Pastaza gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 6B00485F-29BB-498B-B62D-D25D14BB2829

Type species

Pastaza aureliae sp. nov.

Diagnosis

Members of the genus Pastaza gen. nov. most resemble those of Spelocteniza but are distinguished by the male palpal bulb without a paraembolic apophysis (Figs 17D, 23D), present in the latter (Figs 8D, 12D), and females with spermathecae on wide bases (Figs 14C–E, 20C–E) while in the latter, spermathecae are on narrow bases (Figs 5C, 10C). From Pseudonemesia, Envia and Tonton, they differ by the tarsal organ being highly elevated, smooth (Fig. 29A, C–F) and pustulose cuticle (Fig. 29B–F); while in the latter, the tarsal organ is low with concentric ridges and scaly cuticle (tarsal organ unknown for Envia); from Ministigmata, by the presence of four spinnerets, two in the latter (Raven & Platnick 1981).

Etymology

The generic epithet is a noun (invariable) referring to Pastaza Province where the type species was collected. The gender is feminine.

Composition

Pastaza aureliae gen. et sp. nov., Pastaza roberti gen. et sp. nov., and Pastaza vegai gen. et sp. nov.

Description

MEASUREMENTS. Total length: 7.78–13.31.

CEPHALOTHORAX. Carapace elongated-oval; pars cephalica flat to slightly arched, pars thoracica sloping; fovea straight to slightly recurved (Figs 14A, 20A).

CHELICERAE. Without rastellum; with 10–12 teeth, 9–22 intermarginal denticles. Labium margin V-shaped with 4–17 cuspules; maxillae rectangular with 9–18 cuspules, anterior lobe small (Figs. 14B, 22B); serrula present; intercheliceral tumescense inconspicuous. Eight eyes in two rows, ocular quadrangle rectangular (1.8 × as long as wide) (Figs 14A, 20A). Sternum longer than wide in males (Figs 16B, 22B), slightly wider than long in females (Figs 14B, 20B), with three marginal, oval sigilla, anterior pair inconspicuous.

LEGS. Leg formula 4123; leg spines present on all segments except tarsi; male tibia I with apical clasping spur (Figs 16C, 22C); male with sparse scopula on tarsi I-III and metatarsi I–II; females without scopula; filiform trichobothria present on all tarsi (Fig. 29B); tarsi with STC with teeth 3–8 in each per row, ITC present on all legs; tarsal organ highly elevated, smooth (Fig. 29A, C–F).

ABDOMEN. Oval, without scutum or clavate setae (Figs 13A, 15A). Four spinnerets, PMS and PLS short (Fig. 19B).

GENITALIA. Male palpal cymbium without spines (Figs 17A, 23A); bulb with acute tegular heel (Figs 17C, 23C); embolus with keels and ridges (Figs 17C–E, 23C–E). Female internal genitalia with spermathecae on wide base, spermathecal heads oval to mushroom-shaped (Figs 14C–E, 20C–E).

Distribution

Ecuador, Amazon region.