Revision of the genus Tmesiphantes Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae)

Revisão do gênero Tmesiphantes Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae)

Flavio U. Yamamoto^I; Sylvia M. Lucas^I; José Paulo L. Guadanucci^II; Rafael P. Indicatti^I

^ILaboratório de Artrópodes, Instituto Butantan. Avenida Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

^IIMuseu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo. Avenida Nazaré 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: [e-mail]

ABSTRACT

The genus Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892 is revised. The type-species, T. nubilus Simon, 1892, is redescribed and three new species are described from the state of Bahia, Brazil: T. amadoi sp. nov., T. bethaniae sp. nov. and T. caymmii sp. nov. In addition, Tmesiphanthes physopus Mello-Leitão, 1926 and T. minensis Mello-Leitão, 1943 are transferred to Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901. T. chickeringi is considered species inquirenda.

Key words: Bahia; Brazil; Plesiopelma; taxonomy; Theraphosinae.

RESUMO

O gênero Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892 é revisado. A espécie-tipo, T. nubilus Simon, 1892, é redescrita e três novas espécies são descritas para o estado da Bahia, Brasil: T. amadoi sp. nov., T. bethaniae sp. nov. and T. caymmii sp. nov. Adicionalmente, as espécies Tmesiphantes physopus Mello-Leitão, 1926 e T. minensis Mello-Leitão, 1943 são transferidas para Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901. T. chickeringi Caporiacco, 1955 é considerada espécie inquirenda.

Palavras-chave: Bahia; Brasil; Plesiopelma; taxonomia; Theraphosinae.

The genus Tmesiphantes was established by SIMON (1892) based on male and female specimens of T. nubilus, described from Bahia, Brazil. MELLO-LEITÃO described three new species from Brazil: in 1923 T. montanus from Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro; in 1926 T. physopus from Campina Grande, Paraíba; and in 1943 T. minensis from Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. CAPORIACCO (1955) described T. chickeringi, from Venezuela. GERSCHMANN DE PIKELIN & SCHIAPELLI (1958) revised the genus and described two new species from Argentina, T. serratus and T. elegans. They provided an identification key for all known species except for T. chicheringi, which description was based on a juvenile female. The same authors, in 1972, transferred T. montanus and T. elegans to Homoeomma Ausserer, 1871 and synonymized T. serratus with H. uruguayense (Mello-Leitão, 1946). RAVEN (1985) considered Tmesiphantes synonym of Dryptopelma Simon, 1889 and confirmed the transfer of T. serratus and T. elegans to Homoeomma. PEREZ-MILES et al. (1996) revalidated Tmesiphantes based on the palpal bulb morphology of the male. In the same year, SCHAEFER described T. spinopalpus from Paraguay, which was transferred by RUDLOFF (2000) to Cyclosternum Ausserer, 1871. To date, the genus comprises three species from Brazil, T. nubilus, T. physopus and T. minensis, and one from Venezuela, T. chickeringi.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The material examined is deposited in the following institutions (abbreviation and curator in parentheses): Instituto Butantan, São Paulo (IBSP, A.D. Brescovit); Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP, R. Pinto-da-Rocha); Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris (MNHN, C. Rollard). Spines notation follows PETRUNKEVITCH (1925). Abbreviations: (AME) anterior median eyes, (ALE) anterior lateral eyes, (PLE) posterior lateral eyes, (PME) posterior median eyes, (PLS) posterior lateral spinnerets, (STC) superior tarsal claws, (d) dorsal, (v) ventral, (p) prolateral, (r) retrolateral, (m) median. All measurements are in millimeters. Terminology: palpal bulb structures follows BERTANI (2000) and urticating hairs follows COOKE et al (1972).

Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892

Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892: 277; 1892: 133-138; 1903: 920-922; Mello-Leitão, 1923: 132, 137, 395; Bücherl, 1957: 407; Gerschmann de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1958: 7; Pérez-Miles et al., 1996: 59 (revalidation).

Dryptopelma: Raven, 1985: 159 (in part).

Type-species. Tmesiphantes nubilus by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Males of Tmesiphantes can be recognized by the palpal bulb morphology, with conspicuous superior and inferior prolateral keels and long and curved embolus (Figs 1-3, ^7-9, ^12-14 and ^19-21), aspect of the tibial apophysis (Figs 4, 10, 15 and 22) and by the metatarsus I, which bends to the retrolateral side of the retrolateral tibial apophysis. Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae slightly constricted near the apex (Figs 8 and 19). Species of this genus resemble those of Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901, Homoeomma and Melloleitoina Gerschmann de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1960, by the similar size and colour pattern. In addition, males of the four genera have papal bulbs with similar overall morphology. Species of Tmesiphantes can be distinguished from those of Plesiopelma by the aspect of the posterior sternal sigilla which are elongated and away from margin, by the few cuspules on labium (fewer than 30) (Figs 7, 13, ¹⁸ and 25), by the absence of apical scopula on the metatarsus IV and by the well developed barbs on urticating hair type III. Males differ from Plesiopelma by the absence of subapical tooth on the embolus of the palpal bulb, flexion of the metatarsus I and by the absence of metatarsal basal nodule. Females are distinguished from Plesiopelma mainly by the lack of granules and general morphology of the spermathecae. Males of Tmesiphantes differ from those of Homoeomma by the absence of a digitiform apophysis on the base of the palpal bulb and by the flexion of the metatarsus I, which in Homoeomma bends between the tibial apophysis. Females differ from Homoeomma by the spermatheca slightly constricted near the apex (Figs 8 and ¹⁹). Melloleitoina is considered sister group of Tmesiphantes, sharing the thick femur III (PÉREZ-MILES et al. 1996). However, Melloleitoina presents a remarkable swollen article (Figs 1 and 2) and a reduced number of spines on legs and palps.

Distribution. State of Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 26).

Tmesiphantes nubilus Simon, 1892

Figs 3-8

Tmesiphantes nubilus Simon, 1892: 277; 1892: 138; 1903: 922, fig. 1070-1086: I; Mello-Leitão, 1923: 138, 395; Bücherl 1957: 392; Gerschmann de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1958: 7; Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1973: 76, figs 39-44; Pérez-Miles et al., 1996: 59, fig. 48; Schaefer, 1996: 27, figs 5-7; Schmidt, 1998: 17, figs 87-89.

Type-material. Male and female syntypes (MNHN 1072) from Bahia, Brazil, examined. Here are designated the lectotype male and the paralectotype female.

Diagnosis. Males of Tmesiphantes nubilus differ from the other species of the genus by the aspect of the palpal bulb: thick embolus with a strong curvature at the tip (Figs 3-5). Females can be distinguished by the morphology of the spermathecae (Fig. 8), which are fused on the basis and wider than T. caymmii sp. nov.

Description. Male (IBSP 12734). Total length, without chelicera and spinnerets, 23.8. Carapace: length 12.00, width 9.75, fovea procurved. Eye tubercle: length 1.00, width 1.56. Labium: length 1.50, width 2.10. Sternum: length 5.25, width 5.00. Basal segment of chelicera with 16 teeth on the prolateral margin. Labium with 10 cuspules. Maxillae with 183 cuspules. Sternum oval (Fig. 7). Measurements: Palp: femur 6.88/patella 3.50/tibia 6.00/cymbium 2.13/total 18.50. Legs: I: femur 11.75/patella 6.00/tibia 9.88/metatarsus 9.25/tarsus 5.23/total 42.00; II: 10.63/5.38/7.63/9.63/5.00/38.25; III: 9.38/4.75/6.38/11.88/5.13/37.50; IV: 12.25/5.25/9.88/15.25/5.63/48.25. Spination: palp: femur (d) 0-0-p1, patella (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (d) 0-p1-p1, (p) 0-1-0, (r) 0-0-1. Legs: tarsi without spines; I: femur (d) 0-p1-p1, patella 0, tibia (v) 2-2-ap2, (p) 0-1-1, metatarsus (v) 2-p1-ap3, (p)1-1-0; II: femur (d) p1-0-2, patella (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (v) 2-2-1-ap3, (p) 1-0-1, metatarsus (v) p1-r1-1-1-p1-ap3, (p) 1-1-1; III: femur (d) 0-0-2, patella (p)1-1-2, (r) 0-1-0, tibia (d) p1-p1-p1, (v) 1-1-r1-ap3 (p) 1-1-1, (r) 1-0-1, metatarsus (d) 0-0-2, (v) 2-1-2-1-2-2-4ap, (p)1-1-1-1, (r) 1-1-1-1; IV: femur (d) 0-0-2, patella (p)0-0-2, (r) 1-2-1, tibia (d) 0-p1-p1, (v) 1-1-2-1-2-ap3, (p) 1-1-1, (r) 1-2-1, metatarsus (d) 0-0-1, (v) 2-r1-r1-2-r1-1-2-1-2-2-ap5, (p) 1-1-1-1-1, (r) 1-1-1-1-1. Carapace, legs and abdomen dorsally brown. Sternum, coxae and abdomen ventrally light brown. Clypeus present, narrow. Urticating hair type III present. Palpal bulb presenting inferior and superior prolateral keels, with thick and curved embolus, bearing a strong curvature at the tip (Figs 3-5). Prolateral tibial apophysis smaller, with a spine on the retrolateral margin of it and retrolateral tibial apophysis larger, with an apical spine (Fig. 6). Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eyes sizes: AME 0.27, ALE 0.34, PME 0.26, PLE 0.30. Scopulae on metatarsi: I half occupied by scopula, II with scopula restricted to 1/3 of the apical portion, III with weak scopula restricted to fifth apical portion, IV without scopula.

Female (IBSP 12737). Total length, without chelicera and spinnerets, 22.6. Carapace: length 9.50, width 7.90, fovea procurved. Eye tubercle: length 1.10, width 1.42. Labium: length 1.40, width 1.90. Sternum: length 4.80, width 4.60. Basal segment of chelicera with 12 teeth on the prolateral margin. Labium with 13 cuspules. Maxillae with 165 cuspules. Sternum oval. Measurements: palp: femur 5.40/patella 3.20/tibia 3.60/cymbium 2.90/total 15.10. Legs: I: femur 6.70/patella 4.40/tibia 5.20/metatarsus 3.70/tarsus 2.20/total 22.20; II: 5.80/3.80/4.10/3.40/2.40/19.50; III: 5.30/3.40/3.20/4.40/2.40/18.70; IV: 7.40/4.00/5.80/6.40/2.90/26.50. Spination: Tarsi without spines; Palp: without spines. Legs: I: femur (d) 0-0-p1, metatarsus (v) 0-0-ap1; II: tibia (p) 0-0-1, metatarsus (v) 0-1-0-ap3, (p) 0-1-1; III: patella (p) 1-0-2, (r) 0-1-0, tibia (v) 0-p1-ap3, (p)1-1-0, (r) 0-0-1, metatarsus (d) p1-2-2, (v) p1-1-p1-1-p1-2-ap3, (p) 0-1-0; IV: patella (p) 0-0-2, (r) 0-1-0, tibia (v) 2-2-ap3, (p) 1-0-1, (r) 1-0-1, metatarsus (d) 0-0-2, (v) p1-1-2-1-2-p1-p1-2-ap4, (p) 1-1-1, (r) 0-1-0. Carapace, legs and abdomen dorsally brown. Sternum, coxae and abdomen ventrally light brown. Spermathecae formed by two receptacula with a slight constriction near the apex (Fig. 8). Presence of urticating hairs type IV. Clypeus present, narrow. Eye sizes: AME 0.27, ALE 0.34, PME 0.26, PLE 0.30. Scopulae on metatarsi: I 1/3 occupied by scopula, II with scopula restricted to 1/4 of the apical portion, III with weak scopula restricted to fifth apical portion, IV without scopula.

Variation. Males (n = 20): total length: 14.1-37.4. Labium with 10-28 cuspules. Females (n = 4): total length: 20.8-21.8. Labium with 16-23 cuspules.

Additional material examined. BRAZIL, Bahia: Ituaçú (Morro da Mangabeira), 1 male, XI.1980, E. Gouveia leg. (IBSP 4576); Porto Seguro (Arraial d'Ajuda), 1 female, (IBSP 9665); 1 male, 17.III.1983, R. Castro leg. (IBSP 13228); Salvador, 1 male, 21.VI.2002, A. Akami leg. (IBSP 9793); Ipiaú, 1 male, J.L.D. Larut leg. (IBSP 11722); Itacaré (Fazenda Patizeiros), 6 males, 1 female and 1 juvenile, 15-22.VI.2006, J.P. Souza-Alves leg. (IBSP 12731-12737); Porto Seguro (Estação Ecológica Vera Cruz, N16º23'31" W39º10'19"), 2 males, 08.III.2002, M.G.C. Costa leg. (IBSP 12772, 12774); (Veracel Celulose), 1 female, 2006, J.P. Alves leg. (IBSP 12978); Uruçuca, 23 males, III.2002, J.P.L. Guadanucci leg. (MZSP 24100, 24102-24105, 24107, 24112, 24114, 24118-24120, 24122, 24124); Una, 1 male, XII/99, K. Kato leg. (MZSP 24240).

Distribution. Known from the state of Bahia, Brazil.

Tmesiphantes amadoisp. nov.

Figs 9-13

Type-material. Male holotype from Jussarí, Bahia, Brazil, III.2001 (IBSP 12930). Paratypes: one male with the same data of holotype (IBSP 11878); 4 males with the same data of holotype (IBSP 11859); 2 males, Uruçuca, Bahia, Brazil, III.2002, J.P.L. Guadanucci leg. (MZSP 24106).

Etymology. The species is named in honor to the deceased writer Jorge Amado, natural from the state of Bahia.

Diagnosis. Males of Tmesiphantes amadoi sp. nov. differ from the other species of the genus by the aspect of the palpal bulb, presenting an enlargement at the tip of the embolus, bearing a small serrulated keel (indicated by arrows in figures 9 and 11).

Description. Male (Holotype). Total length, without chelicera and spinnerets, 19.10. Carapace: length 9.90, width 8.50, fovea procurved. Eye tubercle: length 1.06, width 1.44. Labium: length 1.10, width 1.80. Sternum: length 5.10, width 4.40. Basal segment of chelicera with 13 teeth. Labium with 10 cuspules. Maxillae with 140 cuspules. Sternum oval (Fig. 13). Measurements: palp: femur 5.30/patella 2.80/tibia 4.50/cymbium 1.70/total 14.30. Legs: I: femur 10.00/patella 4.90/tibia 8.70/metatarsus 6.60/tarsus 4.30/total 34.50; II: 8.60/4.20/6.20/7.40/4.10/30.50; III: 8.50/3.60/5.50/10.00/4.30/31.90; IV: 10.40/4.50/9.20/12.90/5.10/42.10. Spination: palp: femur (d) 0-0-p1, patella (p) 0-0-1, tibia (v) p1-p1-0, (p) 0-1-1, (r) 0-0-1. Legs: tarsi without spines; I: femur (d) 0-0-p1, patella 0, tibia (v) 0-1-p1-ap1, (p) 0-1-1, metatarsus (v) 0-p1-ap1, (p)1-0-0; II: femur (d) 0-0-p1, patella (p)0-0-1, tibia (v) 1-1-ap2, (p) 0-1-1, metatarsus (d) 0-p1-0, (v)1-1-0-ap2, (p) 1-0-1; III: femur (d) 0-0-2, patella (p)0-0-1, tibia (d) 0-2-2, (v) 0-1-ap3, (p) 1-1-0, metatarsus (d) 2-2-2, (v) 2-1-1-2-ap3, (p)0-1-0; IV: femur (d) 0-0-2, patella (p)0-0-1, tibia (d) p1-0-p1, (v) 1-r1-1-r1-1-ap4, (p) 0-1-0, (r) 2-1-1, metatarsus (v) 2-1-r1-p1-1-2-2-ap3, (p) 1-1-1-1, (r) 1-1-1-1. Carapace, legs and abdomen dorsally brown. Sternum, coxae and abdomen ventrally light brown. Urticanting hair type III presents. Clypeus present, narrow. Palpal bulb with inferior and superior prolateral keels. Embolus curved, enlarged at the tip, bearing a small serrated keel (Figs 9-11). Prolateral tibial apophysis smaller, with a spine on the retrolateral margin of it and retrolateral tibial apophysis larger, with an apical spine (Fig. 12). Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eyes sizes: AME 0.25, ALE 0.43, PME 0.21, PLE 0.29. Scopulae on metatarsi: I 1/4 of the apical portion occupied by scopula, II with scopula restricted to 1/5 of the apical portion, III with weak scopula restricted to fifth apical portion, IV without scopula.

Female. Unknown.

Variation. Males (n = 10): total length: 13.9-26.0. Labium with 12-27 cuspules.

Additional material examined: BRAZIL, Bahia: Una (Reserva Biológica de Una, S15º09' W39º31'), 2 males, X.1999-IX.2000, M.F. Dias leg. (IBSP 11457-11458); same locality, 2 males, 7-14.I.1999, E. Mariano leg. (IBSP 11718, 11719); 3 males, XII.1999, K. Kato leg. (MZSP 24283); Uruçuca, 6 males, III.2002, J.P.L. Guadanucci leg. (MZSP 24110, 24126, 24131);

Distribution. Known from the state of Bahia, Brazil.

Tmesiphantes caymmiisp. nov.

Figs 14-20

Type material. Male holotype from Poções, Bahia, Brazil, 03.VII. 2002, A. Zanotti leg. (IBSP 11311). Paratypes: female with the same data of holotype (IBSP 11301); Umbuzeiro, male, 19.VI. 2002, A. Zanotti leg. (IBSP 11314); between Poções and Umbuzeiro, male, 18.VI.2002, A. Zanotti leg. (MZSP 28194).

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Dorival Caymmi, song writer and singer of brazilian popular music, natural from the state of Bahia.

Diagnosis. This species differs from the others by the presence of a circular spot on the ventral surface of the abdomen, which is an area of great density of short covering hairs (Fig. 20). Males can be distinguished by the palpal bulb aspect, with a serrated inferior prolateral keel extending along the embolus (Figs 15). Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae aspect (Fig. 19), which are more slender and inclined to the outer side, with not fused basis.

Description. Male (Holotype). Total length, without chelicera and spinnerets, 23.00. Carapace: length 10.40, width 8.40, fovea procurved. Eye tubercle: length 1.14, width 1.56. Labium: length 1.00, width 1.30. Sternum: length 4.80, width 4.10. Basal segment of chelicera with 8 teeth on the prolateral margin. Labium with 7 cuspules. Maxillae with 90 cuspules. Sternum oval (Fig. 18). Measurements: palp: femur 4.80/patella 2.90/tibia 4.80/cymbium 1.80/total 14.30. Legs: I: femur 8.40/patella 4.40/tibia 6.70/metatarsus 6.70/tarsus 3.80/total 30.00; II: 7.80/3.90/5.90/6.20/3.90/27.70; III: 6.90/3.30/5.20/7.50/3.60/26.50; IV: 9.00/3.90/7.80/10.70/3.70/35.10. Spination: palp: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (d) 0-p1-p1, (p) 1-1-0. Legs: Tarsi without spines; I: femur (d) 0-p1-p1-p1, tibia (v) 2-0-1-2-ap2, (p) 0-1-1, metatarsus (v) 2-0-0-ap1, (p)0-1-0; II: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (d) p1-p1-0, (v) 2-r1-1-ap3, metatarsus (v)2-1-ap2, (p) 0-1-0, (r) 1-0-0; III: femur (d) 0-0-p1, patella (p)0-0-2, (r) 0-1-0, tibia (d) p1-0-0, (v) 2-2-ap3, (p) 1-1-0, (r) 1-1-0, metatarsus (d) 0-2-2, (v) r1-1-1-2-r1-ap3, (p)1-0-1, (r)1-0-0; IV: femur (d) 0-p1-2, patella (v) 0-p1-0, (p) 0-0-1, (r)1-0-0, tibia (d) 0-r1-0, (v) r1-2-p1-r1-1-p1-r1-1-2-ap3, (p) 1-1-1, (r) 2-1-1-1-1, metatarsus (d) 0-r1-r1, (v) 3-r1-r1-p1-r1-1-2-ap3, (p) 1-1-1, (r) 1-1-1. Carapace, legs and abdomen dorsally brown. Sternum, coxae and abdomen ventrally light brown. Clypeus present, narrow. Abdomen with a ventral circular spot (Fig. 20). Urticating hair type III present. Palpal bulb with inferior and superior prolateral keels, the inferior serrated and extending along the embolus. Prolateral tibial apophysis smaller, with a spine on the retrolateral margin of it and retrolateral tibial apophysis larger, with an apical spine (Fig. 17). Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eyes sizes: AME 0.24, ALE 0.43, PME 0.28, PLE 0.31. Scopulae on metatarsi: I half occupied by scopula, II with scopula restricted to 1/3 of the apical portion, III with weak scopula restricted to fifth apical portion, IV without scopula.

Female (Paratype, IBSP 11301). Total length, without chelicera and spinnerets, 22.6. Carapace: length 9.80, width 8.10, fovea procurved. Eye tubercle: length 1.22, width 1.58. Labium: length 1.10, width 1.70. Sternum: length 5.10, width 4.10. Basal segment of chelicera with 11 teeth in the prolateral margin. Labium with 15 cuspules. Maxillae with 120 cuspules. Sternum oval (Fig. 18). Measurements: palp: femur 5.40/patella 3.20/tibia 4.10/cymbium 3.3/total 16.00. Legs: I: femur 7.10/patella 4.40/tibia 6.10/metatarsus 3.80/tarsus 2.80/total 24.20; II: 6.50/3.70/5.30/4.30/2.80/22.60; III: 5.80/3.20/4.40/5.50/2.80/21.70; IV: 7.80/3.50/6.50/8.10/3.50/29.40. Spines: palp: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (v) 0-0-p1-ap2. Legs: tarsi without spines; I: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (v) 0-2-0-ap1, metatarsus (v) 0-1-0-ap1; II: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (v) 0-1-0-ap2, (p) 0-1-0, metatarsus (v) 0-1-0-ap2; III: femur (d) 0-p1-r1-2, patella (v) 0-0-r1, (p) 0-2-0, (r) 1-0-0, tibia (d) 2-2-0, (v) 2-1-0-ap3, (p)0-1-0, (r) 0-1-0, metatarsus (d) 2-2-2, (v) 2-1-p1-1-r1-p1-ap3; IV: femur (d) 0-0-r1, patella (p) 0-1-0, (r) 0-1-0, tibia (d) p1-0-p1, (v) 3-2-2-p1-ap3, (p) 1-1-1-0, (r) 1-2-1, metatarsus (d) 0-2-2, (v) 2-r1-1-p1-r1-1-2-ap3, (p) 1-0-0, (r) 1-1-0-1. Carapace, legs and abdomen dorsally brown. Sternum, coxae and abdomen ventrally light brown. Abdomen with a ventral circular spot, like the male (Fig. 20). Urticating hairs type IV present. Spermathecae formed by two receptacula with a slight constriction near the apex (Fig. 19). Clypeus present, narrow. Eyes sizes: AME 0.28, ALE 0.41, PME 0.26, PLE 0.30. Scopulae on metatarsi: I half occupied by scopula, II with scopula restricted to 1/4 of the apical portion, III with weak scopula restricted to fifth apical portion, IV without scopula.

Variation. Males (n = 3): total length: 18.4-23.0. Labium with 6-15 cuspules.

Distribution. Known from the state of Bahia, Brazil.

Tmesiphantes bethaniaesp. nov.

Figs 21-25

Type-material. Male holotype from Una, Bahia, Brazil, XII.1999, K. Kato leg. (MZSP 24226). Paratypes: 3 males from Uruçuca, III.2002, J.P.L. Guadanucci leg. (MZSP 24125; MZSP24129; IBSP 13438).

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Maria Bethania, a Brazilian popular singer, natural from the state of Bahia.

Diagnosis. Males of Tmesiphantes bethaniae sp. nov. differ from the others by the aspect of the palpal bulb, which presents a more slender embolus (Figs 21-23), and by the presence of urticating hairs types IV.

Description. Male (Holotype). Total length, without chelicera and spinnerets, 22.38. Carapace: length 11.50, width 10.38, fovea procurved. Eye tubercle: length 0.84, width 1.26. Labium: length 1.06, width 1.52. Sternum: length 6.08, width 5.12. Basal segment of chelicera with 17 teeth on the prolateral margin. Labium with 12 cuspules. Maxillae with 88 cuspules. Sternum oval (Fig. 25). Measurements: palp: femur 6.24/patella 3.60/tibia 4.96/cymbium 1.92/total 16.72. Legs: I: femur 11.70/patella 6.05/tibia 10.90/metatarsus 9.10/tarsus 5.40/total 43.15; II: 11.20/5.40/9.20/8.90/4.90/39.60; III: 9.90/4.80/8.10/11.90/4.60/39.30; IV: 14.20/5.05/12.10/18.10/5.80/55.25. Spination: palp: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (d) p1-p1-p1, (p) 1-1-1. Legs: tarsi without spines; I: femur (d) 0-0-p1-, tibia (r) 1-2-ap1, metatarsus (v) 0-1-p1-ap1, (p)0-1-0; II: femur (d) 0-0-p1, tibia (v)1-p1-1-ap3, (p) 0-1-0, metatarsus (v)1-1-p1-ap1, (p) 0-1-0; III: femur (d) 0-0-2, patella (p)0-2-0, tibia (d) 2-r1-2-r1, (v) 2-1-0-ap3, (p) 0-1-1, (r) 0-1-1, metatarsus (d) 2-2-1-2, (v) 2-1-p1-1-2-ap3; IV: femur (d) 0-0-2, patella (p) 0-0-1, tibia (d) p1-0-p1-p1, (v) 2-2-0-ap2, (p) 1-1-0, (r) 2-2-2-1, metatarsus (d) 2-2-2-1-2, (v) 2-1-p1-2-3-r1-1-2-ap3, (p) 0-1-0. Carapace and legs dorsally reddish brown. Sternum, coxae and abdomen ventrally light brown. Urticanting hais type III and IV present. Clypeus present, narrow. Palpal bulb with inferior and superior prolateral keels, embolus thin (Figs 21-23). Prolateral tibial apophysis smaller, with a spine on the retrolateral margin of it and retrolateral tibial apophysis larger, with an apical spine (Fig. 24). Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eye sizes: AME 0.30, ALE 0.48, PME 0.36, PLE 0.25. Scopulae on metatarsi: I 1/4 of the apical portion occupied by scopula, II with scopula restricted to 1/5 of the apical portion, III with weak scopula restricted to fifth apical portion, IV without scopula.

Female. Unknown.

Variation. Males (n = 4): total length 15.00-22.38. Labium with 7-12 cuspules.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality.

SPECIES INQUIRENDA

Tmesiphantes chickeringi Caporiacco, 1955

Tmesiphantes chickeringi Caporiacco, 1955: 278; Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1958: 7; Schaefer, 1996: 27.

Type-material. Female holotype from Santa Lucía, Miranda, Venezuela, II.1949, Marcuzzi leg., deposited in Museu de Biología, Universidad Central de Venezuela (nº 215), not examined.

Note. The diagnosis provided by CAPORIACCO (1955) is not enough to identify this species. According to GERSCHMAN DE PIKELIN & SCHIAPELLI (1958), the type is a juvenile female. Therefore, we considered it species inquirenda.

MISPLACEDS SPECIES

Plesiopelma physopus (Mello-Leitão, 1926) comb. nov.

Tmesiphantes physopus Mello-Leitão, 1926: 318, fig. 6; Gerschmann de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1958: 7; Bücherl, 1957: 392; Schaefer, 1996: 27, fig. 12.

Type-material. Male holotype. (881 Col. Mello-Leitão) from Campina Grande (Parahyba do Norte). Brazil. T. Leitão leg. (MNRJ), not found, probably lost.

Note. According to the original description, MELLO-LEITÃO (1926) mentions the presence of a retrolateral basal nodule on metatarsus I, which flexes between the two branches of the tibial apophysis. According to PÉREZ-MILES et al. (1996), such features are diagnostic characters of the genus Plesiopelma. SCHAEFER (1996) only reproduces the original description and illustration of Mello-Leitão, without significant contribution. Therefore, it is proposed the transference of this species to Plesiopelma.

Plesiopelma minensis (Mello-Leitão, 1943) comb. nov.

Tmesiphantes minensis Mello-Leitão, 1943: 257; Bücherl, 1957: 392, figs 39, 39a; Schmidt, 1986: 42, figs 22-23; Schaefer, 1996: 27, figs 15-16.

Dryptopelma minensis Schmidt, 1993: 65, figs 91-92.

Type-material. Male holotype from Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil (MNRJ) not found, probably lost.

Note. In the original description, MELLO-LEITÃO (1943) reports the morphology of the palpal bulb, with a long and curved embolus, the presence of a retrolateral basal nodule on metatarsus I and the labium full of cuspules. All these characters resemble species of the genus Plesiopelma (PÉREZ-MILES 1996).

BÜCHERL (1957) describes the palpal bulb with a long embolus and a slender paraembolic process (fig. 39) and the tibial apophysis with two branches (fig. 39a). He also mentions a similarity with Cyriocosmus fasciatus (Mello-Leitão, 1930) but he did not mention which specimen he examinated. The presence of a paraembolic process suggest that he studied a specimen of Cyriocosmus Simon, 1903.

We examined representatives of the genus Plesiopelma from the IBSP collection from the type locality, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais (IBSP 12660), which matches with the original description. Therefore we proposed the transfer of T. minensis to Plesiopelma.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank Gustavo Ruiz for helpful comments on this manuscript. To Antonio D. Brescovit (IBSP) and Ricardo Pinto-da-Rocha (MZSP) for the loan of specimens. To Cristine Rollard (MNHN) for the loan of the syntypes of T. nubilus examined. This work was supported by FAPESP (99/05446-8, FUY 06/53070-2), CAPES (RPI) and CNPq (JPLG 142035/2003-3, RPI 141062/2007-0). This paper was developed in the Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo and Programa de pós-graduação em Biologia Animal da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. This work is part of BIOTA/FAPESP – The Biodiversity Virtual Institute Program (www.biotasp.org.br).

Received in 20.IV.2007; accepted in 14.XI.2007.

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Revision of the genus Tmesiphantes Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae)

Revisão do gênero Tmesiphantes Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae)

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  08 Feb 2008
• Date of issue
  Dec 2007

History

• Received
  20 June 2007
• Accepted
  14 Nov 2007