Falconina Brignoli, 1985

García, Fabián & Bonaldo, Alexandre B., 2023, Taxonomic revision of the soldier spider genus Falconina Brignoli, 1985 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Corinninae), Zootaxa 5343 (3), pp. 201-242 : 203-205

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5343.3.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A4E4E99C-0364-4759-81A2-6D570F899F5C
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8335717
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03BFF854-C66B-FFB0-DAE8-CCA0FA7AFBAF
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Falconina Brignoli, 1985
status

Treatment

Falconina Brignoli, 1985 View in CoL View at ENA

Falconia Schenkel, 1953: 46 View in CoL . Type species by original designation Falconia melloi Schenkel, 1953 .

Falconina Brignoli, 1985: 380 View in CoL . Replacement name for Falconia Schenkel View in CoL , preoccupied by Distant (1884) in Hemiptera View in CoL : Heteroptera: Miridae View in CoL ; synonymized with Corinna C. L Koch View in CoL by M ü ller & Reimer 1988: 153; revalidated by Bonaldo 2000: 76.

Diagnosis. Males of Falconina share with those of Septentrinna Bonaldo, 2000 a well-developed cymbial retrolateral basal process that interacts with the retrolateral tibial apophysis ( Figs 5B View FIGURE 5 , 20B View FIGURE 20 ). They can be distinguished by the laminar tegular process positioned ventrally in relation to embolar insertion (tubular, positioned dorsally in relation to embolar insertion in Septentrinna ) ( Figs 5A, C View FIGURE 5 , 20A, C View FIGURE 20 ) and by the presence of a unique embolar process, developed retrolaterally ( Figs 5C View FIGURE 5 , 20D View FIGURE 20 ). Females are distinguished from those of other Corinninae genera by the posterior vulvar plate, visible in ventral view as the posterior margin of the epigyne, forming a fold with the epigynal plate ( Fig. 6B View FIGURE 6 ); internally, the posterior vulvar plate presents two extensions that are merged with primary spermathecae ( Figs 6C–D View FIGURE 6 ).

Description: Total length (males and females) 3.89–7.50, females usually larger than males. Carapace suboval, longer than wide ( Bonaldo 2000: fig. 215; Ramírez 2014: fig. 2F), with sparse long black hairs, more abundant in ocular region ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ), with fine granulations, visible only through SEM; cephalic region poorly demarcated, with slight narrowing and sub-straight anterior margin, inconspicuous interocular tubercle; thoracic region gradually lowered in males, somewhat more abruptly in females. Clypeus one and a half diameter of AME in height (0.09– 0.30); row of anterior eyes strongly procurved in frontal view ( Fig. 9C–D View FIGURE 9 ); AME slightly larger than others. Interdistances: AME-AME separated by less than one diameter, AME-ALE subcontiguous; PME-PME separated by about one diameter, PME-PLE by about a diameter and a half of PME; ALE-PLE subcontiguous ( Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 ; Ramírez 2014: fig. 9D). Labium wider than long, about half the length of endites. Sternum longer than wide, with few strong erect bristles and many hairs inserted into tubercles, shield-shaped, about straight anteriorly, sides convex, pointed posteriorly ( Fig. 1B View FIGURE 1 ). Chelicerae small, weakly geniculate, less than half the length of carapace; front surface finely grained; retrolateral surface with conspicuous striations; basal condyle subtriangular; retromargin of fang furrow with four to six separated, subequal teeth, promargin with three, middle one larger ( Fig. 1C–D View FIGURE 1 ); fang about onethird the length of chelicerae. Chilum divided, glabrous and smooth ( Fig. 9C–D View FIGURE 9 ). Legs long and slender, relatively hirsute, with long, thick bristles and feathery hairs. Coxae with few hairs set in tubercles. All femora darker than other leg segments. Tibia I with two to six pairs of ventral spines; metatarsus I with two to three pairs of ventral spines. Tarsal scopula thin, restricted to tarsus I and II; in tarsus III and IV replaced by spiniform bristles; metatarsus without scopulae, III and IV with conspicuous tuft of ventro-distal bristles; tarsal claws with five short teeth ( Fig. 2A–B View FIGURE 2 ); dense tuft of subungual hairs, with short hairs; tarsal organ subapical ( Fig. 2C–D View FIGURE 2 ); tarsal trichobothria ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 ) distributed in row; female palpal tarsus with three short teeth ( Fig. 2F View FIGURE 2 ). Abdomen usually hairy, with erect bristles and feathery hairs ( Ramírez, 2014: fig. 98D); dorsal scutum present only in males ( Figs 3A View FIGURE 3 , 9A–B View FIGURE 9 , 12A View FIGURE 12 ), poorly defined, restricted to anterior half; ventral scutum absent in both sexes, anal tubercle inconspicuous. Colulus represented by subquadrangular plate covered by simple hairs. Usually, two or three pairs of white patches in middle of abdomen, anterior pair usually larger, two or three posterior single white spots near the spinnerets, sometimes fused ( Fig. 3A–B View FIGURE 3 ). Spinnerets (surveyed only in male of F. gracilis ; Fig. 4A View FIGURE 4 ). ALS ( Fig. 4B View FIGURE 4 ) with nearly four piriform spigots, eight piriform tartipores and two major ampullate spigots (m); PLS ( Fig. 4C View FIGURE 4 ) with eight aciniform spigots, one aciniform tartipore; PMS ( Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ) with three aciniform spigots, one aciniform tartipore, one minor ampullate spigot (m) and one nubbin. Male palp: tibial length almost half of cymbial length; ventral lobe of retrolateral tibial apophysis (VL) always present, with an apical spur, shorter and thicker ( Figs 5A View FIGURE 5 , 10B View FIGURE 10 ) or longer and thin ( Figs 13B View FIGURE 13 , 20A View FIGURE 20 ), hook-shaped apically; Dorsal process of ventral lobe present ( Figs 5B View FIGURE 5 , 15B View FIGURE 15 , 19B View FIGURE 19 ) or absent ( Figs 10A View FIGURE 10 , 13A View FIGURE 13 ; Bonaldo 2000: figs 211, 212); medial lobe of retrolateral tibial apophysis always present ( Figs 5B View FIGURE 5 , 10B View FIGURE 10 , 13B View FIGURE 13 , 15B View FIGURE 15 , 17B, D View FIGURE 17 , 20A View FIGURE 20 ), dorsal lobe present ( Figs 5B View FIGURE 5 , 10B View FIGURE 10 , 17B, D View FIGURE 17 ) or absent ( Figs 13B View FIGURE 13 , 15B View FIGURE 15 , 20B View FIGURE 20 ). Cymbial retrolateral basal process well developed, interacting with retrolateral tibial apophysis ( Figs 5B View FIGURE 5 , 20B View FIGURE 20 ). Cymbial prolateral basal process present. Tegulum longer than wide, sclerotized, spermophore spiraled, with three or five ventral folds; conductor hyaline; embolus comma-shaped ( Figs 5C View FIGURE 5 , 8G–I View FIGURE 8 , 20D View FIGURE 20 ) or lamellar ( Fig. 10A View FIGURE 10 ), with basal process oriented retrolaterally, with apex projected towards conductor; tegular process well developed, ventrally inserted in relation to embolus, positioned mid-laterally, parallel to conductor, sub-quadrangular ( Fig. 13A View FIGURE 13 ), small and sub-triangular ( Figs 8G–I View FIGURE 8 , 20A View FIGURE 20 ), or medial and sub-rectangular ( Fig. 10A View FIGURE 10 ). Epigyne with one copulatory opening, generally near to posterior margin of epigynal plate; posterior vulvar plate well developed, visible in ventral view, forming fold with epigynal plate ( Fig. 6A, B View FIGURE 6 ); posterior margin of epigynal plate with ( Fig. 13C View FIGURE 13 ) or without ( Fig. 10C View FIGURE 10 ) pronounced median notch; when present, inverted U-shaped ( Fig. 6B View FIGURE 6 ) or M-shaped ( Fig. 13C View FIGURE 13 ). Vulva with two extensions fused to primary spermathecae ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ); primary spermathecae globular; fertilization ducts generally short (but see Figs 10C–D View FIGURE 10 , 11D View FIGURE 11 ); secondary spermathecae globular, smaller than ( Fig. 6D View FIGURE 6 ) and fused to primary spermathecae.

Natural history. Some of the specimens examined were collected with pitfall traps, which suggests that species of Falconina may be ground-dwellers. Specimens of F. gracilis from Goiânia, Caldas Novas, and Mineiros (Parque Nacional das Emas), Goiás, Brazil were observed alive, allowing a few preliminary observations of the natural history. Females were more frequently seen than males. Specimens can be collected from around 18 to 22 hours, near colonies of leaf-cutter ants ( Atta spp. , Formicidae ), and some individuals were observed entering and leaving ant nests without being attacked. Predation by F. gracilis on adults of Atta spp. was also recorded ( Fig. 7 View FIGURE 7 ).

Key to species of Falconina View in CoL

1 Males .............................................................................................. 2 Females............................................................................................. 9

2(1) Apical spur of ventral lobe of RTA short, thick ( Fig. 5A–B View FIGURE 5 ).................................................... 3

- Apical spur of ventral lobe of RTA, long, thin ( Fig. 20A–B View FIGURE 20 ).................................................... 4

3(2) Embolus comma-shaped ( Fig. 5C View FIGURE 5 ); medial lobe of RTA small, dorsal lobe with apical spiniform projections ( Fig. 5B View FIGURE 5 ; Bonaldo 2000: figs 223–226).......................................................... Falconina gracilis (Keyserling) View in CoL

- Embolus laminar ( Figs 10A View FIGURE 10 , 11A View FIGURE 11 ); medial lobe of RTA robust, dorsal lobe without apical spiniform projections ( Figs 10B View FIGURE 10 , 11B View FIGURE 11 )............................................................................ Falconina taita sp. nov.

4(2) Tegular process large, as wide as the tegulum width, with pronounced lateral margins, inserted on a tegular depression ( Fig. View FIGURE 13 13A)............................................................................................... 5

- Tegular process smaller ( Figs 17A, C View FIGURE 17 , 20A View FIGURE 20 ), not as wide as the width of the tegulum, tegular depression absent........... 6

5(4) Tegular process entire ( Fig. 12A View FIGURE 12 ), with acute lateral-apical margins, apical spur filiform, nearly as long as median lobe ( Fig. View FIGURE 12 12C; Bonaldo 2000: figs 211–212)................................................ Falconina melloi (Schenkel) View in CoL

- Tegular process bifid ( Figs 13A View FIGURE 13 , 14A View FIGURE 14 ), with truncated lateral-apical margins, apical spur thicker, longer than median lobe (Figs 13B, 14B)............................................................... Falconina albomaculosa (Schmidt) View in CoL

6(4) RTA composed of only two lobes, dorsal lobe absent; tegular process laminar, sculptured ( Figs 15A–B View FIGURE 15 , 19A–B View FIGURE 19 , 20A–B View FIGURE 20 )... 7

- RTA composed of three lobes, dorsal lobe present; tegular process smooth, triangular ( Figs 17A, C View FIGURE 17 , 18A–C View FIGURE 18 )............. 8

7(6) Dorsal process of ventral lobe of RTA present, composed by a single triangular projection; tegular process sub-rectangular, with a basal membranous sector ( Figs 19A–B View FIGURE 19 , 21A–B View FIGURE 21 ), covering the embolus in ventral view ( Fig. 20C–D View FIGURE 20 )........................................................................................ Falconina crassipalpis (Chickering) View in CoL

- Dorsal process of ventral lobe of RTA absent; tegular process sub-squared, without a basal membranous sector ( Figs 15A–B View FIGURE 15 , 16A–B View FIGURE 16 )......................................................................... Falconina adriki sp. nov.

8(6) Median lobe of RTA long, sub-rectangular, with rounded apices; embolus comma-shaped, medially inserted, with acute apices ( Figs 17C–D View FIGURE 17 , 18C–D View FIGURE 18 )............................................................ Falconina catirina sp. nov.

- Median lobe of RTA shorter, sub-squared, with truncated apices; embolus lameliform, prolaterally inserted, with enlarged, truncated apices ( Figs 17A–B View FIGURE 17 , 18A–B View FIGURE 18 )................................................... Falconina iza sp. nov.

9(1) Posterior margin of epigynal plate without a pronounced median notch ( Figs 10C–D View FIGURE 10 , 15C View FIGURE 15 , Bonaldo, 2000 fig. 213)...... 10

- Posterior margin of epigynal plate with a pronounced median notch ( Figs 6A–B View FIGURE 6 , 10C View FIGURE 10 )............................. 12

10(9) Posterior margin of epigynal plate gently curved laterally, fertilization ducts extremely long, secondary spermathecae posteriorly placed in relation to primary spermathecae ( Figs 10C–D View FIGURE 10 , 11C–D View FIGURE 11 )............................ Falconina taita sp. nov.

- Posterior margin of epigynal plate straight or abruptly curved laterally, fertilization ducts short, secondary spermathecae anteriorly placed in relation to primary spermathecae ( Fig. 15D View FIGURE 15 ; Bonaldo, 2000 fig. 214)........................... 11

11(10) Posterior margin of epigynal plate straight, posterior vulvar plate wider than long ( Bonaldo 2000: figs 213, 214)....................................................................................... Falconina melloi (Schenkel) View in CoL

- Posterior margin of epigynal plate abruptly curved laterally, posterior vulvar plate as long as wide ( Figs 15C–D View FIGURE 15 , 16C–D View FIGURE 16 )................................................................................... Falconina adriki sp. nov.

12(9) Posterior vulvar plate extremely projected posteriorly, with a large portion visible in ventral view, rectangular in dorsal view ( Fig. 22A, C View FIGURE 22 )........................................................................................ 13

- Posterior vulvar plate slightly projected posteriorly, barely visible in ventral view, sub-squared in dorsal view ( Fig 6A–C View FIGURE 6 , 13C–D View FIGURE 13 )............................................................................................ 15

13(12) Median notch of posterior margin of epigynal plate inverted U-shaped ( Figs 22A–B View FIGURE 22 , 23A–B View FIGURE 23 ).... Falconina andresi sp. nov.

- Median notch of posterior margin of epigynal plate M-shaped ( Fig. 19C View FIGURE 19 )........................................ 14

14(13) Margins of posterior vulvar plate oval, as wide as the margins of epigynal plate in ventral view; dorsally, posterior vulvar plate with anterior margin projected laterally ( Figs 19C View FIGURE 19 , 21 C–D View FIGURE 21 )....................... Falconina crassipalpis (Chickering) View in CoL

- Margins of posterior vulvar plate trapezoidal, shorter than the margins of epigynal plate in ventral view; dorsally, posterior vulvar plate without projection on anterior margin ( Figs 22C–D View FIGURE 22 , 23C–D View FIGURE 23 )................... Falconina brignolii sp. nov.

15(12) Margins of epigynal plate and posterior vulvar plate divergent in ventral view; dorsally, posterior vulvar plate with anterior margin recurved, secondary spermathecae inserted subapically in relation to primary spermathecae ( Fig. 6A–D View FIGURE 6 ; Bonaldo 2000: figs 221–222)............................................................... Falconina gracilis (Keyserling) View in CoL

- Margins of epigynal plate and posterior vulvar plate parallel in ventral view; dorsally, posterior vulvar plate with anterior margin procurved, secondary spermathecae inserted proximally in relation to primary spermathecae ( Figs 13C–D View FIGURE 13 , 14C–D View FIGURE 14 )......................................................................... Falconina albomaculosa (Schmidt) View in CoL