Nops MacLeay, 1839

Sánchez-Ruiz, Alexander & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2018, A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Nops MacLeay (Araneae: Caponiidae) with the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the Nopinae genera, Zootaxa 4427 (1), pp. 1-121 : 19-20

Genus Nops MacLeay, 1839

Type species: Nops guanabacoae MacLeay, 1839 by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Members of Nops can be distinguished from non‒nopine genera by having tarsi subsegmented ( Figs 9A ; 32L); and from other nopine genera by having a small arolium with a pencil eraser shape on the legs I‒II ( Figs 5A ; 22A; 35I ‒J; 71K), absent from the legs III‒IV ( Figs 5B‒C ; 35K‒L; 54B‒C); an angulated ectal median margin of endites ( Figs 21B ; 29F; 38E; 60E) and a finger‒shaped labium ( Figs 21B ; 38E; 60E).

Description. Medium‒sized caponiids with two eyes. Carapace uniformly orange or yellow, elongate oval, widest at rear of coxae II, only gradually narrowed anterior of eyes ( Fig. 6A‒H ); pars cephalica not elevated; pars thoracica slightly sloping posteriorly, with slight submarginal depressions opposite intercoxal spaces ( Figs 37A ; 60C); few dorsally directed strong bristles on clypeus ( Fig. 60B ); thoracic groove almost obsolete or absent. AME dark, situated on slightly elevated black ocular tubercle, separated by about a half of their diameter ( Fig. 60B ), set back from anterior margin of clypeus by about twice their diameter ( Fig. 38C ). Females with clypeus bloated ( Fig. 6E‒H ). Chelicerae orange, with median lamina; most of distance between lamina and fang base occupied by white membranous lobe ( Figs 21F ; 38G; 60J); cheliceral paturon with scattered, long, weak bristles ( Fig. 60L ); ectal side with stridulatory ridges ( Figs 21G ; 38H; 60K). Endites orange, except anterior tips with white membranous projection ( Figs 11F , 29F , 58F ), wide, convergent along midline (but not touching), with middle part wider than the distal and proximal and forming an obtuse angle of about 120 degrees on the ectal margin ( Figs 21B ; 38E; 60E), covered with scattered long setae, and with strong distal serrula consisting of single tooth row ( Figs 21C ; 38F; 60F). Labium orange, broad, rounded, fused to sternum along posterior groove, reborded in apical part ( Figs 21B ; 38E; 60E, H). Sternum orange, oval, surface with fine reticular lines with numerous long, stiff setae ( Figs 21A ; 38D; 60D); pleural membrane with three sclerotized intercoxal extensions between coxae I and II, II and III, and III and IV, long precoxal triangles on coxae II, III and IV. Legs orange, formula 4 123, without spines; anterior femora usually enlarged ( Fig. 21I ); metatarsi entire, with metatarsal dorsal stopper (MtS) ( Figs 38K ; 39H), anterior legs with crista occupying almost all ventral part ( Figs 21K ; 38K; 61G); gladius with the most common shape among nopine ( Figs 21L ; 38J‒L); all tarsi bi‒segmented ( Figs 21J ; 38J; 39H; 61H, 62E); pretarsus with three claws; paired claws usually with 6‒10 teeth, most distal of which are largest ( Figs 22B , 43K ); unpaired claw elongated and dorsally reflexed on legs I‒II ( Figs 22A , 35I ), some species with unpaired claw elongated and reflexed on legs III‒IV ( Figs 35K , 43L ), but others with the posterior unpaired claw small, as in other three‒clawed spiders ( Figs 62B , 68A ), some few species with small teeth on posterior unpaired claw ( Figs 68C , 71F ); ventral frictional setae on tarsi ( Fig. 22D, K, L ) and several other setae around pretarsal claws ( Fig. 22G‒J ); unpaired claws associated with a small arolium on anterior legs ( Figs 5A ; 22A; 35I ‒J;, 71K), which is absent from posterior legs ( Figs 5B‒C ; 35K‒L; 54B‒C). Tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi with trichobothria in a single row ( Figs 22C ; 47J), bases with semicircular rim bearing slight longitudinal ridges ( Figs 22F ; 39J), tarsal organ exposed, roundish, with marginal ring slightly pronounced ( Figs 22E ; 39K; 61L), slit sensillae on tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi ( Fig. 39F, L ). Male and female palpal tarsus elongated, without claw, retrolateral and ventral surfaces densely covered with strong setae; with an oval pad of fine chemoreceptor setae on dorsal, distal part ( Fig. 23F ), with a prolateral tibial brush (ptb) near distal end ( Figs 23B ; 43E; 45H); with a pick on prolateral side of palpal femur, situated near proximal end of podomere, in most of species with a slender shape ( Figs 27G ; 43F; 45I). Abdomen gray dorsally, lighter ventrally, with only slightly sclerotized epigastric and postepigastric scutum; three abdominal patterns among species ( Fig. 6I ‒K ), a few species without pattern ( Fig. 6L ); with two pairs of respiratory spiracles clustered around epigastric groove ( Fig. 7E ); anterior spiracles leading to wide, short tracheal trunk ending in numerous long tracheoles; posterior spiracles leading to two large tracheal trunks extending anteriorly into cephalothorax (inner trunks connected), plus one or two much narrower trunks extending posteriorly for most of abdominal length and several short, small tracheoles extending posteriorly ( Fig. 7F ). Six spinnerets in typical caponiid arrangement ( Fig. 7A‒D ), ALS with only one major ampullate gland spigot in males ( Figs 23H ; 61C), plus two or three piriform gland spigots in females ( Fig. 23L ). PMS with one minor ampullate gland spigot (major gland in females), plus six‒eleven aciniform gland spigots ( Figs 23G ; 61C), and PLS with multiple aciniform gland spigots ( Figs 23I ‒K ; 61A) of variable number among species; a group of species with PLS two times longer than the PMS ( Fig. 7A‒B ) and another group with PLS of equal size as PMS ( Fig. 7C‒D ). Male palpal patella and tibia short, tibia excavated ventrally ( Fig. 54H ); cymbium elongated, not swollen, ventral surface densely covered with strong setae ( Figs 23C ; 57A); pear‒shape bulb, globose, originating near base of cymbium; embolus with small extensions on tip ( Fig. 4A‒B ), a few species with differentiate texture on median part ( Figs 18B ; 27E‒F; 30B) and/or a sclerotized margin on embolar tip ( Fig. 18B ). External female genitalia with a weakly sclerotized anterior plate in most species, sclerotization around spiracles and on outer ends of posterior receptaculum (noticeable by transparency); posterior plate with two lateral extension (lep) between spiracles ( Fig. 3A ); external sclerotization around spiracles (ess), pointed anteriorly on anterior spiracles and tear‒shaped under posterior spiracles ( Fig. 3A ). Internal female genitalia consisting of transverse, wide, anteriorly directed, weakly sclerotized receptaculum (r), and a membranous uterus externus which usually extends anteriorly over the distal margin of receptaculum ( Figs 2A‒I ; 3A‒B).

Distribution. Neotropics

Other species included. N. agnarssoni Sánchez ‒Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayόn, N. alexenriquei n. sp., N. amazonas n. sp., N. bahia n. sp., N. blandus (Bryant) , N. campeche n. sp., N. coccineus Simon , N. enae Sánchez ‒Ruiz, N. ernestoi Sánchez ‒Ruiz, N. farhati Prosen , N. finisfurvus Sánchez ‒Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayόn, N. flutillus Chickering , N. jaragua n. sp., N. gertschi Chickering , N. hispaniola Sánchez ‒Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayόn, N. ipojuca n. sp., N. itapetinga n. sp., N. largus Chickering , N. maculatus Simon , N. mathani Simon , N. meridionalis Keyserling , N. minas n. sp., N. navassa n. sp., N. nitidus Simon , N. pallidus n. sp., N. pocone n. sp., N. quito Dupérré , N. siboney Sánchez ‒Ruiz, N. sublaevis Simon , N. tico n. sp., N. toballus Chickering ; N. ursumus Chickering , N. variabilis Keyserling.

Species inquerenda. N. anisitsi Strand , N. bellulus Chamberlin , N. branicki (Taczanowski) , N. glaucus Hasselt.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A–I female internal genitalia of Nops guanabacoae MacLeay; A–C female (BSC 576); D–F female (BSC 529); G–I female (BSC 520); J–L right embolus of Nops amazonas n. sp., male (MPGE 14882). A dorsal view showing place of three longitudinal cuts, letters are referred to the figures. B detail of receptaculum, dorsal view. C receptaculum, anterior view. D longitudinal cut 1, dorsal view. E longitudinal cut 1, lateral view. F same, the other side, lateral view. G longitudinal cut 2, lateral view. H same, the other side, lateral view. I longitudinal cut 3, lateral view. J transversal cut of embolus, anterior oblique view. K same, prolateral view. L same, detail of internal side, prolateral view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, bx—bursa copulatrix, e—embolus, go—genital opening, pp—posterior plate, re—receptaculum, sd—seminal duct, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 3. A–B diagrams of female internal genitalia of Nops guanabacoae MacLeay; C–F diagrams of different shapes of uterus externus and receptaculum in Nops. A dorsal view. B longitudinal cut, lateral view. C uterus externus with narrow base and receptaculum without invagination. D uterus externus with narrow base and receptaculum with narrow invagination. E uterus externus with narrow base and receptaculum with wide invagination. F uterus externus with wide base and receptaculum with narrow invagination. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, as—anterior spiracles, dmr—distal margin of receptaculum, ess—external sclerotization around spiracles, go—genital opening, lep—lateral extensions of posterior plate, lo—lobes on posterior receptaculum, pmr—proximal margin of receptaculum, pp—posterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, ps—posterior spiracles, ue—uterus externus. Scale bar: 0.5 mm (C–F same scale bar).

FIGURE 4. A–B diagrams of male embolar tip; C–E diagrams of bulb and embolus in males. A, C Nops guanabacoae MacLeay. B Nops finisfurvus Sánchez–Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayón. D Medionops blades Sánchez–Ruiz & Brescovit. E Orthonops ovalis (Banks). Abbreviations: ete—embolar tip extensions. Scale bar: 40 µm (A–B), 0.5 mm (C–E).

FIGURE 5. A–C diagrams of tarsal claws in Nops MacLeay showing only distal part of tarsi and claws (other structures as setae, frictional hairs or basal membrane were omitted). A–B Nops guanabacoae MacLeay. C Nops agnarssoni Sánchez–Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayón. D diagram of metatarsus and tarsus I in Nops guanabacoae MacLeay showing membranous modifications of Nopinae legs (other structures as setae, frictional hairs or basal membrane were also omitted). Abbreviations: aj—adesmatic joint, ar—arolium, ca—crista, CwL—claw lever, gl—gladius, MtS –metatarsal dorsal stopper, SC—pretarsal paired claws, IC—pretarsal unpaired claw. Scale bar: 40 µm (A–B), 0.5 mm (D).

FIGURE 6. A–H carapace, dorsal view; I–L abdomen, dorsal view; A–D males; E–L females; A, E Nops guanabacoae MacLeay; B, F, I Nops enae Sánchez–Ruiz; C, G Nops itapetinga n. sp.; D, H, J Nops maculatus Simon; K Nops quito Dupérré; L Nops ipojuca n. sp. Scale bar: 2 mm (for all plate).

FIGURE 7. A–D female spinnerets, ventral view; E–F respiratory system in Nops guanabacoae MacLeay. A Nops guanabacoae MacLeay. B Nops largus Chickering. C Nops gerstchi Chickering. D Nops enae Sánchez–Ruiz. E ventral view. F dorsal view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, as –anterior spiracles, ps—posterior spiracles, go—genital opening. Scale bar: 1 mm.

FIGURE 9. A–F Nops agnarssoni Sánchez–Ruiz, Brescovit & Alayón, male (paratype); G–L Nops blandus (Bryant), male (MCZ 128295). A left leg IV, retrolateral view. B pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior oblique view. C left palp, retrolateral view. D tip of embolus, ventral oblique view. E tip of embolus, retrolateral view. F stridulatory pick from palpal femur, prolateral view. G pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior oblique view. H left palp, prolateral view. I stridulatory pick from palpal femur, prolateral view. J embolus, prolateral view. K embolus, ventral oblique view. L tip of embolus, ventral oblique view. Abbreviations: CwL—claw lever, ete—embolar tip extensions.

FIGURE 11. Nops coccineus Simon, female (MNHN 10944). A habitus, dorsal view. B habitus, ventral view. C carapace, dorsal view. D habitus, lateral view. E external genital area. F cephalothorax, ventral view. G distribution map. Scale bars: 2 mm (A–D, F), 0.5 mm (E).

FIGURE 18. Nops gertschi Chickering; A–C male (holotype); D–F female (P.N.Valle Nuevo: IBSP). A habitus, dorsal view. B left palp, prolateral view. C left palp, retrolateral view. D habitus, dorsal view. E external genitalia, ventral view. F internal genitalia, dorsal view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, dcp—dorsal chemosensory patch, lep—lateral extensions of posterior plate, pp—posterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, sm—sclerotized margin on embolar tip, ue—uterus externus. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, D), 0.5 mm (B–C, E–F).

FIGURE 21. Nops guanabacoae MacLeay, male (BSC 536). A cephalothorax, ventral view. B labium and endites, ventral view. C serrula, ventral view. D tip of endites, ventral view. E chelicerae, ventral view. F chelicerae, ventral oblique view. G chelicerae, lateral view. H left leg I, prolateral view. I left femur I, prolateral view. J left tarsus I, prolateral view. K left metatarsus I, prolateral view. L gladius on leg I, prolateral view. Abbreviations: aj—adesmatic joints, ca—crista, gl—gladius.

FIGURE 22. Nops guanabacoae MacLeay, male (BSC 536). A pretarsal claws on left leg I, prolateral view. B pretarsal claws on left leg III, prolateral oblique view. C left tarsus and metatarsus III, prolateral view. D pretarsal claws on left leg IV, showing locations of figures G–L, prolateral oblique view. E tarsal organ on left leg IV, dorsal oblique view. F. base of trichobothria on left leg IV, dorsal view. G detail of apical setae. H detail of apical setae. I detail of apical setae. J detail of frictional setae. K detail of frictional setae. L same, close up. Abbreviations: aj—adesmatic joints, ar—arolium, IC—pretarsal unpaired claw, MtS —metatarsal dorsal stopper.

FIGURE 23. Nops guanabacoae MacLeay; A–I male (BSC 530); J–L female (BSC 576); G–I. Female (BSC 529). A left palp, prolateral view. B tibial brush, prolateral view. C Left cymbium, ventral oblique view. D tip of embolus, prolateral view. E tip of embolus, ventral view. F dorsal chemosensory setae on left cymbium, dorsal view. G spinnerets, posterior view. H ALS, posterior oblique view. I PLS, posterior oblique view. J PLS, posterior view. K detail of aciniform gland spigots on PLS, posterior view. L ALS posterior oblique view.

FIGURE 27. A–H Nops jaragua n. sp.; A–C female (Oviedo: AMNH); D–I male (Oviedo: FSCA); J–L Nops navassa n. sp., female (paratype), left leg IV. A internal genitalia, dorsal view. B receptaculum and uterus externus, dorsal view. C same, detail, dorsal view. D left palp, prolateral view. E tip of embolus, prolateral view. F tip of embolus, ventral view. G stridulatory pick, prolateral view. H pretarsal claws on left leg III, prolateral oblique view. I pretarsal claws on left leg IV, apical view. J left tarsus, retrolateral view. K unpaired claw, retrolateral view. L pretarsal claws, retrolateral oblique view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, CwL—claw lever, dte—differentiated texture on embolus, ete—embolar tip extensions, pp—posterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 29. Nops pallidus n. sp., male (holotype). A habitus, dorsal view. B left palp, prolateral view. C left palp, retrolateral view. D habitus, ventral view. E spinnerets, ventral view. F cephalothorax, ventral view. G distribution map. Abbreviations: dte—differentiated texture on embolus, sm—sclerotized margin on embolar tip. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, D), 0.5 mm (B–C, E–F).

FIGURE 35. Nops campeche n. sp.; A–E male (Tabasco: AMNH); F–L female (Chiapas: CNAM). A left palp, prolateral view. B tip of embolus, prolateral view. C tip of embolus, ventral oblique view. D stridulatory pick from palpal femur, prolateral view. E. tibial brush on palp, prolateral view. F internal genitalia, dorsal view. G left tarsus and metatarsus I, ventral view. H gladius on left leg I, ventral view. I pretarsal claws on left leg I, anterior view. J arolium on left leg I, anterior view. K pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior view. L claw lever on left leg IV, anterior view. Abbreviations: ar—arolium, ca—crista, ete—embolar tip extensions, gl—gladius, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 37. Nops largus Chickering, A–E, M–P male (holotype); F–L female (paratype). A habitus, dorsal view. B habitus, ventral view. C left palp, prolateral view. D left palp, ventral view. E left palp, retrolateral view. F habitus, dorsal view. G habitus, ventral view. H left palp, prolateral view. I left palp, retrolateral view. J external genital area, ventral view. K internal genitalia, dorsal view. L external genitalia dissected, ventral view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, ess—sclerotization around spiracles, go—genital opening, pp—posterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus. Scale bars: 2 mm (A–B, F–G), 0.5 mm (C–E, H–L).

FIGURE 38. Nops largus Chickering, male (MCZ 128565). A cephalothorax, lateral view. B same, lateral oblique view. C clypeus, lateral oblique view. D cephalothorax, ventral view. E labium and endites, ventral view. F left endite, ventral view. G chelicerae, anterior view. H same, lateral view. I same, ventral view. J left tarsus I, retrolateral view. K left metatarsus I, retrolateral view. L left tarsus I, ventral view. Abbreviations: ca—crista, gl—gladius.

FIGURE 39. Nops largus Chickering, male (MCZ 128565). A left leg II, prolateral view. B left tarsus II, prolateral view. C left pretarsal claws II, ventral oblique view. D left leg III, prolateral oblique view. E left pretarsal claws III, dorsal view. F slit sensilla on left tarsus III, dorsal oblique view. G left leg IV, prolateral oblique view. H left tarsus IV, prolateral view. I left pretarsal claws IV, dorsal view. J base of trichobothria, dorsal oblique view. K tarsal organ on left tarsus IV, dorsal view. L slit sensilla on left tarsus IV, dorsal oblique view. Abbreviations: aj—adesmatic joints, gl—gladius, MtS –metatarsal dorsal stopper.

FIGURE 43. Nops ursumus Chickering; A–E male (MCZ128587); F–I female (MCZ128587). A left palp, prolateral oblique view. B left palp, ventral oblique view. C tip of embolus, ventral oblique view. D tip of embolus, prolateral oblique view. E tibial brush, prolateral view. F stridulatory pick, prolateral view. G internal genitalia, dorsal view. H receptaculum and uterus externus, dorsal view. I detail of receptaculum, dorsal view. J tarsus on left leg IV, prolateral view. K pretarsal claws on left leg IV, prolateral view. L same, anterior view. Abbreviations: aj—adesmatic joints, ete—embolar tip extensions, MtS –metatarsal dorsal stopper, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 54. Nops itapetinga n. sp.; A–F female (IBSP 98030); G–L male (IBSP 97993). A pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior view. B detail of claw lever on left leg IV, anterior view. C same, prolateral view. D internal genitalia, dorsal view. E detail of receptaculum, dorsal view. F internal genitalia, anterior view. G left palp, prolateral view. H left palpal tibia, ventral oblique view. I embolar tip, retrolateral view. J same, prolateral view. K detail of embolar tip, prolateral view. L detail of small spines on the embolus, prolateral view. Abbreviations: ete—embolar tip extensions, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 58. Nops mathani Simon, female holotype. A habitus, dorsal view. B habitus, ventral view. C spinnerets, ventral view. D habitus, lateral view. E external genitalia, ventral view. F cephalothorax, ventral view. G distribution map. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B, D), 0.5 mm (C, E), 1 mm (F).

FIGURE 60. Nops meridionalis Keyserling; male (MCTP 27792). A cephalothorax, anterior view. B eyes, anterior view. C cephalothorax, lateral view. D cephalothorax, ventral view. E labium and endites, ventral view. F serrula, anterior view. G base of left endite, ventral view. H labium, ventral view. I tip of endites, anterior view. J chelicerae, anterior view. K same, lateral view. L right fang of chelicerae, lateral oblique view.

FIGURE 62. Nops meridionalis Keyserling; A–F male (MCTP27792); G–L female (MCTP27792). A left tarsal claws IV, dorsal view. B same, anterior view. C unpaired claw on leg IV, anterior view. D left pretarsal claws IV, dorsal oblique view. E left pretarsal claws IV, retrolateral oblique view. F tarsal organ on left tarsus IV, dorsal view. G internal genitalia, dorsal view. H same, close up. I gland under the receptaculum, dorsal view. J internal genitalia, posterior view. K same, close up. L same, anterior view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, pp—posterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 68. Nops pocone n. sp.; A–I male (IBSP 121596); J–L female (IBSP 121599). A pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior view. B same, prolateral oblique view. C unpaired claw on left leg IV, prolateral oblique view. D crista and gladius on left leg I, ventral view. E left palp, prolateral view. F left tarsal brush, prolateral view. G tip of left embolus, prolateral view. H same, dorsal view. I left stridulatory pick, prolateral view. J internal genitalia, dorsal view. K detail of receptaculum, dorsal view. L internal genitalia, anterior view. Abbreviations: ap—anterior plate, ca—crista, CwL—claw lever, CwS—claw slit sensilla, gl—gladius, ete—embolar tip extensions, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.

FIGURE 71. A–F Nops quito Dupérré n. comb.; A–C male (QCAZ); E–F female (QCAZ); G–L Nops variabilis Keyserling; G–I male (Bogotá: AMNH); J–L female (Bogotá: AMNH). A left palp, ventral view. B tip of left embolus, ventral view. C same, prolateral view. D internal genitalia, dorsal view. E detail of receptaculum, dorsal view. F pretarsal claws on left leg IV, anterior oblique view. G left palp, prolateral view. H tip of left embolus, prolateral view. I same, ventral view. J internal genitalia, dorsal view. K pretarsal claws on left leg I, prolateral view. L pretarsal claws on left leg, anterior oblique view. Abbreviations: ar—arolium, ap—anterior plate, re—posterior receptaculum, ue—uterus externus.