Rothaeina sequoia (Roth) comb. nov.

Figs 50–52, 58–59, 80–83, 85

Cybaeina sequoia Roth 1952: 197, figs 2, 4–5. Roth and Brown 1986: 2. World Spider Catalog 2023.

“New genus #1” Bennett 2005: 88, figs 22.10–22.11, 22.41, 22.43. Bennett 2017: 99, figs 23.10–23.11, 23.41, 23.43.

Type material examined. U.S.A.: California: Holotype male. Humboldt County, Pepperwood, 12.viii.1950, V.D. Roth (AMNH).

Other material examined. U.S.A.: California: Humboldt, 1 ♁ 2♀, Carlotta, 15.ix.1961, W. Ivie & W.J. Gertsch (AMNH) ; 15♁ 8♀, 5 mi. E of Carlotta, 20.viii.1959, W.J. Gertsch & V.D. Roth (AMNH) , 25♀, 7.3 mi. E of Carlotta, 1.x.1959, V.D. Roth (CAS) , 7♁ 2♀, Pepperwood, 12.viii.1950, V.D. Roth (AMNH) ; 4♀, 2 mi. N of Phillipsville, 14.ix.1961, W. Ivie & W.J. Gertsch (AMNH) ; 3♀, 5 mi. N of Scotia, 1.x.1959, V.D. Roth (CAS) ; 2♁, 14 mi. W of Willow Creek, 21.viii.1959, W.J. Gertsch & V.D. Roth (AMNH) ; 1♁, 18 mi. W of Willow Creek, 21.viii.1959, W.J. Gertsch & V.D. Roth (AMNH) ; 1♀, Hwy 299 W of Willow Creek, 21.iv.1994, L.J. Boutin (CAS) ; Mendocino, 1♀, 3 mi. S of Rockport, 300′, 19.ix.1990, D. Ubick (CAS) ; Siskiyou, 3♁, 18 mi. N of Happy Camp, 22.viii.1959, W.J. Gertsch & V.D. Roth (AMNH) ; Trinity, 1 ♁ 1♀, 4.5 mi. SE of Hyampom, 5.viii.1989, D. Ubick (CAS) .

Diagnosis. The male of R. sequoia comb. nov. is distinguished by the combination of the patellar apophysis being distad with one large and several small peg setae at the tip and a prominent distal hump basally (Figs 58–59), the medial component of the retrolateral tibial apophysis being a very slender elongate rigid spine-like process (Figs 58–59), and the presence of several small barb-like hooks on the distal portion of the embolus (Fig. 52). Differentiating the male of this species from the males of the other three species with known males ( R. jamesi spec. nov., R. mackinleyi spec. nov., and R. petersoni spec. nov.) is discussed in the diagnosis of R. jamesi spec. nov.

The female of R. sequoia comb. nov. is most likely to be confused with that of R. petersoni spec. nov.; distinguishing them from each other is discussed in the diagnosis of the latter species. Distinguishing them from the females of the other species of Rothaeina gen. nov. is explained in the diagnosis of R. beaudini spec. nov.

Description. As in diagnosis and description of the genus. Additional descriptive characters presented here. Abdomen usually lightly patterned.

Male (n=31). Distal component of retrolateral tibial apophysis (Figs 58–59) slightly extended anteriorly. Tegular apophysis (Figs 50–51) with basal proximal projection; distal arm large, relatively broad (length no more than twice width); proximal arm with simple ventrad, acuminate tip.

Measurements (n=26). CL 1.85–2.43 (2.18+0.15), CW 1.48–1.95 (1.72+0.12), SL 1.03–1.33 (1.17+0.09), SW 0.96–1.27 (1.10+0.07). Holotype CL 2.35, CW 1.83, SL 1.28, SW 1.13.

Female (n=47). Epigyne (Fig. 80) with single, small, medial transverse atrium. Vulva (Figs 81–83) broad, width usually four or five times atrial height (measured as height of epigyne from epigastric groove to atrium); copulatory ducts usually contiguous at atrium; spermathecal heads located short distance anterior of atrium; Bennett’s glands about midway along spermathecal ducts, usually obscured in dorsal view by a posterior loop of each spermatheca.

Measurements (n=22). CL 1.65–2.38 (2.09+0.17), CW 1.20–1.75 (1.56+0.13), SL 0.96–1.24 (1.15+0.08), SW 0.87–1.17 (1.05+0.07).

Distribution (Fig. 85). Rothaeina sequoia comb. nov. is known from a small area of northwestern California, U.S.A., from northern Siskiyou County at the Oregon, U.S.A., border to southern Humboldt County. Although restricted in its distribution, collection records suggest this species was at least historically relatively common within that area with the majority of records occurring in the 1950s and 1960s. The most recent record is from the early 1990s and the conservation status of R. sequoia comb. nov. is currently unknown. Males have been collected in August.