Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão

Piacentini, Luis N. & Laborda, Alvaro, 2013, The South American wolf spider genus Birabenia Mello-Leitão, 1941 (Araneae: Lycosidae: Lycosinae), Zootaxa 3716 (1), pp. 39-52 : 42-52

Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão

( Figs 1–5 , 11 )

Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão 1941: 137 , plate 6, figs 27, 33–34; 1 female lectotype, 1 female and 1 immature female paralectotypes (from Argentina, La Rioja, Sañogasta [-29.316°, -67.600°], MLP 14720, examined) and 1 male paralectotype (from Argentina, Tucumán, Bañados [-26.422°, -65.962°], MLP 14721, examined), here designated.

Hogna birabenae: Capocasale 1990: 137 , figs 8–11.

Birabenia taeniata Mello-Leitão 1943: 108 , fig. 9; subadult female holotype from Argentina, Córdoba, Bell Ville [-32.620°, - 62.689°], in MLP 15710 examined. New synonymy.

Hogna taeniata: Capocasale 1990: 138 ; Silva, Lise and Carico (2009).

Alopecosa murina Mello-Leitão 1941: 122 , fig. 19; subadult female holotype from Argentina, La Rioja, Anillaco [-28.807°, - 66.952°], deposited in MLP 14672, examined. New synonymy.

Tarentula murinella: Roewer 1951: 441 (unneeded replacement name, A. m. not thought congeneric with Lycosa murina Nicolet, 1849 ).

Paratrochosina murinella: Roewer 1955: 282 .

Lycosa sanogastensis Mello-Leitão 1941: 133 , fig. 31, plate. 6, fig. 25; female holotype from Argentina, La Rioja, Sañogasta [- 29.316°, -67.600°], deposited in MLP 14700, examined. New synonymy. Scaptocosa sanogastensis: Roewer 1955: 292 .

Remarks. In the original publication, Mello-Leitão (1941) did not distinguish between the holotype and paratype, but the vial MLP 14720 contains one female isolated from the rest of the specimens, labelled with the author’s handwriting as “ typus ”; we choose this specimen as lectotype. The vial MLP 14721 is labelled as “alotypus” and is considered here as a paralectotype.

Capocasale (1990) transferred B. birabenae to Hogna based only on characters of the copulatory organs, morphological features such as chelicerae dentition or coloration seem useful to distinguish between genera with very similar genitalia, e.g., Alopecosa Simon (Dondale & Redner 1990) , Trochosa (Brady 1980) and Tigrosa Brady (Brady 2012) . The relative short legs, the presence of four retromarginal teeth on the cheliceral retromargin and the deep anterior epigynal pockets excludes to B. birabenae from Hogna .

Other material examined. ARGENTINA: Jujuy: San Pedro [-24.231°, -64.867°], 12.V.1947, Birabén, M., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 30513). Salta: Urundel [-23.630°, -64.399°], XI.1948, Birabén, M., 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 24083). La Rioja: Embarcadero Los Sauces [-28.463°, -67.086°], X.1965, Maury, E., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 23915); Patquia [- 30.056°, -66.882°], 16.X.1936, Galiano, M.E., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 23881). Mendoza: San Rafael, Camping Rayuela [- 34.795°, -68.450°], 4–11.II.2008, Piacentini, L. N. & Fernández, C. M., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 30637). San Luis: no further location [-33.861°, -66.057°], 01.XII.1949, Birabén, M., 1 ♀ (BMNH). Córdoba: Los Cocos [-30.924°, - 64.499°], IX–X.2008, Rumboll, M., 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 30636); Depto de Juárez Celman, Ucacha, Reserva Natural de Fauna Laguna La Felipa [-33.107°, -63.521°], 21–23.III.2006, Izquierdo, M., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 28971); same locality and collector, 21.X.2006, 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 28972); same locality and collector, 4.XI.2006, 2 ♂ (MACN-Ar 28970); same locality and collector, 4.XI.2006, 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 28973). Santa Fé: Calchaquí [- 29.889°, -60.286°], 7.XII.2010, Ortega, I., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 30638); Venado Tuerto, [-33.820°, -61.969°], 5.IX.2010, Piacentini, L.N., 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 27521). Entre Ríos: Paraná, Villa Urquiza [-31.655°, -60.369°], 17.I.1998, Goloboff, P.A. & Szumik, C., 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 24007). Buenos Aires: Atucha [-33.972°, -59.299°], 27.VII.1984, Goloboff, P.A. & Ramírez, M.J., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 24018); Mercedes [-34.654°, -59.428°], 21.VIII.2010, Paoletta, M., 2 ♀ (MACN-Ar 30639). Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires: Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, Chilcal 2 cortafuego [-34.614°, -58.347°], 2.XI.2012, Zapata, L., 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 29402).

Diagnosis. Males and females of B. birabenae can be differentiated from those of B. vittata by the paler colour ( Fig. 1 ), males of B. birabenae have a longer terminal apophysis ( Figs 2 b, 3b), and females have longer median septum ( Figs 4 a, 5a) and irregular marginal pale bands on the carapace ( Figs 1 a–c).

Description.

Female (MACN-Ar 28971).

Colour in ethanol ( Figs 1 a–c): carapace brown with a light median band and yellowish irregular marginal bands. Sternum uniformly yellowish, sparsely covered with brown bristles, more abundant on the margins. Labium brown. Chelicerae darker than labium, reddish-brown; covered with brown bristles; two promarginal and four retromarginal teeth, similar in size ( Fig. 4 e). Abdomen yellowish brown with two dark olive grey lateral bands; venter yellowish brown with two median dark lines; spinnerets yellow. Femora brownish yellow, patellae, tibiae, tarsi and metatarsi with dark annulations, darker in the leg I and II. Scopulae on legs I and II from ventral distal half of metatarsi ( Fig. 4 c), on legs III and IV only on tarsi ( Fig. 4 d).

Epigyne with inverted T-shape median septum set in shallow atrium with two anterior deep pockets ( Figs 4 a, 5a); copulatory openings located at the lateral margins of median septum ( Fig. 4 b). Vulva: spermathecae with a short stalk and a triangular head ( Figs 4 b, 5b).

Leg formula 4123. Spination pattern: femur I p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0, II p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0, III p d1-d1 d 1-1-0 r 0-d1, IV d 1-1-0 r 0-0-d1; patella III p 1 r 1, IV p 1 r 1; tibia I v 0-0-2ap, II v 0-0-2ap, III p 1-1 d 0-1-0 r 1-1 v 2-2 -2ap, IV p 1-1 d 0-1-0 r 1-1 v 2-2 -2ap; metatarsus I p 0-0-t1ap r 0-0-1ap v 2-2 -0, II p 0-0-1ap r 0-0-1ap v 2-2 -1ap, III p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -1ap, IV p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -1ap.

Male (MACN-Ar 27521).

Colour in ethanol ( Figs 1 d–f): as in female. Palp with tibia longer than wide, lacking apophyses ( Fig. 2 f), with a file on distal part of tibia ( Fig. 3 e), facing a crest (scraper) on the proximal part of cymbium ( Fig. 3 g). Cymbium with seven macrosetae at the tip ( Fig. 3 f); tegulum large, occupying most of ventral side of bulb ( Fig. 2 b); median apophysis transversal, triangular in shape, with a distal ventral process ( Figs 2 b–e, 3b–d); embolus arising from the prolateral margin of palea, moderately long, slender, concealed in part by median apophysis ( Figs 2 a–e, 3 a–d); terminal apophysis curved slightly, apicad, reaching the hyaline conductor ( Figs 2 a–b, 3b); subterminal apophysis parallel to the embolus.

Leg formula 4123. Spination pattern: femur I p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0 r 0-1-0, II p 1-1 d 1-1-0 r 1, III p d1-d1 d 1-1- 1 r d1-d1, IV p d1-d1 d 1-1-0 r 0-0-d1; patella III p 1 r 1, IV p 1 r 1; tibia I p 0-1 v 2-2 -2ap, II p d1-d 1 v p1-2- 2ap, III p 1-1 d 0-1-0 r 1-1 v 2-2 -2ap, IV p 1-1 d 0-1-0 r 1-1 v 2-2 -2ap; metatarsus I p 0-1-1ap r 0-0-1ap v 2-2 - 1ap, II p 0-1-1ap r 0-0-1ap v 2-2 -1ap, III p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -1ap, IV p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -1ap.

Measurements. Female, MACN-Ar 28971 (Male, MACN-Ar 27521): TL 10.11 (8.38), CL 5.33 (4.00), CW 3.67 (3.00), CH 1.80 (1.20), AL 4.93 (4.00). Eyes: AME 0.18 (0.20), ALE 0.15 (0.10), PME 0.35 (0.28), PLE 0.28 (0.25). Row of eyes: AER 0.92 (0.73), PME 1.10 (0.77), PLE 1.33 (1.10). Sternum (length/width) 2.27/1.87 (1.93/ 1.60). Labium (length/width) 0.77/0.73 (0.57/0.55) Legs: length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus =total length): I 2.73 + 4.07 + 2.00 + 1.20 = 10.00, II 2.80 + 3.60 + 1.87 + 1.20 = 9.47, III 2.53 + 2.73 + 2.07 + 1.20 = 8.53, IV 4.00 + 4.33 + 3.67 + 1.40 = 13.40 (I 3.07 + 4.00 + 2.40 + 1.53 = 11.00, II 2.80 + 3.47 + 2.13 + 1.27 = 9.67, III 2.60 + 2.67 + 2.27 + 1.20 = 8.74, IV 1.67 + 4.40 + 4.00 + 2.00 = 14.07).

Variation. Female (male) (range, mean ±s.d.): TL 9.18–10.64, 10.11±0.66; PL 4.27–5.33, 4.78±0.44; PW 3.07–3.67, 3.40±0.28; n = 5 (TL 5.99– 7.58, 7.00±0.0.63; PL 3.67–6.67, 4.81±1.39; PW 2.80–5.20, 3.64±1.13; n = 6). Cheliceral dentition: female MACN-Ar 24018 with four teeth on right retromargin and three on the left. Male MACN-Ar 28972 with three teeth on both chelicerae; male MACN-Ar 24007 with two retromarginal teeth on the right and three in the left. Number of macrosetae at the tip of cymbium from 7 to 12.

Synonymy. The types of B. birabenae were compared with L. sanogastensis and show no significant morphological differences. The type specimen of A. murina is a subadult female from Anillaco, close to 80 km from Sañogasta, the type locality of B. birabenae , and shows the same morphological characters used to recognise Birabenia , although Mello-Leitão wrongly reported only two teeth on the cheliceral retromargin. The body shape, coloration and spination pattern led us to consider A. murina as junior synonym of B. birabenae . The holotype of B. taeniata is a subadult female from Bell Ville, Córdoba province near other known localities of this species ( Fig. 11 ) and also shows the same combination of above mentioned morphological characters of B. birabenae .

Distribution. North-western and central Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, La Rioja, Mendoza, San Luis, Córdoba, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires Provinces) ( Fig. 11 ).

Natural history. The specimens from Córdoba were in pitfall traps placed in flooding areas at Reserva Natural de Fauna Laguna La Felipa lake (M. Izquierdo pers. com.), the male collected in Santa Fe was collected under stones in a house garden.

Birabenia vittata (Mello-Leitão, 1945) new combination ( Figs 6–11 )

Remarks. Mello-Leitão described G. vittata from a subadult female from Puerto Constanza, Entre Ríos; the type specimen presents a dark coloration pattern, relatively short legs, four retromarginal teeth on the chelicerae, and tibia I without ventral spines, all characters distinctive of Birabenia . We recognised the adults of this species from material collected in Brazo Largo, Entre Ríos, at about 42 km of Puerto Constanza.

Other material examined. ARGENTINA: Santa Fe: Tambo, a 15 Km al norte de Esperanza, lindero al Río Salado [-31.369°, -60.902°], 04.XII.2011, Sarquis, A., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 30477). Entre Ríos: Brazo Largo [-33.786°, -58.599°], 7.XII.1979, Zanetic & Goloboff, P.A., 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 24042); Arroyo Gualeguaychú y ruta 2 [- 32.959°, -58.582°], IX.1982, Goloboff, P.A. 2 ♀ (MACN-Ar 24017). Buenos Aires: San Pedro [-33.682°, - 59.665°], 9.XI.1979, Goloboff, P.A., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 24049); Reserva Natural Otamendi, pastizal [-34.234°, - 58.896°], 25.X.1997, Fuentes B., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 29400); same locality and collector, 18.X.1997, 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 29399); same locality and collector, 25.X.1997, 6 ♂ (MACN-Ar 27553); same locality and collector, 14.XII.1997, 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 29396); same locality and collector, 7.II.1998, 1 ♂ (MACN-Ar 29398); same locality and collector, 29.II.1998, 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 29397); same locality and collector, 1998, 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 29401). URUGUAY: Canelones: INIA Las Brujas [-34.671°, -56.341°], 23.X.2004, Simó, M., 2 ♂ (FCE 1161); same locality and collector, 4.XI.2004, 1 ♂ (FCE 1381). Maldonado: Entrada al camino hacia el cerro Caracol, sobre la ruta 39 [-34.649°, -54.885°], 10.XII.2005, Labarque, F., Ojanguren, A. & Mattoni, C., 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 24209). Rocha: Cabo Polonio [-34.390°, -53.799°], 1–18.I.2005, F. Achaval, 2 ♀ (FCE 2815); same locality and collector, I.2002, 1 ♂ (FCE 2800); same locality and collector, 21–23. XII.2004, 1 ♀ (FCE 2809); same locality and collector, 19.I-01. III.2005, 1 ♂ 6 ♀ (FCE 2807): Potrero Grande [-33.899°, -53.728°], 4.IV.2001, 1 ♀ (FCE 2813); same locality, 23.XI.2000, 1 ♀ (FCE 2812): Bocas del Sarandí[-34.233°, -53.950°], 28.X.1994, Pérez-Miles, F., 1 ♂ (FCE 2510); Parque Nacional "San Miguel" [-33.724°, -53.579°], 9.XI.1979, 1 ♀ (MACN-Ar 24061).

Diagnosis. Males and females of B. vittata have darker body pigmentation than those of B. birabenae ( Fig. 6 ); males have a slightly short and broad terminal apophysis ( Figs 7 b, 8b); in females, the base of epigynal septum is shorter and broader and the anterior pockets deeper and longer ( Figs 9 a, b, 10).

Description.

Female (FCE 2807).

Colour in ethanol ( Fig. 6 a–c): carapace brown with a light median band and yellowish brown marginal bands. Sternum yellowish brown, sparsely covered with brown bristles, more abundant on the margins. Labium brown. Chelicerae darker than labium, reddish-brown; covered with brown bristles; three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth, similar in size ( Fig. 9 e). Abdomen brownish yellow with two dark olive grey lateral bands; venter brownish yellow with two middle dark lines; spinnerets yellow. Legs dark brown, legs I and II uniform, legs III and IV paler with annulations. Scopulae on legs I and II from ventral distal half of metatarsi ( Fig. 9 c), on legs III and IV only in tarsi ( Figs 9 d). Epigyne with inverted T-shape median septum set in shallow atrium with two anterior deep pockets ( Fig. 9 a, 10a); copulatory openings located on the lateral margins of median septum. Vulvae: spermathecae with a short stalk and rounded head ( Fig. 9 b, 10b).

Spination pattern (FCE 2807): femur I p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0, II p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0, III p d1-d1 d 1-1-0 r d1-d1, IV d 1-1-0 r 0-0-d1; patella III p 1 r 1 IV p 1 r 1; tibia III p 1-1 d 0-1-0 r 1-1 v 2-2 -2ap, IV p 1-1 d 0-1-0 r 1-1 v 2- 2 -2ap; metatarsus I p 0-0-1ap r 0-0-1ap v r1-0-0, II p 0-0-1ap r 0-0-1ap v 2-2 -1ap, III p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 - 1ap, IV p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -1ap.

Male (FCE-2807).

Colour in ethanol ( Figs 6 d–f): as in female. Palp with tibia longer than wide ( Fig. 7 f), with a file on distal tibia, facing a crest (scraper) on the proximal part of cymbium.Cymbium with ten macrosetae at the tip ( Fig. 7 f); tegulum large occupying most of ventral side of bulb ( Figs 7 b, 8b); median apophysis transversal, triangular in shape, with a distal ventral process ( Figs 7 b–e, 8b–d); embolus arising on prolateral margin of palea, moderately long, slender, concealed, in part, by median apophysis ( Figs 7 a–c, 8a–d); terminal apophysis short curved apicad, hyaline conductor short and triangular in shape ( Figs 7 b–d, 8b–d); subterminal apophysis parallel to the embolus ( Fig. 8 e).

Measurements. Female. FCE 2807 (Male, FCE 2807): TL 12.64 (6.65), CL 4.67 (3.33), CW 3.67 (2.67), CH 1.40 (1.20), AL 6.67 (3.00). Eyes: AME 0.15 (0.12), ALE 0.13 (0.10), PME 0.38 (0.27), PLE 0.33 (0.22). Row of eyes: AER 0.82 (0.62), PME 0.95 (0.72), PLE 1.33 (1.02). Sternum (length/width) 2.13/1.60 (1.67/1.33). Labium (length/width) 0.58/0.67 (0.42/0.42). Legs: length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus =total length): I 3.00 + 3.67 + 1.93 + 1.07 = 9.67, II 2.60 + 3.33 + 1.93 + 1.00 = 8.86, III 2.53 + 2.93 + 2.00 + 1.07 = 8.53, IV 3.40 + 4.33 + 3.67 + 1.40 = 12.80 (I 2.60 + 3.33 + 2.00 + 1.13 = 9.06, III 2.13 + 2.47 + 2.20 + 1.07 = 7.87, IV 3.00 + 3.67 + 3.53 + 1.40 = 11.6).

Variation. Female (male) (range, mean ±s.d.): TL 7.05–12.64, 10.13±1.71; PL 3.53–4.67, 4.08±0.46; PW 2.73–3.73, 3.27±0.37; n = 7 (TL 4.92–8.91, 6.86±1.09; PL 3.00–4.20, 3.60±0.43; PW 2.27–3.33, 2.77±0.36; n = 7). Number of macrosetae at the tip of cymbium, from 8 to 11.

Spination pattern (MACN-Ar 29399): femur I p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0, II p 0-0-d1 d 1-1-0, III p d1-d1 d 1-1-0 r 0- 0-1ap, IV p d1-0-d1 d 1-1-0 r 0-0-1ap; patella III p 1 r 1, IV p 1; tibia I v r1-2-2ap, II v r1-r1-2ap, III p 1-1 d 0- p1 r 1- 1 v p2-2-2ap, IV p 1-1 d p1-p1 r 1-1 v 2-2 -2ap; metatarsus I p 0-0-1ap r 0-0-1ap v 2-2 -0, II p 0-0-1ap r 0- 0-1ap v 2-2 -0, III p d1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -2ap, IV p 1-1-2ap r 1-1-2ap v 2-2 -2ap.

Distribution. East-central Argentina (Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires Provinces) and southern Uruguay (Canelones, Maldonado and Rocha Departments) ( Fig. 11 ).

Acknowledgments

We thank Luis Pereira and Mónica Tassara (Museo de La Plata) for loaning the relevant type specimens under their care and for granting permission to examine the collections. I am grateful to Miguel Simó (FCE) for the loan of material, Jannet Beccaloni (NHM) for allowing the examination of the collection and Daniel Roccatagliata and Marcela Cosarinsky (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires) for providing material of B. birabenae for this study. Thanks to the reviewers, Estevam Cruz da Silva and Yuri Marusik and to the editor Cor Vink, for the suggestions that improved the manuscript. Thanks to Martín Ramírez, Cristian Grismado and Matías Izquierdo for suggestions and constant support. Piacentini gives special thanks to Cecilia Mercedes Fernández for constant patience and support. Support for this study was provided by Museo Argertino de Ciencias Naturales and grants FONCyT PICT-2007-01393, and CONICET PIP 112- 200801 -03209 to Martín Ramírez.

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Figures

FIGURE 1. Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão, habitus. a – c female (MACN-Ar 28971); d – f male (MACN-Ar 27521); a, d dorsal; b, e lateral; c, f ventral. Scale bars, a – c 2.00 mm, d – f 5.00 mm.

FIGURE 2. Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão, male genitalia (MACN-Ar 27521), a – e bulb, a prolateral; b ventral; c retrolateral; d dorsal; e apical; f pedipalp, general view. Scale bars, a – e 0.20 mm, f 0.50 mm. Abbreviations: C conductor, E embolus, MA median apophysis, PA palea, ST sub tegulum, T tegulum, TA terminal apophysis.

FIGURE 3. SEM images of Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão, male genitalia (MACN-Ar 27521). a Left bulb, prolateral; b ventral; c retrolateral; d apical; e retrolateral view of the tibial apical part; f apical part of cymbium, ventral view; g distal part of cymbium, retroventral view. Scale bars, a – d 0.20 mm, e 0.05 mm, g 0.50 mm. Abbreviations: C conductor, E embolus, MA median apophysis, PA palea, S scraper, ST sub tegulum, T tegulum, TA terminal apophysis, TF tegular furrow.

FIGURE 4. Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão, female genitalia (MACN-Ar 28971), a epigyne ventral view, b vulva dorsal view, c metatarsus and tarsus of leg I ventral, d metatarsus and tarsus of leg IV ventral, e endites ventral. Scale bars, a 0.20 mm, b 0.10 mm, c – e 1.00 mm. Abbreviations: AP anterior pockets, FD fertilization ducts, HS head of spermatheca, MS median septum, Sc scopulae, Sp spinules, SS stalk of spermatheca.

FIGURE 5. SEM images of Birabenia birabenae Mello-Leitão, fe male genitalia (MACN-Ar 28971), a epigyne ventral view, b vulva dorsal view, upper right corner in b, detail of the head of spermatheca pore, Upper left corner in b, lateral view of the left spermatheca. Scale bars, a, b 0.20 mm. Abbreviations: AP anterior pockets, CO copulatory opening, FD fertilization ducts, HS head of spermatheca, MS median septum, SS stalk of spermatheca.

FIGURE 6. Birabenia vittata (Mello-Leitão), habitus. a – c female (FCE- 2807); d – f male (FCE- 2807); a, d dorsal; b, e lateral; c, f ventral. Scale bars, a – f 2.00 mm.

FIGURE 7. Birabenia vittata (Mello-Leitão), male genitalia (FCE- 2807), a-e bulb, a prolateral; b ventral; c retrolateral; d dorsal; e apical; f pedipalp, general view. Scale bars, a – e 0.20 mm, f 0.50 mm. Abbreviations: C conductor, E embolus, MA median apophysis, PA palea, ST sub tegulum, T tegulum, TA terminal apophysis.

FIGURE 8. SEM images of Birabenia vittata (Mello-Leitão), male genitalia (FCE- 1161), a Left bulb, prolateral; b ventral; c retrolateral; d apical; e detail of the terminal part of the bulb in apical view. Scale bars, a 0.20 mm, a – d 0.20 mm, e 0.10 mm. Abbreviations: C conductor, E embolus, MA median apophysis, PA palea, StA subterminal apophysis, ST sub tegulum, T tegulum, TA terminal apophysis.

FIGURE 9. Birabenia vittata (Mello-Leitão), female genitalia (FCE- 2807), a epigyne ventral view, b vulva dorsal view, c metatarsus and tarsus of leg I ventral, d metatarsus and tarsus of leg IV ventral, e endites ventral. Scale bars, a 0.20 mm, b 0.10 mm, c – e 1.00 mm. Abbreviations: AP anterior pockets, FD fertilization ducts, HS head of spermatheca, MS median septum, Sc scopulae, Sp spinules, SS stalk of spermatheca.

FIGURE 10. SEM images of Birabenia vittata (Mello-Leitão), female genitalia (FCE- 2807), a epigyne ventral view, b vulva dorsal view, upper right corner in b, detail of the head of spermatheca pore. Scale bars, a, b 0.20 mm. Abbreviations: AP anterior pockets, CO copulatory opening, FD fertilization ducts, HS head of spermatheca, MS median septum, SS stalk of spermatheca.

FIGURE 11. Records of Birabenia Mello-Leitão. Numbers in the circle are the type locality of each type: 1 B. birabenae and Lycosasanogastensis; 2 paralectotype of B. birabenae; 3 Birabenia taeniata; 4 Alopecosa murina; 5 Gnatholycosa. vittata. In case where location data in the label gave only the province, the point is located in the centre of the province and marked with an asterisk.