Aptostichus mikeradtkei, 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 : 124-128

Aptostichus mikeradtkei sp. n. Figures 249-256Map 30

Types.

Male holotype (AP1085) from California, San Diego County, Chula Vista, Terra Nova, north of Rice Canyon, 32.64195, -117.03608 1, 106m, coll. USGS-BRD San Diego Field Station 1.ii.2000; male paratype (AP1089) from same general vicinity of the type locality and by same collector, 32.6409, -117.03632 1, 88m, coll. 1.ii.2000; female paratype (AP1148) from Escondido Wild Animal Park, 33.09157, -116.98298 1, coll. 1.vi. 1998. Types deposited in CAS.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Mike Radtke in recognition of his service to the National Institute of Health and his family’s support of the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University.

Diagnosis.

Males and females of this species can be distinguished from all other known species of Aptostichus by their unusually round, raised sternum, and striking sigilla (Fig. 256).

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 70% EtOH. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs very dark brown 7.5YR 2.5/3. Abdomen brown 7.5YR 4/4, prominent mottled striping dorsally (Fig. 249). Cephalothorax. Carapace 5.60 long, 4.85 wide, hirsute covered in light white setae, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, straight. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, rounded, raised towards center (Fig. 256), STRl 3.41, STRw 2.91. Posterior sternal sigilla large, heavily sclerotized, forming a depression, positioned centrally, but not contiguous; anterior sigilla medium in size, similar to posterior pair small, positioned towards margin. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 11 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium 5 cuspules, LBw 1.02, LBl 0.37. Rastellum consists of 6 stout spines not on prominent mound, one spine offset prolaterally. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 5.35, 3.75, 3.44, 2.26, 1.86; leg IV: 5.25, 2.80. Moderate-light tarsal, metatarsal scopulae on leg I; tarsal scopulae leg II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 11 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 250, 251; TSp 3, TSr 3, TSrd 4. Pedipalp. Articles slender, lacking distinct spines (Fig. 252). PTw 1.02, PTl 2.57, Bl 1.33. Embolus slender, curved slightly at midpoint, tip, lacks serrations (Fig. 252).

Variation (5). Cl 4.56-5.90, 5.42 ± 0.23; Cw 3.84-5.10, 4.72 ± 0.23; STRl 2.91-3.41, 3.20 ± 0.09; STRw 2.38-3.12, 2.85 ± 0.13; LBw 0.85-1.02, 0.96 ± 0.03; LBl 0.37-0.60, 0.45 ± 0.04; leg I: 4.35-5.35, 5.07 ± 0.18; 3.20-3.80, 3.64 ± 0.11; 2.88-3.56, 3.32 ± 0.12; 2.03-2.33, 2.23 ± 0.05; 1.63-2.0, 1.83 ± 0.06; leg IV: 4.36-5.25, 5.03 ± 0.17; 2.42-2.80, 2.68 ± 0.07; PTl 2.13-2.57, 2.46 ± 0.08; PTw 0.87-1.11, 1.01 ± 0.04; Bl 1.07-1.33, 1.23 ± 0.05; TSp 3-8, 4.2 ± 0.97; TSr 1-6, 3 ± 0.84; TSrd 3-5, 4.2 ± 0.37.

Description of female paratype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Female collected from pitfall trap, prepared in same manner as male holotype. Genital plate removed, stored in microvial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, dark reddish brown 5YR 3/4. Abdomen brown dorsally 7.5YR 4/3, distinct mottled chevron marking pattern. Cephalothorax. Carapace 5.92 long, 4.95 wide, glabrous; generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, straight. Eye group slightly elevated on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum widest at coxae II/III, moderately setose, STRl 3.80, STRw 3.48. Three pairs of sternal sigilla anterior pairs moderate in size, oval, shifted away from margin, posterior pair larger, oval, mesially positioned. Chelicerae anterior tooth row comprising 5 teeth with posterior margin denticle patch. Palpal endites with 37 cuspules concentrated at the inner (promargin) posterior heel; labium with 5 cuspules, LBw 1.19, LBl 0.51. Rastellum consists of 6 very stout spines not positioned on mound, one spine 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 13.76 long. Tarsus I with single staggered row of 11 trichobothria. Legs I with moderately heavy scopulae on tarsus, metatarsus, distal aspect tibia; leg II scopulae on tarsus, metatarsus; legs III, IV with light scopulae on distal aspect tarsus. PTLs 11, TBs 3. Distinct 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 253-255).

Variation (3). Cl 5.13-5.95, 5.58 ± 0.21; Cw 4.38-5.15, 4.73 ± 0.19; STRl 3.27-3.92, 3.64 ± 0.14; STRw 2.91-3.48, 3.27 ± 0.13; LBw 0.90-1.19, 1.1 ± 0.07; LBl 0.41-0.60, 0.53 ± 0.05; Leg I: 11.65-13.83, 12.73 ± 0.62; ANTd 5-6, 5.50 ± 0.29; PTLs 11-12, 11.25 ± 0.25; TBs 3-3, 3.00 ± 0.00.

Material examined.

United States: California: San Diego Co.: Little Cedar Canyon, SE of Otay Mountain, 32.6164, -116.8604 1, 443m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.1999 [AP913, 1♂, CAS]; Little Cedar Canyon, SE Otay Mountain, 32.6252, -116.8634 1, 373m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. [AP915, 2♂, CAS]; vic Chula Vista, 32.6406, -117.1041 3, 5m, R Fisher 21.ii.2000 [AP1222, 1251, 1283, 3♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, Terra Nova, N Rice Canyon, 32.6409, -117.0363 1, 88m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.ii.2000 [AP1089, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, Terra Nova, N Rice Canyon, 32.6419, -117.036 1, 106m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.i.2001 [AP1083, 1♂, CAS], 1.ii.2000 [AP1085, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, Terra Nova, N Rice Canyon, 32.6432, -117.03778 1, 105m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.ii.2000 [AP1090, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, E Long Canyon, 32.65, -116.9908 1, 91m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.i.2001 [AP1071, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, E Long Canyon, 32.6501, -116.9921 1, 90m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2000 [AP1072, 1♂, CAS], 1.i.2001 [AP1075, 1♂, CAS], 1.xi.1998 [AP1077, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, E Long Canyon, 32.65292, -116.9972 1, 87m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Station 1.x.2000 [AP1080, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, Proctor Valley, SE Horseshoe Bend, S Proctor Valley Rd, 32.663, -116.9806 1, 152m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2000 [AP1065, 1♂, CAS]; Chula Vista, Proctor Valley, SE Horseshoe Bend, S Proctor Valley Rd, 32.6637, -116.9798 1, 151m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2000 [AP1067, 1♂, CAS], 1.xi.1998 [AP1225, 1♂, CAS]; Pt Loma, Cabrillo Natl Monument, 32.7101, -117.2523 1, 79m, J Satler 13.vii.2009 [AP1247, 1♀, AUMNH]; San Diego, 32.733, -117.102 6, 85m, B Kaston 1.ii.1971 [AP122, 1♂, CAS], L Passmore 31.xii.1938 [AP489, 1♂, AMNH]; Alpine, 32.835, -116.766 5, 560m, P Lancaster 28.ii.1970 [AP430, 1♂, AMNH], P Sullivan, J Hark 22.iv.1973 [AP431, 1♀, CAS]; Flinn Springs, Rios Canyon, 32.8408, -116.8719 1, 260m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.i.2001 [AP1082, 1♂, CAS]; Carmel Mountain, 32.9283, -117.2227 1, 118m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.xii.2002 [AP1195, 1♂, CAS]; Del Mar Mesa, 32.9423, -117.168 1, 102m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.xii.2002 [AP1063, 1♂, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal Park, 33.0893, -116.9888 1, 177m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.vi.2000 [AP1147, 1♂, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal Park, 33.0898, -116.9866 1, 201m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.i.2000 [AP1145, 1♂, CAS]; Escondido, San Diego Wild Animal Park, 33.0912, -116.9829 1, 173m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2001 [AP1015, 2♂, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal Park, 33.0915, -116.9861 1, 194m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.vi.1998 [AP1148, 1♀, CAS], 1.ii.2001 [AP1149, 1♂, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal park, 33.0951, -116.9832 1, 247m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2001 [AP1152, 1♂, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal park, 33.0967, -116.9812 1, 236m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2001 [AP1154, 1♂, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal Park, 33.0976, -116.9782 1, 254m, USGS-BRD San Diego Field Sta. 1.ii.2001 [AP1146, 2♂, CAS], 1.xi.98 [AP1155, 1♀, CAS]; Escondido Wild Animal Park, 33.1008, -116.9729 1, 255m, USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. 1.ii.2001 [AP1158, 1♂, CAS].

Distribution and natural history.

Aptostichus mikeradtkei is distributed primarily along the coast in San Diego County (Map 30); the primary habitat type where it has been collected is characterized as coastal chaparral and shrub. Males appear to disperse early through mid-late winter during November-February. The DM for the species indicates that its distribution likely extends further up the coast and into Orange County.

Conservation status.

Based on its abundance and relatively large number of populations sampled, the conservation status of Aptostichus mikeradtkei is likely secure.

Species concept applied.

Morphological.