Chococtenus waitti, Dupérré, Nadine, 2015

Dupérré, Nadine, 2015, Description of a new genus and thirteen new species of Ctenidae (Araneae, Ctenidae) from the Chocó region of Ecuador, Zootaxa 4028 (4), pp. 451-484 : 461-463

Chococtenus waitti new species

Figs 18–19 , 57 .

Type material. Male holotype from Ecuador, Cotopaxi Province, Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 03–16.viii.2014, pitfall, 2105 m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré ( QCAZ).

Additional material examined. Ecuador: Cotopaxi Province: Otonga Biological Reserve (- 00.41994°S - 79.00623°W), 16.viii.–05. ix.2014, 1 ♂, pitfall, 1997m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré ( QCAZ); 05–19. ix.2014, 1 ♂ (DTC); 13–25. xi.2014, 1 ♂ (DTC); 25.xi.–08. xii.2014, 2 ♂ (DTC); (- 00.41564°S - 79.00425°W), 16.viii.– 05. ix.2014, 2 ♂, pitfall, 2105m, E. Tapia, C. Tapia, N. Dupérré (DTC); 25.xi.–08. xii.2014, 1 ♂ (DTC).

Etymology. The specific name is a patronym in honour of Mr. Ted Waitt for his support of scientific research through the National Geographic Waitt-grant program.

Diagnosis. Males are distinguished by their inverse S-shaped median apophysis ( Fig. 18 ).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 8.2; carapace length: 4.1; carapace width: 3.5; abdomen length: 4.1. COLORATION: Carapace as in C. cuchilla . Legs light orange with femurs bearing three black bands. Abdomen with pale median band and dark marks dorso-laterally. LEGS: Total length: I: 21.0; II: 20.8; III: 17.9; IV: 22.3. LEGS SPINATION: Femur I p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia I p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus I p1-1-1, r1-1. Femur II p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia II p1-1, r1-1-1, d1-1-1; metatarsus II p1-1, r1-1-1. Femur III pl-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1; tibia III p1- 1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus III p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v1 -0-2. Femur IV pl-1-1, r1-1-1; tibia IV p1-1, r1-1, d1-1-1, v2-2 -2; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v1-1 -2. GENITALIA: Palpal cymbial keel strong ( Fig. 18 ). Ventral tibial apophysis wide, rectangular, apically transparent, retrolateral tibial apophysis spine-like ( Figs 18, 19 ). Tegulum with week swelling; median apophysis inverse S-shaped; conductor lamelliform, hyaline, folded apically; membranous tegular process hyaline, elongated, wide, with dark spot basally; embolus base not twisted; embolus wide, originating prolaterally; tip straight ( Fig. 18 ).

Female. Unknown.

Natural history. Specimens where collected in pitfall lines set up between 1997–2225 m and therefore can be identified as a cloud forest specialist.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality ( Fig. 57 ).

Figures

FIGURE 57. Map of Ecuador showing distribution records of the thirteen new species of the genus Chococtenus. The main collecting site, Otonga Biological Reserve (white box with x inside), holds 10 species (not found: C. suffuscus, C. otongachi and C. piemontana). Other known localities for: C. otonga (white lozenge), C. cappuccino (white x), C. lasdamas (white circle), C. suffuscus (white plus sign), C. otongachi (white rectangle) and C. piemontana (upside down white triangle).

FIGURES 18 – 19. Chococtenus waitti new species. Male. 18, 19. 18. Palp, ventral view. 19. Palp, retrolateral view.