Esophyllas synankylis, Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2012

Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2012, Esophyllas, a new genus of erigonine spiders from southern California (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Erigoninae), Zootaxa 3265, pp. 1-21 : 10-15

Esophyllas synankylis new species

( Figures 21–41 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE MALE: U.S.A.: California: San Diego County, Julian, 4839 Pine Ridge Ave., 1291.7 m [33°02'34"N 116°37'49"W] 31 Mar 2002, in Quercus kelloggi and Quercus sp. leaf litter, R. Vetter ( CAS 18597). ALLOTYPE FEMALE: San Diego County, Palomar Mountain, ~4.0 km NW of junction S6 & S7 off S6 toward Observatory, W side of road just N of campground, 1534.1 m [33°20'45"N 116°52'46"W] 31 Jan 2004, scrub/deciduous oak & Ponderosa leaf litter, T. R. Prentice ( CAS). ADDITIONAL PARATYPES: same data as allotype, 23 ( CAS:13; AMNH: 13); Riverside County, San Jacinto Mountains, Hwy 74 nr. mile marker 56.8, 1219 m [33°34'48.4"N 116°28'22.1"W] 13, 28 Nov 2004, oak duff, R. Vetter ( UCRC 51394).

Other material examined. U.S.A.: California: Riverside County: San Jacinto Mountains: Hwy 74 nr. mile marker 56.8, 1219 m [33°34'48.4"N 116°28'22.1"W] 43 1Ƥ, 28 Nov 2004, in oak duff ( UCRC 51395); 0.8 km S of Carrizo Rd. off Hwy 74, 1072 m [33°36'05"N 116°25'07"W] 4Ƥ, 20 Jan 2001, in oak leaf duff, R. Vetter; Lake Vail, Road to marina 2.7 km W near Dripping Springs Forestry Station, 460.5 m [33°28'28.2"N 116°59'06.1"W] 23 2Ƥ, 14 Mar 1983; 63 2Ƥ, 14 Feb 1981, in oak litter, J. A. Moore; Bautista Canyon: ~ 6.4 km SE of Valle Vista, 800 m [33°41'52.4"N 116°51'33.3"W] 23 2Ƥ, 19 Feb 1978, (probably from packrat midden); ~ 27.4 km SE of Valle Vista, 1199 m [33°36'08"N 116°44'02"W] 2Ƥ, 30 Apr 1977, (probably from packrat middens), K. W. Cooper; San Bernardino County: San Gabriel Mountains: San Antonio Canyon, between Manker Flats and Icehouse Canyon, 1630.7 m [34°15'16"N 117°38'17"W] 1Ƥ, in Quercus and laurel duff; Manker Flats near Mt. Baldy, 1836.1 m [34°15'56"N 117°37'54"W] 33 7Ƥ, in oak duff, 22 Mar 2003; 0.8 km E of Wrightwood, 1697.4 m [34°21'32"N 117°36'25"W] 1Ƥ, in oak duff, 30 Mar 2003, R. Vetter; Emerson Oaks Reserve (adjacent to Agua Tibia Wilderness), ~ 8 km SE of Temecula off Hwy 79 S, ~ 472.4 m [33°27'57"N 117°02'28"W] 1Ƥ, 24 Feb 2002, Coast Live Oak leaf litter, A, Lindahl; Los Angeles County: San Gabriel Mountains: Golden Cup Oak Plantation, 274.3 m E of Crystal lake turnoff on Hwy 39, 1532.3 m [34°18'48.5"N 117°50'03.0"W] 1Ƥ, 30 Apr 2002, oak leaf litter, R. Vetter; Inspiration Point, W of junction Hwy 2 & N4, 2137.6 m [34°22'34"N 117°42'32"W] 2Ƥ, 30 Mar 2003, in Quercus kelloggi oak duff, R. Vetter; San Diego County: Palomar Mountain: 4.0 km NW of junction S6 & S7 off S6 toward observatory, W side of road just N of campground, 1534.1 m [33°20'45"N 116°52'46"W] 33 8Ƥ, 31 Jan 2004, scrub/deciduous oak & Ponderosa leaf litter, T. R. Prentice ( CAS: 13, 1Ƥ; AMNH: 1Ƥ); 8.0 km W of Lake Henshaw on Hwy 76, 0.5 km W of La Jolla Indian Reservation boundary, picnic area off S side of Hwy, above N bank of San Luis Rey River, 716m [33°16'21.7"N 116°49'51.5"W] 1Ƥ, 25 Jan 2004, oak & deciduous leaf litter, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak; ~ 8.9 km W of Hwy 76 off S7 W of Lake Henshaw toward Palomar Mtn, 25 m downslope off E side of S7, 1229 m [33°17'04.5"N 116°47'30.2"W] 1Ƥ, 4 Jan 2004, oak & deciduous leaf litter, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak; Julian, 4839 Pine Ridge Avenue, 1291.7 m [33°02'34"N 116°37'49"W] 33 12Ƥ, 31 Mar 2002, in Quercus kelloggi and Quercus sp. leaf litter, R. Vetter ( CAS: 1Ƥ); Mission Trail Regional Park, N of Jackson Drive, Staging Area, 90.2 m [32°49'13.0"N 117°03'12.3"W] 2Ƥ, 20 Feb 2002, oak litter, M. C. Hedin; 2.1 km W of Guatay (country store) on Old Hwy 80, 1142.4 m [33°51'14.82"N 116°34'31.44"W] 13 2Ƥ, 24 Mar 2002, under rocks, berlese, M. C. Hedin (MCH02-045; Hwy 79 W of Descanso near junction with Wildwood Glen Lane, 1023.5 m [33°50'13.43"N 116°37'50.8"W] 13 1Ƥ, 26 Jan 2002, in leaf litter, M. C. Hedin.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek language and is feminine in gender, the prefix synmeaning ‘with’ and ankylis meaning ‘hook’ or ‘barb’, referring to the presence of a barb-like structure at the distal end of the male palpal tibial apophysis.

Diagnosis. Refer to Diagnosis section for E. vetteri n. sp.

Description. Holotype male. Total length ~1.2. Carapace: length 0.54, width 0.41; microsculpture (refer to Fig 17 ), cuticular pores (refer to Figs 17, 18 ; type species SEM), general outline of carapace in dorsal view, coloration and most dark markings as in E vetteri n. sp. holotype although general coloration slightly darker, marginal band somewhat faded, infuscated area behind lobe lacking, and cephalic lobe more angular in front ( Fig 22 ), not rounded as in E vetteri n. sp. ( Fig 2 ), profile ( Fig 21 : typical profile); prosomal pits and lateral sulci as in E. vetteri n. sp. ( Figs 21, 22 ), cephalic height 0.35, clypeus 0.27 X cephalic height, cephalic width/carapace width 0.46; anterior setae near apex of lobe directed anteroventrally ( Fig 21 ), seta below AME recurved, 3 forward directed setae on mid-line (1 seta slightly offset) behind lobe. Chelicerae: 4 promarginal teeth, 2 retromarginal denticles; stridulatory striae ridged ( Fig 32 ). Eyes: ALE largest, ~1.1 X PME diameter, both eye rows recurved with PME and ALE in alignment (dorsal view), otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. Sternum & pedicel: length 0.33, width 0.32, otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. Abdomen: abdominal pattern (refer to Fig 25 for generalized abdominal pattern); epigastric plates over booklungs with reticulate stridulatory striae ( Fig 33 ). Legs: coloration as in E. vetteri n. sp.; leg formula IV-I-II-III, femur I length 0.45, leg lengths I–IV; 1.47, 1.35, 1.12, 1.50, respectively, leg I length/carapace length 2.72, TiI l/d 5.3, TmI 0.32. Pedipalp: femur only slightly longer than cymbium, 0.22, 0.19, respectively, and 0.51 X femur I length, tibial apophysis arising at ectally directed angle from approximate center of subdistal margin of tibia, terminus forming darkened acutely reflexed attenuate barb with tip directed mesally ( Fig 29 ). Bulb: paracymbium ( Fig 28 : P) as E. vetteri n. sp. except distal tip not as enlarged or as strongly curved, with ~10 strong setae scattered on wide basal portion; conformation and orientation of embolus ( Figs 26–28 , 34, 35 ) as in E. vetteri n. sp. except with darkened embolus proper ( Figs 26 , 35 : E) longer, attenuate, with terminal spirally ridged and grooved portion dorsally offset and slightly tapering toward terminal ejaculatory opening; tailpiece short, quadrate, directed dorsomesally ( Figs 26 , 35 : TP); margin of fan-shaped distal suprategular apophysis irregular ( Figs 28 , 34 : DSA); form and articulation of membrane as in E. vetteri n. sp. ( Fig 35 : M; compare to Fig 16 ).

Allotype female. Total length 1.40. Carapace: length 0.58, width 0.41, general coloration, texture and dark pigmentation around eyes as in holotype; profile ( Fig 23 : typical profile), row of 5 forward directed setae along midline behind PME ( Figs 23, 24 ). Chelicerae: coloration as carapace, otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. except retrolateral margin of fang furrow equipped with 3 retromarginal denticles on both sides, stridulatory striae also ridged ( Fig 36 ). Eyes: ALE largest, ~1.4 X PME diameter, both eye rows recurved with line through center of PME extending between LE ( Fig 24 ), otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. females. Sternum & pedicel: sternum length 0.36, width, 0.32, otherwise as in holotype; pedicel as in E. vetteri n. sp. allotype. Abdomen: pattern (refer to Fig 25 : generalized pattern). Legs: coloration and leg formula as in holotype; femur I length 0.43, leg lengths I–IV: 1.37, 1.26, 1.11, 1.50, respectively, leg I length/ carapace length 2.36, TiI l/d 4.5, TmI 0.31. Epigynum : wider than long, dorsal plate triangular as in E. vetteri n. sp. ( Fig 30 : DP, VP); spermathecae slightly elliptical, separated by more than diameter of one, posterior margin anterior to copulatory, openings in shallow depression (more pronounced than in E. vetteri n. sp.) at anterior junction of dorsal and ventral plates ( Fig 30 : S, CO, DP, VP); copulatory duct forming loop at about level of center of spermathecae and entering spermathecae at mesal margin ( Fig 31 : CD, S); posterior orientation of fertilization ducts ( Fig 31 : FD)

Variation. Males (n=14). Total length 1.05–1.25; coloration of cephalothorax, chelicerae, and appendages varies as in the type species. Carapace: length 0.49–0.59 (mean 0.53), width 0.34–0.43 (mean 0.39); apex of lobe often lighter in color, cephalic height 0.28–0.35, cephalic width 0.16–0.22, cephalic width/carapace width 0.45–0.51, clypeal height 0.21–0.27 X cephalic height, profile of cephalothorax varies slightly ( Fig 21 ; typical profile), midline row of procurved setae posterior of prosomal pit varying in number, often missing (presumed broken off). Chelicerae: 4–5 promarginal teeth (4 most common), 2–3 retromarginal denticles (2 most common). Abdomen: variation in banding pattern as in E. vetteri n. sp. Legs: TiI l/d 5.1–5.6, TmI 0.30–0.33; leg formula usually IV-I-II-III, occasionally I-IV-II-III (3/ 14 specimens), infrequently legs I and IV equal in length (1/ 14 specimens). Pedipalp: palpal femur length/femur I length 0.46–0.55. Bulb: paracymbial setae ± 10.

Females (n=14). Total length 1.15–1.40; coloration of cephalothorax, chelicerae, and appendages varies as in males. Carapace: length 0.51–0.59 (mean 0.55), width 0.34–0.41 (mean 0.39), cephalic height 0.22–0.24 (mean 0.23), clypeus height 0.27–0.32 X cephalic height; as in females of E. vetteri n. sp. dorsal profile line varies slightly ( Fig 23 : typical profile). Chelicerae: 5–6 promarginal teeth (5 most common), 2–4 retromarginal denticles (3 most common). Abdomen: variation as in males. Legs: TiI l/d 4.3–4.9, TmI 0.31–0.40. Epigynum : refer to ‘Diagnosis section’ of E. vetteri n. sp.

Distribution. The species is known only from Southern California. Specimens have been collected from Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties ( Fig 38 ).

Habitat. As with E. vetteri n. sp., the vast majority of specimens were collected primarily from live and deciduous oak litter, and secondarily from mixed leaf litter including Ponderosa pine and laurel sumac. Six of our specimens were probably taken from plant debris within packrat middens (the local collector, K. Cooper, was involved with packrat midden invertebrates although collection labels did not indicate such). Three specimens were taken from beneath rocks but were extracted using a Berlese funnel, indicating that they were probably separated from leaf litter. Specimens have been collected at elevations between 90.2 m (296 ft) and 1836.1 m (6024 ft), which suggests that the species is more tolerant of hotter and drier climate regimes than E. vetteri n. sp.

Phenology. Similar to the type species, E. synankylis n. sp. is active during the California winter months although males and females can be found together in relatively even numbers from late November through late March, which coincides with the first appearance of both males and females and last appearance of males. Females, on the other hand, continued to be found through the end of April.

Figures

FIGURE 38. Distribution map of Esophyllas nov. gen. in southern California. Black circles (), distribution of Esophyllas vetteri n. sp.; black squares (), distribution of Esophyllas synankylis n. sp.

FIGURES 21 – 25. Esophyllas synankylis n. sp. 21 – 22, male, 21 carapace, lateral view, 22 carapace, dorsal view; 23 – 25, female, 23, carapace, lateral view, 24, carapace, dorsal view, 25, abdomen, generalized pattern.

FIGURES 26 – 29. Esophyllas synankylis n. sp., male. 26 – 28, palpal bulb, 26, mesoventral view, 27, mesal view, 28, ectal view; 29, tibial apophysis, dorsal view.

FIGURES 30 – 31. Esophyllas synankylis n. sp., epigynum. 30, ventral view, 31, dorsal view.

FIGURES 32 – 37. Esophyllas synankylis n. sp., SEM images. 32 – 35, male, 32, ridged cheliceral striae, ectal view, 33, reticulate booklung stridulatory striae, 34, palpal bulb, ectal view, 35, palpal bulb, mesoapical view; 36 – 37, female, 36, ridged cheliceral striae, ectal view, 37, reticulate booklung stridulatory striae.

FIGURE 39. Basal clades of strict consensus tree of all 12 most parsimonious trees to node 21 of Frick et al. (2010).

FIGURE 40. Continuation of Figure 39 showing “ distal erigonines ” clades distal to and including clade 21 with unambiguous character optimizations (small circles), character number above and character state number below circles. Small white circles indicate homoplasious and small black circles non-homoplasious character state changes. Large circles with numbers indicate clades unaltered from Frick et al. (2010), large squares with letters indicate altered relationships. The lettered black square and bolded taxa indicate the clades including Esophyllas n. gen. and the species binomials, respectively.

FIGURE 41. Continuation of Figure 40 showing clade 35.

FIGURES 13 – 20. Esophyllas vetteri n. sp., SEM images. 13 – 18, male, 13, ridged cheliceral striae, ectal view, 14, grooved booklung stridulatory striae, 15, palpal bulb, ectal view, 16, palpal bulb, mesoapical view, 17, clypeus, frontal view, arrows indicate cephalic cuticular pores, seta just below AME, 18, enlargement of right cephalic cuticular pore in preceding figure; 19 – 20, female, 19, ridged cheliceral striae, ectal view, 20, grooved booklung stridulatory striae.

FIGURES 1 – 5. Esophyllas vetteri n. sp. 1 – 2, male, 1 carapace, lateral view, 2 carapace, dorsal view; 3 – 5, female, 3, carapace, lateral view, 4, carapace, dorsal view, 5, abdomen, generalized pattern. Abbreviations: CD: copulatory duct; CL: column; CO: copulatory opening; DP: dorsal plate; DSA: distal suprategular apophysis; E: embolus; F: fundus; FD: fertilization duct; M: membrane; P: paracymbium; PTA: prolateral tibial apophysis; R: radix; S: spermatheca; SD: sperm duct; SPT: suprategulum; ST: subtegulum; T: tegulum; TP: radical tailpiece; VP: ventral plate.