Marma argentina (Mello-Leitão, 1941), revalidated

Figures 44–46, 57G, 58I

Ocnotelus argentinus Mello-Leitão, 1941: 185 (Holotype ♀: ARGENTINA: La Rioja: Anillaco [28°48’21.7”S, 66°56’29.2”W], leg. Birabén, deposited in MLP 14980—examined).

Thysema dorae Mello-Leitão, 1944: 390 (Holotype ♀: ARGENTINA: Tigre, Guayracá, leg. Prosen, deposited in MLP 16300— examined). Syn. nov.

Note. Marma argentina was previously considered one of the synonyms of M. nigritarsis . The differences between these species were explained in the diagnosis of M. nigritarsis above. The comparisons between the female holotypes of Ocnotelus argentinus (Figs 45 A–C) and Thysema dorae (Figs 45 D–F) revealed that both belong to the same species, and therefore we propose the synonymy. Both sexes were described based on well-preserved specimens deposited in the MACN. Also, the male is described for the first time.

Revised diagnosis. Among all Marma species, M. argentina shares more similarities with M. rosea and M. spelunca sp. nov. The males of these species have a thick embolic disc, with both edges curved (Figs 44C, 46A, 48C, 50A, 53C, 55A, 57 G–I), and females have very long copulatory ducts that encircle the primary spermathecae and almost touch each other (Figs 45F, 46D, 49F, 50G, 54C, 55G, 58 I–K). However, the males of M. argentina differ by having some palpal structures elongated (cymbium, embolus and process of embolic disc; Figs 44 C–D, 46A–B, 57G–I). Females differ by having the proximal region of the primary spermathecae laterally expanded to the external side (Figs 58 I–K).

Description. Male (MACN-Ar 39650). Total length: 3.86. Carapace 2.14 long, 1.42 wide, 1.02 high. Ocular quadrangle 0.90 long. Anterior eye row 1.31 wide, posterior 1.11 wide. Legs 4312. Length of legs: I 4.00 (1.30 + 1.51 + 1.19); II 3.50 (1.16 + 1.25 + 1.09); III 4.15 (1.34 + 1.43 + 1.38); IV 4.20 (1.30 + 1.39 + 1.51).

Color in alcohol (Figs 44 A–B): carapace with triangle of scales pointing backwards; high concentration of setae around triangle; abdomen ventrally with three dark brown stripes delimited by stripes of pale circles; legs: femur I with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark retrolateral spot, II with dark distal ring and proximal region with prolateral and retrolateral dark spot, III with dark distal ring and proximal region with incomplete dark ring (dorsally not totally colored), IV with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark proventral spot; tibia I–IV with dark proximal ring and distal region with prolateral and retrolateral dark spot; tarsus I almost black, II with black tip, III–IV with proximal dark ring.

Palp: RTA finger-shaped (Figs 44D, 46B); elongated cymbium with narrow apical region (Figs 44C, 46A); embolic disc with curved and symmetrical edges (Figs 44C, 46A); PED very long (about four times the length of the exposed portion of embolic disc; Figs 44C, 46A); PED emerging from the middle-distal part of embolic disc (Figs 44C, 46A); embolus tip ends slightly beyond tip of PED (Figs 44C, 46A).

Female (MACN-Ar 39648). Total length: 4.63. Carapace 1.81 long, 1.35 wide, 0.94 high. Ocular quadrangle 0.91 long. Anterior eye row 1.24 wide, posterior 1.06 wide. Legs 4321. Length of legs: I 2.82 (0.95 + 1.03 + 0.84); II 2.86 (0.96 + 1.05 + 0.85); III 3.83 (1.33 + 1.29 + 1.21); IV 3.92 (1.30 + 1.25 + 1.37).

Color in alcohol (Figs 45 G–H): carapace as in male; abdomen ventrally pale with dark lateral borders; leg: femur I with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark retrolateral spot, II with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark retroventral spot, III with dark distal ring and proximal region with incomplete dark ring (retrolaterally not totally colored), IV with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark proventral spot; tibia I–II with dark proximal ring and distal region with prolateral and retrolateral dark spot; III–IV with proximal and distal dark ring; tarsus I–II without dark marks, III–IV with dark proximal ring.

Epigyne (Figs 45C, F, I, 46D): copulatory openings very close to each other and placed more anteriorly than primary spermathecae; copulatory duct long, encircling primary spermathecae; proximal copulatory duct shorter than distal section (half the length); primary spermathecae arched and with distal portion slighty dilated; secondary spermathecae well developed.

Note. Due to the lack of time to examine all specimens of Marma available at MACN, the macrosetae pattern of Marma argentina has not been documented.

Other material examined. ARGENTINA: Salta: Rosario de La Frontera [25°47’56.9”S, 64°58’08.0”W], leg. Donadio, IX.1986, 1♁ (MACN-Ar 39632); Cafayate [26°04’22.9”S, 65°58’34.7”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, XI.1960, 1♁ 1♀ (MACN-Ar 39571). Córdoba: Cerro Colorado [30°05’42.5”S, 63°55’55.8”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, 21.XI.1983, 2♁ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 39584); Bialet Massé [31°17’57.4”S, 64°28’03.6”W], leg. A. Gonzalez, XI.1985, 1♁ (MACN-Ar 39634); Argüello [31°20’55.8”S, 64°15’00.1”W], leg. J. A. De Carlo, XII.1943 – II.1946, 2♀ (MACN-Ar 39622), 1♀ (MACN-Ar 39629); San Roque, Parque Siquimán, Villa Playa [31°21’52.2”S, 64°28’43.7”W], leg. M. Miranda, I.1982, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 39544), leg. M.E. Galiano 20.XI.1983, 3♁ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 39631); Road Between R. Encantado and Panaholma [31°22’39.9”S, 64°09’39.5”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, 15.XI.1987, 2♁ (MACN-Ar 39494); Cuesta Blanca, Carlos Paz [31°28’56.4”S, 64°34’10.8”W], leg. Peretti, IX.1990, 2♀ (MACN-Ar 39621, 39624); Alta Gracia, Los Paredones [31°39’17.9”S, 64°26’32.6”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, 16.XI.1984, 3♁ 1♀ (MACN-Ar 39623); Cura Brochero [31°40’00.4”S, 65°01’05.5”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, 17.XI.1983 – XII.1987, 3♁ 4♀ (MACN-Ar 39526), 1♀ (MACN-Ar 39529), 3♁ 3♀ (MACN-Ar 39545), 1♁ (MACN-Ar 39619), 1♀ (MACN-Ar 39648), 6♁ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 39649), 1♁ (MACN-Ar 39650); Pampa de Achala [31°40’51.6”S, 64°50’14.1”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, 15.XI.1984, 2♁ 2♀ (MACN-Ar 39620); Alta Grácia, Vila Paisanita [31°43’08.9”S, 64°28’47.6”W], leg. A. Oliva, 7–13.XII.1984, 1♁ (MACN-Ar 39573). San Luis: Merlo, Pasos Malos [32°19’49.3”S, 64°59’55.0”W], leg. M.E. Galiano & Miranda, XI.1985, 2♁ (MACN-Ar 39628); Merlo [32°20’48.3”S, 65°00’56.8”W], leg. M.E. Galiano, 15.XI.1983 – 14.XI.1984, 2♁ 3♀ (MACN-Ar 39625), 2♁ 3♀ (MACN-Ar 39626), 2♁ (MACN-Ar 39627) .

Distribution. Known from the provinces of Salta, Córdoba and San Luis, Argentina (Fig. 59A).