3.2.3. Abaycosa paraguensis (Gertsch & Wallace, 1937) new comb.

Figs 3, 4, 5; 7; 9; 10

Arctosa paraguensis Gertsch & Wallace, 1937: 4, fig. 10. Male holotype from Taquarapa, Alto Paraná, Paraguay (AMNH), examined through a photo.

Orinocosa paraguensis: Roewer, 1955: 281.

Alopecosa rosea Mello-Leitão, 1945: 247. fig. 30. Male holotype from Solari, Corrientes, Argentina (MLP 16460), examined. Syn. n.

Synonymy.

After comparing the type of Alopecosa rosea with several specimens of Abaycosa paraguensis collected together on pitfall traps in Rocha (Uruguay), we did not find morphological differences in the male genital features of both species.

Diagnosis.

Abaycosa paraguensis resembles A. nanica in the colouration Spination pattern and the presence of only one distal macrosetae on the tip of the male cymbium. Males can be recognized by the ventrally pointed basal branch of median apophysis (Figs 3G, H; 7B) and females by the copulatory openings separated (Figs 3D; 9B).

Description.

Male (FCE-Ar 7903). Dorsal shield of prosoma dark brown with a light brown median band, wide in the cephalic area narrowing posteriorly. Sternum, labium, and endites dark brown. Chelicerae dark brown, covered with brown bristles. Opisthosoma light brown with two dark brown lateral bands, a brown lanceolate mark in the cardiac area with a dark brown outline and a Spination pattern of light and dark spots posterior to the cardiac mark. Venter brownish yellow with two middle dark lines; spinnerets brownish yellow. Legs, femora almost entirely dark brown, the other segments brownish yellow with dark spots (Figs 4C; 5E, F). Leg formula IV> I> II> III. Cymbium with only one distal macrosetae and flat setae on the tip (Fig. 7G). Bulb with a median apophysis wide and bifid, the basal projection short and straight, the distal projection is longer, curved and ventrally projected (Figs 3G, H; 7B). Sierwald conductor long and triangular (Fig. 7D). Embolus curved and slender, almost perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bulb, resting on the posterior projection of the MA. Terminal apophysis elongated, projected posteriorly and pointed at the tip (Fig. 7F). - Spination pattern: femur I p 0-0-d1, d 1-1-1, II p 0-0-d1, d 1-1-1, III p 0-1-1, d 1-1-1ap, r 0-1-1, IV p 0-0-d1, d 1-1-1, r 0-0-d1; patella III p 1, r 1, IV p 1, r 1; tibia I p 0-1, v 2-2-2ap, II p d1-1, v r1-r1-2ap, III p 1-1, d 1, r 1-1, v p1-p1-2ap, IV p 1-1, d 1, r 1-1, v p1-2-2ap; metatarsus I p 0-0-1ap, r 0-0-1ap, v 2-2-2, II p 0-1-1ap, r 0-0-2ap, v 2-2-2ap, III p 1-1-1ap, r 1-1-2ap, v 2-2-2ap, IV p 1-1-1ap, r 1-1-2ap, v 2-2-2ap.

Female (FCE-Ar 2744). Colouration as in male, except by the legs, lighter, brownish yellow with dark spots (Figs 4D; 5G, H). Leg formula IV>I>II>III. Epigyne: square flat plate, densely covered by setae (Figs 3B; 9A). Copulatory openings situated on the posterior margin of the epyginal plate. In the dorsal view the heads of spermathecae are elongated, with a short stalk; vulval chambers rounded, smaller than the spermathecae and projected ventrally (Figs 3D; 9B). - Spination pattern: femur I p 0-0-d1, d 1-1-1, II p 0-0-d1, d 1-1-1, III p 0-1-1, d 1-1-1ap, r 0-1-1, IV p 0-0-d1, d 1-1-1, r 0-0-d1; patella III p 1, r 1, IV p 1, r 1; tibia I p d1-1, v 2-2-p1ap, II p d1-1, v r1-r1-2ap, III p 1-1, d 1, r 1-1, v p1-p1-2ap, IV p 1-1, d 1, r 1-1, v p1-2-2ap; metatarsus I p 0-0-1ap, r 0-0-1ap, v 2-2-2, II p 1-1-1ap, r 0-0-2ap, v 2-2-2ap, III p 1-1-1ap, r 1-1-2ap, v 2-2-2ap, IV p 1-1-1ap, r 1-1-2ap, v 2-2-2ap.

Measurements.

Male, FCE-Ar 7903 (Female, FCE-Ar 2744): TL 3.75 (5.05), CL 2.05 (2.60), CW 1.45 (1.95), CH 0.75 (0.95), AL 1.85 (2.60). Eyes: AME 0.07 (0.10), ALE 0.06 (0.08), PME 0.17 (0.20), PLE 0.16 (0.18). Row of eyes: AER 0.38 (0.45), PME 0.53 (0.73), PLE 0.60 (0.75). Sternum (length/width) 1.08/0.80 (1.25/1.10). Labium (length/width) 0.23/0.25 (0.30/0.38). Legs: length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus =total length): I 1.20 + 1.58 + 0.95 + 0.65 = 4.38, II 1.13 + 1.28 + 0.88 + 0.60 = 3.88, III 1.10 + 1.08 + 0.98 + 0.58 = 3.73, IV 1.50 + 1.70 + 1.53 + 0.78 = 5.50 (I 1.38 + 1.75 + 1.05 + 0.65 = 4.83, II 1.33 + 1.58 + 1.00 + 0.63 = 4.53, III 1.30 + 1.50 + 1.08 + 0.63 = 4.51, IV 1.85 + 2.30 + 1.95 + 0.88 = 6.98).

Variation.

Male (Female) (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 3.72-4.50, 4.16 ± 0.28; CL 1.98-2.25, 2.12 ± 0.10; CW 1.40-1.70, 1.53 ± 0.10; n = 10 (TL 4.79-5.84, 5.31 ± 0.33; CL 2.28-2.60, 2.48 ± 0.10; CW 1.72-2.00, 1.85 ± 0.08; n = 10).

Other material examined.

URUGUAY: Colonia: Establecimiento "El Relincho" [34.330277, 57.770994], Seguí, R., 08.iii.2001, in pitfall trap in grazed grassland, 2♂ 2♀ (FCE-Ar 10727) . Salto: Estancia "Los Venados", potrero "El Perado" [31.736477, 56.731483], Laborda, A. 12.ii.2010, in pitfall trap 1♀ (FCE-Ar 10723) . Montevideo: Melilla [34.731994, 56.322544], Hagopián, D., i-iii.2019, in pool filter, 1♂ 3♀ (FCE-Ar 10725) . Rocha: Cabo Polonio [34.400000, 53.783300], Achaval, F., 19.i-07.ii.2005, 2♀ (FCE-Ar 2804) ; same locality, 19.xii.2003 - 18.iii.2004, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 10724); Potrero Grande [33.896419, 53.614044], Toscano-Gadea, C., 03.iii.2001, 2♀ (FCE-Ar 2744) ; same data, 2♂ (FCE-Ar 8643); same data, 4♂ (FCE-Ar 10726); same data, 1♂ 1♀ (FCE-Ar 2761); same data, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 2764); same data, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 2780); same data, under a trunk, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 7903); same locality and collectors, 21.i.2001, 2♂ (FCE-Ar 2749); same data, 1♂ (FCE-Ar 2751); same locality and collectors, 23.xi.2000, 1♂ (FCE 2756); same data 1♂ 1♀ (FCE-Ar 7905); same data, 4♂ (FCE-Ar 7906); same locality and collectors, 04.iv.2001, 1♀ (FCE-Ar 2760); same data, 1♀ (FCE-Ar 2777); same data, 1♀ (FCE-Ar 2766); same locality and collector, 21.x.2001, 1♂ 3♀ (FCE-Ar 2779) . ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires: Carlos Casares [35.622561, 61.365219], i.1979, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 41672); El Trigo [35.881666, 59.406944], Galiano, M.E., i.1962, 1♀ 1 immature (MACN-Ar 5371); Libres del Sur [35.730808, 57.720983], Gallardo, i.1958, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42116); Vedia [34.498055, 61.542222], Frem, A.G., 23.viii.1914, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 42117) .

Distribution.

Known for southeastern Paraguay, northeast Argentina and south of Uruguay (Fig. 10B).

Natural history.

This species was found in rural areas, natural grasslands, and in sandy environments near the coast. A one-year sampling performed with pitfall traps in southern Uruguay (information based on collection data) indicated a presence of adults from October through April (spring and summer).