Nops variabilis Keyserling, 1877

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 : 107

Nops variabilis Keyserling, 1877

Figure 71G‒L ; 74A‒F

Nops variabilis Keyserling, 1877: 218 , pl. 7, fig. 8. Male and female syntypes from New Granada (today city of Bogotá), Colombia, E. Keyserling (NHM 1890.7.1.492, only the female in the vial; examined). Hasselt, 1887: 85, pl. 6, figs 8–9. Berland, 1913: 85, pl. 7, fig. 11.

Remarks. Male syntype was not examined and may be lost. Fortunately specimens from Paramo de Monserrate, a locality on the outskirts of the city of Bogotá (type locality) can be assigned to this species.

Additional material examined. COLOMBIA: Bogotá: Páramo de Monserrate (4°36′21″N, 74°2′23″W) , Bogotá, 1968‒1969, H. Sturm, 1♂ 1♀ 2 immature ( AMNH) . Ditto, 3200 m, 28.xii.1967, Espel grandifl, 1♀ 2 immatures ( AMNH). Cundinamarca: Páramo de Monserrate , 7 Km NE Bogotá (4°15′N, 74°01′W) 3230 m, 30.ix.1989, H. Sturm, 1 immature ( MCZ 12 8509). 15 km E Bogotá , 3300 m, 16.iii.1974, L & N Herman, 1♀ (AMNH). Choschi Rd., 3300 m, 19.vii.1967, P & B Wygodzinsky, 1 immature ( AMNH). VENEZUELA: Mérida: Páramo La Culata , 18.5 km NE Mérida, (08°44′34″N, 71°03′44″W), 2950 m, 25.v.1998, R. Anderson, dead leaves under Espeletia schultzi , 1 immature ( AMNH) . Tachira: Páramo La Negra , 15 Km SE Pueblo Hondo (08°14′50″N, 71°52′31″W), 2910 m, 27.v.1998, R. Anderson, dead leaves under Espeletia sp., 1♀ ( AMNH) .

Diagnosis. Males and females resemble similar congener Nops quito , which have a similar abdominal pattern as in figure 6K, and the posterior unpaired claws small ( Fig. 5C ); but can be distinguished by having the PLS of equal size as the PMS similar to the figure 7C‒D.

Description. Male (Bogotá, AMNH): Carapace, chelicerae and legs light orange, coxae and trochanters lighter ( Fig. 74A ). Endites, labium and sternum light orange. Abdomen light gray, dorsal pattern as in figure 6K, lighter ventrally. Anal tubercle and spinnerets light gray. Total length 8.9. Carapace 5.5 long, 3.6 wide. Sternum 4.4 long, 3.2 wide. Leg measurements: I: 3.9; II: 3.75; III: 3.5; IV: 4.0. Posterior unpaired claws small, as in other three‒clawed spiders ( Fig. 5C ). PLS of equal size as PMS. Palp with straight embolus, not twisted and shorter than palpal tibia ( Figs 71H‒I ; 74B‒C); embolar tip with a small cut on prolateral side and one short extensions ( Fig. 71H‒I ).

Female (Bogotá, AMNH): Carapace, chelicerae, labium, coxae, legs, endites and sternum as in male. Abdomen as in male ( Fig. 74D ). Anal tubercle and spinnerets whitish yellow. Total length 9.5. Carapace 5.9 long, 4.2 wide. Sternum 4.95 long, 3.8 wide. Leg measurements: I: 4.2; II: 4.1; III: 3.7; IV: 4.35. Posterior unpaired claws ( Fig. 71L ) and PLS as in male. External genital area with slightly sclerotized anterior plate, and lep, unremarkable ess ( Fig. 74E ). Internal genitalia with wide invagination on receptaculum and uterus externus with narrow base ( Figs 71J ; 74F).

Natural history. Specimens from AMNH were collected with Barber pitfall traps.

Distribution. Known from Venezuela and Colombia ( Fig. 57G ).

Figures

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 57. Nops maculatus Simon; A–E male (Trinidad: AMNH); F female (Trinidad: MCZ 128291). A left palp, prolateral view. B left palpal tibia, prolateral view. C stridulatory pick, prolateral view. D tip of embolus, retrolateral view. E same, anterior view. F internal genitalia, dorsal view. G distribution of Nops maculatus Simon (circles), Nops flutillus Chickering (star), Nops ursumus Chickering (diamond), Nops coccineus Simon (square) and Nops variabilis Keyserling (triangles).

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.

FIGURE 74. Nops variabilis Keyserling; A–C male (Bogotá: AMNH); D–F female (Bogotá: AMNH). A habitus, dorsal view. B left palp, prolateral view. C left palp, retrolateral view. D habitus, dorsal view. E external genital area, ventral view. F internal genitalia, dorsal 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, D), 0.5 mm (B–C, E–F).