Tayshaneta devia (Gertsch, 1974)

Ledford, Joel, Paquin, Pierre, Cokendolpher, James, Campbell, Josh & Griswold, Charles, 2012, Systematics, conservation and morphology of the spider genus Tayshaneta (Araneae, Leptonetidae) in Central Texas Caves, ZooKeys 167, pp. 1-102 : 23-25

Tayshaneta devia (Gertsch, 1974) Figs 17 A–E31B38A–F 53A56

Leptoneta devia Gertsch 1974: 171.

Neoleptoneta devia (Gertsch, 1974): Brignoli 1977: 216; Platnick 1986: 8.

Tayshaneta devia (Gertsch, 1974): Ledford et al. 2011.

Type data.

Female holotype from Shultz Cave, 2mi. E. of Volente, Travis County, Texas, 21-August-1963, B. Russell, 30.43N, 97.86W, (AMNH, examined).

Notes.

Shultz Cave is commonly referred to as MacDonald Cave and is located approximately 2.5mi. NE of Volente in Travis County. Although the male for this species was not available to Gertsch (1974), recent inventories of caves in this area have produced the first male specimens and added several new records from nearby caves. Of special interest are records from leaf litter near the entrance of Tooth Cave (type locality for Tayshaneta myopica ), approximately 2 miles south of MacDonald Cave. Although Gertsch (1974: 171-172) originally described Tayshaneta devia as a troglobite based on the type specimen’s reduced eyes and pigment, the discovery of surface populations suggests that the species is a widespread troglophile although some populations may be locally adapted to caves. One record from Williamson County (Village Idiot Cave) is tentative as diagnostic structures on the male palp are partially obscured.

Other material examined.

USA: Texas: Travis County: Brewpot Sink, 19-October-2009, K. O’Connor, 30.41N, 97.85W, 3 ♀, 1 juv., (TMM); Hammett’s Crossing, 14mi. NW of Dripping Springs, 29-September-1994, A. Grubbs, 30.33N, 98.13W, 1 ♂, 2 ♀, (TMM); Highway 71 and Pedernales River, 23mi. W. of Austin, 20-September-1994, A. Grubbs, 30.38N, 98.08W, 2 ♂, 6 ♀, 2 juvs, (TMM); MacDonald Cave, 18-April-1984, Pate, J. Reddell, M. Reyes, 30.43N, 97.86W, 1 ♀, (TMM); MacDonald Cave, 29-April-1989, W. Elliot, J. Reddell, M. Reyes, 30.43N, 97.86W, 3 ♀, (AMNH); MacDonald Cave, 7-January-2005, P. Paquin, 30.43N, 97.86W, 1 ♀, (CASC); MacDonald Cave, September-2008, P. Paquin, 30.43N, 97.86W, 3 ♂, 4 ♀, 4 juvs, (CASC); Stovepipe Cave, 25-October-1990, J. Reddell, M. Reyes, 30.42N, 97.84W, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, (TMM); Stovepipe Cave, 18-September-2009, K. O’Connor, 30.42N, 97.84W, 1 ♀, (TMM); surface above Tooth Cave, 21-November-08, P. Paquin, K. O’Connor, 30.40N, 97.85W, sifting leaf litter, 1 ♂, 3 ♀, (TMM); 9K-2 Cave (=Moonmilk Cave), Spicewood Springs Road, 11-February-95, Elliot, Sprouse, 30.37N, 97.76W, 1 ♂, 2 ♀, 1 juv., (TMM); Williamson County: Village Idiot Cave, 31-October-94, Warton, 30.73N, 97.83W, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, (TMM).

Diagnosis.

Tayshaneta devia may be separated from other Tayshaneta species that lack a ventral sclerite, except Tayshaneta archambaulti and Tayshaneta coeca , by having a short retrolateral tibial spine, occupying less than 0.5 × the length of the palpal tarsus (RTS, Fig. 38A) and an apically tapering subquadrate embolus that lacks sculpture along its margin (E, Fig. 38D). Separated from Tayshaneta archambaulti and Tayshaneta coeca by having a retrolateral tibial spine with a base that lacks distinctive sculpture (RTS, Fig. 31B) and by the unique shape of the embolus (E, Fig. 38D).

Description.

Complete description of female in Gertsch (1974: 171-172). Habitus of male and female in Figs 17 A–E and female genitalia in Fig. 53A.

Male (MacDonald Cave). Body length 1.4, carapace 0.58 long, 0.49 wide, length 1.18 × width. Carapace light brown-yellow, sparsely setose; eyes large, ocular area enclosed in a dark pattern. Legs elongate and thin, femur I 1.4 × carapace length, covered in fine setae with few scattered spines.Palpal tarsus entire, tapering apically; retrolateral tibial spine on an elevated base, weakly recurved and smooth at its base, length 0.36 × tarsus length. Bulb suboval, length 1.70 × width; embolus oval, tapering apically (Fig. 38D), length 1.90 × width. Abdomen yellow-brown, without pattern, 0.81 long, 0.61 wide, covered in fine setae.

Variation(n = 6). Total length 1.25-1.40; carapace length 1.20-1.52 × carapace width; length femur I 1.0-1.4 × carapace width.

Distribution.

Known from caves and surface localities in Travis and Williamson Counties, Texas (Fig. 56).