Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, BOND & PLATNICK, 2007

BOND, JASON E. & PLATNICK, NORMAN I., 2007, A Taxonomic Review of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Myrmekiaphila (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Cyrtaucheniidae), American Museum Novitates 3596 (1), pp. 1-32 : 21-24

Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi , new species

Figures 2, 3, 10 , 20 , 30 , 78–85

TYPES: Male holotype and female paratype from Samford University Campus [33.46299 –86.76222], Jefferson Co., Alabama (April 30, 1998; J. Powell), deposited in AMNH .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a patronym in honor of Mr. Neil Young, in recognition of his social activism for peace over the course of his distinguished musical career.

DIAGNOSIS: Males can be recognized by the presence of an elongate, well-defined ledge on the palpal tibia, which is excavated retrolaterally (best seen in ventral view), the long embolus and much shorter auxiliary prong (with its tip usually thick but lacking a distinct ledge, figs. 10, 30, 81–83). Females, difficult to distinguish morphologically, have spermathecae with an enlarged basal region, and bulbs originating from the base proximal to the central margin (fig. 84).

MALE (HOLOTYPE): Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen preserved in ca. 70% ethanol. Coloration appears to be faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed and stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, and legs dark reddish brown (2.5YR 2.5/3). Abdomen uniform dark brown (2.5YR 2.5/1) dorsally, ventrum and spinnerets pale yellow, dorsum lacks faint stripes observed in other specimens. Cephalothorax. Carapace 7.19 long, 5.75 wide, glabrous, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, straight to slightly recurved. Eye group slightly raised, not on tubercle. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal in diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 3.92, STRw 3.56. Posterior sternal sigilla very large, positioned centrally, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row (eight teeth), posterior margin with patch of small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium lacking cus- pules, LBw 1.10, LBl 0.68. Rastellum consisting of five very stout spines on small mound. Abdomen. Setose, heavier black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 5.62, 2.60, 4.08, 3.16, 2.60; leg IV: 5.44, 2.60, 4.68, 4.80, 2.88. Light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, staggered row of 11 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 20 , 78–80 ; TSp 4, TSr 9, TSrd 1. Pedipalp. Articles stout, lacking distinct spines (figs. 10, 81–83). PTw 1.55, PTl 3.00, Bl 1.14. Elongate ledge on distalretrolateral surface of palpal tibia, positioned distally. Palpal bulb (fig. 30) distally bifurcate, embolus relatively slender, auxiliary prong thick, shorter in length than embolus, with distinct serrations.

Variation (3). Cl 7.19–8.00, Cw 5.75–6.25; STRl 3.92–4.32, STRw 3.52–3.80; LBw 1.10– 1.22, LBl 0.68–0.82; leg I: 5.50–5.81, 2.60– 3.00, 4.04–4.16, 3.16–3.40, 2.60–2.88; leg IV: 5.44–6.19, 2.60, 4.68–5.00, 3.24–4.80, 2.72– 3.00; PTw 1.47–1.55, PTl 3.00, Bl 1.05–1.14; TSp 4–5, TSr 9–10.

FEMALE (PARATYPE): Specimen preparation and condition. Female collected live, preserved with male holotype. Genital plate removed and stored in microvial with specimens. Color. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4). Abdomen uniform dark brown dorsally (7.5YR 3/2), ventrum and spinnerets pale yellow; recently collected specimens have wide dusky stripes on dorsal surface of abdomen. Cephalothorax. Carapace 7.76 long, 6.50 wide, glabrous, with generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, procurved. Eye group slightly elevated on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved, PME, AME subequal in diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 4.36, STRw 3.92. Three pairs of sternal sigilla, anterior pairs small, oval, marginal, posterior pair much larger, oval, more mesially positioned. Chelicerae, anterior tooth row armed with 12 teeth, posterior margin with denticle patch. Palpal endites with numerous cuspules (.30) concentrated at inner (promargin) posterior heel; labium with four cuspules, LBw 1.53, LBl 0.97. Rastellum consisting of five very stout spines positioned on mound; fringe of short spines along distal promargin extending upward from rastellum. Abdomen. Moderately setose. Legs. Leg I: 5.31, 2.80, 3.60, 2.60, 1.80; leg IV: 5.44, 3.12, 4.25, 3.75, 2.19. Tarsus I with single staggered row of eight trichobothria. Legs I–IV with moderately light scopulae on tarsi, light scopulae on distal one-third of metatarsi I, II. PT3s.20, TB3s–dense patch of thin spines. Distinct preening comb on retrolateral distal surface (at tarsus–metatarsus joint) of metatarsi III, IV. Spermathecae. Two simple bulbs, arranged in transverse row, consisting of moderately sclerotized stalk and enlarged apical bulb, lightly sclerotized, borne medially on enlarged base (fig. 84).

Variation (3). Cl 6.25–7.76, Cw 5.31–6.81; STRl 3.48–4.76, STRw 3.24–4.00; LBw 1.22– 1.53, LBl 0.82–0.97; leg I: 4.00–5.75, 2.40– 2.80, 2.80–3.80, 2.20–2.60, 1.40–1.80; leg IV: 4.12–5.44, 2.36–3.12, 3.60–4.44, 3.12–3.81, 1.80–2.19.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: UNITED STATES: ALABAMA: Butler Co.: no specific locality [31.8293 –86.6208, MYR188], Apr. 1, 1967 ( R. Hamilton, AMNH), 1♀ ; Fort Dale Cemetery , 4.5 mi N Greenville [31.89549 –86.655, MYR255], Apr. 12, 1940 (A. Archer, AMNH), 13 ; 3 mi NW McKenzie on US Route 31 [31.5858 –86.717, MYR096], June 6, 1962 (K. Brandon, AMNH), 4♀ , [MYR091], Apr. 5, 1963 (J. MacMahon, AMNH), 5♀ , [MYR093], Mar. 20, 1967 (B. Valentine, AMNH), 4♀ , [MYR098], Apr. 6, 1968 (J. Beatty, JAB), 12♀, 6 juv. , [MYR099], June 21, 1973 ( R. Little, CAU), 2♀ ; ca 1.2 mi NW junction AL-55 on US-31, just NW McKenzie , 31.56635 –86.74021, elev. 93 m [MY2537– 2540], Feb. 26, 2004 (B. Hendrixson, D. Beamer, ECU-AMNH), 4♀ ; Persimmon Creek , 3 mi N Mckenzie [31.57559 –86.7401, MYR094], June 17, 1967 (N. Rubenstein, AMNH), 3♀ . Baldwin Co.: Hurricane Landing, Mobile-Tensaw Delta WMA, 30.81922 –87.91383, elev. 20 m [MY2548], Feb. 26, 2004 (B. Hendrixson, D. Beamer, ECU-AMNH), 1♀ . Clarke Co.: 5 mi S Jackson [31.446 –87.8717, MYR085], Mar. 20, 1998 (H. McNatt, AMNH), 1♀ ; 2 mi NW Jackson, Little Stave Creek [31.5496 –87.93, MYR097], June 1, 1963 ( R. Brandon, AMNH), 2♀, 1 juv. ; near Jackson Creek on AL-69, 31.59195 –87.97807, elev. 33 m [MY2035–2036], June 14, 2003 (B. Hendrixson, P. Marek, ECU- AMNH), 2♀ . Connecuh Co.: 10.7 mi N Cane creek on Route 83, small tributary of West Sepulga River [31.5968 –87.0706, MYR142], May 10, 1963 ( R. Brandon, AMNH), 2♀ . Crenshaw Co.: 0.8 mi N Leon on County Road 77 [31.5677 –86.4013, MYR090, 280– 283], Mar. 2, 1986 (G. Folkerts, CDF), 4♀ ; 1 mi W Leon on County Road 37 [31.5576 –86.4095, MYR278, 279], Mar. 2, 1986 (G. Folkerts, CDF), 2♀ . Dallas Co.: Cahaba river at Overton Road [32.32316 –87.10021, MYR082], Feb. 24, 1997 (M. Bell, R. Jenkins, AMNH), 1♀ . Geneva Co.: Goose Hollow Road [31.0688 –85.878, MYR304], Feb. 15, 1997 (W. Howell, D. Coffey, C. Patrick, AMNH), 2♀ . Jefferson Co.: Samford University Campus [33.46299 –86.76222], [MYR095], Apr. 16, 1998 (H. McNatt, A. Duke, AMNH), 13, [MYR080], Apr. 17, 1998 (A. Duke, AMNH), 13, [MYR058], Apr. 30, 1998 (J. Powell, AMNH), 13, 1♀ ; Birmingham, corner of VanBuren and Tyler Roads [33.4155 –86.815, MYR081], Feb. 6, 1997 ( R. Jenkins, W. Howell, AMNH), 2♀ . Mobile Co.: Mobile City Limits [30.6944 –88.0431, MYR302], Apr. 4, 2004 ( R. Jenkins, W. Howell, AMNH), 1♀ . Monroe Co.: 5.2 mi W Midway on State Road 47 [31.7262 –87.1128, MYR092, 285, 287], Feb. 22, 1986 (D., G. Folkerts, CDF), 3♀ ; N Tunnel Springs [31.6427 –87.24, MYR089], Jan. 23, 1969 ( T. Schwarmer, CAU), 1♀ . Shelby Co: Oak Mountain State Park [33.3429 –86.7211, MYR079], Apr. 30, 1997 (M. Bell, R. Jenkins, AMNH), 1♀ , [MYR256], Sept. 22, 1997 ( R. Jenkins, W. Howell, AMNH), 13. Tuscaloosa Co.: Tuscaloosa [33.2098 –87.5692, MYR196], Feb. 8, 1951 (C. Hollis, AMNH), 13 ; University of Alabama [33.1934 –87.54696, MYR297], Apr. 21, 1970 (K. Manuel, CAU), 13, [MYR198], ( AMNH), 1♀ . FLORIDA: Santa Rosa Co.: just E Escambia River on FL- 4, 30.95616 –87.21464, elev. 16 m [MY2551– 2555], Feb. 27, 2004 (B. Hendrixson, D. Beamer, ECU-AMNH), 13, 3♀, 1 juv.

DISTRIBUTION: Widely distributed throughout Alabama, plus one known locality in northwestern Florida (fig. 85).

Figures

Figs. 2–13. 2, 3. Live M. neilyoungi from Santa Rosa Co., Florida. 2. Male specimen. 3. Female specimen. 4–13. Color images of male pedipalps, ventral view (top of frame) and retrolateral view (bottom); 6, 12, 13 show ventral view only. 4. M. foliata, Knox Co. Tennessee (rl5retrolateral ledge). 5. M. comstocki, Travis Co., Texas. 6. M. coreyi, Thomas Co., Georgia. 7. M. fluviatilis, Marshall Co., Alabama (ap5accessory prong, e5embolus). 8. M. jenkinsi, Van Buren Co., Tennessee. 9. M. torreya, Liberty Co., Florida. 10. M. neilyoungi, Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama. 11. M. millerae, Grenada Co., Mississippi. 12. M. howelli, Newton Co., Mississippi (le5ledge). 13. M. minuta, Alachua Co., Florida.

Figs. 14–23. Color images of male leg I mating claspers, prolateral (top of frame) and retrolateral views (bottom). 14. M. foliata, Knox Co., Tennessee (ms5metatarsal swelling). 15. M. comstocki, Travis Co., Texas. 16. M. coreyi, Thomas Co., Georgia. 17. M. fluviatilis, Marshall Co., Alabama. 18. M. jenkinsi, Van Buren Co., Tennessee. 19. M. torreya, Liberty Co., Florida. 20. M. neilyoungi, Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama. 21. M. millerae, Grenada Co., Mississippi. 22. M. howelli, Newton Co., Mississippi. 23. M. minuta, Alachua Co., Florida.

Figs. 24–32. Scanning electron micrographs of male palpal bulbs. 24. M. foliata, Knox Co., Tennessee (et5embolus tooth). 25. M. comstocki, Travis Co., Texas. 26. M. coreyi, Jefferson Co., Florida. 27. M. fluviatilis, Marshall Co., Alabama (e5embolus, ap5accessory prong). 28. M. jenkinsi, Van Buren Co., Tennessee. 29. M. torreya, Liberty Co., Florida. 30. M. neilyoungi, Jefferson Co., Alabama. 31. M. millerae, Grenada Co., Mississippi. 32. M. minuta, Alachua Co., Florida.

Figs. 78–84. Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, new species, from Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama. 78–80. Male left leg I: retrolateral, prolateral, and ventral (metarsus) views. 81–83. Male left pedipalp: retrolateral, ventral, and prolateral views. 84. Spermathecae.

Fig. 85. Records of M. minuta, new species, M. neilyoungi, new species, M. millerae, new species, and M. howelli, new species.