Aptostichus fornax, 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 : 140-142

Aptostichus fornax sp. n. Figures 298-303Map 33

Types.

Male holotype (AP418) from California, Inyo County, Panamint Valley sand dunes, 36.09167, -117.25917 4, 317m, coll. D. Giuliani 17.ii.1972; female paratype (AP578) from type locality, coll. 27.ix.1974; holotype deposited in CAS, paratype in AMNH.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and refers to the hot climate in which this species is found. Fornax is a southern constellation; the name is Latin for furnace. In Roman mythology Fornax is the goddess of the hearth.

Diagnosis.

Males can be distinguished by a palpal tibia with a retrolateral patch of small spines and at least one large, stout spine (Fig. 303, 302) and numerous spines on the retrolateral surface of tibia II; Aptostichus elisabethae lacks the palpal spine and tibia II retrolateral spines. The enlarged palpal spine is shared bya number of Sierra species group taxa; however, these species lack the proximal - ventral metatarsus I excavation that differentially characterizes Aptostichus fornax . Aptostichus fornax specimens lack the serrated embolus of other Simus group species ( Aptostichus simus , Aptostichus lucerne , Aptostichus satleri ).

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 70% EtOH. Coloration faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs dark red 2.5YR 3/6. Abdomen uniform very pale brown 10YR 7/4, lacks distinct markings (Fig. 298). Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.8 long, 3.96 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’s much smaller in size than AME’s. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.75, STRw 2.23. Posterior sternal sigilla medium in size, elongate, positioned centrally, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, sub-oval to elongate, 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 0.37. Rastellum consists of 8 stout spines arranged in continuous row. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 4.50, 3.64, 2.82, 1.83, 1.50; leg IV: 4.2, 2.36. Light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 12 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 299, 300, 302; TSp 17, TSr 12, TSrd 0. Pedipalp. Articles stout, palpal tibia width greater than ½ length, with one large spine situated among distinct patch of smaller spines (Figs 301, 302). Palpal bulb short, broad with slight curvature at tip, lacks serrations. PTw 0.92, PTl 1.70, Bl 0.62.

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; in very poor condition, abdomen destroyed. Genital plate in poor condition, removed, cleared in trypsin, stored in microvial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, dark reddish brown 2.5YR 2.5/3. Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.40 long, 3.32 wide, generally glabrous, very sparse fine black setae; generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, slightly procurved. Eye group slightly elevated on very low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME’s smaller in diameter than AME’s. Sternum widest at coxae II/III, moderately setose, STRl 2.45, STRw 1.88. 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>75 cuspules concentrated at the inner (promargin) posterior heel; labium lacks cuspules, LBw 0.80, LBl 0.63. Rastellum consists of 17 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. Walking legs. Anterior two pairs noticeably more slender than posterior pairs. Leg I 10.46 long. Tarsus I with 7 trichobothria arranged in staggered row. Legs I, II with light scopulae on tarsus, metatarsus; light scopulae on distal aspect tarsus legs III, IV. PTLs 23, TBs 4. 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. 303).

Variation.Known only from the type specimen.

Material examined.

Known only from the type material.

Distribution and natural history.

Known only from the type locality in Inyo County, characterized as Mojave Desert habitat.

Conservation status.

The conservation status of Aptostichus fornax is likely to be imperiled given its very restricted distribution in Death Valley National Park and paucity of specimens collected.

Species concept applied.

Morphological.