26, 27, 29, 31, 33: Female. 25, 26. P. elegans (Nicolet) . 27. P. roble , new species. 28, 29. P. wedalen , new species. 30, 31. P. bergi (Simon) . 32, 33. P. bolson , new species.

Figs. 34–51. Habitus of preserved specimens. 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50: Lateral view. 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51: Ventral view. 34, 35, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 49: Male. 36–39, 42, 43, 46, 47, 50, 51: Female. 34–37. P. elegans (Nicolet) . 38, 39. P. roble , new species. 40–43. P. wedalen , new species. 44–47. P. bergi (Simon) . 48–51. P. bolson , new species.

Figs. 52–59. 52–57: Platnickia elegans (Nicolet) . 58, 59: P. roble , new species. 52–55: Male. 56–59: Female. 52. Left palp, prolateral view. 53. Same, ventral view. 54. Same, retrolateral view. 55. Same, expanded. 56, 58. Epigynum, ventral view. 57, 59. Same, cleared, dorsal view.

62. Same, retrolateral view. 63. Epigynum, ventral view. 64. Same, cleared, dorsal view.

with medially directed head (internally connected by relatively long stem, fig. 57).

VARIATION: The holotype (figs. 19–24) has the margins of the epigynum almost entirely parallel, delimiting an almost perfectly rectangular median field, but this shape varies among the specimens examined.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: CHILE: Región de Coquimbo ( IV): Choapa: Céspedes, Illapel , Oct. 13–14, 1994, elev. 1100 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 4♀ ; El Bato, E Illapel , Oct. 10, 1985 (L. Peña, AMNH), 51♀ , Oct. 11–13, 1994, elev. 800 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ ; Fundo Palo Colorado , 16 km N Pichidangui, Oct. 31, 1988 (E. Maury, C. Szumik, P. Goloboff, MACN), 1♀ ; N Los Villos, Oct. 3, 1990 (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ . Región de Valparaíso ( V): Petorca : La Ligua, Sept. 27, 1980, relict forest (L. Peña, AMNH), 4♀ ; Ñague´, route 5, km 235, 10 km N Los Vilos, 31 ° 49 9 53.5 0 S, 71 ° 30 9 34.2 0 W, Feb. 2005, coastal fog-fed forest, elev. 90 m (M. Ramírez, F. Labarque, MACN), 23 (1 sent to La Serena ) ; Petorca , Oct. 8, 1986 (L. Peña, AMNH), 7♀ ; Pullalli , Dec. 16, 1980 (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ . Quillota: Parque Nacional La Campana, Palmas de Ocoa , 32 ° 57 9 40.4 0 S, 71 ° 03 9 34.0 0 W, Feb. 18, 2005, elev. 770 m (M. Ramírez, F. Labarque, MACN), 23, 1♀ (♀ matured in lab) . Valparaíso: Cuesta El Melón, near La Calera , Nov. 15, 1985 (L. Peña, AMNH), 22♀ , Oct. 10–12, 1986 (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ . Región Metropolitana de Santiago: Chacabuco: Cuesta La Dormida, N Tiltil , Nov. 13–18, 1982, elev. 800–1300 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 12♀ . Santiago: Quilicura , Aug. 1979 (L. Peña, AMNH), 12♀ . Maipo: La Obra, cajón de Río Maipo , Nov. 1984 (G. Arriagada, MNHNS), 1♀ . Región del O’Higgins ( VI): Cachapoal: Pilai , Nov. 23– 25, 1981 (L. Peña, AMNH), 4♀ . Región del Maule ( VII): Curicó: Las Tablas , E Curicó, Feb. 1985 (L. Peña, AMNH), 523, 54♀ . Región del Bío-Bío ( VIII): Ñuble: Chillan, Las Trancas , Feb. 1987 (L. Peña, AMNH), 103, 4♀ ; El Llano, Chillan , Jan.–Mar. 1983 (L. Peña, AMNH), 13 ; Recinto , Jan. 9, 1989 (M. Ramírez, E. Maury, MACN), 2♀ ; E Recinto, Las Trancas , Feb. 1987, elev. 1100 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 53, 2♀ . Concepción: Palo Grande, road to Santa Juana, Dec. 29, 1996 ( T. Cekalovic, AMNH), 1♀ ; Periquillo , Oct .

72. Same, retrolateral view. 73. Epigynum, ventral view. 74. Same, cleared, dorsal view.

17, 1992 ( T. Cekalovic, AMNH), 1♀ . Bío-Bío: El Manzano, near Contulmo , Dec. 15, 1985 (L. Peña, AMNH), 13; W Ralco, Santa Bárbara, Nov. 22–23, 1994, elev. 400 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ . Arauco: 2 km S crossroad to Colico Norte , Oct. 20, 1996 ( T. Cekalovic, AMNH), 3♀ . Región de La Araucanía ( IX): Malleco: Alto Caledonia, E Mulchen, Feb. 10–15, 1981, elev. 700 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 13, Feb. 14, 1992, elev. 740 m (N. Platnick, P. Goloboff, M. Ramírez, AMNH), 13, 3♀ ; 16 km N Curacautín , Feb. 15, 1992, elev. 800 m (N. Platnick, P. Goloboff, M. Ramírez, AMNH), 53, 1♀ ; Malalcahuello , Dec. 9–15, 1985 (L. Peña, AMNH), 13, 6♀ ; Monumento Nacional Contulmo , Jan. 12, 1989 (M. Ramírez, MACN), 1♀ , Jan. 17, 1989, in armpits of colihue ( Chusquea sp. ) bamboo (M. Ramírez, MACN, sent to La Serena ), 1♀ ; Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta , 40 km W Angol, Feb. 13, 1992, elev. 1200 m (N. Platnick, P. Goloboff, M. Ramírez, AMNH), 13, 37♀ , 37 ° 49 9 39.0 0 S, 73 ° 00 9 32.2 0 W, Feb. 12, 2005, Nothofagus / Araucaria forest, elev. 1100 m (M. Ramírez, F. Labarque, MACN), 53, 1♀ (including MACN ARAMR000224 , 13 , and MACN 10946 , voucher for P. Michalik study, 13) ; Tolhuaca , Mar. 15–23, 1986 (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ ; Victoria , Nov. 26–29, 1990 (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ . Cautín: 15–30 km S Cherquenco, Feb. 26, 1989 (L. Peña, AMNH), 13; Loncoche (G. Mann, MNHNS), 13; Quiñenahuin , N Curarrehue, Mar. 7–10, 1989, elev. 600 m (L. Peña, AMNH), 13. Región de los Lagos (X): Valdivia: Purolón, NW Panguipulli, Jan. 10, 1985 (L. Peña, AMNH), 1♀ . Chiloe´: Piopío , Mar. 10–12, 1987 (L. Peña, AMNH), 13 . ARGENTINA: Neuquén: Hua-Hum , Jan. 1985 (M. Ramírez, MACN), 1♀ ; Lago Huechulafquen , Jan. 20–23, 1999 (L. Compagnucci, MACN), 1♀ ; Lago Paimún, Parque Nacional Lanín , Jan. 15–17, 1999 (L. Compagnucci, MACN), 1♀ ; Pucará , Feb. 1963 (Schajovsky, MACN), 23, 4♀ , Dec. 15, 1965 (Giai, MACN), 13, 7♀ , 1973 (Schajovsky, MACN), 13, Feb. 1974 (Schajovsky, MACN), 23, 1♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: Chile (Choapa to Chiloe´) and adjacent Argentina (Neuquén and Río Negro, map 1).

Figures

Figs. 1–3. Platnickia elegans (Nicolet), living specimens. 1. Male from Nahuelbuta. 2. Female from Alto Caledonia, with egg sac, in armpits of colihue bamboo (Chusquea culeou). 3. Same, detail (photographs by Martín J. Ramírez).