Celaetycheus Simon, 1897

Polotow, Daniele & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2013, New species of the Neotropical spider genus Celaetycheus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Ctenidae), Zootaxa 3637 (2), pp. 139-157 : 140

Celaetycheus Simon, 1897

Celaetycheus Simon 1897: 114 –115 (Type species by monotypy: Celaetycheus flavostriatus Simon, 1897 ); Lehtinen 1967: 378; Silva 2003: 24, 31; Polotow & Brescovit 2009: 13.

Diagnosis. Males of Celaetycheus resemble those of Centroctenus Mello-Leitão, 1929 by the elongated palpal tibiae and short cymbium (see Brescovit 1996: figs 19–20), but can be distinguished from them by the presence of a cymbial retroventral process ( Fig. 4A ). Females of Celaetycheus resemble those of Centroctenus by the smooth median plate (see Brescovit 1996: figs 21–22), but can be distinguished by the short lateral spurs, with the tip below the median plate, and the spermathecae divided in two parts, with a round head and large and curved base and with the copulatory duct ending in the base of the spermathecae ( Fig. 4E ).

Description. See Polotow & Brescovit (2009). Additional data: Small to medium sized ecribellate spiders. Total body length (males and females): 3.20–4.70 mm.

Composition. Eleven species.

Distribution. Endemic to the state of Bahia, northeast of Brazil ( Figs 15 A–C).

Natural history. The species of Celaetycheus are nocturnal, fast running hunters, living in the leaf litter. The vegetation types at collection sites are Atlantic Forest, cocoa plantations and transition zone between Atlantic Forest and Caatinga Forest.

Figures

FIGURE 15. Collection localities of Celaetycheus species: A, South America. B – C, close-up, northeast Brazil, State of Bahia.

FIGURE 4. A – F Celaetycheus abara sp. nov.; A – D, cymbium and tibia of right male palp: A, ventral view; B, cymbium close-up; C, tibia retrolateral view, arrows on thrichobotria position; D, trichobotrium of tibia; E – F, female spermathecae; E, dorsal view; F, head of spermathecae close-up. Abbreviations: BS, base of spermathecae; C, conductor; CP, cymbial projection; E, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; HS, head of spermathecae; MA, median apophysis; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST, subtegulum; Ti, tibia; TP, tegular projection.