Aptostichus dorothealangeae, Bond, Jason E., 2012

Bond, Jason E., 2012, Phylogenetic treatment and taxonomic revision of the trapdoor spider genus Aptostichus Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Euctenizidae), ZooKeys 252, pp. 1-209 : 156-159

Aptostichus dorothealangeae sp. n. Figures 342-346Maps 34

Types.

Male holotype (AP426) and female paratype (AP460) from California, Kern Co., Bakersfield, South Bank of Kern River, 35.3947, -119.0313 5, elev. 137m, coll. W. Icenogle 6.x.1971, 16.x.1971, deposited in AUMNH.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of the American photographer and photojournalist Dorothea Lange (1895-1965); best known for her photo documentation work for the Farm Security Administration during the American Great Depression.

Diagnosis.

Aptostichus dorothealangeae can be distinguished from all other species by having the characteristics described for all Sierra group species in the diagnosis of Aptostichus sierra and lacking a strongly curved tarsus I and by having a TSp spination pattern that is offset proximally (Fig. 344). Females can be recognized by having an elongate sternum and a spermathecal bulb arrangement very similar to that of Aptostichus simus ; that is a short median stalk and a very short lateral base that does not form a secondary bulb. It is important to note that this feature may likewise distinguish Aptostichus huntington and Aptostichus sierra from other non Sierra group species, however females of the other two species are at present unknown. The disparity in size between Aptostichus dorothealangeae and the Sierran species ( Aptostichus dorothealangeae is smaller; Cl <4.50) might also be reflected in females of these two species and thus may prove a potentially useful distinguishing feature.

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected live from burrow, preserved in 70%EtOH. Coloration slightly faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs strong brown 7.5YR 4/6. Abdomen brown, 7.5YR 4/2; distinct dorsal mottled striping pattern; purple tint along dorsal carapace fringe (Fig. 342). Cephalothorax. Carapace 3.88 long, 3.16 wide, lightly hirsute with thin white setae intermingled with thin black setae, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, strongly recurved. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER straight. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.38, STRw 1.68; elongate. Posterior sternal sigilla small, positioned laterally, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 5 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium with 3 cuspules, LBw 0.63, LBl 0.26. Rastellum consists of 4 stout spines not on prominent mound. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 3.60, 2.64, 2.88, 2.18, 0.00; leg IV: 3.88, 2.52. Light tarsal scopulae on all legs, light scopulae on metatarsus I. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 9 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 343, 344; TSp 14, TSr 4, TSrd 1. Tibia I long relative to femur I, with numerous prolateral spines, few retrolateral spines. Distal retrolateral spine patch absent. Metatarsus not anteverted, distinct mid–ventral mating apophysis, proximal excavation. Metatarsus, tarsus I elongate. Pedipalp. Palpal tibia intermediate in length, width slightly less than half-length; PTw 0.71, PTl 1.65, Bl 0.60. Retrolateral surface bears 2 large spines (Fig. 345), surrounded by numerous smaller spines. Pyriform shaped palpal bulb short (Bl/Cl 15.46); embolus base stout, but tip very thin, slight midpoint curvature, not serrated distally.

Variation (4). Cl 3.88-4.50, 4.11 ± 0.15; Cw 2.94-3.53, 3.21 ± 0.12; STRl 2.22-2.52, 2.39 ± 0.06; STRw 1.50-1.86, 1.69 ± 0.07; LBw 0.54-0.68, 0.62 ± 0.03; LBl 0.21-0.29, 0.25 ± 0.02; leg I: 3.50-4.00, 3.68 ± 0.11; 2.56-2.94, 2.69 ± 0.08; 2.87-3.38, 3.02 ± 0.12; 2.04-2.31, 2.15 ± 0.06; 0-0, 0 ± 0; leg IV: 3.63-4.19, 3.88 ± 0.12; 2.38-2.63, 2.48 ± 0.06; PTl 1.53-1.76, 1.63 ± 0.05; PTw 0.67-0.77, 0.72 ± 0.02; Bl 0.60-0.68, 0.63 ± 0.02; TSp 12-16, 14.50 ± 0.96; TSr 4-4, 4.00 ± 0; TSrd 1-1, 1.00 ± 0.

Description of female paratype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Female collected live from burrow, prepared in same manner as male holotype. Genital plate removed, cleared in trypsin, stored in microvial with specimen. Color slightly faded. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, strong brown, 7.5YR 5/6. Abdomen brown dorsally 7.5YR 4/2; distinct dorsal mottled striping. Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.32 long, 3.26 wide, glabrous with few fine black setae; generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, recurved. Eye group slightly elevated on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME-AME subequal diameter. Sternum elongate, moderately setose, STRl 2.85, STRw 1.95. Three pairs of sternal sigilla, anterior pairs small, oval, marginal, posterior pair small, laterally positioned. Chelicerae anterior tooth row comprising 5 teeth with posterior margin denticle patch. Palpal endites with 16 cuspules concentrated at inner promargin posterior heel; labium with 3 cuspules, LBw 0.85, LBl 0.37. Rastellum consist of 4 stout spines not positioned on mound; fringe of short spines along distal promargin extending upward from rastellum. Abdomen. Moderately setose. PLS all 3 segments with spigots. Terminal segment 1/2 length of medial segment, 2 enlarged spigots visible at tip. PMS single segment, with spigots, short with rounded terminus. Legs. Anterior two pairs noticeably more slender than posterior pairs. Leg I 9.22 long. Tarsus I with single staggered row of 11 trichobothria. Legs I, II, with moderately heavy scopulae on tarsi, metatarsi; light scopulae on tarsi III, IV. PTLs 8, TBs 2. Rudimentary preening comb on retrolateral distal surface (at tarsus-metatarsus joint) of metatarsus IV, absent on III. Spermathecae. Heavily sclerotized, 2 simple spermathecal bulbs on short neck, arranged on small spermathecal base (Fig. 346).

Variation (4). Cl 4.00-5.31, 4.56 ± 0.28; Cw 3.26-4.40, 3.68 ± 0.25; STRl 2.64-3.41, 2.95 ± 0.16; STRw 1.80-2.35, 2.03 ± 0.12; LBw 0.82-1.02, 0.89 ± 0.04; LBl 0.37-0.43, 0.4 ± 0.02; Leg I: 8.91-11.31, 9.70 ± 0.55; ANTd 5-6, 5.25 ± 0.25; PTLs 7-10, 8.75 ± 0.75; TBs 2-2, 2.00 ± 0.

Material examined.

United States: California: Kern Co.: 4.8km N of Kernville, Headquarters Campground, 35.7968, -118.4495 4, 867m, J Doyen 30.iv.1972 [AP084, 1♀, CAS]; Bakersfield, S Bank Kern River, 35.3947, -119.0313 5, 137m, W Icenogle 23.vi.1970 [AP553, 556, 2♂, AUMNH], [AP564, 1♀, 3juv, CAS], 16.x.1970 [AP559, 560, 563, 5♂, 7♀, 20juv, AUMNH], 6.x.1971 [AP425, 426, 1♀, 1♂, 14juv, AUMNH], [AP558, 1♀, 4juv, AMNH]; S bank Kern River 0.4km from Manor St Bridge, 35.4067, -119.0118 1, 127m, J Bond 31.iii.1996 [AP732, 1♀, AUMNH].

Distribution and natural history.

The distribution of Aptostichus dorothealangeae (Map 34) is similar to that of Aptostichus dantrippi (Map 12). As currently defined the species is likely distributed primarily throughout Kern County bordering the ranges that bound the central valley to the east and include the Tehachapi, Greenhorn, and Piute Mountains. Aptostichus dorothealangeae is mostly restricted to the South Valley Alluvium and Basinsand Sierran Steppe-Mixed Forest-Coniferous Forest-Alpine Meadow ecoregions of Kern County (Map 35). The only known male specimens were collected during late spring, early summer (May, June).

Species concept applied.

Morphological.

Conservation status.

The status of Aptostichus dorothealangeae is likely to be imperiled or vulnerable. The type locality, along the banks of the Kern River, in Bakersfield, California is disturbed and has been highly impacted by proximal development of the last quarter century; the species is known from relatively few specimens and is presumed to not be particularly abundant.