Aptostichus hedinorum, Bond, Jason E., 2012

Bond, Jason E., 2012, Phylogenetic treatment and taxonomic revision of the trapdoor spider genus Aptostichus Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Euctenizidae), ZooKeys 252, pp. 1-209 : 98-101

Aptostichus hedinorum sp. n. Figures 197-203Map 22

Types.

Male holotype (MY3779) and three male paratypes (AP1279) from California, San Diego County, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABSP), 0.4km N Hayden Spring, 32.71045, -116.11705 1, 350m, coll. M. Hedin 14-15.x.2000; female paratype (AP675) from ABSP, along HWY 78 in wash by road, 33.13360 -116340831, coll. J. Bond 12.xii.1998; deposited in AUMNH.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of the Hedin family, Marshal, Robin, Lars, and Molly.

Diagnosis.

Males (Fig. 197) can be diagnosed on the basis of a unique conformation of the distal most spination pattern of tibia I, which consists of 2-3 long spines that typically do not overlap (Fig. 198). This spination pattern is most similar to Aptostichus icenoglei , however Aptostichus hedinorum males lack a rectangular mating apophysis, are lighter in coloration, have very light dorsal abdominal markings or lack markings altogether, and have a prolaterally offset rastellar spine.

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected live, wandering, preserved in 80% EtOH. Coloration and specimen in relatively good condition. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, brownish yellow 10YR 6/6. Abdomen light yellowish brown 10YR 6/4, lacking dorsal markings (Fig. 197). Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.20 long, 3.40 wide, very lightly hirsute with intermingled thin white, black setae; stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, only slightly procurved. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.40, STRw 1.90. Posterior sternal sigilla moderate in size, positioned towards margin, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 6 teeth, posterior margin with patch of small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium with 3 cuspules, LBw 0.68, LBl 0.34. Rastellum consists of 5 stout spines not on prominent mound, two prominent thin spines offset prolaterally. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 4.16, 3.10, 2.88, 2.15, 1.28; leg IV: 4.40, 2.45. Tarsus IV curved. Light tarsal scopulae on all legs, light scopulae on metatarsus I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 10 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 198, 199; TSp 3, TSr 5, TSrd 2. Pedipalp. Articles slender, lacking distinct spines (Fig. 200). PTw 0.54, PTl 1.64, Bl 0.87. Embolus slender, tapering sharply toward tip, lacking serrations (Fig. 200).

Variation (5). Cl 4.20-4.56, 4.34 ± 0.07; Cw 3.40-3.68, 3.56 ± 0.05; STRl 2.40-2.60, 2.53 ± 0.04; STRw 1.90-2.06, 1.99 ± 0.03; LBw 0.68-0.77, 0.71 ± 0.02; LBl 0.34-0.37, 0.36 ± 0.01; leg I: 4.16-4.28, 4.24 ± 0.02; 3.10-3.2, 3.16 ± 0.02; 2.88-2.98, 2.95 ± 0.02; 2.10-2.25, 2.16 ± 0.03; 1.28-1.40, 1.36 ± 0.02; leg IV: 4.40-4.68, 4.52 ± 0.06; 2.44-2.50, 2.47 ± 0.01; PTl 1.64-1.70, 1.66 ± 0.01; PTw 0.54-0.60, 0.56 ± 0.01; Bl 0.80-0.87, 0.84 ± 0.01; TSp 3-4, 3.40 ± 0.24; TSr 3-5, 4.00 ± 0.32; TSrd 2-3, 2.40 ± 0.24.

Description of female paratype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Female collected live from burrow, prepared in same manner as male holotype. Genital plate removed, cleared in trypsin, stored in microvial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, pale brown 10YR 6/4. Abdomen grayish brown dorsally 10YR 5/2, lacks distinct mottled chevron marking pattern (Fig. 201). Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.95 long, 4.40 wide, generally glabrous, very sparse fine black setae; generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, slightly procurved. Eye group slightly elevated on very low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME-AME subequal diameter. Sternum widest at coxae II/III, moderately setose, STRl 2.98, STRw 2.48. Three pairs of sternal sigilla anterior pairs small in size, oval, marginal; posterior pair moderate in size, oval, mesially positioned but not contiguous. Chelicerae anterior tooth row comprising 6 teeth with posterior margin denticle patch. Palpal endites with 30 cuspules concentrated at the inner (promargin) posterior heel; labium with 3 cuspules, LBw 1.02, LBl 0.51. Rastellum consists of 7 very stout spines not positioned on mound, two prominent spines offset prolaterally; fringe of short spines along distal promargin extending upward from rastellum. Abdomen. Moderately setose. PLS all 3 segments with spigots. Terminal segment 1/2 length of medial segment, 2 enlarged spigots visible at tip. PMS single segment, with spigots, short with rounded terminus. Legs. Anterior two pairs noticeably more slender than posterior pairs. Leg I 10.95 long. Tarsus I with 6 trichobothria arranged in straight row. Legs I, II with moderately heavy scopulae on tarsus, metatarsus; light scopulae on distal aspect tarsus legs III, IV. PTLs 7, TBs 4. Rudimentary preening comb on retrolateral distal surface, tarsus-metatarsus joint, of metatarsus III, IV. Spermathecae. 2 simple spermathecal bulbs with an elongate curved stalk; basal extension small (Figs 202, 203).

Variation (4). Cl 4.20-5.00, 4.68 ± 0.19; Cw 3.76-4.40, 4.18 ± 0.14; STRl 2.63-3.04, 2.92 ± 0.10; STRw 2.18-2.48, 2.36 ± 0.06; LBw 0.80-1.02, 0.94 ± 0.05; LBl 0.48-0.63, 0.54 ± 0.03; Leg I: 10.8-12.26, 11.46 ± 0.35; ANTd 6-6, 6.00 ± 0.00; PTLs 7-10, 8.25 ± 0.75; TBs 3-5, 3.75 ± 0.48.

Material examined.

United States: California: San Diego Co.: Anza-Borrego Desert St Park, 0.4km N Hayden Spring, 32.7104, -116.117 1, 350m, M Hedin 14.x.2000 [AP1214, AP1218, AP1279, MY3779, MY3781, 2♀, 9♂, 1juv, AU MNH]; ABSP, ~0.8 NE Hayden Springs, 32.71118, -116.116 1, 488m, M Hedin 19.x.2002 [AP1213, AP1282, MY264-647, 669, 5♂, 3♀, AUMNH], M Hedin, J Bond 10.i.2002 [MY265-269, 4♀, AUMNH]; Anza-Borrego Desert St Park, along hwy 78 wash by road, 33.1336, -116.3408 1, 351m, J Bond 12.xii.1997 [AP675, 681, 684, 1♀, 2juv, AUMNH].

GenBank accessions.

16S-tRNAval-12S: JX103302-JX103312

Distribution and natural history.

Aptostichus hedinorum is known from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County within the Colorado Desert (Map 21). Male specimens have been collected during October. Female burrows can often be found in sandy banks and washes during the winter months when individuals excavate and presumably extend their burrows, creating a telltale mound at the burrow entrance.

Conservation status.

The conservation status of Aptostichus hedinorum is considered imperiled given its very restricted distribution.

Species concept applied.

Morphological/Phylogenetic.