ON NESTICUS FROM MERIDIONAL SOUTH AMERICA ( ARANEAE , NESTICIDAE )

Five new species of Nesticus Thorell, 1869 are described: N. potreiro, N. taim from southern Brazil; N. brignolii from southern Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay; N. calilegua from southern Brazil and Argentina and N. ramirezi, from Argentina. The male palpus and female epyginum of N. brasiliensis Brignoli, 1979 are illustrated. Described species were collected in epigean habitats, in shrubs, leaf-litter, under stones, bricks, tiles or debris.

The genital characters of five new species, herein described, suggest that they should be assigned to Nesticus, despite some peculiarities.Males of these South American species have two processes at paracymbium, a single suprategular process and the course of spermatic ducts, in the suprategulum, configures a loop.Males of Holarctic species have, usually, a more complex paracymbium, an often fragmented suprategular process and sinuous spermatic ducts in the suprategulum (LETHINEN & SAARISTO, 1980;GERTSCH, 1984;COYLE & MCGARITY, 1991).Females of the new species have typical Nesticus characters, with simple external genitalia and characteristic vulval glands (LETHINEN & SAARISTO, 1980).The still unclear phylogenetic relationships of Nesticidae genera and the lack of revision papers, let the species assignment, to Nesticus, be tentative.Another OTT & LISE particularity of South American new species is that they were found on epigean habitats, such as shrubs near the ground, under stones, bricks, tiles, in litter or debris.According to LETHINEN & SAARISTO (1980), Holarctic species are mainly restricted to caves or microcaverns.
The Description.See BRIGNOLI (1979).A conspicuous thoracic fovea was omitted in the original description.Natural history.Specimens collected in Araucaria forest, inhabit, probably, ground and tree trunks.There are not detailed characteristics of habitat of the type-material.
Distribution.Known from the type locality (Nova Teutônia, Seara, Santa Catarina) and northeast of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (fig.38).
Description.Male (holotype).Carapace yellowish with darkish spots on borders and a dark fork behind the eyes region, conspicuous fovea.Chelicerae and endites yellowish.Labium and sternum yellowish with some blackish points.Legs yellowish, with ventral blackish spots on the distal region of femora and tibiae.Abdomen grayish, with some discolored spots on dorsal region and on epigastric plates; wrinkled on the laterals.
Female paratype (MCTP 12542).Carapace yellowish, darkened on borders, two conspicuous darkened lines extended from the eyes region to the circular and low thoracic fovea.Chelicerae yellowish.Endites yellowish, slightly suffused of black.Labium and sternum as in male.Legs yellowish, suffused of black.Abdomen grayish olive, with some irregular dorsal discolored areas, also discolored on epigastric plates and pedicel.
Natural history.This is a very common species at the highlands of Rio Grande do Sul (Araucaria plateau).Specimens were mainly observed and collected at open grasslands habitats near coppices and forests, generally under debris, stones, or in small holes on the ground (abandoned herpetological pitfall traps).Some specimens were found under construction remains, garbage and firewood, around human habitations, supposing a synantropic behavior.The spider was never observed inside of forests.
Nesticus ramirezi sp.nov.Description.Male (holotype).Carapace tawny with laterals marbled with black; middle with a trident-like mark, extending behind the ocular area to the thoracic fovea; laterals marbled along entire carapace.Eyes circled with black.Thoracic fovea circular, shallow (fig.16).Chelicerae, endites and labium yellow.Sternum yellow, shadowed of black; points of insertion of bristles yellow.First legs and third and fourth right legs, missing.Leg II yellow with blackish bands on apex of femur and patella and on the base and apex of tibia.Dorsum of abdomen whitish with some black spots; laterals and venter whitish with epigastric area shadowed of black; tegument with micro setae.
Natural history.According to labels, specimens are probably litter dwellers collected with Berlese funels.
Etymology.The noun in apposition was taken from the type locality.
Diagnosis.Males of Nesticus taim can be recognized by the shape of the male paracymbial processes, with the ventral slender and curved and the distal forked (figs. 18, 19); basal portion of conductor with a hook-like process (figs.17, 18); subtegulum conspicuous, visible in ventral and retrolateral view (figs. 18, 19).
Female unknown.Description.Male (holotype).Carapace yellowish with some slightly darkened points at middle and margins.Fovea small and circular.Eye region almost cephalic width.Chelicerae and endites yellowish.Labium yellowish, triangular.Sternum yellowish suffused of black, enlarged at posterior region.Legs yellowish, with ventral darkened areas on coxa and patella.Distal femur slightly suffused of black.Abdomen pale, with large dark grey spots on dorsum, two smaller spots on anterior region and a large u-shaped posterior spot.Venter with a large black anterior spot, extended from epigastric furrow to pedicel.Posterior region with large black ring surrounding spinnerets.
Natural history.Distribution in very different ecossystems (Subandine to Atlantic Forest).Habitus unknown.