Apopyllus Platnick & Shadab, 1984 : 2

Azevedo, Guilherme H. F., Ott, Ricardo, Griswold, Charles E. & Santos, Adalberto J., 2016, A taxonomic revision of the ground spiders of the genus Apopyllus (Araneae: Gnaphosidae), Zootaxa 4178 (3), pp. 301-327 : 302-304

Genus Apopyllus Platnick & Shadab, 1984: 2 .

Type species: Zelotes silvestrii ( Simon, 1905)

Diagnosis. Females of Apopyllus can be recognized by the long, convoluted copulatory ducts extending anteriorly to the copulatory openings, and by the presence of paramedian epigynal pockets and of an anterior ridge in the epigynum, which covers the copulatory openings ( Figs 1 A–B, 2A–B). Males can be distinguished from other gnaphosid genera by the shape of RTA, which is folded in an elaborated structure, by the long bifid membranous tegular extension (MTE) that supports the long coiled embolus, by a retrolateral incision on the cymbium, and by the presence of median apophysis on tegulum ( Figs 1 C–D, 2C).

Description. As in Platnick & Shadab (1984), except for the male and female genitalia, which are redescribed below, and for the presence of terminal pseudosegmentation of tarsi IV in both sexes ( Fig. 2 D). The female internal genitalia (vulva) of Apopyllus are composed of a pair of highly convoluted copulatory ducts, a pair of secondary spermathecae (blind end receptacles with large glandular pores), a pair of primary spermathecae that are connected to a pair of fertilization ducts ( Figs 1 A–B, 2B). The copulatory ducts, though variable between and within species, have a basic structure shared by all species ( Figs 1 A–B). The copulatory opening leads to the proximal part of the copulatory duct (PPD) that is ventrally located and has a “U” shape. It curves dorsally and goes towards the posterior part of epigynum, forming the paramedian descendant tract (PDT). The PDT curves towards the anterior part, forming the lateral ascendant tract (LAT). It extends anteriorly to the copulatory opening forming the anterior curled tract (ACT). The ACT leads to a ventral tract that goes posteriorly, called lateral descendent tract (LDT). It curves forming the lateral loop (LL) and then the paramedian ascendant tract (PAT). The PAT curves dorsally leading to the terminal part of the copulatory duct (TPD), which ends at the primary spermatheca. The secondary spermatheca is a rounded blind sac of variable size that arises from the lateral loop.

Male genitalia have a small subtegulum that can be seen in ventral view on unexpanded palp ( Fig. 1 C). The tegulum is rounded to oval, with an elongated, partially sclerotized, hook shaped median apophysis ( Figs 1 C, 2C), and with a long bifid membranous tegular extension (MTE) that supports a long coiled embolus ( Figs 1 C–D, 2C). The embolus articulates with the tegulum by a long distal tubular membrane (DTM) ( Fig. 2 C). The RTA is folded in an elaborated structure, with ventral, dorsal and apical serrated keels ( Fig. 2 C). The cymbium has a retrolateral projection ventrally incised (CP, in Figs 1 C–D, 2C).

Distribution. From southern South America to southern Mexico.

Natural history. Species of Apopyllus can be found in areas with rocky ground and, at least A. suavis , might be active during daylight (GHFA personal observation).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Genital Morphology of Apopyllus. A, B A. malleco female; C, D A silvestrii male. A Vulva, dorsal view. B Epigynum, ventral view. Vulva can be seen by transparency. C Male palp, ventral view. D Male palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: ACT: anterior curled tracts, AR: anterior ridge, CI: cymbial incision, CP: cymbial projection, Cy: cymbium, E: embolus, FD: fertilization duct, LAT: lateral ascendant tract, LDT: lateral descendant tract, LL: lateral loop, MA: median apophysis, MTE: membranous tegular extension, PAT: paramedian ascendant tract, PDT: paramedian descendant tract, PP: paramedian pockets, PPD: proximal part of copulatory duct, PS: primary spermathecae, RTA: retrolateral tibial apophysis, SS: secondary spermathecae, ST: subtegulum, T: tegulum, TPD: terminal part of copulatory duct. (Many of the abbreviations are not present in this plate, but present in other plates, as Fig. 2)

FIGURE 2. Apopyllus silvestrii (female and legs: UFMG 8323; male: CASENT 9051658): A Epigynum, ventral view. B Vulva, dorsal view. C Expanded male right palp, retrolateral view. D Tarsus of leg IV, showing pseudosegmentation and claw (insert). Abbreviations: AR: anterior ridge, AK: apical keel of retrolateral tibial apophysis, CI: cymbial incision, DK: dorsal keel of retrolateral tibial apophysis, EB: embolus base, ET: embolus tip, LF: lateral field, MA: median apophysis, MF: median field, MTE: membranous tegular extension, PP: paramedian pockets, SS: secondary spermathecae, ST: subtegulum, T: tegulum, Tu: tubercle of retrolateral tibial apophysis, VK: Ventral keel of retrolateral tibial apophysis.