Aptostichus fisheri, 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 : 146-148

Aptostichus fisheri sp. n. Figures 316-322Maps 33

Types.

Male holotype (AP955) from California, Kern County, north Red Rock Canyon, 35.39752, -117.99797 1, 865m, coll. 30.ix-3.x.2003 and male paratype (AP954) from east Dove Spring Canyon, 35.43813, -118.04607 1, 1068m, coll. USGS-BRD San Diego Field Station 1.x.2003; deposited in CAS. Male paratype (AP407) from NE edge of El Paso Mountains, hills ~1.6km W HWY 395.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Robert N. Fisher of the United States Geological Survey San Diego Field Station. Specimens collected through projects directed by Dr. Fisher have greatly enhanced our knowledge of Aptostichus species distributions.

Diagnosis.

Males of Aptostichus fisheri are distinguished in the diagnosis of Aptostichus bonoi .

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 80% EtOH. Coloration lightly faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen; leg II right side missing from specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs dark reddish brown 5YR 3/4. Abdomen uniform light brown 7.5YR 6/3, light dorsal chevron markings (Fig. 316). Cephalothorax. Carapace 3.76 long, 3.08 wide, glabrous, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, strongly recurved. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.04, STRw 1.88. Posterior sternal sigilla small, positioned away from margin but not in center, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 4 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites, labium, lacks cuspules, LBw 0.60, LBl 0.29. Rastellum consists of 12 stout spines not on prominent mound. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 3.92, 3.44, 2.55, 1.71, 1.25; leg IV: 3.68, 2.17. Very light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 9 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 317, 318, 320-322; TSp 13, TSr 10, TSrd 0; distinct short spines on ventral surface tarsus I. Pedipalp. Palpal tibia short, width more than half-length, with distinct patch of medial/distal retrolateral spines (Fig. 319). Palpal bulb short; embolus stout, dorsal-ventrally flattened with slight curvature at its midpoint, serrated distally (Fig. 322). PTw 0.77, PTl 1.30, Bl 0.65.

Variation (3). Cl 3.72-4.12, 3.87 ± 0.13; Cw 3.01-3.48, 3.19 ± 0.15; STRl 2.00-2.18, 2.07 ± 0.05; STRw 1.84-1.98, 1.90 ± 0.04; LBw 0.56-0.68, 0.61 ± 0.04; LBl 0.29-0.37, 0.32 ± 0.03; leg I: 3.92-4.35, 4.06 ± 0.14; 3.29-3.60, 3.44 ± 0.09; 2.35-2.63, 2.51 ± 0.08; 1.64-1.75, 1.70 ± 0.03; 1.20-1.25, 1.23 ± 0.02; leg IV: 3.56-4.08, 3.77 ± 0.16; 2.17-2.36, 2.23 ± 0.06; PTl 1.30-1.36, 1.32 ± 0.02; PTw 0.71-0.77, 0.75 ± 0.02; Bl 0.58-0.68, 0.64 ± 0.03; TSp 13-21, 16.00 ± 2.52; TSr 10-11, 10.33 ± 0.33; TSrd 0-0, 0 ± 0.

Description of female.

Known only from male specimens.

Material examined.

Known only from the type material.

Distribution and natural history.

Aptostichus fisheri is narrowly restricted to high altitude Mojave Desert habitat in Kern County. Males appear to disperse during the fall months of September and October.

Species concept applied.

Morphological.

Conservation status.

The conservation status of Aptostichus fisheri is likely imperiled given its very restricted distribution.