Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000

Huber, Bernhard A., Meng, Guanliang, Král, Jiří, Ávila Herrera, Ivalú M. & Izquierdo, Matías A., 2023, Revision of the South American Ninetinae genus Guaranita (Araneae, Pholcidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 900 (1), pp. 32-80 : 63-73

Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000

Figs 2I – J , 24 – 31 , 32E

Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000: 97 , figs 367 – 377 (♂ ♀)

Guaranita goloboffi – Huber 2014: 140. — Torres et al. 2015: 4, fig. 2c – d. — Dederichs et al. 2022: 18 (sperm morphology).

Diagnosis (amendments; see Huber 2000)

Distinguished from known congeners by shape of dorsal flap on procursus ( Fig. 25F ; rounded, smaller than in the similar G. yaculica ); also by wide distal bulbal sclerite ( Fig. 25G ; similar only in G. auadae sp. nov.), by relatively wide male palpal tibia ( Fig. 24C ; width/length 1.00; other species 0.85 – 0.95; tibia width/ femur width: 1.75 – 1.80; other species 1.40 – 1.70) and by female internal genitalia ( Fig. 26C – D ; median structure rectangular, similar to G. auadae but larger).

Material examined (new records)

ARGENTINA – Salta • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; ~ 1 km SW of Alemanía; 25.6300° S, 65.6180° W; 1210 m a.s.l.; 23 Mar. 2019; B.A. Huber and M.A. Izquierdo leg.; ZFMK Ar 24126 • 1 ♀, 3 juvs, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; ZFMK Arg203 • 4 ♀♀, 4 juvs, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 860 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 861 • 1 ♀; ~ 5 km W of Cafayate, ‘site 1’; 26.0641° S, 66.0294° W; 2060 m a.s.l.; 24 Mar. 2019; B.A. Huber and M.A. Izquierdo leg.; ZFMK Ar 24127 • 2 ♀♀, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 857 • 1 ♀, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 858 • 1 ♀, 1 juv.; 6 km NW of Cafayate, Chuscha ; ~ 26.04° S, 66.02° W; ~ 1980 m a.s.l.; 17 Jul. 1995; M. Ramírez and P. Goloboff leg; MACN Ar 20094 • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Cabra Corral , ‘site 1’, ~ 5 km E of Coronel Moldes; 25.2870° S, 65.4238° W; 1080 m a.s.l.; 20 Mar. 2019; B.A. Huber and M.A. Izquierdo leg.; ZFMK Ar 24128 • 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; ZFMK Arg190 • 1 ♀, same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 881 • 6 ♀♀, 1 juv., in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 864 • 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ (one male and two females used for µ-CT study; one male used for karyotype study); Cabra Corral , ‘site 3’, ~ 3.5 km SE of dam; 25.2907° S, 65.3057° W; 1000 m a.s.l.; 21 Mar. 2019; B.A. Huber and M.A. Izquierdo leg.; ZFMK Ar 24129 • 4 ♀♀, 15 juvs, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; ZFMK Arg196 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 855 • 3 ♀♀, 4 juvs, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 863 . – Catamarca • 8 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀ (two males and two females used for µ-CT study; two males used for karyotype study, one male used for SEM); ~ 5 km NW of Chumbicha, near Balneario El Caolín, ‘site 1’; 28.8152° S, 66.2478° W; 610 m a.s.l.; 28 – 29 Mar. 2019; B.A. Huber and M.A. Izquierdo leg.; ZFMK Ar 24130 • 1 ♂, 17 ♀♀, 5 juvs, in pure ethanol (two females used for SEM); same collection data as for preceding; ZFMK Arg220 • 8 ♂♂, 2 juvs; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE-Ar 875 • 11 ♀♀, 18 juvs, in pure ethanol; same collection data as for preceding; LABRE Ar 859 .

Assigned tentatively (no males available)

ARGENTINA – Tucumán • 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., in pure ethanol; San Miguel de Tucumán, Parque 9 de Julio ; 26.828° S, 65.186° W; 430 m a.s.l.; 1 Apr. 2015; A. Porta leg.; MACN Ar 34678 . – Salta • 3 ♀♀; between Alemanía and Cafayate; 25.7023° S, 65.7022° W; 1340 m a.s.l.; 23 Mar. 2019; B.A. Huber and M.A. Izquierdo leg.; LABRE-Ar 862 .

Redescription (amendments; see Huber 2000)

Measurements of male from Cabra Corral, ‘site 3’: total body length 1.08, carapace width 0.40; distance PME–PME 40 µm; diameter PME 45 µm; distance PME–ALE 20 µm; distance AME–AME 20 µm; diameter AME 25 µm. Leg 1: 2.02 (0.56+0.14 +0.50 +0.48 + 0.34), tibia 2: 0.42, tibia 3: 0.38, tibia 4: 0.63; tibia 1 L/d: 8; diameters of leg femora 0.090 – 0.095; of leg tibiae: 0.060. Tibia 1 in 19 males (incl. males in Huber 2000): 0.49 – 0.59 (mean 0.53). Sternum slightly wider than long (0.32/0.30). Chelicerae as in Fig. 25A – C ; stridulatory files ( Fig. 27G ) with ~17 – 19 ridges each; distances between ridges proximally ~0.6 µm, distally ~2.7 µm. Pedipalp as in Fig. 24A – C ; tibia with two trichobothria; palpal tarsal organ capsulate ( Fig. 28A – B ), raised, with small opening (diameter of opening 1.45 µm); procursus as in Figs 25D – F and 29A – C , with large transparent ventral membrane, distinctive dorsal flap, and tip bent towards dorsal; genital bulb as in Figs 25G – I and 29A – F , with simple proximal sclerite, distal sclerite widened in mid-section. Legs without spines and curved hairs; vertical hairs not seen in dissecting microscope but present in two retrolateral rows on tibia 1 ( Fig. 30A – B ); prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other leg tibiae; metatarsus 4 with a few slender hairs on retrolateral-ventral side (as in female, cf. Fig. 30C ); tarsus 4 with single prolateral comb-hair (as in female, cf. Fig. 31D ). Gonopore with four epiandrous spigots ( Fig. 27F ).

Tibia 1 in 55 newly collected females 0.48 – 0.58 (mean 0.52). Female internal genitalia ( Fig. 26C – D ) with strong median structure; apparently with small pore plates ( Fig. 32E ). Each ALS ( Fig. 27C – E ) with one strongly widened spigot, one long pointed spigot, and five cylindrical spigots (of which one is much wider than the others); each PMS with two conical spigots ( Fig. 27D ); PLS without spigots. Leg tibiae and metatarsi with tiny pores with cuticular rim (pore diameter 0.5 µm; Fig. 31A ) and with small round cuticular ‘plates’ (diameter 4 – 5 µm; Fig. 31A ). Tarsal organs with very small openings (palp: 1.2 µm;

legs: ~0.8 µm; Figs 28C – D , 31B ). Metatarsi 3 and 4 with long slender hairs as in male ( Fig. 30C ); tarsus 4 with single prolateral comb-hair as in male ( Fig. 31D ).

Natural history

The newly collected specimens were found in relatively arid environments ( Fig. 34E – F ), under rocks, in leaf litter, and in the dry leaves of dead bromeliads lying on the ground. Three egg-sacs contained 6 – 7 eggs, respectively, and were carried under the prosoma.

Distribution

Known from several localities in Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca provinces, Argentina ( Fig. 33B ).

Karyology

While the preparation of the G. goloboffi specimen from Cabra Corral contained rare mitoses, prophases and metaphases I, preparations of the males from Chumbicha contained only a few premeiotic interphases and prophases of the second meiotic division. The male karyotype of the G. goloboffi specimen from Cabra Corral consisted of 11 exclusively metacentric chromosomes, namely five chromosome pairs that decreased gradually in length and a single large X chromosome ( Fig. 35E ). Chromosome pairs decreased gradually in length, except for the prominent first pair. The X chromosome was twice as long as the chromosomes of the first pair. Fused sister prophases II of specimens from Chumbicha also comprised 11 chromosomes ( Fig. 35C ), which confirms the diploid number and sex chromosome system. For the specimen from Cabra Corral we also obtained data on the NOR pattern. Two bivalents included a terminal NOR. Another NOR was possibly placed in the middle of an X chromosome arm. However, this was visible in only one of three metaphase I plates suitable for the detection of NORs.

The sex chromosome did not differ in its intensity of condensation and staining from the other chromosomes at the mitotic prophase and metaphase ( Fig. 35E ). The male prophase of the first meiotic division included a diffuse stage ( Fig. 35B ). The X chromosome was positively heteropycnotic (i.e., more intensively stained than the other chromosomes) during the premeiotic interphase ( Fig. 35A ) and the diffuse stage ( Fig. 35B ). During the prophase of the second meiotic division ( Fig. 35C ), however, it exhibited the same behavior and intensity of staining as the other chromosomes.

Figures

Fig. 2. Guaranita Huber, 2000, live specimens. A–B. G. dobby Torres et al., 2016; females with egg-sacs from NW of Campo Quijano. C–D. G. munda (Gertsch, 1982); male and female with eggsac from E of Nono. E–F. G. yaculica Huber, 2000; male and female from Calilegua National Park. G–H. G. auadae Huber sp. nov.; male and female with egg-sac from between San Salvador and Purmamarca. I–J. G. goloboffi Huber, 2000; male and female from NW of Chumbicha.

Fig. 24. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; male from Cabra Corral (ZFMK Ar 24129). Left pedipalp, prolateral (A), dorsal (B), and retrolateral (C) views. Scale bar = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 25. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; males from Cabra Corral (A–C, G–I; ZFMK Ar 24129) and from NW of Chumbicha (D–F; ZFMK Ar 24130). A–C. Chelicerae, frontal, lateral, and ventral views. D–F. Left procursus, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views. G–I. Left genital bulb, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 26. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; females from Cabra Corral (A; ZFMK Ar 24129) and from NW of Chumbicha (B–D; ZFMK Ar 24130). A. Abdomen, ventral view. B. Cleared epigynum, ventral view. C–D. Cleared epigyna of two specimens, dorsal views. Scale bars = 0.1 mm (B–D at same scale).

Fig. 27. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; from NW of Chumbicha (ZFMK Ar 24130, Arg220). A. Female prosoma, frontal view. B. Epigynum, ventral view. C. Female spinnerets and anal cone. D. Female ALS and PMS. E. Female ALS. F. Male gonopore with epiandrous spigots. G. Stridulatory file on left male chelicera. H. Stridulatory pick of male palpal femur. Scale bars: A–B = 100 µm; C = 20 µm; D–G = 10 µm; H = 2 µm.

Fig. 28. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; from NW of Chumbicha (ZFMK Ar 24130, Arg220). A. Male left palpal tarsus, showing position of tarsal organ (arrow). B. Male palpal tarsal organ (detail of previous figure). C. Tip of left female palp, dorsal view. D. Female palpal tarsal organ (and short vertical hair). E. Female left palpal tibia, showing two trichobothria. F. Prolateral trichobothrium (and dorsal trichobothrium in the back) on female left tibia 2. Scale bars: A, C, E–F = 10 µm; B, D = 2 µm.

Fig. 29. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; male from NW of Chumbicha (ZFMK Ar 24130, Arg220). A–C. Right tarsus, procursus, and bulb, in retrolateral-dorsal, retrolateral, and retrolateral-ventral views. D–F. Right genital bulb (and neighboring elements of male palp), in prolateral, prolateral-dorsal, and dorsal views. Abbreviations: b = genital bulb; p = procursus. Scale bars = 20 µm.

Fig. 30. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; from NW of Chumbicha (ZFMK Ar 24130, Arg220). A. Male right tibia 1, retrolateral view, showing two rows of short vertical hairs. B. Two short vertical hairs (and basis of regular hair) on male right tibia 1. C. Female metatarsus 4, showing slender hair (arrow) among regular hairs. D. Dorsal lyriform organ distally on female metatarsus 1. E. Chemoreceptive hairs distally on female left metatarsus 2. F. Female tarsus 4; note tarsal organ (arrow) and chemoreceptive hair (upper right). Scale bars = 10 µm.

Fig. 31. Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; from NW of Chumbicha (ZFMK Ar 24130, Arg220).A. Pore and cuticular plate on female right tibia 2. B. Tarsal organ on female right tarsus 4. C. Male right metatarsus 4, showing two slender hairs (arrows) and regular hairs. D. Tip of female tarsus 4, prolateral view, showing claws and comb-hair (arrow). E. Claws on female right tarsus 1, retrolateral view. F. Claws of female left tarsus 3, prolateral view. Scale bars: A = 2 µm; B = 1 µm; C–F = 10 µm.

Fig. 32. Guaranita Huber, 2000, female internal genitalia; arrows point at possible pore plates. A. G. dobby Torres et al., 2016; from NW of Campo Quijano. B. G. munda (Gertsch, 1982); from E of Nono. C. G. yaculica Huber, 2000; from Calilegua National Park. D. G. auadae Huber sp. nov., from between San Salvador and Purmamarca. E. G. goloboffi Huber, 2000; from NW of Chumbicha. Scale bar = 0.1 mm (all at same scale).

Fig. 34. Typical habitats of species of Guaranita Huber, 2000 in Argentina. A. NW of Campo Quijano (Salta), G. dobby Torres et al., 2016. B. E of Nono (Córdoba), G. munda (Gertsch, 1982). C. Calilegua National Park (Jujuy), G. yaculica Huber, 2000. D. Between San Salvador and Purmamarca (Jujuy), type locality of G. auadae Huber sp. nov. E. SW of Alemanía (Salta), G. goloboffi Huber, 2000. F. W of Cafayate (Salta), G. goloboffi.

Fig. 33. Known distribution of Guaranita Huber, 2000. Inset: map of South America, showing all known records. A–B. Known distributions of individual species. Question marks denote dubious outliers (Torres et al. 2015, 2016; not restudied) that need confirmation.

Fig. 35. Karyology of Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000; males from Chumbicha (A, C) and Cabra Corral (B, D–E). A. Premeiotic interphase. Note positively heteropycnotic X chromosome on the periphery of the nucleus. B. Late diffuse stage. Plate consists of five bivalents and peripheral X univalent, which exhibits positive heteropycnosis. C. Two fused sister prophases of the second meiotic division (2n = 11). X chromosome does not differ by condensation pattern or behavior from the other chromosomes. D. Metaphase I composed of five bivalents and X chromosome univalent, detection of NORs by FISH. Particular bivalents separated by dashed line. Centromeric regions of chromosomes forming bivalents exhibit a bright fluorescence. Note two NOR-bearing bivalents (shafted arrows). Another NOR is possibly placed in the middle of an X chromosome arm (empty arrowhead). E. Karyotype, based on mitotic metaphase. Note five metacentric chromosome pairs and a large metacentric X chromosome. Scale bars = 10 µm.