Marma spelunca Salgado & Ruiz 2020, sp. nov.

Marma spelunca sp. nov.

Figures 53–56, 57I, 58K

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin noun meaning “cave”, in reference to the habitat where the specimens were found.

Diagnosis. Marma spelunca sp. nov. shares most similarities with M. rosea, both with the same length of the process on the embolic disc and cymbium (proportionally to the bulb) (Figs 57 H–I), and similar pattern of epigynal structure (copulatory ducts with similar length, encircling primary spermathecae and almost touching each other; Figs 58 J–K). However, males of M. spelunca sp. nov. can be distinguished by having a symmetrical embolic disc (both edges with the same degree of curvature; Figs 53C, 55A, C, 57I), whereas in M. rosea, the retrolateral edge of the embolic disc has more accentuated curvature (Figs 48C, 50A, C, 57H). Females of M. spelunca sp. nov. also differ from those of M. rosea by having larger copulatory openings (Figs 58 J–K). Further, the body of M. spelunca sp. nov. is larger (on average 4.50 mm in total length, while specimens of M. rosea are about 3.0 mm), being the largest species of Marma currently known.

Description. Male (Holotype, MPEG 34347). Total length: 4.44. Carapace 2.51 long, 1.72 wide, 1.28 high. Ocular quadrangle 1.19 long. Anterior eye row 1.66 wide, posterior 1.29 wide. Legs 4312. Length of legs: I 5.44 (1.78 + 2.09 + 1.57); II 4.86 (1.56 + 1.79 + 1.51); III 5.69 (1.82 + 1.95 + 1.92); IV 5.77 (1.75 + 1.89 + 2.13).

Leg macrosetae: Femur I d1-1-1, p1di, r0; II–IV d1-1-1, p1di, r1di. Patella I–II 0; III–IV p0, r1. Tibia I–II p0- 1-0, r0, v1r-2-2; III p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v1p-0-2; IV p0-1-1-0, r0-1-1-0, v1r-0-0-2. Metatarsus I p1-1, r0, v2-2; II p1-1, r1di, v2-2; III d1p-0-0, p1-0-2, r1-0-2, v2-0-2; IV d0 (or d1p-0-0), p1-1-2, r1-1-2, v1p-0-2.

Color in alcohol (Figs 53 A–B): thoracic area with rhombus of setae; abdomen ventrally with three longitudinal dark brown stripes delimited by stripes of pale circles; lateral borders with pale circles; legs: femur I almost black (ventrally not totally colored), II with dark distal ring and proximal region with prolateral and retrolateral dark spot, III with proximal and distal dark ring, IV with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark proventral spot; tibia I with dark proximal ring and distal region with dark retrolateral spot, II with dark proximal ring and distal region with prolateral and retrolateral dark spot, III–IV with proximal and distal dark ring; tarsus I almost black, II with black tip, III–IV with dark proximal ring.

Palp: RTA finger-shaped (Figs 53D, 55B); embolic disc with curved and symmetrical edges (Figs 53C, 55A); PED very long (about three times the length of the exposed portion of embolic disc), emerging from middle-distal part of embolic disc (Figs 55A, E); embolus tip ends beyond tip of PED (Figs 53C, 55A).

Female (Paratype, MPEG 34348). Total length: 4.89. Carapace 2.36 long, 1.67 wide, 1.27 high. Ocular quadrangle 1.20 long. Anterior eye row 1.56 wide, posterior 1.33 wide. Legs 3=412. Length of legs: I 4.20 (1.32 + 1.61 + 1.27); II 4.15 (1.41 + 1.52 + 1.22); III 5.55 (1.82 + 1.88 + 1.85); IV 5.55 (1.71 + 1.84 + 2.00).

Leg macrosetae: Femur I d1-1-1, p1di, r0; II d1-1-1, p1di, r1di; III d1-1-1, p1di, r0; IV d1-1-1, p1di, r1di. Patella I–II 0; III–IV p0, r1. Tibia I–II p0-1-0, r0, v1r-2-2; III p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v1p-0-2; IV p1-1-1-0 (or p0-1-1-0), r1-1-1-0, v0-1p-0-2. Metatarsus I p1-1, r0, v2-2; II p1-1, r1di, v2-2; III d1p-0-0, p1-0-2, r1-0-2, v2-0-2; IV p1-1-2, r1-1-2, v0-1p-2.

Color in alcohol (Figs: 54A–B): carapace and abdomen as in male; legs: femur I with dark distal ring and with prolateral and retrolateral dark stripe, II with dark distal ring, with dark retrolateral stripe and proximal region with dark proventral spot, III with proximal and distal dark ring, IV with dark distal ring and proximal region with dark proventral spot; tibia I–II with dark proximal ring and distal region with prolateral and retrolateral dark spot, III–IV with proximal and distal dark ring; tarsus I–II without dark marks, III–IV with dark proximal ring.

Epigyne (Figs 54 C–D, 55F–G): copulatory openings with large diameter (similar to diameter of primary spermathecae), very close to each other, placed more anteriorly than primary spermathecae; copulatory ducts long, encircling primary spermathecae; proximal copulatory duct longer than distal section; primary spermathecae slightly arched; secondary spermathecae well developed.

Type material. Holotype ♁: BRAZIL: Pará: Vitória do Xingú, Nova Kararaô cave [03°08’19.43”S, 51°49’12.53”W], leg. G.R.S. Ruiz & R. Valente, 5.VIII.2016 (MPEG 34347).

Paratype: Same data as holotype, 1♀ (MPEG 34348).

Other material examined. Same data as holotype, 3♁ (MPEG 37193), 4♁ (MPEG 37194), 4♁ (MPEG 37195), 2♁ (MPEG 37196).

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 59B).

Natural history. The specimens were collected from the walls around a cave entrance (Figs 53 E–F).