Meioneta lauta Millidge, 1991

Rodrigues, Everton Nei Lopes & Brescovit, Antonio Domingos, 2012, Linyphiid spiders of Peru: description of a new species, complementary descriptions and new distribution records (Araneae: Linyphiidae), Zootaxa 3506, pp. 77-86 : 80-81

Meioneta lauta Millidge, 1991

( Figures 8–10 )

Meioneta lauta Millidge, 1991: 105 , fig. 416 (Female holotype from Rio Chispa, northwest of Iscozacin, Pasco, Peru, 345m, Sept. 30, 1987, D. Silva col., deposited in MUSM, examined); Platnick, 2012.

Diagnosis. The male palp of Meioneta lauta Millidge, 1991 resembles that of M. galapagosensis Baert, 1990 ( Baert 1990: figs. 23, 24; Rodrigues et al. 2008: figs. 12–15) in having a relatively simple cymbium with a dorsal projection and embolus with curved distal portion ending near the apex of the cymbium, but differs by paracymbium provided with two distal projections ( Fig. 8 ), ventrally elongated lamella characteristica, and cymbium with two basal projections on mesal aspect which partially overlap the tibia ( Figs. 9, 10 ).

Description. Male (MUSM ENT 00503920): Total length 1.76. Carapace length 0.75, width 0.58. Clypeus height 0.12. Sternum length 0.39, width 0.37. Chelicerae length 0.31. Abdomen length 0.90, width 0.50, height 0.46. Leg formula I/IV/II/III; segment lengths (I/II/III/IV): femora 0.71/0.65/0.50/0.67; patellae 0.18/0.18/0.16/ 0.16; tibiae 0.75/0.60/0.46/0.67; metatarsi 0.60/0.52/0.44/0.63; tarsi 0.39/0.42/0.31/0.35; total 2.63/2.37/1.87/2.48. Palp (femur, patella, tibia, cymbium): 0.35/0.10/0.12/0.39. Coxa IV bases well separated (0.10). Metatarsal trichobothria I–IV present. TmI 0.32. Tibial spine formula: 2-2-2-2. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.03, ALE, PME and PLE 0.04; AME–ALE 0.05, PME–PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.02, PME–PME 0.04. Eyes margined with black. Carapace longer than wide, dark olive-green with dark brown dots, setae present within ocular area. Chelicerae and endites olive-green. Labium and sternum dark olive-green, the latter with borders dark-brown. Coxae, sternum and endites with setae. Chelicerae promargin with three teeth, retromargin with three small teeth. Legs yellow, covered with dark brown dots (especially on femur, patella and tibia); coxa pale yellow with darkbrown dots posteriorly. Abdomen yellow, anteriorly brown, longer than wide. Spinnerets and colulus dark brown. Colulus well developed. Palp with a small retrolateral tibial apophysis ( Fig. 8 ). Dorsal surface of cymbium conically produced; cymbium, as viewed mesally, with two basal projections ( Figs. 9, 10 ). Palpal paracymbium with two distal arms ( Fig. 8 ). Embolus with curved distal portion ending near apex of the cymbium, embolic membrane present ( Fig. 8 ). Lamella characteristica membranous and ventrally serrated ( Fig. 8 ). Tegulum with sinuous margin and light duct, which forms a sinuous curve ( Fig. 8 ).

Female. Described by Millidge (1991: 105).

Variation. Males (n=5). Total length 1.70–1.79; carapace length 0.73–0.80. Carapace color pattern from olivegreen to dark olive-green.

Remarks. Males and females were collected together in various localities in Peru.

Material examined. PERU. Loreto: 25km of La Carretera Nauta, V.2005, A. Catenazzi col., 23, 2Ƥ ( MUSM ENT 00503920); P. N. Pacaya-Samiria, Pithecia, 100m, 14–16.VIII. 1989, D. Silva col., 13, 6Ƥ ( MUSM ENT 00503933); Madre de Dios: 15km of Puerto Maldonado, 12º33’S; 69°03’W, 200m, 26.VII.1989, D. Silva col., 53, 12Ƥ ( MUSM ENT 00503949); 15km of Puerto Maldonado, 12°33’S; 69°03’W, 200m, 26.VII.1989, D. Silva col., 13, 1Ƥ ( IBSP 162934).

Distribution. Peru (Loreto, Madre de Dios and Pasco).

Figures

FIGURES 8 – 10. Meioneta lauta Millidge, 1991: (8 – 10) Male palp: (8) ectal, (9) mesal, (10) mesodorsal (sensu Millidge, 1991) (Cy: cymbium; E: embolus; EM: embolic membrane; LC: lamella characteristica; PC: paracymbium; RTA: retrolateral tibial apophysis; ST: subtegulum; T: tegulum). Scale lines: 0.25 mm.