Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha can be easily distinguished from all other tetragnathids by the presence of a straight line of long and robust macrosetae with enlarged bases on the retrolateral surface of the posterior lateral spinnerets (fig. 28A, G, J). Such macrosetae are unique to this genus and are present in males, females, and juveniles. These macrosetae are relatively large and can be easily observed using a stereomicroscope, even at relatively low magnifications, which allows the correct genus determination of immature specimens. The shape of the female internal genitalia is also diagnostic for Cyrtognatha (fig. 7) (see also Dimitrov et al., 2007). In Cyrtognatha the spermathecae are reduced and the sperm storage function is taken by an unpaired membranous structure (the posterior sac). The presence of this structure seems to be unique and therefore diagnostic for this genus. Cyrtognatha species can also be distinguished from other tetragnathids by the shape of the male chelicerae, which are not projected but are wider distally and conspicuously divergent in the distal two-thirds (e.g., figs. 1A–C, 8E–G).

The enlarged and highly modified embolus is also diagnostic. While in most tetragnathids and all Tetragnathinae the embolus is a thin cylindrical tube, in Cyrtognatha the embolus is widened, often as wide as half of the tegulum diameter (e.g., C. insolita and C. morona, figs. 37A–C and 16A–C, respectively). Within Tetragnathinae, males of Cyrtognatha further differ from Pachygnatha and Tetragnatha by having the paracymbium attached to the base of the cymbium (in Pachygnatha and Tetragnatha the paracymbium is a separate sclerite connected to the cymbium by means of a membrane). Cyrtognatha can be also easily distinguished from Pachygnatha by the shape of the sternum (which does not surround the coxae; figs. 8G, 48A), and from Tetragnatha by the shape of abdomen, which in Cyrtognatha is less elongated and more oval in shape, and often with well-developed dorsal tubercles. Also, the chelicerae are not projected, and the conductor is more complex. An additional diagnostic character separating Cyrtognatha from Tetragnatha (and other closely related genera) is the presence in the former genus of feathered trichobothria on the femur of the fourth leg (figs. 29F, 36B, 54I). Such trichobothria are widespread among leucaugine genera, but in Cyrtognatha feathered and nonfeathered trichobothria are alternated. The first four or five trichobothria near the base of the femur have short ramifications (feathered trichobothria) (fig. 29F). They are followed by one trichobothrium, which is about twice as short and does not have such ramifications (smooth trichobothria). This nonfeathered trichobothrium is followed again by a feathered one, and this pattern is repeated (fig. 12H). Finally, Cyrtognatha also differs from other Tetragnathinae by its more complex conductor, which carries a very well-developed basal apophysis (fig. 6C) and an apical apophysis (fig. 6C–E).

Fig. 6.

Schematic drawings of the male palp of Cyrtognatha (the species depicted is C. pachygnathoides). Palp prolateral (A), embolus (B), conductor (C), palp ventral (D), palp retrolateral (E).

Description

Small to medium size tetragnathid spiders; total body length 3.18–7.80 in males and 4.30–10.73 in females. Males slightly smaller than females. Carapace longer than wide, 1.47–3.10 long in males and from 1.75 to 3.90 long in females; light brown-yellowish to dark brown with a well-distinguished fovea. Sternum slightly longer than wide and prolonged between coxae IV. ALE on short lateral elevations and close to the PLE; AME and PME placed on the edges of an imaginary rectangle. AME on an elevation, often slightly higher in males. PME and AME slightly larger than the other eyes. Lateral eyes with nearly the same diameter. Clypeus height from one to twice the AME diameter in males. In females the clypeus is lower and its height ranges from 0.1 to 1.3 times the AME diameter. Labium trapezoidal, wider distally, dark in color, and almost as high as its maximum width. Endites elongated, divergent, and distally widened (figs. 29B, 35A, 38H). Chelicerae large and massive, sexually dimorphic, usually darker than the rest of the cephalothorax. Male chelicerae conspicuously divergent and not projected (e.g., figs. 1A–C, 38A–C; see also O.P.-Cambridge, 1896). The projected chelicerae relative to the cephalothorax is most likely a result of the dehydrating effect of alcohol and the resulting muscle contraction. The lack of observation in vivo, most likely, is the reason for describing the chelicerae of this genus as projected in the original description. Chelicerae distally wider and with a small cheliceral boss. Cheliceral fangs long, slightly curved, and with short retrolateral outgrowth (fig. 42B, D, E), which in some species can be smaller or absent (fig. 38B, F). Chelicerae distally with heavily sclerotized dorsal tooth close to the fang articulation (figs. 38E, 42E, H, 48H). In some species the dorsal tooth is reduced in size and it is similar to the distal teeth (e.g., C. pachygnathoides, fig. 26B). Distal margins of the chelicerae with three anterior and four posterior teeth. The number of cheliceral teeth does not usually vary between and within species and between males and females, but one specimen with five posterior teeth on one of the chelicerae was found in a male of C. petila (in this case the specimen had four teeth on the other chelicerae, and specimens from the same species had four teeth on both chelicerae as well). Female chelicerae are less divergent, without the distal tooth, cylindrical, and not widened distally; the teeth on the distal margin are closer to each other. Legs carry numerous setae and strong dark colored spines; legs slightly longer in males than in females (figs. 11H, 21A, B). Leg I is the longest and leg III is the shortest. Tarsus and distal part of the metatarsus without spines. Femur I length varies from 3.67 to 6.82 in males and from 1.86 to 5.88 in females. Abdomen elongated, longer than wide, of very variable coloration, from brownish with reflecting guanine spots and green and reddish tones to yellowish, almost totally covered with guanine causing silvery reflecting appearance (figs. 11H, 26A, C, D). Live specimens that were observed during this study presented distinct and more vivid coloration compared to specimens preserved in alcohol. Some of the pigments (especially the one responsible for the green coloration) are quickly degraded in alcohol and fade fast to brown-yellowish. Brownish pigments appear to be more resistant but also fade gradually with time. Abdomen dorsally with two lateral tubercles on its proximal edge (in some species these tubercles are reduced and the abdomen is just swollen proximally). Some species have a third distal caudal tubercle (e.g., figs. 30D, 63A–C). Height of distal tubercle varies greatly between and within species and in some cases it may be as high as or higher than the abdomen. Several species that lack a caudal tubercle have a distinctive abdominal tubercle placed dorsally, close to the half length of the abdomen (e.g., C. espanola, fig. 36F). Ventrally the guanine spots are fewer and smaller; in many species a darker band is present starting just after the genital opening.

Spinnerets: ALS with extensive piriform fields of more than 45 spigots (figs. 28A, B, 35C,G). PLS mesal cylindrical spigot peripheral (figs. 28A, C, G, 35F). PLS with a line of macrosetae on its retrolateral surface (figs. 28A, G, J, 35E–F; such a line of setae is unique to Cyrtognatha and is one of the most conspicuous synapomorphies of this genus). PLS with about 15–20 AC spigots (fewer in males) arranged roughly in two transversal lines. The two CY spigots are placed retrolaterally, one anterior and the other posterior to the AC lines. In females the AG–FL triplet is just anterior to AC and on the same line with the anterior CY spigot. Both AG spigots embrace the FL spigot and the three of them are placed in a fairly straight line (figs. 28C–E, G, J, 35E–F). Adult males lack the triplet (fig. 57C). PMS in females with a large CY spigot with modified setae near its base (figs. 28H, 36A) on the anterior edge; AC spigots (10 or fewer) forming a straight line between the CY and the medially placed mAP (figs. 28F, H, 36A). In males PMS does not have the CY spigot and the number of the AC spigots is less than in females (fig. 57B). In both males and females PMS have well-developed nubbin posteriorly to the mAP (figs. 57B and 28H, respectively).

Tracheal system simple (figs. 41H, I, 45E, F): Tracheal spiracle situated near the spinnerets. There are two shorter median and two longer lateral tracheae, which are not fused at the base and connect to an atrium that opens to a spiracle. The long pair of lateral tracheae enters the cephalothorax, while the short one barely reaches the anterior part of the abdomen. None of the tracheae has ramifications. The base of the tracheae carries numerous accessory glands (fig. 45G).

Male pedipalp (fig. 6): Tibia longer than wide, with six retrolateral trichobothria (figs. 8B, 37B) and long dark setae starting near its distal margin. Cymbium wider basally, elongated with swollen apex (figs. 13D, 27A, B, E, F). Base of the cymbium with a short conical apophysis, which seems to guide the movement of the paracymbium when the palp is expanded. Paracymbium almost straight or slightly curved with wider apex; not a separate sclerite, its inner part attached to the cymbium by a membrane, which allows certain mobility when filled with hemolymph (fig. 41D, F). Tegulum spherical. Embolus enlarged, often much larger than conductor. In some species the embolus has a subterminal enlargement of the spermatic duct (e.g., C. morona; fig. 16A–C). Embolus base arising from center of tegulum and coiling then with conductor. Portion of the embolus enclosed in conductor varies between species but in all cases most of it is free (e.g., C. atopica and C. rucilla; figs. 8A–C and 41A–C, respectively). Apical part of tegulum with a cuplike depression where the embolus and the conductor rest; the edge of this depression is slightly elevated, forming a small ridge. In some species this ridge is heavily chitinized and has brownish coloration. Apical part of the tegulum membranous, connecting to the embolus base and conductor by means of a membrane (this membranous connection allows limited mobility of the embolus and the conductor with respect to the tegulum). Sperm duct starts from the wide fundus and coils 1.5–2 times before exiting the tegulum near its center. The last half turn of the spermatic duct, just before exiting the tegulum, abruptly narrows, decreasing its diameter by more than two-thirds (figs. 6A, D, E, 41D–F, 62D).

Embolus in most of species with a very well developed and complex metine embolic apophysis (MEA, figs. 6A, B, D, 13A, C, F, 62D). A large and complex membrane is often present between the outer heavily chitinized part of the MEA and the embolus. In some species this membrane connects to the embolus near the base of the MEA and runs to its tip forming various folds (fig. 13A). Although most of the species have a MEA of varying complexity, in several species the embolus does not have any apophyses (e.g., C. rucilla and C. simoni; figs. 41A–C, 43B, J, H and fig. 47A–C, respectively) or has small longitudinal ridges (e.g., C. paradoxa; fig. 20A–C). In C. insolita the membrane between the MEA and the embolus is densely covered with short conical outgrowths (fig. 39I, J), giving this membrane a serrated appearance. Similar outgrowths, but with lower density and different shape, are found in other species (e.g., C. quichua, fig. 13F, I). Apical part of the embolus very variable across species and therefore useful for identification. Embolus tip always cylindrical, independent of the shape of the rest of the embolus. In some species the embolus tip carries a small membranous ridge (e.g., C. bella; fig. 58A–C). In addition to this membranous ridge C. morona has also a short apophysis (fig. 16A–C).

Conductor (fig. 6) originating from the tegulum as a single lamina that bends toward the center of the tegulum and goes under the basal part of the embolus. In this area the conductor lamina has a long lamellar process, the basal conductor apophysis that runs apically over the tegulum and under the embolus (fig. 6C). Distal edge of basal conductor apophysis continues on prolateral side of embolus and turns apically. In many species the basal conductor apophysis ends with a well-developed membrane or with an incision that forms two processes. Distal to the base of the basal apophysis the conductor bends again but in the opposite direction, partially covering the embolus. The tip of the conductor in all species of the genus has a very characteristic semicircular apical apophysis (figs. 6A, C–E, 9A, 41A). Epiandrous fusules arranged in a line in a shallow invagination of the cuticle just over the male gonopore (figs. 38G, 55D). The number of fusules varies between species from 6 in C. insolita (fig. 38G) to 14 in C. bryantae (fig. 55D). The morphology of the epiandrous fussles in most Cyrtogantha species, however, remains unknown, and thus the variation may be wider.

Females lack epigynum. The opening of the female genitalia is formed by a fold of the abdomen cuticle that carries setae on its dorsal side (the actual genital opening is shifted to the end of this fold; fig. 7). Spermathecae absent or vestigial. The uterus externus connects via an enlarged chamber with a nonpaired membranous structure that has a posterior sac (a nonpaired sperm storage organ) (see also Dimitrov et al., 2007).

Fig. 7.

Schematic representation of the internal female genitalia in Cyrtognatha. A (dorsal) and B (lateral) represent the case when median sac is not developed (e.g., C. insolita, C. pachygnathoides). B (dorsal) and D (lateral) represent the species that have median sac (e.g., C. rucilla, C. espanola, C. simoni). Dimitrov et al. (2007: fig. 10).

Composition

Cyrtognatha currently contains 21 species: C. nigrovittata Keyserling, 1881, C. pachygnathoides (O. P.-Cambridge, 1894), C. bella (O. P.-Cambridge, 1896), C. serrata Simon, 1897, C. lepida (O. P.-Cambridge, 1889), C. simoni (Bryant, 1940), C. rucilla (Bryant, 1945), C. espanola (Bryant, 1945), C. bryantae (Chickering, 1956), C. insolita (Chickering, 1956), C. catia, n. sp., C. atopica, n. sp., C. eberhardi, n. sp., C. quichua, n. sp., C. waorani, n. sp., C. morona, n. sp., C. leviorum, n. sp., C. petila, n. sp., C. paradoxa, n. sp., C. orphana, n. sp., and C. pathetica n. sp.

Most of the species are known from just a few specimens. Given the wide distribution of this genus and the lack of extensive sampling in most of the Neotropical cloud forests, these species most likely represent just a small fraction of the true diversity of Cyrtognatha.

Fig. 8.

Cyrtognatha catia, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), lateral (F), ventral (G). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Type

Male holotype from Colombia, Cali, Valle del Cauca, San Antonio (near El Saladito), 3°29′49.2″N, 76°37′29.1″W, 2085 m elevation. 16.ii.1998, G. Hormiga, J. Coddington, J. Zujko-Miller, and D. Correa (USNM).

Etymology

Named after the Catíos, the indigenous people living in Cauca Valley (Colombia) before the arrival of the Europeans. The species name is a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from similar congeners (C. quichua and C. pachygnathoides) by the shape of the embolus, which in ventral view is shaped as double S (fig. 8A) and is conspicuously curved in lateral view (fig. 8B, C). Further distinguished from C. pachygnathoides by the reduced membrane between the metine embolic apophysis and the embolus and the cylindrically shaped distal part of the embolus (fig. 8A–C). In C. pachygnathoides the embolus widens distally subapically and has a laminar shape. In C. quichua the embolus and the metine embolic apophysis are very similar but the embolus carries a semimembranous ridge that reaches to its tip (figs. 11A, 12D).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 8D–G. Carapace yellow-brownish with a well-marked fovea. Abdomen yellowish with numerous guanine spots and a short dorsal tubercle distally. Total length 4.75. Cephalothorax 2.25 long, 1.32 wide, 0.95 high. Abdomen 2.50 long, 1.18 wide, 1.25 high. Sternum 1.00 long, 0.87 wide. Clypeus height 1.9 times one AME diameter. AME, ALE, and PLE almost the same size. AME diameter 0.1. PME slightly larger. Distance between PLE and PME twice the diameter of PME. ALE and PLE very close to each other. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; between PLE half of the PLE diameter. Chelicerae (fig. 8E) slightly darker than the cephalothorax with large dorsal tooth distally situated very close to the joint of the cheliceral fang. Femur I 3.92, 1.74 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 8A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.23; cymbium length 1.01.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

This species is known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Fig. 9.

Cyrtognatha atopica, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), lateral (F), ventral (G). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Type

Male holotype from Argentina, Misiones, P. Prov. Cruce Caballero, San Pedro. Lat. 26.46667, long. 53.96667. 13–16.i.2005, Grismado, Lopardo, Piacentini, Quaglino, and Rubio (MACN).

Etymology

The species epithet is an adjective and is derived from the Greek word topikos (“of a place, local”) in reference to the unknown precise locality of the first specimen of this species examined by the authors.

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from other Cyrtognatha species by the morphology of the embolus and the conductor. Very large part of the embolus free; metine embolic apophysis ends as a long (almost as long as the embolus) curved lamina (fig. 9A–C). Apical apophysis of the conductor with a small outgrowth (fig. 9A) near its base. Distinguished from the very similar species C. eberhardi by the more globular tip of the paracymbium, the shape of the basal apophysis of the conductor, and the shape of the embolus (in C. eberhardi its tip is additionally curved so that the embolus end has an S shape). The basal apophysis of the conductor in C. eberhardi carries a long sharpened apophysis (fig. 10A), which is not present in C. atopica.

Fig. 10.

Cyrtognatha eberhardi, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), lateral (G), ventral (F). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 9D–G. Carapace brown with a well-marked fovea. Abdomen brownish with silvery guanine spots. Distal tubercle extending dorsally over the spinnerets along the longitudinal axis of the abdomen. As a result of the orientation of its distal tubercle, the abdomen has cylindrical shape. Total length 5.39. Cephalothorax 1.96 long, 1.37 wide, 0.80 high. Abdomen 3.43 long, 0.93 wide, 0.73 high. Sternum with slightly clearer pigmentation in the center; 0.98 long, 0.93 wide. Clypeus height 1.4 times one AME diameter. Diameter of the AME 0.2. Distance between AME almost equal to their diameter and between them and ALE 1.5 times one AME diameter. Distance between AME and PME about one AME diameter. PME separated by distance nearly equal to their diameter. AME slightly larger than the rest of the eyes. Chelicerae (fig. 9E) brown with dorsal tooth distally outlying from the joint of the cheliceral fang. Femur I 4.9, 2.5 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 9A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.30; cymbium length 1.08.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

The “S. A.” abbreviation on the label of the second specimen most probably refers to South America. It is evident that based on this information alone it is impossible to determine very accurately the exact locality beyond the fact that it was collected somewhere in Brazil (fig. 5). The other known locality for this species is the Misiones province in the north of Argentina close to the boundary with Brazil.

Additional Material Examined

BRAZIL: S. A. (South America), Nathan Banks, 1 male (MCZ 66541).

Type

Male holotype from Brazil, São Paulo, Fazenda Intervales, 15 km E of Guapiara, 700 m. xi.1990, W. Eberhard (MCZ 67457).

Etymology

Named after William G. Eberhard, collector of many undescribed araneoid species, including the only known specimen of this species. The species name is a noun in the genitive case.

Diagnosis

As in C. atopica, a very large part of the embolus is free and the metine embolic apophysis is long and laminar. These two characteristics clearly differentiate C. eberhardi from most species in the genus. The only species that has a similarly shaped metine embolic apophysis is C. atopica. C. eberhardi can be easily distinguished from the latter species by its more elongated paracymbium tip, the S-shaped tip of the embolus, and the shape of the basal apophysis of the conductor (which in C. atopica has a long and sharpened apophysis that is absent in C. eberhardi). It is further differentiated from C. atopica by the presence of a short membranous ridge on the base of the embolus (fig. 10C).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 10D–G. Carapace yellowish with dark brown edges. Fovea well marked, dark brown. Abdomen cylindrical with numerous guanine spots concentrated over its dorsal and lateral surfaces and a dorsal line running longitudinally, with several small ramifications without guanine. Ventrally almost without guanine spots. Proximal and distal abdominal tubercles well developed and oriented longitudinally. Total length 5.89. Cephalothorax 2.17 long, 1.50 wide, 0.87 high. Abdomen 3.72 long, 1.19 wide, 1.24 high. Sternum yellow-brownish with darker brownish pigmentation in the center and darker edges; 0.86 long, 0.80 wide. Clypeus height twice one AME diameter. Diameter of the AME 0.16. Distance between AME slightly less than their diameter; between AME and ALE 1.5 times one AME diameter. Distance between PME about one PME diameter, PME–AME distance equal to one AME diameter. The lateral eyes juxtaposed and surrounded by a darker pigmentation. PME also surrounded by darker colored areas. AME slightly larger than the rest of the eyes and surrounded by slightly pigmented area. Chelicerae (fig. 10E) dark brown, very divergent, and with very well-developed dorsal cheliceral tooth. Dorsal tooth clearly outlying from the joint of the fang and curved at the tip prolaterally. Femur I 4.77, 2.1 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 10A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.35; cymbium length 1.10.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Fig. 11.

Cyrtognatha quichua, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male cephalothorax frontal (D). Vulva lateral (E), dorsal (F). Male habitus: frontal (G), dorsal (H). Scale bars A–E: 0.5 mm; F: 0.1 mm.

Fig. 12.

Cyrtognatha quichua, n. sp. Male habitus: lateral (A), ventral (B). Male chelicerae (C, E, G). Male palp apical (D). Epiandrous fusules (F). Male leg IV femur (H). Scale bars C–E, G, H: 100 µm; F: 10 µm.

Fig. 13.

Cyrtognatha quichua, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), lateral (B), embolus and MEA ventral (C), dorsal (D), retrolateral (E), MEA retrolateral (F), conductor and embolus prolateral (I). Male abdomen caudal (G). Male spinnerets ventral (H). Scale bars A, B, D, E, G: 100 µm; C, F, H, I: 20 µm.

Fig. 14.

Cyrtognatha quichua, n. sp. Male spinnerets: ALS (A), PLS (B). Scale bars 10 µm.

Type

Male holotype from Ecuador, Napo Province, San Isidro, reserva Sierra Azul, 00°40′S, 077°55′W, 2300 m. 12.vi.1996, T.E. Erwin, fogging sample no. 1361 (USNM).

Etymology

Named after the Quichua, the major indigenous group in Ecuador. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis

This species is very similar to the closely related species C. catia and C. pachygnathoides. It can be easily distinguished from C. pachygnathoides by the shape of the embolus, which is not widened subterminally. In C. catia the embolus is not widened but it is shaped as an “S” in ventral view (fig. 8A), while in C. quichua the embolus gradually curves toward the cymbium. C. quichua can be further distinguished from similar congeners by the presence of a semimembranous ridge on the embolus that reaches its tip (figs. 11A, 12D, 13A, C). The morphology of the male chelicerae is also very diagnostic. C. quichua has the strongest and the most divergent chelicerae compared to the other two species (figs. 11G, 12C).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figures 1A–C, 11G, H, 12A, B. Carapace brownish with a well-marked fovea. Abdomen brown-yellowish with numerous guanine spots and a conspicuous dorsodistal tubercle. Total length 4.50. Cephalothorax 2.45 long, 1.86 wide, 0.98 high. Abdomen 2.10 long, 1.57 wide, 1.96 high. Sternum 1.00 long, 0.98 wide. Clypeus height twice an AME diameter. All eyes nearly the same size except PME slightly larger. AME diameter 0.1. PLE–PME distance slightly more than twice one PME diameter. ALE and PLE juxtapose. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; between PLE half one PLE diameter. Chelicerae (figs. 11D, G, 12C, E, G) strong, slightly darker than the rest of the cephalothorax, with well-developed dorsal tooth distally. Dorsal cheliceral tooth curved, well developed, and very close to the joint of the fang. Femur I 4.90, twice the length of the cephalothorax. Epiandrous fusules as in figure 12F. Pedipalp as in figures 11A–C, 12D, 13A–F, I. Palpal tibia length 0.96; cymbium length 1.03. Male spinnerets as in figures 13A, B, G–H.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Coloration and general habitus as in male. Abdominal tubercle less developed than in male. Total length 8.33. Cephalothorax 3.43 long, 2.25 wide, 1.47 high. Abdomen 4.90 long, 1.56 wide, 4.00 high. Sternum 1.22 long, 1.21 wide. Clypeus height 1.3 times one AME diameter. Eyes as in male. AME diameter 0.09. Distance between PME equal to their diameter. Chelicerae less divergent than in male, with cheliceral teeth closer to each other. Femur I 5.29, 1.54 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 11E, F. Median sac relatively small on the top of a high chamber.

Variation. Male cephalothorax ranges in length from 2.54 to 2.45 (n = 4). Female cephalothorax is nearly the same in the two specimens studied (3.43). Male total body length ranges from 4.50 to 6.96 (n = 4). Female total body length ranges from 7.35 to 8.33 (n = 2). The male abdominal tubercle varies in height; in some specimens it is as high as the abdomen. Guanine spots vary in size; in some specimens the spots cover almost entirely the lateral and dorsal sides of the abdomen.

Distribution

This species is known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Notes

The coloration of the abdomen in live specimens is greenish with some darker brownish patches and numerous silvery guanine spots (fig. 1A–C). It seems that the pigment responsible for the green color in vivo degrades rapidly when the specimens are stored in alcohol.

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: ECUADOR: Napo Province–Sierra Azul, 00°40′S, 077°55′W, 2300 m. 1 female, 12.vi.1996, T.E. Erwin, fogging sample no. 1361 (USNM); same locality, 13–15.vi.1996, G. Hormiga, 1 male (SEM); same locality, 15.vi.1996, G. Hormiga, 1 male; same locality, 13.vi.1996, G. Hormiga, 1 male, 1 female.

Fig. 15.

Cyrtognatha waorani, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), ventral (F), lateral (G). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Type

Male holotype from Ecuador, Orellana, Reserva Étnica Waorani, Transect Ent. 1 km S. Onkone Gare Camp. 00°39′25.7″S, 076°27′10.8″W, elevation 216 m. 9.x.1994, T.L. Erwin et al., lot no. 915 (USNM).

Etymology

Named after the Waorani people, an indigenous tribe of the Ecuadorian Oriente in the Amazon region. The species name is to be treated as noun in apposition.

Diagnosis

This species can be easily distinguished from similar congeners (namely, C. orphana) by the very peculiar shape of the metine embolic apophysis (fig. 15A, C), which is widened and with a deep distal incision. Cyrtognatha orphana has a similarly shaped metine embolic apophysis, but its embolus has a smaller embolic membrane and is conspicuously bent (in ventral view) prolaterally. In C. morona the embolus has S curvature and its tip points apically (fig. 15A). The extensive membrane of the embolus and the shape of the basal apophysis of the conductor are also very useful for the identification of C. waorani (fig. 15A–C).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 15D–G. Carapace brown-yellowish with a well-marked fovea. Abdomen brownish with numerous guanine spots concentrated dorsally and laterally. Dorsal tubercle extends caudally over the spinnerets and has darker bands. Total length 6.00. Cephalothorax 2.80 long, 1.90 wide, 1.36 high. Abdomen 3.26 long, 0.90 wide, 0.78 high. Sternum 0.93 long, 1.17 wide. Clypeus height 1.25 times one AME diameter. AME and PME almost the same size. AME diameter 0.13. Lateral eyes juxtaposed and slightly smaller than PME, distance between ALE and AME more than 1.5 AME diameters. Distance between AME slightly larger than their diameter. Distance between PME about two-thirds of their diameter. Chelicerae (fig. 15E) brownish, with very well-developed dorsal tooth close to the fang joint. Fang with very pronounced curvature and outgrowth over its retrolateral surface. Tip of the dorsal cheliceral tooth conspicuously curved; the rest of the cheliceral teeth rather small. Femur I 6.82, 2.4 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 15A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.22; cymbium length 0.97.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

This species is known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Fig. 16.

Cyrtognatha morona, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), ventral (F), lateral (G). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm. Arrow points to the apical embolic apophysis.

Type

Male holotype from Ecuador, Morona Santiago, 3.0093S, 78.4939W, elevation 1750 m. 12.vii.2004, Maddison, Agnarsson, Iturralde, and Salazar (MCZ).

Etymology

The species epithet is a name in apposition taken from the type locality.

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha morona can be easily distinguished from all other Cyrtognatha species by the presence of a very conspicuous apophysis on the top of the embolus (fig. 16A–C). The overall shape of the embolus is also very diagnostic (fig. 16A–C).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 16D–G. Carapace yellowish with a well-marked fovea and darker band running longitudinally. Carapace margins with darker grayish bands. Legs greenish, darker than the cephalothorax. Abdomen cylindrical, with small tubercles. Tip of the dorsal tubercle oriented caudally. Abdomen with gray-greenish coloration and with numerous guanine spots concentrated in two dorsolateral bands. Central part of the abdomen dorsally with darker greenish coloration and without guanine. Ventrally the epigastric furrow well marked, brownish in color, and strongly chitinized. Spinnerets coloring darker and brownish. Total length 4.75. Cephalothorax 2.00 long, 1.43 wide, 0.88 high. Abdomen 2.75 long, 1.00 wide, 0.88 high. Sternum yellowish with greenish tones and darker edges, 0.93 long, 0.85 wide. Endites and labium darker with brown pigmentation. Clypeus height 1.7 times one AME diameter. Eyes nearly the same size. AME diameter 0.10. All eyes surrounded by darker brownish pigmentation. Lateral eyes over short elevations. ALE touch PLE. Distance between AME slightly less than their diameter; between AME and ALE at about 1.5 times one AME diameter. PME separated by distance slightly shorter than PME diameter. Chelicerae (fig. 16E) dark brown, robust, and widely divergent. Dorsal cheliceral tooth very well developed, outlying the fang joint and curved prolaterally. Cheliceral fang with well-developed dorsal outgrowth. Femur I 4.65, 2.32 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 16A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.27; cymbium length 0.95.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Fig. 17.

Cyrtognatha leviorum, n. sp. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), ventral (F), lateral (G). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Type

Male holotype from Panama, Chiriquí Province, Boquete, above 1200–1900 m. 11.vii.1983, H. and L. Levi (MCZ 67465).

Etymology

Named after Herbert W. Levi and Lorna R. Levi, collectors of the only known specimen of this species and in recognition of H. W. Levi's work on the systematics of Neotropical araneoids. The species name is a noun in the genitive case.

Diagnosis

This species is very similar to its closest relative, C. bella. It can be easily distinguished from C. bella by the morphology of the embolus, which in C. leviorum has smaller dilatation ventrally and carries a small metine embolic apophysis (fig. 17A). In C. bella the embolus does not have a metine embolic apophysis. The male chelicerae are also diagnostic: in C. bella they are more divergent with much larger outgrowth of the cheliceral fang (fig. 58E) than in C. leviorum (fig. 17E). Additional diagnostic characters are provided by the more rounded tip of the paracymbium and more pronounced curvature of the embolus (in prolateral view) in C. leviorum.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 17D–G. Carapace yellowish with a well-marked fovea. Dorsally with darker brownish band medially. Abdomen cylindrical with well-developed proximal tubercle but with strongly reduced distal one. Abdomen yellowish in color with guanine spots concentrated dorsally. Total length 4.12. Cephalothorax 1.87 long, 1.32 wide, 0.87 high. Abdomen 2.25 long, 1.25 wide, 1.00 high. Sternum yellowish, 0.95 long, 0.90 wide. Clypeus height 1.36 times one AME diameter. Eyes nearly the same size. AME diameter 0.11. Distance between AME slightly smaller than their diameter; AME–ALE distance twice one AME diameter. Distance between PME equal to their diameter, and PME–AME distance ca. 1.5 AME diameters. Chelicerae (fig. 17E) brownish, moderately divergent with a well-developed dorsal tooth. The dorsal tooth is placed near the fang articulation (fig. 17E), carries a bunch of macrosetae, and is curved at the tip prolaterally. Cheliceral fang with very well-developed outgrowth but without very distinctive curvature before and after it. Femur I 3.72, 1.98 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 17A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.27, cymbium length 0.72.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Fig. 18.

Cyrtognatha petila, n. sp. Male palp: (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars A–C: 0.2 mm; D–E: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 19.

Cyrtognatha petila, n. sp. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (B), ventral (C). Male chelicerae (D). Vulva: dorsal (E).

Type

Male holotype from Mexico, Chiapas, Ocosingo, Ejido Nueva Argentina, Laguna Miramar, Reserva de la Biosfera Montes Azules, 16°23′36.2″N, 91°14′29.6″W, MAP 150 m. 23–25.x.2005. F. Álvarez, L. Lopardo, and J. Castelo (CNAN).

Etymology

The species epithet is an adjective taken from the Latin word petilus (“thin, slender”), in reference to the body size and shape of this species.

Diagnosis

This species can be easily distinguished from similar relatives (C. insolita and C. orphana) by the presence of a well-developed membrane on the tip of the basal apophysis of the conductor (fig. 18C). In C. insolita this membrane is missing (fig. 37C) and in C. orphana the basal apophysis of the conductor is much wider distally (fig. 22C). C. petila can be further distinguished from C. orphana by the triangular shape of the metine embolic apophysis (fig. 18A, B) and from C. insolita by the lack of a serrated membrane of the embolus in prolateral view. Here the serrated membrane is seen in retrolateral view (fig. 18B).

An important diagnostic feature of this species is the morphology of the male chelicerae. In C. orphana and C. insolita the male chelicerae are much more divergent and with a very strong dorsal tooth (fig. 38B, E, F), while in C. petila the dorsal tooth is just slightly larger than the rest of the cheliceral teeth (fig. 19D).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figures 3E, 19A–D. Carapace yellowish with a well-marked fovea; with darker band in the center and darker margins. Dorsally some remains of greenish coloration still can be observed. Abdomen brown-grayish, cylindrical with guanine spots concentrated dorsolaterally. Ventrally and ventrolaterally with darker bands and with four darker spots on the distal edge dorsally. Abdominal tubercles strongly reduced. Total length 4.74. Cephalothorax 1.74 long, 1.10 wide, 0.80 high. Abdomen 3.00 long, 0.80 wide, 0.70 high. Sternum yellowish with darker margins; 0.80 long, 0.78 wide. Clypeus height equal to an AME diameter. AME diameter 0.09. Distance between AME half of their diameter; ALE–PME distance 1.5 AME diameters and between them and PLE equal to one AME diameter. Distance between PME equal to their diameter. All eyes surrounded by dark pigmentation. Chelicerae (fig. 19D) moderately divergent with dark brown-grayish color. Dorsal cheliceral tooth well developed, outlying the fang joint and with sharp tip. Cheliceral fang with very strongly reduced outgrowth and practically straight except for the both edges. Femur I 4.03, 2.3 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 18A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.2; cymbium length 0.54.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and coloration as in male. Chelicerae lack the dorsal tooth and are much less divergent. Sternum 0.90 long, 0.84 wide. Total length 7.39. Cephalothorax 2.12 long, 1.55 wide, 0.99 high. Abdomen 5.27 long, 1.67 wide, 2.17 high. Clypeus height half of one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.08. Femur I 5.33, 2.5 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 18D, E.

Variation. Male cephalothorax ranges in length from 1.74 to 1.86 (n = 3). Female cephalothorax ranges in length from 1.96 to 2.12 (n = 9). Male total body length ranges from 4.74 to 5.38 (n = 3). Female total body length ranges from 6.16 to 7.39 (n = 9).

Distribution

This species is known only from southern Mexico (Chiapas) (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: MEXICO: Chiapas, Ocosingo, Ejido Nueva Argentina, Laguna Miramar, Reserva de la Biosfera Montes Azules, 16°23′36.2″N, 91°14′29.6″W, MAP 150 m. 23–25.x.2005, F. Álvarez, L. Lopardo, and J. Castelo, 1 female (CNAN); Chiapas, Ocosingo, Sierra de la Cojolita, Arroyo Nayte. 16°47′36.2″N, 91°02′35.3″W, EPE 06 202 m. 1–27.x.2005, L. Lopardo, J. Castelo, and F. Álvarez, 2 female (CNAN); Chiapas, Ocosingo, Hidalgo Cortés orillas de la Reserva Montes Azules. N 16°42′19.1″N, 90° 53′08.2″W, EPE 07 145 m. 31.x.2005, L. Lopardo, J. Castelo, and F. Álvarez, 1 male and 5 females (CNAN); Chiapas, Ocosingo, Monumento Natural Bonampak, 16°43′32.5″N, 91°04′ 43.4″W, EPE07 207 m. 26.x–2.xi.2005, F. Álvarez, L. Lopardo, and J. Castelo, 1 female (CNAN).

Other material: MEXICO: Chiapas, Palenque ruins area. 92°01′W, 17°29′N. 2–11.vii.1983, W. Maddison and R.S. Anderson, 83-0995 tropical rain forest edge. 1 male (MCZ 67459).

Fig. 20.

Cyrtognatha paradoxa, n. sp. Male palp: (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Fig. 21.

Cyrtognatha paradoxa, n. sp. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (B), ventral (C). Male chelicerae (D). Vulva: dorsal (E).

Type

Male holotype from Mexico, Hidalgo, 4 km NE of Tlanchinol on Hwy. 105, 98°39′W, 21°02′N, ca. 1371 m. Cloud forest edge. 14.vi.1983, W. Maddison (MCZ 67463).

Etymology

The species epithet is an adjective that refers to the unusual male palp morphology.

Diagnosis

This species can be easily distinguished from all other species in the genus by the very unusual shape of the basal apophysis of the conductor (fig. 20A–C). Here it is well developed, strongly chitinized, and carries two small outgrowths at the tip. It is easily distinguished from similar congeners by the shape of the embolus, which is conspicuously curved (fig. 20A–C) and carries a small membranous fold apically. The morphology of the apical apophysis of the conductor is also diagnostic (fig. 20A–B).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 21A–D. Carapace brown-yellowish, darker in the center and margins. Fovea well marked, darker. Abdomen cylindrical with guanine spots dorsally and laterally. Dorsally with darker bands. Distal and proximal tubercles small. Total length 6.82. Cephalothorax 3.10 long, 2.42 wide, 1.24 high. Abdomen 3.72 long, 1.74 wide, 1.36 high. Sternum yellowish with darker bands between coxae; 1.24 long, 1.36 wide. Clypeus height 1.5 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.14. Distance between AME half of their diameter; AME–ALE distance slightly more than two AME diameters. PME close to each other and to the AME; distance between PME half of their diameter, PME–AME distance half of one AME diameter. AME and PME placed on well-marked bump. Lateral eyes on short tubercles. All eyes surrounded by a dark brown pigmentation. Chelicerae (fig. 21D) dark brown, strongly divergent with well-developed dorsal tooth. Dorsal tooth with pointed tip and outlying from the fang articulation. Cheliceral fang with reduced outgrowth and without distinctive curvature before and after the outgrowth. Femur I 6.20, twice the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 20A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.55; cymbium length 1.17.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Coloration and habitus as in male. Abdomen damaged in the only specimen available for study, but the distal and proximal tubercles can be both distinguished and are more developed than in the male. Chelicerae less divergent than in male, without dorsal tooth; the rest of the cheliceral teeth well developed and closer to each other. Sternum 1.32 long, 1.25 wide. Clypeus height equal to an AME diameter. AME diameter 0.17. Eyes smaller than in males and placed on less pronounced elevations. Distance between AME and ALE equal to three AME diameters. Total length 8.86. Cephalothorax 3.90 long, 1.86 wide, 1.55 high. Abdomen 4.96 long. Abdomen width and height not measured (damaged specimen). Femur I 4.56, 1.3 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 20D, E, 21E.

Distribution

This species is known from the southern Mexican states of Hidalgo and Veracruz (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: MEXICO: Hidalgo, 4 km NE of Tlanchinol on Hwy. 105, 98°39′W, 21°02′N, ca. 1371 m. Cloud forest edge. 14.vi.1983, W. Maddison, 1 female (MCZ 67463 in the same vial with the holotype). Other material: MEXICO: Veracruz, 12 km S of Yecuatla on Hwy. 127, near 96.8°W, 19.8°N, 1219 m. Cloud forest edge 83-077. 20.vi.1983, W. Maddison, 1 male (MCZ 67461).

Fig. 22.

Cyrtognatha orphana, n. sp. Male palp: (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Fig. 23.

Cyrtognatha orphana, n. sp. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (C), ventral (D). Male chelicerae (B).

Type

Male holotype from Brazil, São Paulo olov., Cuv-Cucho [sic] (MNHN 9192). The label does not provide collector or date information. The label in the vial had the handwritten name “Cyrtognatha fusciceps”. Most probably it was chosen by its original collector, but unfortunately he/she did not describe the species. The author of this name remains unknown, and thus we chose a different species name to describe this species.

Etymology

The species epithet is an adjective taken from the Latin word for orphan, in reference to the lost identity of the arachnologist that first realized that these specimens belonged to an undescribed species of Cyrtognatha.

Diagnosis

This species can be distinguished easily from all other Cyrtognatha species by the conspicuously prolaterally slanted embolus (fig. 22A). It differs significantly from similar congeners (namely, C. insolita and C. petila) in that both C. insolita and C. petila have the embolus with an extensive membrane that carries small outgrowths (serrated membrane) and have a triangular metine embolic apophysis (fig. 22A, C). The basal apophysis of the conductor in C. orphana has a well-developed membranous lamina (fig. 22C), while in C. insolita it has a sharpened tip (fig. 37C). In C. petila the membrane of the basal apophysis of the conductor is much smaller and the tip is sharpened as in C. insolita.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 23A–D. Carapace yellowish with brownish cephalic region. Fovea well marked with darker pigmentation. Abdomen cylindrical with small proximal tubercle. Distal tubercle short and extending over the spinnerets. Abdomen yellowish with numerous guanine spots concentrated dorsolaterally; dorsally and ventrally the guanine patches are absent around its longitudinal axis. Legs yellowish with remains of greenish coloration. Total length 6.02. Cephalothorax 2.32 long, 1.50 wide, 1.00 high. Abdomen 3.70 long, 0.85 wide, 1.25 high. Sternum yellowish; 0.88 long, 0.78 wide. Endites darker with brown color. Clypeus height 1.3 times one AME diameter. AME larger than the rest of the eyes. ALE and PLE close to each other on short elevations. AME diameter 0.15. Distance between AME slightly more than their diameter; AME–ALE distance 1.5 times one AME diameter. AME–PME distance at about one AME diameter. Distance between PME equal to their diameter. Chelicerae brown, very robust, and strongly divergent (fig. 23B). Cheliceral dorsal tooth very well developed, close to the fang articulation and conspicuously curved prolaterally. Femur I 5.14, 2.21 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 22A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.25; cymbium length 0.95.

Female (paratype). Habitus and pigmentation pattern as in male. Carapace, chelicerae, and endites with lighter color than in male. Legs as in male with some remains of greenish coloring. Total length 6.41. Cephalothorax 2.25 long, 1.50 wide, 1.00 high. Abdomen 4.16 long, 1.22 wide, 1.22 high. Sternum 0.87 long, 0.87 wide. Chelicerae not divergent and without dorsal tooth; fang without outgrowth. Eyes as in male but AME closer to each other and to ALE. Distance between AME less than their diameter and between them and ALE equal to their diameter. AME diameter 0.12. Clypeus height 1.25 times one AME diameter. Femur I 4.65, 2.06 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 22D, E.

Distribution

This species is known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratype: BRAZIL: São Paulo olov., Cuv-Cucho, 1 female (MNHN 9192).

Fig. 24.

Cyrtognatha pathetica, n. sp. Female vulva: dorsal (A and D), lateral (B and C). Female habitus: ventral (F), lateral (G), dorsal (H). Female epigastric furrow (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Type

Female holotype from Guatemala. No date information on the label (BMNH 1890.7.1.5958).

Keyserling examined this specimen and named it “C. sexmaculata” (written on the label), but he never described this species.

Etymology

The species epithet, a Latinized version of the Greek word pathetikos, is an adjective that refers to the pitiful physical condition of the only known specimen of this species.

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha pathetica can be easily distinguished from the similar C. paradoxa and C. lepida by the shape of the copulatory ducts that, in pathetica, are cylindrical and distally narrow (fig. 24B). C. pathetica does not have the chitinized ridge on the basal chamber present in C. paradoxa and C. lepida.

Description

Male. Unknown.

Female (holotype). Habitus as in figure 24F–H. Carapace with light brownish coloring, slightly darker in the center. Fovea well marked. Abdomen cylindrical with gray-brownish color and strongly reduced proximal and distal tubercles. Spinnerets brownish, darker than the rest of the abdomen. Some remains of the guanine patches still can be observed. Legs long, darker than the cephalothorax. Total length 6.82. Cephalothorax 1.86 long, 1.24 wide, 0.93 high. Abdomen 4.96 long, 1.24 wide, 1.30 high. Sternum yellowish; 0.99 long, 0.86 wide. Endites and labium darker with brown pigmentation. Clypeus height 0.8 time one AME diameter. All eyes surrounded by darker pigmentation. ALE and PLE a bit smaller than the other eyes and placed very close to each other on short elevations. AME diameter 0.12. Distance between AME slightly less than their diameter; AME–ALE distance at about two AME diameters. Distance between PLE equal to their diameter. Chelicerae yellowish, not divergent and without dorsal tooth. Femur I 4.34, 2.3 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 24A–C, E. Epigastric furrow as in figure 24E.

Distribution

The type locality is not actually specified on the label. The only information regarding the distribution of this species available at present is that it was collected somewhere in Guatemala (fig. 5).

Fig. 25.

Cyrtognatha pachygnathoides. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars A–D: 0.5 mm; E: 1 mm.

Fig. 26.

Cyrtognatha pachygnathoides. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (C), ventral (D). Male chelicerae (B).

Fig. 27.

Cyrtognatha pachygnathoides. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), apical (C), dorsal (E), prolateral (F). Conductor: apical (D). Apical apophysis of the conductor and embolus dorsoretrolateral (G). Embolus and apical apophysis of the conductor ventral (H). Conductor and embolus prolateral (I and J) (arrow points to the base of the removed basal apophysis of the conductor). Epiandrous fusules (K). Scale bars A, B, C, E, F: 100 µm; I: 30 µm G, H, J: 20 µm; D, K: 10 µm.

Fig. 28.

Cyrtognatha pachygnathoides. Female spinnerets: ventral (A). Female ALS (B). Female PLS (C–E, G, J). Female PMS (F and H). Female genital opening ventral (I). Scale bars A: 100 µm; B–D, G, H, J: 10 µm; E: 1 µm; F: 2 µm; I: 30 µm.

Fig. 29.

Cyrtognatha pachygnathoides. Male chelicerae: frontal (A and E), ventral (B). Male cephalothorax: dorsal (C), lateral (D). Male femur IV: lateral (F). Scale bars 100 µm.

Fig. 30.

Cyrtognatha pachygnathoides. Female cephalothorax: dorsal (A), lateral (B). Female abdomen: ventral (C), lateral (D). Scale bars A, D: 200 µm; B, C: 100 µm.

Type

Male holotype, no collector or locality data (BMNH 1905.11.25.2228; examined). In the original description O. P.-Cambridge suggested that the specimen was collected in Chiriqui, Panama.

Diagnosis

This species is very similar to the closely related C. catia but with a less pronounced curvature of the embolus. The most important diagnostic character separating these two species is the conspicuously widened distal part of the embolus in C. pachygnathoides (figs. 25B, C, 27C, I, J). The male chelicerae have a much smaller dorsal tooth and strongly reduced outgrowths of the fangs (figs. 26B, 29A, C, E) than in C. catia.

Description

Male (holotype). Specimen in very poor condition. The abdomen and the chelicerae are missing. Most of the legs are disarticulated and the left palp and left legs I and II are lost. Carapace strongly depigmentated, yellowish, with a well-marked fovea. Sternum yellowish. Labium brownish but the endites lighter with yellowish color. Cephalothorax 2.02 long, 1.47 wide, 1.17 high. Sternum 1.02 long, 9.5 wide. Clypeus twice one AME diameter. Eyes nearly the same size but PLE slightly smaller. AME diameter 0.10. Distance between AME equal to their diameter and between them and ALE twice their diameter. Distance between PLE equal to their diameter. The lateral eyes close together over well-developed elevations. Femur I 4.90, 2.4 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 25A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.35; cymbium length 0.87.

Description of the specimen from El Volcán (Panama; 66543 MCZ). Habitus as in figure 26A–D. Carapace brownish with well-marked fovea (fig. 29C, D). Abdomen elongated with well-developed proximal and distal tubercles. Yellow-brownish with numerous reflecting guanine spots. Dorsally in the central part yellowish and without guanine spots. Total length 4.90. Cephalothorax 1.96 long, 1.47 wide, 0.98 high. Abdomen 2.94 long, 1.27 wide, 1.47 high. Sternum 1.07 long, 1.02 wide. Clypeus height 1.3 times one AME diameter. Eyes almost the same size except for the PLE, which are slightly smaller. AME diameter 0.14. The lateral eyes on well-pronounced elevations. The distance between the AME almost equal to their diameter. Distance between the PME equal to their diameter. AME–ALE distance twice one AME diameter; PLE–PME distance nearly twice the diameter of the PME. Chelicerae brownish, darker than the rest of the cephalothorax (figs. 26B, 29A, C, E). Dorsal cheliceral tooth very close to the fang articulation; with rounded tip and smaller than some of the other cheliceral teeth (fig. 29E). Femur I 4.90, 2.5 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figures 25A–C, 27A–H. Palpal tibia length 0.34; cymbium length 0.88. Epiandrous fusules as in figure 27K. Male femur IV as in figure 29F.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and coloration as in male. Carapace with lighter tones. Female cephalothorax and abdomen as in figure 30A–D. Chelicerae not divergent and without dorsal tooth and fang outgrowth. Sternum yellowish with labium and endites lighter than in the male. Sternum 1.23 long, 1.22 wide. Abdomen with very well-developed proximal tubercles. The distal tubercle is very well developed, high, and with shape of thin cone. Total length 6.46. Cephalothorax 2.94 long, 2.00 wide, 1.56 high. Abdomen 3.52 long, 1.96 wide, 2.69 high. Eyes slightly smaller than in male. Lateral eyes on less pronounced elevations. Diameter of AME 0.14. Clypeus 1.17 times one AME diameter. Femur I 5.39, 1.83 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 25D–E. Female genital opening as in figure 28I. Female spinnerets as in figure 28A–H, J.

Variation. Male cephalothorax ranges in length from 1.96 to 2.69 (n = 6). Female cephalothorax ranges in length from 2.94 to 3.81 (n = 9). Male total body length ranges from 4.90 to 5.87 (n = 6). Female total body length ranges from 6.46 to 8.71 (n = 9). The height of the distal tubercle is very variable, both in males and females. In males height of the distal tubercle varies from 1.47 to 1.70 (n = 6) and in females from 2.69 to 4.10 (n = 9).

Distribution

Costa Rica and Panama (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

PANAMA: Chiriquí, El Volcán. 26.ii.1936, W. J. Gertsch, 1 female (AMNH); Chiriquí, Cerro Punta. 4.iii.1936, W. J. Gertsch, 2 females (AMNH); El Volcán. viii.1950, A. M. Chickering, 1 m (MCZ 66543). COSTA RICA: Puntarenas, Area de Conservación La Amistad, Estación Pittier, 1800 m. 11.vi.1995, G. Hormiga, 1 male (USNM); Puntarenas, Area de Conservación La Amistad, Estación Pittier. 009°01′N, 82°5′W, 1820 m. 11.vi.1995, G. Hormiga, 1 male (USNM); Puntarenas, Area de Conservación La Amistad, Estación Pittier, 1750 m. 8–11.vi.1995, G. Hormiga, 2 males, 6 females (USNM, 1 male and 1 female used for SEM).

Fig. 31.

Cyrtognatha espanola. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Female vulva: dorsal (D and E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Fig. 32.

Cyrtognatha espanola. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (C), ventral (D). Male chelicerae (B).

Fig. 33.

Cyrtognatha espanola. Male palp: apical (A), dorsal (D), retrolateral (E), ventral (G), dorso-prolateral (H). Embolus tip (B and F). Embolus ventral (C). Scale bars A: 20 µm; B, C, F: 10 µm; D: 30 µm; E, G, H: 100 µm.

Fig. 34.

Cyrtognatha espanola. Embolus tip (A). Female vulva: dorsal (B) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 3A). Cuticle with short stem ductules of the posterior sac (C) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 3B). Uterus externus and copulatory ducts: frontal (D) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 3F). Copulatory ducts: lateral (E). Epiandrous fusules (F). Scale bars A, C–F: 10 µm; B: 100 µm.

Fig. 35.

Cyrtognatha espanola. Male chelicerae: ventral (A), frontal (B), cheliceral dorsal tooth (D). Female spinnerets: ventral (C), PLS (E and F), ALS (G and H). Scale bars A, B: 100 µm; C: 20 µm; D–G: 10 µm; E: 3 µm; H: 2 µm.

Fig. 36.

Cyrtognatha espanola. Female PMS (A). Female leg IV femur (B). Female cephalothorax: lateral (C), dorsal (D). Female abdomen: ventral (E), lateral (F). Scale bars A: 10 µm; B–F: 100 µm.

Type

Male holotype from Haiti, Kenskoff, 1310 m, 1.v.1935, Roys (the only reference on the label, which might refer to the collector) (MCZ 21226; examined).

Diagnosis

This species shares numerous similarities with C. rucilla and C. simoni, and its correct identification can be difficult. To distinguish the males of these species the most important character is the shape of the tip of the embolus. In ventral view in C. espanola the embolus tip is curved prolaterally (fig. 31A), in C. rucilla it is curved retrolaterally (fig. 41A), and in C. simoni it is almost straight (fig. 47A). The shape of the embolus in prolateral view is also very useful for identification. In C. espanola it is arched and the tip of the embolus is additionally curved at almost 90° (fig. 31C); in C. rucilla the embolus is nearly straight and the tip of the embolus is S-shaped (fig. 41A–C); in C. simoni the embolus is almost straight but the tip of the embolus is curved at 90° as in C. espanola (fig. 47A–C). The shape of the male chelicerae is also diagnostic for these three species. In C. espanola the male chelicerae are widely divergent and very robust (figs. 32B, 35A, B, D); C. rucilla has also very robust chelicerae but they are less divergent that in C. espanola and C. simoni; C. simoni has strongly divergent chelicerae but they are much thinner than in the other two species. The females of C. espanola can be easily distinguished from closely related species by the size and shape of the sacs in the vulva (fig. 31D, E).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 32A–D. Carapace brown-yellowish with a well-marked fovea and darker band medially. Abdomen cylindrical, brown-grayish, guanine almost missing (in paratypes guanine spots concentrated dorsolaterally). Dorsal tubercles strongly reduced. Dorsally two longitudinal lines, each with four dark brown spots, are present distally. Total length 4.06. Cephalothorax 1.56 long, 1.20 wide, 0.5 high. Abdomen 2.50 long, 1.12 wide, 1.12 high. Sternum yellowish with darker margins; 0.85 long, 0.75 wide. Clypeus height 1.2 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.09. All eyes nearly the same size and surrounded with darker pigmentation. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; between them and ALE 2.5 AME diameters; distance to PLE 1.5 AME diameters. Distance between PLE equal to their diameter. Chelicerae (figs. 32B, 35A, B, D) dark brown, moderately divergent with a well-developed dorsal tooth. Dorsal tooth with very wide base and close to the fang joint. The rest of the cheliceral teeth well developed. Cheliceral fang with very small outgrowth (fig. 35D) and almost straight except for its apical end. Femur I 3.72, 2.3 times the longitude of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figures 31A–C, 33A–H, 34A. Palpal tibia length 0.13; cymbium length 0.62. Male epiandrous fusules as in figure 34F.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and coloration as in male. Abdomen with large distal tubercle, which in this species is placed almost in the center of the abdomen. As in the male, the type specimen almost without guanine (but present in paratypes). Chelicerae not divergent and without dorsal tooth. Total length 4.95. Cephalothorax 1.85 long, 1.25 wide, 1.00 high. Abdomen 3.10 long, 1.86 wide, 2.17 high. Sternum 0.62 long, 0.57 wide. Clypeus half of an AME diameter. AME diameter 0.08. Femur I 2.85, 1.5 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 31D, E, 34B–E. Spinnerets as in figures 35C, E–H, 36A. Female cephalothorax and abdomen as in figure 36C–F. Female femur IV as in figure 36B.

Variation. Male cephalothorax length varieis between 1.47 and 1.96 (n = 26). Females cephalothorax length varies between 1.85 and 1.96 (n = 31). Total body length in males varies between 3.18 and 4.26 (n = 26) and in females between 4.95 and 6.02 (n = 31). The size and placement of the distal dorsal tubercle in females varies. In some specimens the tubercle is placed in the distal third of the abdomen, while in others it is located almost in the middle.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed over the higher zone of Hispaniola (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: HAITI: Kenskoff, 1310 m. 1.v.1935, Roys, 1 female (allotype, MCZ 44013); Kenskoff, 914–1219 m. 1.v.1935, Roys 1 male, 2 females (MCZ 66548); Dame-Marie, 1941, A. Audant, 1 male (MCZ 66549). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 914–1219 m. vii.1938, P.J. Darlington, 1 female (MCZ 66551). Other material: HAITI: 25 mi. from Aux Cayes, 29.viii.1935, W.G. Hassler, 2 males, 5 females (NMHN). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Barahona Prov., Paraíso, Reserva Natural Cachote, cloud forest and secondary growth. 18°05′54.8″N, 71°11′22.0″W, 1220 m, 6–9.IV.2005, G. Hormiga, F. Álvarez, and S. Benjamín, 27 females, 16 males (MCZ); La Vega Prov., Constanza, Reserva Científica Ébano Verde, Casa Vito, 19°01′47.8″N, 70°30′56.5″W, 1400 m, 15.IV.2005, F. Álvarez and S. Benjamin, 7 males (MCZ).

Fig. 37.

Cyrtognatha insolita. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars A–E 0.5 mm. Arrow points to the embolic serrated membrane.

Fig. 38.

Cyrtognatha insolita. Male habitus: dorsal (A), ventral (C), lateral (D). Male chelicerae: frontal (B and F), ventral (H). Cheliceral dorsal tooth (E). Epiandrous fusules (G). Scale bars E: 20 µm; F, H: 100 µm; G: 10 µm.

Fig. 39.

Cyrtognatha insolita. Male palp: apical (A), ventral (D), retrolateral (E), prolateral (F), dorsal (G). Embolus and conductor: apical (B). Embolus tip: apical (C). Embolus and conductor: retrolateral (H). Embolus and conductor prolateral (I). Serrated membrane of the embolus (J). Scale bars A: 20 µm; B, C, I, J: 10 µm; D, F: 100 µm; E, G, H: 30 µm.

Fig. 40.

Cyrtognatha insolita. Embolus tip: ventral (A). Vulva: frontal (B) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 5F). Copulatory duct tip (C) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 5E). Vulva: dorsal (D) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 5A). Vulva: lateral (E) (fig. 5C of Dimitrov et al., 2007). Long ductule glands (F) (fig. 5D of Dimitrov et al., 2007). PS cuticle (G) (fig. 5B of Dimitrov et al., 2007). Male spinnerets (H). Scale bars A–C, G, H: 10 µm; D: 20 µm; E: 30 µm; F: 2 µm.

Type

Male holotype from Panama, Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. viii.1950, A. M. Chickering (MCZ 21668; examined).

Diagnosis

This species can be easily distinguished from other congeners with triangular metine embolic apophysis by the presence of a very characteristic serrated membrane covering a large area of the embolus ventrally and part of the base of the metine embolic apophysis (figs. 37A, C, 39I, J). The shape of the apical apophysis of the conductor and the morphology of the paracymbium are also diagnostic. Another important diagnostic character, which in most of the cases can be enough by itself to identify this species, is the shape of the dorsal cheliceral tooth (fig. 38B, E, F, H). In C. insolita species its tip is conspicuously bifurcated and both parts are sharpened, while in all similar species (C. orphana and C. petila) the dorsal cheliceral tooth never has two sharpened edges. Female diagnostic characters include the shape of the copulation ducts (fig. 37D, E) and the shape of the membranous sac (posterior sac) holding the sperm, which is elongated (fig. 37D, E). Additionally, in C. insolita the median sac is reduced to a short cylindrical structure.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 38A–D. Carapace yellow-brownish; darker anteriorly with a well-marked fovea. Abdomen cylindrical, yellowish with few remains from the guanine spots. Dorsal tubercle small. Total length 5.58. Cephalothorax 2.17 long, 1.42 wide, 1.16 high. Abdomen 3.41 long, 0.93 wide, 0.93 high. Sternum yellowish, 0.93 long, 0.87 wide. Chelicerae strongly divergent with dark brown color. Dorsal tooth very well developed, outlying the fang joint and with bifurcated tip. The prolateral division of the dorsal tooth sharp and curved, while the retrolateral division is fairly blunt and carries several setae. Chelicerae as in figure 38B, E, F, H. Clypeus height 1.25 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.15. AME slightly larger than the rest of the eyes. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; between them and ALE 1.5 times one AME diameter; AME–PME distance one AME diameter. Distance between PME half of their diameter. PLE smaller than the ALE. Femur I 4.03, 1.8 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figures 37A–C, 39A–J, 40A. Palpal tibia length 0.27; cymbium length 0.75. Epiandrous fusules as in figure 38G. Spinnerets as in figure 40H.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and coloration as in male except for the lighter carapace. Chelicerae not divergent, without dorsal tooth and lighter in color. Total length 8.12. Cephalothorax 2.79 long, 1.73 wide, 1.24 high. Abdomen 5.33 long, 1.79 wide, 1.17 high. Clypeus height equal to one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.12. Sternum 0.93 long, 0.93 wide. Femur I 4.46, 1.6 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 37D, E, 40B–G.

Variation. Male cephalothorax length varies between 1.96 and 2.30 (n = 20). In females cephalothorax length ranges from 2.20 to 2.84 (n = 10). Total body length in males varies between 5.39 and 6.22 (n=20) and in females between 7.00 and 7.98 (n = 10).

Distribution

Panama (Barro Colorado) and Costa Rica (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: PANAMA: Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. viii.1950, A. M. Chickering, 1 female (allotype, MCZ 24564); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. 22.vii.1954, A. M. Chickering, 4 males, 5 females (MCZ 24560; 24561, 1 female dissected); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. 15.viii.1954, A.M. Chickering, 1 male, 2 females (MCZ 24562, 24565); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. 16.viii.1954, A. M. Chickering, 1 male (MCZ 24563); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. viii.1939, A. M. Chickering, 1 male (MCZ 24566); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. viii.1936, A. M. Chickering, 2 males (MCZ 24568); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. 8.v.1946, T. C. Schneirla, 1 female (MCZ 24567). Other material: PANAMA: Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. 8.ii.1958, A. M. Chickering, 1 male (MCZ 66558 used for SEM); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. i.1958, A. M. Chickering, 1 m (MCZ 66559); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. viii.1954, A. M. Chickering, 2 males (MCZ 66560); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. viii.1950, A. M. Chickering, 1 male, 1 female (MCZ 66561); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone. v.1964, A. M. Chickering, 3 males (MCZ 66562); Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone, Zetek trial. 8.ii.1954, A. M. Chickering, 1 male (MCZ 66542). COSTA RICA: San Isidro del General (no date), Dean Reinolds, 1 male (MCZ 66545).

Fig. 41.

Cyrtognatha rucilla. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male palp expanded with KOH (D–F) (the tibia-cymbium joint was also affected by the KOH and expanded). Female vulva: dorsal (G). Tracheal system (H and I). Scale bars A–G: 0.5 mm; H: 1 mm.

Fig. 42.

Cyrtognatha rucilla. Male habitus: dorsal (A), ventral (C), lateral (D). Male chelicerae (B, E, and G). Epiandrous fusules (F). Cheliceral dorsal tooth (H). Female leg IV femur (I). Scale bars E, G: 100 µm; F, H, I: 10 µm.

Fig. 43.

Cyrtognatha rucilla. Male palp: apical (A), ventral (B), prolateral (C and F), dorsal (D), retrolateral (E). Embolus and conductor detail: ventral G, prolateral H Scale bars A–E 100 µm; F, H 20 µm; G 10 µm.

Fig. 44.

Cyrtognatha rucilla. Male palp: embolus tip apical view (A), embolus and conductor in retrolateral view (B). Female genital opening: ventral (C). Vulva (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 2A): dorsal (D), lateral (E), frontal (F). Copulatory ducts: ultrastructure (G–I) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 2F). Posterior sac cuticle (J) (Dimitrov et al., 2007: fig. 2B). Scale bars A, F, G: 10 µm; B: 20 µm; C, E: 100 µm; D: 30 µm; H: 3 µm; I: 1 µm; J: 2 µm.

Fig. 45.

Cyrtognatha rucilla. Female spinnerets: ventral (A), PLS (B), PLS and PMS (C), ALS (D). Female tracheal system: vulva and tracheal system: dorsal (E), tracheal tip (F). Accessory glands around spinnerets: base (G). Scale bars A: 100 µm; B–D, F: 10 µm; E: 200 µm; G: 2 µm.

Fig. 46.

Cyrtognatha rucilla. Male cephalothorax: dorsal (A), lateral (B). Female cephalothorax: dorsal (C), lateral (D). Female abdomen: ventral (E), lateral (F). Scale bars A–E: 200 µm; F: 100 µm.

Synonymy Justification

Detailed examination of the type material from A. argyra (MCZ 20342) showed that Bryant's drawings accompanying the original description of A. argyra are inaccurate. The apical apophysis of the conductor does not have the distinctive semi-spiral curvature depicted in the original illustrations (Bryant, 1945: fig. 35). Furthermore, the rest of the structures of the male palp and the somatic characters are as in C. rucilla, and the only difference that can be observed is the size of the specimens. Since body size can vary significantly in A. rucilla, such difference in size in the type material of A. argyra is deemed insuffcient to consider A. argyra as a separate species.

Types

Agriognatha rucilla male holotype from Dominican Republic, Loma Rucilla Mountains, north of the Cordillera Central, 1500–2400 m. vi.1938, P. J. Darlington (MCZ 22936; examined).

Agriognatha argyra male holotype from Dominican Republic, Valle Nuevo, rain forest, Cordillera Central, 1828 m. vii.1938, P. J. Darlington (MCZ 20342; examined).

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha rucilla is very similar to C. espanola and C. simoni and this may cause identification problems. The most important male diagnostic character is the shape of the tip of the embolus: in ventral view in C. rucilla it is curved retrolaterally (fig. 41A, B), in C. espanola it is curved prolaterally, and in C. simoni it is almost straight. The shape of the embolus in prolateral view is very characteristic in each of these species and thus it is diagnostic. In C. rucilla the embolus is nearly straight prolaterally and its tip is S-shaped (fig. 41C); in C. espanola the embolus is arched and the tip of the embolus is additionally curved at almost 90°; C. simoni has an embolus that is almost straight, and the tip of the embolus is curved at 90°, as in C. espanola.

The shape of the male chelicerae provides additional diagnostic characters. In C. rucilla the male chelicerae (fig. 42B, E, G) are robust and divergent but the degree of divergence is smaller than in C. espanola. Cyrtognatha simoni has strongly divergent chelicerae but they are much thinner than in the other two species.

The females of C. rucilla can be easily distinguished from closely related species by the size and shape of the sacs in the female vulva (figs. 41G, 44D–G). Cyrtognatha rucilla has a median sac, which is almost the same size as the posterior sac, while in C. espanola and C. simoni the median sac is much smaller than the posterior one.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 42A–D. Carapace brown-yellowish darker anteriorly and with darker median band and lateral margins. Cephalothorax as in figure 46A, B. Fovea well marked (fig. 46A). Abdomen nearly cylindrical, brown-grayish with numerous guanine spots. The guanine spots are concentrated dorsolaterally and laterally, forming a distinctive pattern. Dorsally with two curvy, darker lines running in parallel. Distal dorsal tubercle reduced; proximal tubercle small. Total length 6.51. Cephalothorax 3.10 long, 1.86 wide, 1.24 high. Abdomen 3.41 long, 1.55 wide, 1.24 high. Sternum yellowish with darker margins with darker bands in front of the coxae; 1.24 long, 1.24 wide. Chelicerae moderately divergent, dark brown. Dorsal tooth large, close to the articulation of the cheliceral fang and with sharp tip curved prolaterally. The tip of the dorsal cheliceral tooth not bifurcated. Cheliceral fang with large outgrowth and distinct curvature before and after it. Chelicerae as in figure 42B, E, G, H. Clypeus height 1.2 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.16. AME and AME–PLE one AME diameter. AME–ALE distance more than two AME diameters. Distance between the PLE equal to their diameter. Femur I 5.58, 1.8 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figures 41A–C, 43A–H, 44A, B. Male palp after expansion with KOH is shown in figure 41D–F. Palpal tibia length 0.25; cymbium length 0.62. Epiandrous fusules as in figure 42F.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and coloration as in male. Chelicerae lighter, yellowish, not divergent, and without dorsal tooth. Abdomen without distal tubercle. Proximal tubercles bigger than in males. Total length 7.44. Cephalothorax (fig. 46C, D) 2.48 long, 1.55 wide, 1.24 high. Abdomen 3.72 long, 1.86 wide, 1.98 high. Sternum darker than in male; 2.91 long, 2.79 wide. Clypeus 0.4 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.43. Eyes smaller than in male and PME slightly larger than the rest of the eyes. Vulva as in figures 41G, 44D–G. Copulatory ducts as in figure 44H. Ultrastructure of the copulatory ducts and the cuticle of the posterior sac are shown in figures 44I–J. Leg IV femur as in fig. 42I. Femur I 4.15, 1.67 times the length of the cephalothorax. Tracheal system as in figures 41H, I, 45E, F. Spinnerets as in figure 45A–D. Accessory glands near the spinnerets base (fig. 45G). Abdomen as in figure 46E, F.

Variation. Male cephalothorax length varies from 2.45 to 3.10 (n = 12); in females from 2.20 to 3.40 (n = 32). Total body length in males varies from 5.78 to 6.51 (n = 12); in females between 6.12 and 9.28 (n = 32). Male chelicerae are quite variable in the degree of divergence.

Distribution

This species inhabits the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic and other high elevation areas of Hispaniola (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Agriognatha rucilla. Paratypes: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Loma Rucilla Mountains, north of the Cordillera Central, 1500–2400 m, vi.1938, P.J. Darlington, 1 female (allotype, MCZ 66564); Loma Vieja, Cordillera Central south of Constanza, viii.1938, P.J. Darlington, 5 females (MCZ 66546); Loma Rucilla Mountains, north of the Cordillera Central, 1500–2400 m, vi.1938, P.J. Darlington, 2 males, 7 females (MCZ 44014).

Agriognatha argyra. Paratypes: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Foothills of Cordillera Central south of Sandiago (Santiago?), 600–1500 m. vi.1938, P. J. Darlington, 1 male (MCZ 66547); Loma Rucilla Mountains, north of the Cordillera Central, 1500–2400 m. vi.1938, P. J. Darlington, 1 male (MCZ 66550).

Other material: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: La Vega Prov., Constanza, Reserva Científica Valle Nuevo, pine forest, 18°46′39.2″N, 70°38′22.4″W, 2277 m, 11.IV.2005, F. Álvarez and S. Benjamin, 6 males, 17 females (MCZ); Barahona Prov., Paraíso, Reserva Natural Cachote, cloud forest and secondary growth, 18°05′54.8″N, 71°11′22.0″W, 1220 m, 6–9.IV.2005, G. Hormiga, F. Álvarez, and S. Benjamin, 1 male, 2 females (MCZ).

Fig. 47.

Cyrtognatha simoni. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Male habitus: dorsal (F), lateral (G). Male chelicerae (H). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Fig. 48.

Cyrtognatha simoni. Male: dorsal (A). Vulva: lateral (B). Vulva: copulatory ducts close look (C), vulva dorsal (D), posterior sac cuticle (E), vulva lateral (F) (fig. 4F, A, and B, respectively, of Dimitrov et al., 2007). Copulatory ducts frontal (G). Scale bars: C, E, G: 10 µm; D: 20 µm; F: 30 µm.

Fig. 49.

Cyrtognatha simoni. Female vulva: frontal (A). Male chelicerae (B–D). Epiandrous fusules (E). Male spinnerets (F). Male ALS (G). Male PMS (H). Scale bars A: 30 µm; B, D: 100 µm; C, E–G: 10 µm; H: 2 µm.

Fig. 50.

Cyrtognatha simoni. Male PLS: lateral (A), ventral (B). Male palp: apical (C), ventral (E). Conductor and embolus apically (D). Tip of the embolus prolateral (F). Tip of the embolus: apical (G). Scale bars A, B, D, F, G: 10 µm; C, E: 100 µm.

Fig. 51.

Cyrtognatha simoni. Male palp: ventral (A), prolateral (B), retrolateral (C), dorsal (H). Embolus and conductor: ventral (D). Tip of the embolus: ventral (E). Embolus and conductor: prolateral (F). Tip of the embolus: prolateral (G). Embolus and conductor base in prolateral view (I). Embolus and conductor: retrolateral (J). Scale bars A, B, C, H: 100 µm; D: 20 µm; E, F, G, I, J: 10 µm.

Type

Male holotype from Cuba, Pico Turquino, vi.1936, P. J. Darlington (MCZ 23102; examined).

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha simoni together with C. espanola and C. rucilla form a group of closely related species that share numerous similarities and are difficult to distinguish. The males can be diagnosed by the shape of the tip of the embolus. In ventral view in C. simoni it is almost straight (fig. 47A), in C. espanola it is curved prolaterally, and in C. rucilla it is curved retrolaterally. The shape of the embolus in prolateral view is also diagnostic. In C. simoni the embolus is almost straight and its tip is curved at 90° (fig. 47C); in C. rucilla the embolus is nearly straight and its tip is S-shaped; in C. espanola the embolus is arched and its tip is additionally curved at almost 90° as in C. simoni. The shape of the male chelicerae provides additional diagnostic characters to differentiate these three species. Cyrtognatha simoni can be easily distinguished from the other two species by the strongly divergent and much thinner chelicerae (fig. 47H). In C. rucilla and C. espanola the chelicerae are much more robust. Females of C. simoni can be easily distinguished from closely related species by the size and shape of the sacs in the female vulva (figs. 47D, E, 48B, D, F, 49A).

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figures 47F–H, 48A. Carapace brown-yellowish with darker coloration in the cephalic part. The rest with brown band medially and darker margins. Fovea well marked. Abdomen brown-grayish, cylindrical with few remains of guanine spots. Dorsally with darker line centrally. Laterally with darker markings and ventrally darker with two lighter longitudinal lines. Dorsal tubercles small. Total length 4.65. Cephalothorax 1.86 long, 1.42 wide, 0.99 high. Abdomen 2.79 long, 1.24 wide, 1.24 high. Sternum brownish, lighter adjacent to the labium; 0.87 long, 0.88 wide. Chelicerae dark brown, strongly divergent with well-developed dorsal tooth (figs. 47H, 49B–D). Dorsal tooth close to the fang articulation with sharp tip curved prolaterally. Cheliceral fang with well-developed outgrowth. Clypeus height equal to one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.12. All eyes nearly the same size. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; AME–ALE distance more than twice one AME diameter; AME–PLE distance one AME diameter. Distance between PLE less than their diameter. Femur I 4.96, 2.7 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figures 47A–C, 50C–G, 51A–J. Palpal tibia length 0.25; cymbium length 0.81. Epiandrous fusules as in figure 49E. Spinnerets as in figures 49F–H, 50A, B.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and color pattern as in male but cephalothorax yellowish and lighter in color, with darker band medially. Chelicerae not divergent and without dorsal tooth. Total length 6.69. Cephalothorax 2.35 long, 1.73 wide, 1.24 high. Abdomen 4.32 long, 2.10 wide, 2.48 high. Sternum 1.05 long, 0.92 wide. Clypeus height 0.6 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.12. Femur I 3.72, 1.5 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 47D, E, 48B–F, 49A.

Variation. Cephalothorax length varies from 1.86 to 1.98 in males (n = 6) and from 2.29 to 2.48 in females (n = 3). Total body length in males varies from 4.09 to 4.58 (n = 6) and in females from 5.20 to 6.94 (n = 3).

Distribution

Eastern Cuba, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo provinces (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: CUBA: Pico Turquino. vi.1936, P. J. Darlington, 1 female (allotype, MCZ 26241); Pico Turquino, vi 1936, P. J. Darlington, 4 males, 4 females (MCZ 26242 1 female dissected); mountains north of Imias, 914–1219 m. vi.1936, P. J. Darlington, 1 male, 2 females (MCZ 26243 male used for SEM).

Fig. 52.

Cyrtognatha bryantae. Male palp: ventral (A), retroalteral (B), prolateral (C). Female vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Fig. 53.

Cyrtognatha bryantae. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (C), ventral (D). Male chelicerae (D). Vuvla dorsal (E).

Fig. 54.

Cyrtognatha bryantae. Female vulva: dorsal (A), dorsolateral (B), frontal (C). Copulatory ducts: dorsolateral (D), lateral (E). Long ductule glands (F). Uterus: externus (G). Posterior sac cuticle (H). Male leg IV femur (I). Scale bars A: 20 µm; B–E, G: 10 µm; F, H: 1 µm; I: 30 µm.

Fig. 55.

Cyrtognatha bryantae. Male chelicerae: frontal (A), ventral (B). Male cheliceral dorsal tooth (C). Epiandrous fusules (D). Male palp: ventral (E), retrolateral (F), prolateral (G). Scale bars A, B: 100 µm; C, E: 20 µm; D: 10 µm; F, G: 30 µm.

Fig. 56.

Cyrtognatha bryantae. Conductor and embolus apically (A). Tip of the embolus apically (B). Conductor and embolus: retrolateral (C). Male palp: dorsal (D). Conductor and embolus: prolateral (E). Embolus tip: prolateral (F). Male spinnerets: ventral (G). Scale bars A–C, E–G: 20 µm; D: 30 µm.

Fig. 57.

Cyrtognatha bryantae. Male spinnerets: ALS (A), PMS (B), PLS and PMS (C). Scale bars A: 3 µm; B: 2 µm; C: 10 µm.

Type

Male holotype from Jamaica, Hardwar Gap, 27.vi.1954, A. M. Chickering (MCZ 20613; examined).

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha bryantae can be easily distinguished from similar congeners (C. espanola and C. simoni) by the arched embolus, which has a semitransparent membrane in prolateral view (fig. 52C). The latter two species lack such membrane. Furthermore, C. bryantae differs from C. espanola and C. simoni in the shape of the paracymbium and in having the larger part of the embolus thinner distally (fig. 52A, C). Males can be also easily distinguished by the cylindrically shaped abdomen and the smaller distal tubercle of the abdomen. The females of these three species show significant differences in the morphology of the internal female genitalia. In C. bryantae (figs. 52D, E, 54A–D, G) the posterior sac is longer and widened distally and the median sac is absent. Both C. espanola (fig. 31D, E) and C. simoni (fig. 47D, E) have median sac.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 53A–D. Carapace brown, darker frontally with dark brown edges and with darker pigmentation starting at the PLE, which extends centrally, reaching the fovea. Fovea well marked. Abdomen elongated, gray-brownish and with greenish tones. Reflecting guanine spots almost completely lost in this specimen (but present in paratypes). Dorsally with distinctive pattern centrally (fig. 53A), delimited by lighter grayish longitudinal lines. Total length 4.00. Cephalothorax 1.75 long, 1.32 wide, 0.87 high. Abdomen 2.25 long, 1.17 wide, 1.00 high. Sternum yellowish with darker margins; 0.87 long, 0.80 wide. Clypeus height one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.12. Distance between AME slightly larger than their diameter; AME–ALE distance 2.5 times one AME diameter; AME–PME distance 1.5 times one AME diameter. Distance between PME equal to their diameter. All eyes surrounded by darker pigmentation. Chelicerae (figs. 53B, 55A–C) dark brownish, divergent with a well-developed dorsal tooth. Dorsal tooth close to the fang articulation, with sharp tip and with a very well-pronounced prolateral curvature. Cheliceral fang with well-developed outgrowth. Femur I 3.72, 2.1 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figures 52A–C, 55E–G, 56A–F. Palpal tibia length 0.17; cymbium length 0.75. Epiandrous fusules as in figure 55D. Leg IV femur as in figure 54I. Spinnerets as in figures 56G, 57A–C.

Female (paratype from the type locality). Habitus and coloration as in male. Abdomen with a well-developed conical distal tubercle, which is situated in its distal third. Chelicerae not divergent, lighter colored, and without dorsal tooth. Total length 5.14. Cephalothorax 1.86 long, 1.55 wide, 0.93 high. Abdomen 3.28 long, 1.65 wide, 2.17 high. Sternum darker colored than in male; 0.93 long, 0.93 wide. Clypeus height 0.3 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.11. Femur I 1.86, equal to the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 52D, E, 53E, 54A–H.

Variation. Cephalothorax length varies from 1.22 to 1.75 in males (n = 32) and from 1.81 to 1.96 in females (n = 27). Total body length varies from 3.18 to 4.00 in males (n = 32) and from 4.60 and 5.39 in females (n = 27).

Distribution

This species in known only form the island of Jamaica (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Paratypes: JAMAICA: Hardwar Gap, 27.vi.1954, A. M. Chickering, 1 female (allotype, MCZ 20613); Hardwar Gap, 24.vi.1954, A. M. Chickering, 4 males, 3 females (MCZ 24555); Hanover Parish, Askenish, trail to Dolphins Head, 24.vi.1954, A. M. Chickering, 1 male, 1 female (MCZ 24556); Hardwar Gap, 27.vi.1954, A. M. Chickering, 1 male, 2 females (MCZ 24559); Blue Mts., Main Range, 1524–2133 m, vii.1934, P. J. Darlington, 6 males, 2 females (MCZ 24554, 24558); Blue Mts., SW side of the Main Range, 914–1219 m, 13.vii.1934, P. J. Darlington, 3 males, 6 females (MCZ 24557, one of the females dissected); Hardwar Gap, Portland Parish, 1402 m. 28.iv.1955, A. F. Archer, 2 females (AMNH). Other material: JAMAICA: Hardwar Gap, St. Andrew Parish, 2.x.1957, A. M. Chickering, 4 males (MCZ 66553, one male used for SEM); Hanover Parish, Askenish, trail to Dolphins Head, 24.vi.1956, A. M. Chickering, 1 male subadult (MCZ 66554); St. Andrew Parish, Hermitage reservoir, 5.xi.1957, A. M. Chickering, 5 males, 1 female (MCZ 66555); St. Andrew Parish, Hermitage reservoir. 30.x.1957, A. M. Chickering, 2 males (MCZ 66556); St. Ann Parish, 3 miles S. Moneague, St. Ann's Bay Rd, 7.xi.1957, A. M. Chickering, 1 male (MCZ 66557); Portland Parish, Yseen Hills (Yaseen?), 12.xi.1963, A. M. Chickering 1 male, 1 female (MCZ 66539); Hardwar Gap. 22.ii.1955, A. M. Nadler, 1 male (AMNH); Hardwar Gap, Portland Parish, 1402 m. 28.iv.1955, A.F. Archer, 1 male (AMNH); Hardwar Gap, 17.iii.1955, A. M. Nadler, 1 male, 2 females (AMNH); Hardwar Gap. 6.xii.1954, A.M. Nadler, 1 female (AMNH); Portland, John Crown Mts., 7 mi. WSW of Ecclesdown, 17.viii.1958, Archer, Carr, and Bergey 2 females, 1 male subadult (AMNH); Hardwar Gap, Portland Parish, 1402 m. 28.vii.1953, A. F. Archer, 2 male palps in the vial, 3 females (AMNH)

Fig. 58.

Cyrtognatha bella. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male habitus: dorsal (D), ventral (F), lateral (G). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Type

Male holotype from Costa Rica, no collector or date on the label (BMNH 1905.4.28.2229; examined).

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha bella shares numerous similarities with the closely related C. leviorum, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by the membranous basal apophysis of the conductor and the absence of metine embolic apophysis (fig. 58A, B). Additionally, the male chelicerae of C. bella (fig. 58E) are much more divergent than those of C. leviorum.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figure 58D–G. Carapace yellow-brownish with a well-marked fovea. Abdomen elongated, yellowish, and with guanine spots concentrated dorsolaterally. Proximal and dorsal tubercle very small. Sternum yellowish. Labium and basal part of the endites darker with brownish tones. Sternum 0.92 long, 0.88 wide. Total length 4.57. Cephalothorax 2.00 long, 1.37 wide, 1.12 high. Abdomen 2.57 long, 1.25 wide, 1.25 high. Chelicerae (fig. 58E) dark brown, strong, and widely divergent. Cheliceral teeth very robust; dorsal tooth well developed and curved prolaterally. Cheliceral fang with large outgrowth. Clypeus 1.5 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.10. Eyes nearly the same size. Lateral eyes on a well-developed elevations. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; AME–ALE distance more than twice the AME diameter. Distance between PME equal to their diameter. Femur I 3.67, 1.83 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 58A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.30; cymbium length 0.88.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

Costa Rica (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined

Other material: Costa Rica, 1920, P. Serra, 1 male (MNHN 24871).

Fig. 59.

Cyrtognatha lepida. Vulva: dorsal (A), lateral B. Female abdomen ventral C. Vulva dorsal (D). Scale bars A: 1 mm; B: 0.5 mm.

Type

Female holotype; no collector and date (BMNH 1905.4.28.2230–2232; examined). In the original description (O. P.-Cambridge, 1889) the locality cited for this species is Bugaba, Panama. Holotype disarticulated and in poor condition.

Diagnosis

The morphology of the internal genitalia of C. lepida is very similar to that of C. paradoxa and C. pathetica. Cyrtognatha lepida can be distinguished from C. pathetica by the presence in the former of a characteristic longitudinal marking on the abdomen and the widened tips of the copulatory ducts (fig. 59B). The basal chamber connecting the genital opening with the membranous sacs in C. lepida (fig. 59A, B) is flattened and much longer than that in C. pathetica and C paradoxa.

Description

Male. Unknown.

Female (holotype). Carapace brown-yellowish with a well-marked fovea. Dorsally with dark brown band medially and with darker coloration at the margins. Abdomen elongated with brown-grayish coloration and with numerous guanine spots (fig. 59C). Dorsally with two brown colored, irregular longitudinal lines. The lateral sides with brownish markings. Proximal tubercles moderately pronounced; distal tubercle small, darker over the spinnerets. Spinnerets surrounded by dark brown pigmentation. Relatively large spiders; total length 10.73. Cephalothorax 3.43 long, 1.96 wide, 1.47 high. Abdomen 7.30 long, 2.94 wide, 2.84 high. Sternum yellowish; 1.42 long, 1.37 wide. Labium and lateral sides of the endites darker with brownish coloration. Clypeus height 1.13 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 1.50. Eyes nearly the same size. Lateral eyes placed very close together (practically touching each other) on small elevations. Distance between AME almost equal to their diameter; distance between AME and ALE nearly three times the AME diameter. Distance between PLE equal to their diameter. Legs relatively long, with darker bands near the articulations. Femur I 5.88, 1.7 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in fig. 59A, B, D with a well-developed chitinized arch following the end of the abdomen cuticle invagination.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Bugaba, Panama) (fig. 5).

Fig. 60.

Cyrtognatha serrata. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Vulva: lateral (D), dorsal (E). Scale bars A–C: 0.2 mm; D, E: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 61.

Cyrtognatha serrata. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (C), ventral (D). Male chelicerae (B). Vulva dorsal (E).

Types

Nine syntypes from the St. Vincent Island, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Lesser Antilles; no date or collector data on the label; 3 males, 2 females, and 4 juveniles (BMNH 1987.9.18.112; examined).

Diagnosis

Although similar to C. simoni and C. bryantae, the male of C. serrata has a very characteristic apical apophysis of the conductor (fig. 60A, B). In C. serrata the conductor has two sharpened tips of almost the same size separated by a deep incision. In C. serrata the tip of the basal apophysis of the conductor is widened (in C. simoni and C. bryantae it is sharpened) and the embolus does not have the distal laminar fold observed in C. bryantae (fig. 52A, C). Males of C. serrata can be distinguished also by the shape of the paracymbium, which is wider and does not have the well-developed distal rounded widening observed in C. bryantae and C. simoni. Females are diagnosed by the small and cylindrically shaped chamber of the uterus externus (fig. 60D, E).

Description

Male (syntype). Habitus as in figure 61A–D. Carapace brown-yellowish, with a well-marked fovea, darker cephalic region, and darker coloration around the fovea. Abdomen elongated with gray-brownish color and numerous guanine spots, dorsally with two irregular longitudinal lines. Distally each line has a series of five darker markings, and the area between the lines is darker. Proximal and distal tubercles strongly reduced. Spinnerets as in most of the congeneric species are surrounded by darker pigmentation. Total length 4.52. Cephalothorax 1.95 long, 1.27 wide, 0.87 high. Abdomen 2.57 long, 1.25 wide, 1.05 high. Sternum yellowish with brown colored labium and endites. Sternum 0.92 long, 0.90 wide. Chelicerae robust, dark brown, and moderately divergent. Cheliceral teeth very strong; dorsal tooth big, close to the fang articulation and curved prolaterally. Fangs very robust with well-developed outgrowth. Chelicerae as in figure 61B. Clypeus height 1.16 times one AME diameter. Eyes nearly the same size surrounded by darker pigmentation. Diameter of the AME 0.12. Distance between AME equal to their diameter; distance between AME and ALE 1.5 AME diameters. Distance between PLE half of their diameter. Legs long with remains from greenish coloration. Femur I 3.87, 1.9 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 60A–C. Palpal tibia length 0.28; cymbium length 0.70.

Female (syntype). Habitus and coloration as in the male except for the better developed proximal elevation of the abdomen. Eyes slightly closer to each other. Distance between AME less than their diameter. Distance between AME and ALE less than 1.5 AME diameters. Chelicerae not divergent and with coloration as the rest of the cephalothorax; only the fangs and the distal edges (including the cheliceral teeth) are darker. Dorsal tooth not developed. Total length 4.30. Cephalothorax 1.75 long, 1.25 wide, 0.87 high. Abdomen 2.55 long, 1.12 wide, 1.07 high. Sternum rounded, slightly longer than wide; 0.92 long, 0.90 wide. Clypeus height 0.53 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.10. Femur I 2.50, 1.4 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figures 60D, E, 61E.

Variation. Cephalothorax length varies from 1.87 to 1.95 in males (n = 3) and from 1.75 to 2.05 in females (n = 2). Total body length in males varies from 4.52 to 4.49 (n = 3). The second female studied was missing the abdomen, and thus total length could not be calculated for this specimen.

Distribution

This species is known only from St. Vincent Island in the Lesser Antilles (fig. 5).

Fig. 62.

Cyrtognatha nigrovittata. Male palp: ventral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C). Male palp schematic: ventral (D). Male chelicerae (E). Scale bars A–C: 0.5 mm; D: 0.1 mm.

Fig. 63.

Cyrtognatha nigrovittata. Male habitus: dorsal (A), lateral (B), ventral (C).

Type

Male holotype from Peru, Pumamarca. No date information on the label, K. Jelski and J. Sztolcman (MIZ 132; examined)

Diagnosis

Cyrtognatha nigrovittata is diagnosed by the presence of a short claw-shaped apophysis on the metine embolic apophysis (fig. 62A, D). The membrane surrounding the distal part of the embolus (fig. 62A, B, D) is also very characteristic and different from all other Cyrtognatha species. The elongated abdomen with very long and longitudinally oriented distal tubercle is an additional diagnostic character that allows easy identification.

Description

Male (holotype). Habitus as in figures 62E, 63A–C. Carapace brownish with a well-marked fovea and darker median band. Legs brownish, darker than the cephalothorax. Abdomen cylindrical with brownish color and few remains of guanine spots. Proximal tubercles of the abdomen very small. Distal tubercle very large, conical, with the tip oriented caudally. The tubercle itself is almost as long as one-third of the abdomen (fig. 63B, C). Total length 7.80. Cephalothorax 2.41 long, 1.30 wide, 0.93 high. Abdomen 5.39 long, 0.93 wide, 0.93 high. Sternum yellowish with edges slightly darker with brownish pigmentation; 1.05 long, 0.93 wide. Endites and labium darker with brown pigmentation. Clypeus height 1.6 times one AME diameter. All eyes surrounded by darker pigmentation and nearly the same size. AME diameter 0.08. Distance between AME slightly larger than their diameter. Distance between AME and ALE 1.5 AME diameters. Distance between PLE equal to their diameter. ALE and PLE close to each other, placed over short elevations. Chelicerae (fig. 62E) widely divergent and darker than the rest of the cephalothorax. Dorsal cheliceral tooth very well developed and outlying the fang articulation. Cheliceral fang with a small outgrowth. Femur I 5.64, 2.3 times the length of the cephalothorax. Pedipalp as in figure 62A–D. Palpal tibia length 0.28; cymbium length 0.97.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (fig. 5).

Type

Female holotype from Brazil, Minas Gerais, Carmo do Rio Claro, Jose C. M. Carvalho (MNRJ 1826; examined).

Transfer Justification

In the original description (Mello-Leitão, 1947) this specimen was placed in the genus Agriognatha without mentioning the most important female structure—the vulva—in Tetragnathinae, species that lack an epigynum. Detailed study of the internal female genitalia revealed a bizarre morphology (fig. 64A, C, D), which does not exhibit the diagnostic characters of Cyrtognatha. Despite being so unusual, this morphology presents some characters common to all Tetragnatha species (e.g., small fingerlike posterior sac and spermathecae). Furthermore, the eye sizes and distribution, as well as the shape of the epigastric furrow (fig. 64B), are as in Tetragnatha. Unfortunately, the male of this species remains unknown and there is only one female specimen available for study; thus, many important characters could not be examined. This complicates the decision about its correct placement; however, based on all the available evidence we consider it a member of the genus Tetragnatha.

Diagnosis

This species can be easily distinguished from all known Tetragnatha by the very unusual shape of the spermathecae. Here the copulatory ducts are nearly straight and the spermathecae consist of a widened channel that is very tangled (fig. 64A, C, D) and narrows slightly toward its end.

Description

Male. Unknown.

Female (holotype). Carapace brownish, with dark brown pigmentation surrounding the eyes. Fovea well marked and placed roughly in the center of the thoracic region. Abdomen elongated with conical shape and brownish coloration. Distal edge of abdomen with darker markings dorsolaterally. Only very few guanine crystals remain (difficult to observe). Legs brown-yellowish. Femur of the fourth leg with short nonfeathered dorsal trichobothria. Total length 8.30. Cephalothorax 2.29 long, 1.55 wide, 1.05 high. Abdomen 6.01 long, 1.55 wide, 1.79 high. Sternum yellowish with darker margins; longer than wide; 1.17 long, 0.68 wide. Endites yellowish, rectangular, and wider distally. Labium slightingly darker than the sternum, trapezoidal, with swollen distal edge. Clypeus height 0.7 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.11. Eyes placed in two procurved rows; first row more procurve, second row nearly straight. PME larger than the other eyes. PLE and AME nearly the same diameter. ALE smallest (at about half of the PME diameter). Distance between AME 1.5 AME diameters; AME–ALE distance at about twice the AME diameter. AME–PME distance nearly the same as the distance between AME. PME slightly more separated than the AME. ALE and PLE close to each other but not juxtaposed; distance between ALE and PLE about 1.2 times one ALE diameter. Chelicerae yellowish, not divergent and without dorsal tooth. Femur I 4.96, 2.3 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 64A, C, D. Epigastric furrow as in figure 64B.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality in Minas Gerais (Brazil).

Fig. 65.

Tetragnatha exilima. Female vulva: dorsal (A). Female chelicerae: frontal (B). Female habitus: lateral (C), dorsal (D), ventral (E). Scale bar 0.5 mm.

Type

Female holotype in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, P. Ramos (MNRJ 41757; examined)

Transfer Justification

After examining the type specimen we consider the placement of this species in Cyrtognatha to be incorrect, as it lacks any of the diagnostic characters of this genus (e.g., PLS macrosetae, feathered trichobothria of femur IV, touching PLE, reduction of the spermathecae). It has the eye pattern, genital morphology (fig. 65A, B), and shape of the endites and labium (fig. 65E) as in Tetragnatha, and therefore it is transferred to the latter genus.

Diagnosis

The shape of the spermathecae and the morphology and placement of the uterus externus (fig. 65A) are diagnostic. Although the spermathecae in this specimen are not completely chitinized, they can be easily observed and allow clear distinction of this species from other congeners.

Description

Male. Unknown.

Female (holotype). Habitus as in figure 65B–E. Carapace brown-yellowish, elongated, and centrally with a well-marked fovea. Cephalothorax width very uniform except for the slightly narrower cephalic region. Abdomen cylindrical, very long with numerous guanine spots dorsally. The guanine spots extend over the upper half of the lateral sides of the abdomen. The remains of the lateral surface of the abdomen and its ventral part lack guanine crystals and exhibit a darker brownish pigmentation. Total length 6.84. Cephalothorax 1.57 long, 0.75 wide, 0.50 high. Abdomen 5.27 long, 0.75 wide, 0.75 high. Sternum yellowish, longer than wide, 0.87 long, 0.50 wide. Endites divergent and wider distally. Labium with swollen distal edge. Clypeus height 3.4 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.06. Eyes in two procurved rows. Anterior eyes smaller than the posterior. ALE smallest and placed close to the PLE. Distance between AME 2.5 times one AME diameter; AME–ALE distance 1.5 times one AME diameter. PLE and PME nearly the same size. Distance between PME equal to their diameter; PLE–PME distance about 1.5 PLE diameters. All eyes are surrounded by an area with dark brown pigmentation. Chelicerae (fig. 65B) yellowish with seven anterior and two posterior teeth. One of the anterior teeth away from the other six almost in the middle of the distal margin of the chelicerae. The other six close to each other, placed on the retrolateral margin and with gradually increasing size distally. Femur I 4.96, 3.1 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 65A.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).

Fig. 66.

Glenognatha globosa. Female vulva: lateral (A), dorsal (B). Female habitus: dorsal (C), ventral (E), lateral (F). Female chelicerae frontal (D). Scale bars 0.5 mm.

Fig. 67.

Tetragnatha javana. Male palp: retrolateral (A), ventral (B), dorsal (C), apical (D). Male cephalothorax: lateral (E), ventral (F). Male chelicerae (G). Scale bars A–C, E–G: 100 µm; D: 20 µm.

Fig. 68.

Tetragnatha javana. Male abdomen: ventral (A), lateral (B). Epiandrous fusules (C). Female cephalothorax: lateral (D), ventral (E). Female abdomen: lateral (F), ventral (G). Female chelicerae: frontal (H). Female leg IV femur (I). Scale bars A, B, F: 200 µm; C: 10 µm; D, E, G, H, I: 100 µm.

Fig. 69.

Tetragnatha javana. Female spinnerets: ventral (A). Female PLS (B). Female PMS (C). Female PLS: close look (D). Scale bars A: 20 µm; B, C: 10 µm; D: 2 µm.

Fig. 70.

Tetragnatha sp. from Dominican Republic. Male palp: dorsoretrolateral (A), retrolateral (B), prolateral (C), apical (D), ventral (F). Male cephalothorax lateral (E). Scale bars A–C, E, F: 100 µm; D: 20 µm.

Fig. 71.

Tetragnatha sp. from Dominican Republic. Male chelicerae: frontal (A). Male cephalothorax: ventral (B). Female spinnerets: ventral (C). Female ALS (D). Female PLS (E). Female PMS (F). Female leg IV femur (G). Scale bars A, B, G: 100 µm; C: 20 µm; D, E: 10 µm; F: 3 µm.

Fig. 72.

Strict consensus of the 74 trees found by TNT analyzing the complete matrix under the equal weights parsimony criterion. L = 767 steps; CI = 32.2; RI = 71.8. Numbers cutting the branches represent the Bremer support; over the branches, standard bootstrap/Poisson bootstrap; below the branches, jackknife/symmetric resampling.

Fig. 73.

A. Strict consensus of 94 trees found under the successive weighting criterion analyzing the complete matrix. L = 768 steps; CI = 32; RI = 71. B. Strict consensus of the 40 trees found by TNT under equal weights parsimony criterion analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noPat. The numbers cutting the branches represent the Bremer support.

Fig. 73.

Continued.

Fig. 74.

Strict consensus of the six trees found by TNT under the equal weights parsimony criterion analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLep. L = 731 steps; CI = 33.8; RI = 72. Numbers cutting the branches represent the Bremer support; over the branches, standard bootstrap/Poisson bootstrap; below the branches, jackknife/symmetric resampling.

Fig. 75.

Strict consensus of four trees found under the successive weighting criterion analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLep. L = 734 steps; CI = 33; RI = 73.

Fig. 76.

Strict consensus of the two trees found by TNT under the equal weights parsimony criterion analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLepPat. L = 719 steps; CI = 34.4; RI = 74.4. Filled circles represent unique (nonhomoplasious) gains or reversals; open circles represent homoplasious character changes. Character numbers are placed over the branches and the states are shown below the branches.

Fig. 76.

Continued.

Fig. 77.

Strict consensus of the two trees found by TNT under the equal weights parsimony criterion analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLepPat. L = 719 steps; CI = 34.4; RI = 74.4. Numbers cutting the branches represent the Bremer support; over the branches, standard bootstrap/Poisson bootstrap; below the branches, jackknife/symmetric resampling.

Fig. 78.

The unique most parsimonious tree found under the successive weighting criterion analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLepPat. L=722 steps; CI = 34; RI = 74. Filled circles represent unique (nonhomoplasious) gains or reversals; open circles represent homoplasious character changes. Character numbers are placed over the branches and the states are shown below the branches.

Fig. 78.

Continued.

Fig. 79.

Alternative topologies obtained analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLepPat under the implied weighting criterion. A. When K varies between 1 and 3 (depicted K = 2). B. When K = 9–20 (depicted K = 10). C. When K > 20 (depicted K = 25).

Fig. 79.

Continued.

Fig. 79.

Continued.

Fig. 80.

Area cladogram of the Cyrtognatha species based on the strict consensus of the two most parsimonious trees found under equal weights analyzing the matrix m_noCh_noLepPat.

Type

Female holotype from Panama, San Lorenzo. 4.xii.1924, A. and W. Petrunkevitch (most likely subadult), holotype (YPM; examined).

Transfer Justification

Detailed study of the holotype of this species showed that it has all of the diagnostic characters of the genus Glenognatha. The chelicerae are shaped as in Glenognatha, and the cheliceral teeth are also as in this genus (fig. 66D, E). The abdomen is globular and does not have a distal tubercle, while in Cyrtognatha it is oval to cylindrical and usually has a distal tubercle. Femur IV lacks the feathered trichobothria that occur in Cyrtognatha. The single most important character suggesting the placement of this specimen in Glenognatha is the advanced tracheal spiracle, a unique characteristic of Glenognatha and one of the most robust autapomorphies of this genus. Based on all these findings we consider that the transfer of this species to Glenognatha is fully justified.

Diagnosis

The specimen depicted in figure 66A, B is most probably a subadult female, and thus the spermathecae are not completely formed. However, the morphology of the uterus externus and the median membranous chamber of the vulva (fig. 66A,B) are very different from those observed in other Glenognatha species. The presence of a series of widened rings on the chamber connecting with the uterus externus (fig. 66A, B) is unique to this species.

Description

Male. Unknown.

Female (holotype). Habitus as in figure 66C–F. Carapace yellow-brownish with a well-marked fovea. Cephalic region elevated with easily distinguishable cephalic junction. Abdomen spherical with remains of distinctive marking dorsally and darker band ventrally (this specimen is very depigmented and it is impossible to say what its coloration pattern is when alive). Total length 3.99. Cephalothorax 1.62 long, 1.25 wide, 1.00 high. Abdomen 2.37 long, 2.12 wide, 1.75 high. Sternum yellowish, slightly darker than the rest of the cephalothorax; 0.75 long, 0.80 wide. Endites slightly wider distally and almost parallel. Labium trapezoidal, elongated, and with darker basal part. Clypeus height 1.7 times one AME diameter. AME diameter 0.12. Eyes in two rows, anterior row procurved, posterior row almost straight. Lateral eyes smaller and very close to each other (touching in their bases). Median eyes grouped close together frontally. AME slightingly smaller than PME. Distance between AME half of their diameter; AME–ALE distance twice one AME diameter. Distance between PME equal to their diameter and between them and PLE 1.5 PLE diameters. All eyes surrounded by a darker pigmentation. Chelicerae (fig. 66D) robust, narrower proximally, and with two rows (one anterior and one posterior) of strong teeth distally. Each row has eight teeth increasing in size toward the fang. Dorsal tooth present, well developed, and outlying the fang articulation. Femur I 2.75, 1.7 times the length of the cephalothorax. Vulva as in figure 66A, B.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality in Panama.