Aptostichus satleri, 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 : 137-138

Aptostichus satleri sp. n. Figures 285-291Map 33

Types.

Male holotype (MY3825) and male paratypes (MY3826, 3827) from California, Kern County, Erskine Creek Rd., 5.6km E or intersection with Lake Isabella Blvd., E of Bodfish, 35.5689, -118.4383 1, 925m, coll. J. Satler 8-29x.2010; holotype and paratype (3826) deposited in AUMNH, paratype (3827 in CAS).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Jordan Satler, collector of this very unique species.

Diagnosis.

Males can be distinguished from all other known similar Simus group taxa ( Aptostichus lucerne , Aptostichus fornax , and Aptostichus elisabethae ) by virtue of their unique leg I spination pattern (Figs 285, 286, 288, 289, 291), darker coloration (non-desert adapted). The long leg I ventral tibial spine arrangement (Fig. 291) is similar to Aptostichus elisabethae , however, the palpal embolus of Aptostichus satleri is serrated whereas Aptostichus elisabethae is not. Aptostichus fornax , Aptostichus lucerne , and Aptostichus elisabethae are all much lighter in general coloration and lack distinct abdominal markings; Aptostichus satleri is much darker and has distinct chevron markings.

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 80% EtOH; legs III, IV removed, stored as tissues. Coloration in generally pristine condition. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, dark brown 10YR 3/3. Abdomen brown 10YR 5/3, with distinct chevron markings. Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.60 long, 3.76 wide, lightly hirsute; stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, recurved. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.53, STRw 2.17. Posterior sternal sigilla small in size, widely separated, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 4 teeth, posterior margin with patch of small denticles. Palpal endites, labium lack cuspules, LBw 0.68, LBl 0.51. Rastellum consists of 10 stout spines not on prominent mound. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 4.16, 3.24, 2.43, 1.80, 1.25; leg IV: 4.45, 2.33. Tarsi curved; tarsus I with light pseudosegmentation. Very light (sparse) tarsal scopulae on all legs, light scopulae on metatarsus I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 11 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 285, 286, 288, 289, 291; TSp 14, TSr 4, TSrd 0. Pedipalp. Articles stout, with distinct patch of distal prolateral tibial spines (Figs 287, 290). PTw 0.83, PTl 1.84, Bl 0.66. Embolus broad, tapering sharply toward tip, with serrations.

Variation (3). Cl 4.36-4.68, 4.55 ± 0.10; Cw 3.56-3.76, 3.69 ± 0.07; STRl 2.40-2.53, 2.48 ± 0.04; STRw 2.08-2.17, 2.14 ± 0.03; LBw 0.68-0.77, 0.71 ± 0.03; LBl 0.37-0.51, 0.46 ± 0.05; leg I: 3.88-4.20, 4.08 ± 0.1; 3.01-3.24, 3.15 ± 0.07; 2.43-2.43, 2.43 ± 0.00; 1.78-1.80, 1.79 ± 0.01; 1.25-1.28, 1.26 ± 0.01; leg IV: 3.96-4.25, 4.14 ± 0.09; 2.33 -2.48, 2.41 ± 0.04; PTl 1.80-1.84, 1.83 ± 0.01; PTw 0.83-0.85, 0.84 ± 0.01; Bl 0.66-0.68, 0.67 ± 0.01; TSp 5-19, 12.67 ± 4.10; TSr 4-12, 7.33 ± 2.40; TSrd 0-0, 0 ± 0.

Description of female.

Known only from male specimens.

Material examined.

United States: California: Kern Co.: Keyesville Recreation Area, off hwy 155, ~1.6km SW of Lake Isabella Dam, 35.6358, -118.4953 1, 800m, J Satler 8-29.x.2010 [MY3825-3828, 4♂, AUMNH].

Distribution and natural history.

Known only from the type locality in Kern County, which is characterized as Sierran Steppe-Mixed Forest (Map 33). Based on very limited data, collected from pitfall traps, males of this species appears to disperse during late October.

Conservation status.

The conservation status of Aptostichus satleri is undetermined.

Species concept applied.

Morphological.

Remarks.

This species came to my attention very late in the process of completing this revision thus very little is known about it. No known attempts have been made to locate and collect females at the type locality.