Difference between revisions of "Melloleitaoina"

Latest revision as of 14:13, 25 April 2014

Taxonavigation

Ordo: Araneae
Familia: Theraphosidae

Name

Melloleitaoina Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960 – Wikispecies link – Pensoft Profile

Type species

Melloleitaoina crassifemur Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960

Diagnosis

Both sexes have a reduced number of labial cuspules (6–14), all tarsal scopulae divided and metatarsal IV scopulae absent. Males differ from other Theraphosinae by having a thickened femur III, palpal organ with a long and curved embolus with two prolateral keels (PI and PS) (Figs 3–4, 9–10, 16–17 and 26–27), and tibial apophysis with two very unequal branches (Figs 6, 11, 21 and 29). Females differ from other Theraphosinae by having spermathecae with two granulated seminal receptacles with a slight constriction near the apex (Figs 15 and 25) and spiniform setae on promargin of coxae III and IV (Figs 19 and 20). Females have type IV urticating setae while males have III-IV intermediated urticating setae.

Affinities

Melloleitaoina species share with Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 and Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892, principally by the general morphology of the palpal bulb and tibial apophysis. Melloleitaoina males can be distinguished additionally from those of Plesiopelma by lacking nodule on metatarsi I and having only III-IV intermediated urticating setae. They can be distinguished from Tmesiphantes by having sigillas more rounded, male femur III incrassate and female spermathecae with granulated seminal receptacles and spiniform setae on promargin of coxae III and IV.

Distribution

Northern Argentina. Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy provinces (Fig. 1).

Taxon Treatment

• Perafán, C; Pérez-Miles, F; 2014: Three new species of Melloleitaoina Gerschman and Schiapelli, 1960 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) from northern Argentina ZooKeys, 404: 117-129. doi

Images

Figure 1. Map of Northern Argentina, geographical distribution of the Melloleitaoina species. Melloleitaoina uru (triangles); Melloleitaoina crassifemur (circle); Melloleitaoina yupanqui (cross); Melloleitaoina mutquina (square).  Figures 2–6. Melloleitaoina crassifemur. 2 male holotype, dorsal view 3–5 left palpal bulb, 3 prolateral view 4 retrolateral view 5 detail of apex widened 6 left tibial apophysis (subapical spine on retrolateral branch RB lost). Scale bar = 1 mm.  Figures 7–11. Melloleitaoina mutquina. 7–8 male holotype 7 dorsal view 8 ventral view 9–10 right palpal bulb 9 prolateral view 10 retrolateral view 11 right tibial apophysis. Arrow indicates apex widened. Scale bars = 1 mm.  Figures 12–21. Melloleitaoina uru. 12 female, dorsal view 13–14 male holotype 13 cephalotorax 14 sternum, labium, maxillae and quelicerae 15 spermathecae 16–18 left palpal bulb 16 prolateral view 17 retrolateral view 18 detail of triangular tooth on embolus 19–20 coxa III 19 prolateral view 20 detail of spiniform setae 21 right tibial apophysis. Arrow indicates triangular tooth on embolus. Scale bars black = 1 mm.  Figures 22–29. Melloleitaoina yupanqui. 22 female, dorsal view 23–24 male holotype 23 cephalothorax 24 sternum, labium, maxillae and quelicerae 25 spermathecae 26–28 left palpal bulb 26 prolateral view 27 retrolateral view 28 detail of embolus showing PS discontinuous 29 right tibial apophysis. Scale bars = 1 mm.