Aptostichus bonoi, 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 : 143-146

Aptostichus bonoi sp. n. Figures 311-315Map 33

Types.

Male holotype (AP399) from California, San Bernardino County, Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP), Lower Covington Flat, 34.0401, -116.3102 3, 1433m, 28.ix.1962; deposited in AMNH. Female paratype (AP901) from JTNP, Upper Covington Flat, 34.0145, -116.3159 1, coll. USGS-BRD San Diego Field Station 1.xi.2000; deposited in CAS.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Bono from the Irish rock group U2 and in recognition of the Joshua Tree album released in March of 1987.

Diagnosis.

Males of Aptostichus bonoi and Aptostichus fisheri can be distinguished from all other species of Aptostichus by the presence of short, distinctive spines on the ventral surface of tarsus I (Figs 311, 312, 314) and by having only very light traces of scopulae. Aptostichus bonoi can be distinguished from Aptostichus fisheri by virtue of having many more spines on the retrolateral surface of tibia I (TSr = 14) than Aptostichus fisheri (TSr <12; Figs 311, 314).

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen presumed to have been collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 70% EtOH. Coloration very faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, other legs detached, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs yellowish red 5YR 4/6. Abdomen uniform light brown 7.5YR 6/3, dorsal chevron markings. Cephalothorax. Carapace 5.00 long, 4.35 wide, glabrous, 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 slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.75, STRw 2.48. Posterior sternal sigilla small, positioned away from margin but not in center, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 4 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites, labium, lacks cuspules, LBw 0.77, LBl 0.39. Rastellum consists of 12 stout spines not on prominent mound. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 5.44, 4.00, 3.22, 1.95, 1.42; leg IV: 5.13, 2.76. Very light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 11 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 311, 312, 314; TSp 29, TSr 14, TSrd 0; distinct short spines on ventral surface tarsus I. Pedipalp. Palpal tibia short, width more than half-length, with distinct patch of medial/distal retrolateral spines (Fig. 314). Palpal bulb short; embolus stout, dorsal-ventrally flattened with slight curvature at its midpoint, serrated distally (Fig. 313). PTw 0.90, PTl 1.60, Bl 0.77.

Variation. Known only from the type specimen.

Description of female paratype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Female presumed to have been collected live from burrow, prepared in same manner as male holotype. Genital plate removed, cleared in trypsin, stored in microvial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, dark reddish brown 2.5YR 2.5/4. Abdomen reddish brown, 5YR 4/3. Cephalothorax. Carapace 5.75 long, 4.80 wide, generally glabrous, very sparse fine black setae; generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, straight. Posterior aspect carapace flat. Eye group slightly elevated on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum widest at coxae II/III, moderately setose, STRl 3.22, STRw 3.21. Three pairs of sternal sigilla anterior pairs small in size, oval, marginal; posterior pair moderate in size, elongate, mesially positioned but not contiguous. Chelicerae anterior tooth row comprising 4 teeth with posterior margin denticle patch. Palpal endites with 24 cuspules concentrated at the inner (promargin) posterior heel; labium lacks cuspules, LBw 1.02, LBl 0.60. Rastellum consists of 12 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 12.55 long. Tarsus I with 7 trichobothria arranged in staggered row, distal aspect of row interspersed with setae. Legs I, II with light scopulae on tarsus, metatarsus; light scopulae on distal aspect tarsus legs III, IV. PTLs 30, TBs 7. Rudimentary preening comb on retrolateral distal surface, tarsus-metatarsus joint, of metatarsus IV; well developed, wide preening comb on leg III. Spermathecae. 2 short, heavily sclerotized, simple spermathecal bulbs; basal extension small (Fig. 315).

Variation.Known only from the type specimen.

Material examined.

United States: California: Riverside Co.: Joshua Tree Natl Park, Covington Flat, 34.0311, -116.3177 1, 1554m, J Bond 8.xii.1997 [AP682, 1juv, AUMNH]; Joshua Tree Natl Park, Upper Covington Flat, 34.0145, -116.3159 1, 949m, 1.xi.2000 USGS-BRD San Diego Sta. [AP901, 1♀, CAS]; San Bernardino Co.: Joshua Tree Natl Park, Lower Covington Flat, 34.0401, -116.3102 3, 1433m, 28.ix.1962 [AP399, 1♂, AMNH].

Distribution and natural history.

Known only from the type locality in the Covington Flat area of Joshua Tree National Park (Map 33). The habitat is higher altitude Mojave Desert and is considerably more vegetated than lower altitude areas. Based on the limited data available, males disperse during late fall through early winter ( September–November).

Species concept applied.

Morphological.

Conservation status.

The conservation status of Aptostichus bonoi is likely imperiled given its very restricted distribution and rarity in collections.