Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus Pocock, 1903

Penaherrera-R., Pedro & Leon-E., Roberto J., 2023, On Psalmopoeus Pocock, 1895 (Araneae, Theraphosidae) species and tarantula conservation in Ecuador, ZooKeys 1186, pp. 185-205 : 185

Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus Pocock, 1903

Fig. 10

Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus : Schmidt, Bullmer, and Thierer-Lutz (2006): 8, fig. 10.

Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus : Gabriel and Sherwood (2019): 41, figs 1-10.

Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus : Cifuentes and Bertani (2022): 77, figs 2, 217-235.

Material examined.

Non-type material: Republic of Ecuador • 1 ♀; Province of Esmeraldas, Canton San Lorenzo, Parish of Alto Tambo , Alto Tambo ; 0.9000, -78.5333, 790 m a.s.l.; 07 December 2002; D. Salazar leg.; QCAZ-i274322 (Field code: MYGA 158) .

Amended diagnosis.

Females of Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus can be distinguished from Psalmopoeus chronoarachne sp. nov. by comparatively having more curved receptacles towards the centre, distal apex less curved, and overlapping, receptacles with apical digitiform lobe overlapping, one to four protruding well-defined lobes, and a single ill-defined lobe (Fig. 10 ) (comparatively less curved receptacles towards the centre and distant to each other, distal apex more curved and not overlapping, receptacles with only a single ill-defined lateral lobe on apical-inner and apical digitiform lobe absent in Psalmopoeus chronoarachne sp. nov.; Fig. 1 ); from Psalmopoeus satanas sp. nov. by having curved receptacles towards the centre, distal apex more curved and overlapping, receptacles comparatively with more sclerotised, thin and shorter apical digitiform lobe pointing downwards, one to four protruding well-defined lobes and a single ill-defined lobe (straight receptacles, distal apex curved towards the centre and overlapping, comparatively less sclerotised wider and longer apical digitiform lobe pointing upwards and only two ill-defined lateral lobe and a single domed well-defined lateral lobe on apical-inner in Psalmopoeus satanas sp. nov.; Fig. 8 ); from P. cambridgei , P. irminia , P. pulcher , P. langenbucheri , P. reduncus , and P. victori by having elongated curved receptacles towards the centre, distal apex curved and overlapping, thin and shorter apical digitiform lobe pointing downwards, one to four protruding well-defined lobes, and a single ill-defined lobe disposed on the central longitudinal fold (elongated and straight receptacles with distal apex straight, comparatively more sclerotised, narrow, and elongated apical digitiform lobe pointing upwards and not overlapping and two to three protruding and well-defined lobes at central longitudinal fold in P. cambridgei ; elongated and straight receptacles with distal apex straight, comparatively more sclerotised wider and shorter apical digitiform lobe pointing upwards but not overlapping and a single domed well-defined lobe at centre of each receptacle in P. irminia , elongated and straight receptacles with distal apex straight, comparatively more sclerotised thin apical digitiform lobe pointing upwards but not overlapping and numerous lobes at centre or lateral which reduce in size from apex to centre in P. pulcher ; elongated and triangular receptacles with distal apex straight, comparatively more shorter apical digitiform lobe pointing upwards, not overlapping but very close to each other and two to three well-defined lateral lobes in P. langenbucheri , short and triangular receptacles with distal apex straight, comparatively more sclerotised wider and shorter apical digitiform lobe pointing upwards but not overlapping and only a single ill-defined lateral lobe in P. reduncus ; comparatively more elongated and straight receptacles with wider distal apex without receptacles in P. victori ; see figures in Mendoza 2014: figs 27, 28; Cifuentes and Bertani 2022: 125, 170-175, 190-191, 215, 245, 268-271, 283, 300, 309)

Remarks.

During a recent visit to the QCAZ collection a female of P. ecclesiasticus was examined by PPR. The specimen was collected in the locality Alto Tambo, almost ca. 43 km SW from the type locality of this species. Herein we illustrate the spermatheca of this specimen, demonstrating intraspecific variation, not able to be shown in previous works ( Gabriel and Sherwood 2019; Cifuentes and Bertani 2022); accordingly, we provide an updated diagnosis for the females of P. ecclesiasticus .

Conservation.

Little is known about the actual population density of P. chronoarachne sp. nov., and P. satanas sp. nov. Through a comparison of the known distribution of each species and the most probable overlapping anthropogenic threats, we found that mining concessions occupy the entire distribution of the species evaluated and expand further, demonstrating a severe distributional threat (Fig. 12 ). This, considering that these areas close to the known distribution of each species, may represent potential distributions of the populations. Likewise, another threat that was considered was agriculture and croplands. Even though it does not seem to overlap with the distribution of the species, this plausible threat is very close to the known localities. Additionally, we must remark that the data used for cropland distribution in Ecuador is not current and for many localities that occupy these species, cropland and livestock grasslands are present in larger than currently given projections (pers. obs.). In fact, the type localities of Psalmopoeus chronoarachne sp. nov. and P. satanas sp. nov. are both surrounded by cropland and livestock grassland (Brito-Zapata pers. comm. 09 May 2023; RJL-E pers. obs.) but this is not officially registered.

According to the IUCN (2001) criteria for the Red List Categories, in poorly known taxa and where the population statuses of species are not known in detail (see Discussion), background information on habitat deterioration and other causal factors can be used for assigning any threat category. Based on the information previously mentioned, herein we propose that Psalmopoeus chronoarachne sp. nov. should be placed in the Critically Endangered category based on the criteria combination B2abiii by taking in reference that the estimated area of occupancy estimated for this species is less than 10 km2, demonstrating severe fragmentation caused by cropland and mining concessions. Likewise, the territory is inferred to be on a steady decline in area of occupancy and quality of habitat. Similarly, Psalmopoeus satanas sp. nov. could also be classified in the Critically Endangered category based on the criteria combination B1abiii by taking in reference that the area of occupancy estimated for this species is ~ 83 km2, severely fragmented by cropland and mining concessions and following an inferred continuing decline in the available area of occupancy and quality of habitat.

Figures

Figure 1. Psalmopoeus chronoarachne sp. nov. female holotype (ZSFQ-i 11704), spermatheca A dorsal view B ventral view C apical view. Abbreviation: iLB, ill-defined lobe. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Figure 8. Psalmopoeus satanas sp. nov. female paratype (QCAZ-i 274324), spermatheca A dorsal view B ventral view. Abbreviations: iLB, ill-defined lobe; wLB, well-defined lobe. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Figure 10. Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus non-type female (QCAZ-i 274322), spermatheca A dorsal view B ventral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Figure 12. Distribution of the genus Psalmopoeus Pocock, 1895 in Ecuador, including mining concessions and cropland use. White star = Reserva Otongachi, type locality of P. satanas sp. nov.; White triangle = localities of P. satanas sp. nov. paratypes; black star = Hacienda La Mariela, type locality of P. chronoarachne; yellow star = Rio Sapayo, type locality of P. ecclesiasticus; yellow circle = Carondelet, historical record of P. ecclesiasticus; yellow squares = additional records of P. ecclesiasticus.