Aptostichus asmodaeus
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Ordo: Araneae
Familia: Euctenizidae
Genus: Aptostichus
Name
Aptostichus asmodaeus Bond, 2012 sp. n. – Wikispecies link – Demon Trapdoor Spider’ ZooBank link – Pensoft Profile
Types
Male holotype (AP428) and female paratype (AP427), from California, Contra Costa County, Mount Diablo State Park, 37.85309, -121.92913, 532m, coll. W. Icenogle 6-9.vi.74 deposited in AUMNH.
Etymology
The specific epithet is the Latin spelling variation of Asmodeus (a King of Demons), from the Book of Tobias, in reference to the type locality, Mount Diablo State Park.
Diagnosis
Males (Fig. 127) can be distinguished from all known species of Aptostichus by having a metatarsal I mating apophysis that forms a distinct knob (Figs 128-130). Females can potentially be recognized by having a large number of labial cuspules, > 8 that tend to form at least two distinctive rows. However, some Atomarius Sibling Species Complex individuals also have many labial cuspules but not forming two distinct rows.
Description of male holotype
Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from burrow raised to maturity in captivity (matured 24.ix.74), preserved in 70% ethanol. Coloration faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed stored in vial with specimen, excuviae. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, dark red 2.5YR 3/6; legs strong brown 7.5YR 4/6. Abdomen uniform brown 7.5YR 4/4 dorsally; ventrally, spinnerets pale yellow. Cephalothorax. Carapace 5.88 long, 4.56 wide, with fine white setae, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica slightly elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, recurved slightly. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 3.09, STRw 2.49. Posterior sternal sigilla small, positioned towards margin, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, at margins. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 7 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium lacks distinct cuspules, LBw 0.84, LBl 0.40. Rastellum consists of 5 very stout spines arranged along anterior margin, not on distinct mound. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae; light markings (Fig. 120). Legs. Leg I: 5.25, 3.63, 4.00, 2.49, 1.98; leg IV: 5.25, 2.90. Very light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 15 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 128-130, metatarsal I mating apophysis knob shaped (Figs 128, 130; TSp 7, TSr 6, TSrd 1. Pedipalp. Articles relatively slender, lacking distinct spines (Figs 131, 132). PTw 0.74, PTl 2.19, Bl 1.10. Embolus slender, tapering gradually toward tip, lacking serrations (Fig. 131).
Variation. Males known only from the holotype specimen.
Description of female paratype
Specimen preparation and condition. Female collected live from burrow with eggsac, preserved in same manner as male holotype. Genital plate removed stored in microvial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, legs, chelicerae, strong brown 7.5YR 4/6. Abdomen uniform brown dorsally 7.5YR 5/4, ventral aspect spinnerets pale yellow; dusky mottled stripes dorsal abdomen. Cephalothorax. Carapace 6.44 long, 4.94 wide, with fine dark setae; generally smooth surface, pars cephalica moderately elevated. Fringe lacks setae. Foveal groove deep, procurved. Eye group elevated on low mound. AER straight, PER slightly recurved. PME-AME subequal diameter. Sternum widest at coxae II/III, moderately setose, STRl 3.39, STRw 2.88. Three pairs of sternal sigilla anterior pairs small, oval, marginal, posterior pair slightly larger, oval, laterally positioned. Chelicerae anterior tooth row comprising 6 teeth with posterior margin denticle patch. Palpal endites with 22 cuspules concentrated at inner (promargin) posterior heel; labium with 15 cuspules, LBw 1.01, LBl 0.53. Rastellum consists of 7 very stout spines not positioned on a mound; fringe of short spines along distal promargin extending upward from rastellum. Abdomen. Moderately setose. PLS all 3 segments with spigots. Terminal segment 1/2 length of medial segment, 2 enlarged spigots visible at tip. PMS single segment, with spigots, short with rounded terminus. Legs. Anterior two pairs more slender than posterior pairs. Leg I 14.26 long. Tarsus I with single staggered row of 7 trichobothria. Legs I, II, moderate to heavy scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi. PTLs 12, TBs 3. Distinct preening comb on retrolateral distal surface at tarsus - metatarsus joint of metatarsi III, IV. Spermathecae. Intermediate sized stalk, slightly larger terminal bulb; median stalk heavily sclerotized along entire length. Basal extension with well-developed, distinct, basal bulb (Fig. 133).
Variation (5). Cl 5.69-6.63, 6.24±0.17; Cw 4.25-5.19, 4.81±0.16; STRl 3.12-3.75, 3.41±0.12; STRw 2.61-2.94, 2.81±0.07; LBw 0.87-1.01, 0.94±0.03; LBl 0.53-0.60, 0.56±0.02; Leg I: 12.95-15.43, 13.96±0.45; ANTd 6-7, 6.20±0.20; PTLs 9-12, 10.80±0.58; TBs 3-4, 3.60±0.24.
Material examined
United States: California: Contra Costa Co.: 0.80 km E of S Gate Mt Diablo St Park, 37.853, -121.92915, 532m, W Icenogle 6–10.vi.74, [AP427, AP428, AP547-552, 1♂, 5♀, 2juv, AUMNH].
Distribution and natural history
Known only from the type locality (Map 1), Mt. Diablo in the Black Hills, in Contra Costa County. The ecoregion comprises California coastal chaparral forest and shrub habitat.
Conservation status
The conservation status of this species is considered imperiled. Very few specimens have been collected and none over the past quarter century thus the species is rare; however, the type locality is a California State Park, which may afford this geographically restricted species some protection.
Species concept applied
Morphological.
Original Description
- Bond, J; 2012: Phylogenetic treatment and taxonomic revision of the trapdoor spider genus Aptostichus Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Euctenizidae) ZooKeys, 252: 1-209. doi
Images
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![Figures 120–126. Aptostichus pennjillettei sp. n. from Nevada, Clark Co., Mercury, Nuclear Test Site; scale bars = 1.0mm. 120 habitus, male holotype (AP413) [805830] 121–122 male paratype (AP412), leg I 121 retrolateral aspect [805838] 122 prolateral aspect [805834] 123–125 line drawings of spination patterns on leg I, retrolateral aspect, tibia and metatarsus 126 retrolateral aspect, holotype pedipalp [805832].](/wiki/File:ZooKeys-252-001-g033.jpg)
![Figures 127–133. Aptostichus asmodaeus sp. n. from Contra Costa Co., Mt. Diablo. 127–132 male holotype (AP428); scale bars = 1.0mm 127 habitus [805850] 128–130 leg I 128 retrolateral aspect [805844] 129 prolateral aspect [805848] 130 line drawing of spination patterns on leg I, retrolateral aspect, tibia and metatarsus 131–132 pedipalp, retrolateral aspect of photograph [805852] and line drawing 133 cleared spermathecae (AP551) [806573]; scale bar = 0.1mm.](/wiki/File:ZooKeys-252-001-g034.jpg)
