Amilaps mayana, Maddison, Wayne P., 2019

Maddison, Wayne P., 2019, A new lapsiine jumping spider from North America, with a review of Simon's Lapsias species (Araneae, Salticidae, Spartaeinae), ZooKeys 891, pp. 17-29 : 17

Amilaps mayana sp. nov. Figs 1-11

Type material.

Holotype in MCZ: male, with label " MCZ, MEXICO: TABASCO: 2.4 km E of Teapa, Grutas de Cocona, ca. 17°33'N, 92°56'W 7 July 1983 W.Maddison 83-089 forested steep slope, ca. 250 ft. el.". The recorded latitude is likely incorrect; the specimen was collected near the entrance to the Grutas, which is at ca. 17.564N, 92.929W.

Etymology.

Refers to the distribution of this species in the lands of the Maya.

Description.

Male (holotype). Carapace length 2.0; abdomen length 1.7. Carapace ( Figs 6 , 7 ) with long fovea; anterior eye row approx. as wide as carapace, and wider than posterior row. PME small, displaced medially to lie behind medial edge of ALE. Ocular area medium brown under alcohol and darker around eyes, dusted with dull brown and tan scales that are oriented concentrically around the unusually large PLE. Thoracic area brown, with paler medial longitudinal band, and paler spots just above each of the leg coxae. Clypeus ( Fig. 5 ) narrow and with a few scattered whitish hairs and scales. Chelicerae vertical and relatively small. Four small but distinct teeth on retromargin of chelicerae ( Fig. 9 ); promargin not observed (on the specimen from Guatemala, three promarginal teeth). Palp ( Figs 1-4 ) with embolus arising on prolateral side, narrowing abruptly, then bending directly to the retrolateral, where it meets a large sclerotized projection (p in Fig. 3 ) that envelops it so completely that the terminal third of the embolus is most easily seen as a dark line within the projection; the tip of the embolus rests within the tip of the projection. The projection consists of a plate at the distal edge of the bulb, which then narrows before swelling and curving to a point that projects ventrally. (Regarding its homology to the conductor in Lapsias , see comments below.) Median apophysis distinct (separated from the tegulum by a membrane) but relatively small, almost hidden by the sclerotized projection. Cymbium with proximal prolateral conical projection. Retrolateral tibial apophysis a short flange ( Fig. 4 ) whose ventral edge extends proximally and forms a round pocket facing retrolateral side. Patella with two retrolateral apophyses, the larger one being hooked. Legs ( Figs 10 , 11 ) pale honey-coloured, darkening to nearly black on distal half of femora, and with broad darker annuli on tibiae and metatarsi. First tibia macrosetae as follows: three pairs of ventral, two to three anterior lateral, two posterior lateral, and one dorsal. First metatarsus macrosetae as follows: two ventral pairs, two anterior lateral, and two posterior lateral. Fourth legs distinctly longest; leg formula 4132. Abdomen ( Figs 8 , 10 ) brown above, with paler undulating medial longitudinal pale band.

Additional material.

Male in AMNH from Guatemala: Petén: Cueva de Olla, Poptún. 8 April 1989. A. Cobb. The specimen is missing legs and is mostly disarticulated, but its structure including the distinctive palp matches the holotype.

Data for material examined.

México • 1 ♂, holotype; Tabasco, 2.4 km E of Teapa, Grutas de Cocona; 17.564N, 92.929W; 7 Jul. 1983; W. Maddison leg.; collecting event WPM#83-089; MCZ. Guatemala • 1 ♂; Petén, Poptún, Cueva de Olla; 8 Apr. 1989; A. Cobb, leg.; AMNH.

Natural history.

My field notes for the holotype indicate it was found on a limestone rock face, and the back of the vial’s label says "on limestone cliff face on forested slope". Both the holotype from México and the male from Guatemala (according to its locality) were associated with caves. The holotype was not in the cave, but on a cliff near the cave.

Figures

Figures 1 - 11. Amilaps mayana, sp. nov, male holotype 1 - 4 palp 1 ventral view 2 prolateral view 3 ventral view 4 retrolateral view 5 face 6, 7 carapace, dorsal view 8 body in alcohol 9 posterior ventral view of chelicera showing four retromarginal teeth 10, 11 living specimen. Abbreviations: e embolus, s spermophore, ma median apophysis, p sclerotized projection serving as conductor. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (1); 1.0 mm (6, 8).