Aptostichus pennjillettei, 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 : 60-62

Aptostichus pennjillettei sp. n. Figures 120-126Map 1

Types.

Male holotype (AP413) and paratype (AP412) from Nevada, Clark Co., Mercury, Nuclear Test Site, 37.08906, -116.06187 3, elev. 1376m, coll. 12.ii.1962 & 3.i.1962, deposited in AMNH.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Mr. Penn Jillette, freethinker and advocate of scientific skepticism.

Diagnosis.

Males (Fig. 120) can be diagnosed from all known species of Aptostichus by having a unique spination pattern on the distal most aspect of tibia I consisting of a few elongate spines (TSrd 3-5) that do not overlap (Figs 121-125). This spination pattern is similar to Aptostichus atomarius (Figs 69-75); however, male Aptostichus pennjillettei individuals are smaller and much lighter in color (Fig. 120).

Description of male holotype.

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 70% ethanol. Coloration presumed to be moderately faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, and legs red 2.5YR 4/6. Abdomen uniform strong brown 7.5YR 4/6 dorsally, ventrally spinnerets same. Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.50 long, 4.06 wide, glabrous, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica moderately elevated (Fig. 120). Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, slightly procurved. Eyes on mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.79, STRw 2.25. Posterior sternal sigilla intermediate size, positioned centrally, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 6 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of 10 small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium 2 cuspules, LBw 0.78, LBl 0.51. Rastellum consists of 6 very stout spines. Abdomen. Setose, black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 5.00, 3.60, 3.55, 2.33, 2.02; leg IV: 4.90, 2.50. Light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 14 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 121-125; TSp 3, TSr 3, TSrd 3. Pedipalp. Articles slender, lacking distinct spines (Fig. 126). PTw 0.77, PTl 2.23, Bl 1.10. Embolus slender, tapering sharply toward tip, lacking serrations (Fig. 126).

Variation (10). Cl 4.06-5.81, 4.79 ± 0.19; Cw 3.31-5.00, 3.98 ± 0.19; STRl 2.19-3.54, 2.73 ± 0.14; STRw 1.80-2.58, 2.18 ± 0.09; LBw 0.53-0.98, 0.74 ± 0.04; LBl 0.30-0.53, 0.40 ± 0.03; leg I: 4.06-5.94, 4.85 ± 0.21; 2.94-4.06, 3.43 ± 0.12; 2.50-4.13, 3.26 ± 0.20; 1.92-2.70, 2.22 ± 0.09; 1.35-2.13, 1.75 ± 0.11; leg IV: 3.81-5.88, 4.58 ± 0.23; 2.13-2.88, 2.40 ± 0.10; PTl 1.62-2.61, 2.05 ± 0.13; PTw 0.54-0.86, 0.69 ± 0.04; Bl 0.83-1.26, 1.03 ± 0.05; TSp 3-4, 3.20 ± 0.13; TSr 3-5, 4.20 ± 0.2; TSrd 3-5, 4.10 ± 0.18.

Description of female.

Known only from male specimens.

Material examined.

United States: Nevada: Nye Co.: Mercury Nuclear Testing Site, 37.089, -116.0618 3, 1376m, BYU-AEC 3.i.62 [AP412, 1♂, AMNH], 12.ii.62 [AP413, 1♂, AMNH], 19.i.61 [AP508, 1♂, AMNH], 2.ii.61 [AP509, 1♂, AMNH], 5.ii.62 [AP510, 1♂, AMNH], 20.ii.61 [AP511, 1♂, AMNH], 9.ii.61 [AP512, 1♂, AMNH], 30.i.61 [AP513, 1♂, AMNH], 20.ii.61 [AP514, 1♂, AMNH], 2.xi.60 [AP515, 1♂, AMNH], 16.i.61 [AP516, 1♂, AMNH]; Clark Co.: Lee Canyon, Spring Mountains, 36.3723, -115.6202 5, 1829m, D Giuliani 10.iii.82 [AP517, 1♂, CAS].

Distribution and natural history.

The known distribution of Aptostichus pennjillettei is restricted to Mojave Desert localities in Nye and Clark Counties of Nevada. Males appear to disperse during the winter months of November-March.

Conservation status.

The conservation status of Aptostichus pennjillettei is likely to be imperiled given its very restricted distribution.

Species concept applied.

Morphological.