Avicularia rickwesti sp. nov., a remarkable new species of Avicularia (Theraphosidae: Aviculariinae) from Dominican Republic

TAXONOMY AND NOMENCLATURE

Avicularia rickwesti sp. nov., a remarkable new species of Avicularia (Theraphosidae: Aviculariinae) from Dominican Republic

Rogério Bertani^I,*; Jeremy Huff^II

^ILaboratório Especial de Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto Butantan. Avenida Vital Brazil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil

^II43 South Main St, Cranbury, NJ 08512, USA. E-mail: [e-mail]

ABSTRACT

A remarkable new species of Avicularia Lamarck, 1818, Avicularia rickwesti sp. nov., is described from Dominican Republic. Female specimens of the new species are unusual by having two very short and broad spermathecae with distal half strongly sclerotized, a feature not found in any other aviculariine. Additionally, it has the leg coxae with spiniform setae, smaller on leg I and prolateral leg II, larger, black on retrolateral leg II, prolateral and retrolateral leg III and prolateral leg IV. Males are unknown. The new species is known only from two localities, in southwestern Dominican Republic. This is the first record for the subfamily on Hispañola which is close to the northern boundary for the Aviculariinae distribution.

Key words: Caribbean; tarantula; taxonomy.

Avicularia Lamarck, 1818 comprises 51 species known from the Neotropics (Platnick 2012), of which 46 are from South America. A single species (A. glauca Simon, 1891) was described from Panama, in Central America, and four from the Caribbean: A. caesia C.L. Koch, 1842 and A. laeta (C.L. Koch, 1842) from Puerto Rico, A. versicolor (Walckenaer, 1837) from Guadeloupe and Martinique and A. hirsuta (Ausserer, 1875) from Cuba.

In recent field work in the Dominican Republic, the second author (JH) found some arboreal theraphosids resembling and having very similar behavior to Avicularia species. After a more detailed analysis and examination of the genitalia some remarkable features were found that are not present in representatives of any other Avicularia species. The new species is herein described and notes on its habitat are presented. The new species is known only from the type locality and one other locality nearby in southwestern Dominican Republic. This is the first record for the subfamily on Hispañola and is also close to the northern boundary for the Aviculariinae distribution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All measurements are in millimeters and were obtained with a Mitutoyo digital caliper with an error of 0.005 mm, rounded up to two significant decimals. Leg and palp measurements were taken from the dorsal aspect of the left side (unless appendages were lost or obviously regenerated). A Leica LAS Montage and LAS 3D module mounted on a Leica M205C dissecting microscope were used for image capture of spider structures. Urticating hairs were examined with a Leica DM2500 compound microscope and images were captured with a Leica DFC450 digital camera. Abbreviations: (ALE) anterior lateral eyes, (AME) anterior median eyes, (ITC) inferior tarsal claw, (PLE) posterior lateral eyes, (PLS) posterior lateral spinnerets, (PME) posterior median eyes, (PMS) posterior median spinnerets, (STC) superior tarsal claws. Terminology of urticating hairs follows Cooke et al. (1972).

Specimens are deposited in the American Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH) and Instituto Butantan, São Paulo (IBSP).

TAXONOMY

Avicularia rickwestisp. nov.

Figs 2-19

 

Diagnosis. The female is distinguished from those of all other Avicularia species (Fig. 1) by the two very short and broad spermathecae, twice wider than longer, with distal half strongly sclerotized (Fig. 2). Additionally, it can be distinguished by the leg coxae with spiniform setae; small on leg I and prolateral leg II (Figs 3 and 4), large, black on retrolateral leg II, prolateral and retrolateral leg III and prolateral leg IV (Figs 5 and 6). Males are unknown.

Type material. Female holotype: Dominican Republic, Pedernales Province: Parque Nacional Jaragua, track into park (unmarked) between Manuell Goa and Oviedo (17º48'41.5"N, 71º26'35.9"W, 83.3 m a.s.l.), 09 July 2004, J. Huff & E.S. Volschenk leg. (AMNH), collecting permit # 01496; Female paratype: Dominican Republic, Independencia Province: (Parque Nacional Sierra de Baoruco, Rabo de Gato, 18º18'39.1"N, 71º34'54.4"W, 408 m a.s.l.), 10 July 2004, J. Huff & E.S. Volschenk leg. (AMNH), collection permit # 01496.

Additional material examined. Dominican Republic, Independencia Province: Puerto Escondito (Rabo de Gato, 18º18'6.83"N, 71º34'8.81"W, 417 m a.s.l.), 1 female, 24 February 2012, J. Huff & R. West leg. (AMNH). Pedernales Province: (Jaragua National Park, Los Tres Charcos, road to Fondo Paradi, 17º48'7.45"N, 71º26'5.41"W, 74 m a.s.l.), 4 females, 20 February 2012, J. Huff & R. West leg. (AMNH).

Description. Female holotype. Measurements: carapace 14.8 long, 11.9 wide, chelicerae 5.6. Legs (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 9.7, 6.4, 7.1, 7.3, 4.5, 35.0. II: 9,4, 6.4, 6.5, 7.5, 4.0, 33.8. III: 8.3, 5.6, 6.1, 6.6, 3.5, 30.1. IV: 10.1, 6.3, 8.4, 8.1, 3.4, 36.3. Palp: 7.3, 4.5, 4.6, -, 4.7, 21.1. Midwidths (lateral): femora I-IV = 2.5, 2.5, 3.2, 2.9, palp = 2.0; patellae I-IV = 2.7, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, palp = 2.3; tibiae I-IV = 2.4, 2.2, 2.4, 2.9, palp = 2.3; metatarsi I-IV = 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.8; tarsi I-IV = 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.8, palp = 2.0. Abdomen 14.3 long, 11.3 wide. Spinnerets: PMS, 1.4 long, 0.7 wide, 0.1 apart; PLS, 2.3 basal, 1.4 middle, 2.4 distal; midwidths 1.4, 1.1, 1.0, respectively (Fig. 9). Carapace: length to width 1.24. Fovea: 3.0 wide. Covered by abundant slender soft setae and a line of long bristles from behind the eye tubercle to the fovea (Fig. 7). Eyes: tubercle 0.9 high, 2.1 long, 2.9 wide. Clypeus absent. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior slightly recurved. Eye sizes and inter-distances: AME 0.72, ALE 0.62, PME 0.27, PLE 0.65, AME-AME 0.63, AME-ALE 0.43, AME-PME 0.30, ALE-ALE 1.97, ALE-PME 0.71, PME-PME 1.85, PME-PLE 0.05, PLE-PLE 2.38, ALE-PLE 0.52, AME-PLE 0.47. Ratio of eye group width to length 1.38 (Fig. 7). Maxillae: length to width: 1.55. Cuspules: between 100-200 spread over ventral inner heel. Labium: 1.6 long, 2.4 wide, with 85 cuspules spaced by one diameter from each other on the anterior half. Labio-sternal groove shallow, flat, sigilla not evident (Fig. 8). Chelicerae: basal segments with fourteen teeth, third, fourth and fifth the larger; a parallel basal row of four tiny on the retromargin. Sternum: 6.6 long, 4.8 wide. Posterior angle rounded, not separating coxae IV. Sigilla: anterior pair not visible, the other ellipsoidal, less than half diameter from margin; posterior more than two times the diameter of the middle (Fig. 8). Legs: leg formula: I = IV II III. Leg coxae with spiniform setae; small on leg I and prolateral leg II (Figs 3 and 4), large, black on retrolateral leg I, prolateral and retrolateral leg III and prolateral leg IV (Figs 5 and 6). Scopula: tarsi I-IV fully scopulate. Metatarsi I-II fully scopulate; III 4/5, IV 1/2 distal scopulate. IV divided by a three wide row of setae. Clavate trichobothria: on the distal 2/3 of tarsi I-IV. Spines absent on all legs and palps. Urticating hairs: type II (0.69 long, 0.015 wide) on the abdomen dorsum (Figs 10 and 11). Genitalia: paired very short and broad spermathecae with distal half strongly sclerotized (Fig. 2). Color pattern: carapace black covered with abundant pinkish setae. Coxae and trochanter dorsally cream. Femora dorsally black with abundant pinkish setae, patellae, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi grayish. Patellae with two dorsal longitudinal white stripes. White rings on distal femora, tibiae and metatarsi. Chelicerae black with whitish hairs. Abdomen dorsally black with a light pattern. Coxae, labium, sternum, maxilla, abdomen and legs ventrally black (Figs 12-14).

Variation. The paratype, a smaller specimen, has a straight fovea and less developed spiniform setae on the coxae.

Remarks: A significant variation in the size of the female was observed (n = 7), carapaces varying in length from 7.1 to 14.8 (median = 10.0, standard deviation = 2.63), and width from 6.1 to 11.9 (median = 7.94, standard deviation = 2.30).

Distribution. Only known from type localities (Fig. 15).

Etymology. The specific name is a patronym in recognition of the contribution to taxonomy and biology of theraphosids done by Rick C. West.

Natural history. The holotype was found in a sparse deciduous forest of Acacia sp. and thorny scrub, with many limestone boulders (Figs 16 and 19). It was collected in a narrow tree hole in a small tree with approximately a 10 cm diameter trunk. A silken tube extended about 15 cm outside of the tree hole (Figs 17 and 18). Spiderlings were found with the female and were approximately 2-3 months old (Fig. 13). The paratype was collected in a very different habitat. It was a broad-leafed forest with no/little under story. The trees were very tall and it appears that A. rickwesti sp. nov. is found high in the canopy. The specimen was found on a recently fallen tree. A small female (carapace 8.1 long, 6.1 wide) from Jaragua National Park, Los Tres Charcos, collected in 20 February 2012, had and eggsac 8.8 in diameter, with 15 eggs probably infertile and one spiderling.

DISCUSSION

Avicularia rickwestisp. nov. is remarkable for its highly modified genitalia, a paired spermathecae twice wider than long and strongly sclerotized at their distal half (Fig. 2). All other aviculariine species have paired spermathecae longer than wider and weakly sclerotized (Fig. 1) (West et al. 2008, Bertani 2012). The new species also has some spiniform setae on posterior leg coxae not found or weakly developed in other aviculariines (Figs 4 and 5). The abdomen has an oak leaf pattern (Figs 12-14) with resemblance in aviculariines only with Ephebopus foliatus West, Marshall, Fukushima & Bertani, 2008. All these apomorphic characteristics make A. rickwesti sp. nov. very distinct from other Avicularia species and its inclusion into this genus could be seen as inadequate at first glance. However, its inclusion in other aviculariine genera has no support, as the conjunt of characters completely aspinose legs, procurved first eye row (Fig. 7), digitiform distal article of the posterior lateral spinnerets (Fig. 9) and the presence of urticating hairs type II on abdomen dorsum (Figs 10 and 11) indicate the species should be included either into Avicularia or Iridopelma Pocock, 1901 genera. The inclusion in Iridopelma would be dubious since Iridopelma is endemic to Brazil (Bertani 2012). Furthemore, some biological features indicate a close relationship with other Avicularia species. Avicularia rickwesti sp. nov. builds a similar retreat as other Avicularia species in tree trunks instead of retreats made of leaves connected with silk made by Iridopelma specimens (Bertani 2012). The discovery of a male would aid in giving support or rejecting the inclusion of the species in Avicularia, but the male remains unknown after three trips to the topotypical region. Therefore, we prefer to describe the species with females only and wait for the discovery of a male to confirm the present classification.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to the Departamento de Investigaciones de la Subsecretaria de Areas Protegidas y Biodiversidad, Government of the Dominican Republic, for Permit # 01496 to collect and export arachnids from the country. The authors would like to thank the following people: Kelvin Guerrero kindly assisted with the permit application and submittal process, as well as suggestions for good areas to collect; Father Alejandro Sanchez (Puerto Rico) and Eladio Fernandez (Dominican Republic) directed JH to the two localities where the new species was discovered; Erich Volschenk for participation in the field; Lorenzo Prendini (AMNH) for funding JH in the field; Steve Thurston (AMNH) for assistance preparing the plates for this contribution, Rick West participated in the field work and allowed the publication of his photographs, Norman Platnick (AMNH) provided a repository for the collected specimens. The 2004 field expedition to the DR, during which the specimens of A. rickwesti was collected, was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (EAR 0228699) to Lorenzo Prendini and a Genomics Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the AMNH to E.S. Volschenk. Additional financial support from FAPESP 2012/01093-0 for RB.

LITERATURE CITED

Submitted: 18.XII.2012; Accepted: 23.II.2013.

Editorial responsibility: Glauco Machado

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• Bertani, R. 2012. Revision, cladistic analysis and biogeography of Typhochlaena C. L. Koch, 1850, Pachistopelma Pocock, 1901 and Iridopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae). ZooKeys 230:1-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.230.3500
• Cooke, J.A.L.; V.D. Roth & F.H. Miller. 1972. The urticating hairs of theraphosid spiders. American Museum Novitates 2498:1-43.
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• Lamarck, J.B. 1818. Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertèbres. Paris, 5: 1-612 (Araneae, p. 88-108).
• Platnick, N.I. 2012. The world spider catalog, version 13.0. American Museum of Natural History. Available online at http://research.amnh.org/iz/spiders/catalog [Accessed 29 October 2012] DOI: 10.5531/db.iz.0001.
• Pocock, R.I. 1901. Some new and old genera of South American Aviculariidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7:540-555.
• Simon, E. 1891. Etudes arachnologiques. 23e Mémoire. XXXVIII. Descriptions d'espèces et de genres nouveaux de la famille des Aviculariidae. Annales de la Société entomologique de France 60:300-312.
• Walckenaer, C.A. 1837. Histoire naturelle des insectes. Aptères. Paris, 1: 1-682.
• West, R.C.; S.D. Marshall; C.S. Fukushima & R. Bertani. 2008. Review and cladistic analysis of the Neotropical tarantula genus Ephebopus Simon 1892 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) with notes on the Aviculariinae. Zootaxa 1849:35-58.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  01 July 2013
• Date of issue
  June 2013

History

• Received
  18 Dec 2012
• Accepted
  23 Feb 2013