Scytodes tapacura Rheims & Brescovit, 2009, new species

Scytodes tapacura new species

Figs. 1–6

Type material: Holotype: male from Estação Ecológica de Tapacurá [08°04' S; 35°12' W], São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2007, C. Valença, deposited in IBSP 116123.

Paratypes: BRAZIL: Pernambuco: São Lourenço da Mata, Estação Ecológica de Tapacurá [08°04' S; 35°12' W], 53 5Ƥ, 2007, C. Valença (IBSP 116124–11130; MZSP 28951, 28952).

Other material examined. BRAZIL: Pernambuco: São Lourenço da Mata [08°04' S; 35°12' W] (Estação Ecológica de Tapacurá), 63 1Ƥ 1juv., 2007, C. Valença (IBSP 116133–116137; 116140).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition that refers to the type locality of the holotype.

Diagnosis. The males of Scytodes tapacura n.sp. resemble those of Scytodes sincora n.sp. (Figs. 23–25), S. yssaiapari Rheims & Brescovit (2006: 302, fig. 24) and S. tyaiamiri Rheims & Brescovit (2006: 302, fig. 28) by the distal region of the palp with a retrolateral keel and a subdistal, retrolateral sclerotized process (Figs. 3–4). They are distinguished from S. yssaiapari and S. tyaiamiri by the longer sclerotized process arising from a prominent hump and from Scytodes sincora n.sp. by the much narrower retrolateral keel (Figs. 3–4). The females resemble those of Scytodes sincora n.sp. (Fig. 27), S. yssaiapari (Rheims & Brescovit 2006: 302, fig. 26) and S. tyaiamiri (Rheims & Brescovit 2006: 302, fig. 30) by the vulva with small spermathecae on long stalks, adjacent to large hyaline pockets (Fig. 6). They are distinguished by the medially constricted hyaline pockets with a triangular sclerotized area at the base (Fig. 6).

Description. Male (Holotype, IBSP 116123) Carapace pale yellow with brown pattern as shown on Fig 1. Chelicerae pale yellow with dorsal, longitudinal, brown stripe. Pedipalps pale orange. Labium cream colored, brown at base. Endites cream colored with brown margins. Sternum pale yellow with brown markings in front of each coxae. Legs yellow. Femur I–II with pair of ventral, longitudinal, brown stripes. Femur III–IV with transversal, median, brown bands. Patella I–IV with brown distal extremities. Tibia I–IV with brown extremities and median transversal brown band. Abdomen whitish gray. Total length 2.7. Carapace slightly domed, 1.3 long, 1.2 wide. Eye diameters: PME 0.08, ALE 0.10, PLE 0.10. Lateral eyes on a tubercle. Chelicerae with subapical hyaline keel and inconspicuous stridulatory ridges. Labium 0.14 long, 0.20 wide. Sternum 0.70 long, 0.64 wide. Leg measurements: I: femur 1.7, patella 0.3, tibia 1.9, metatarsus 2.0, tarsus 0.5, total 6.4; II: 1.2, 0.3, 1.3, 1.5, 0.4, 4.7; III: 0.8, 0.2, 0.9, 1.0, 0.3, 3.2; IV: 1.3, 0.3, 1.3, 1.2, 0.4, 4.5. Palpal femur with stridulatory pick short and stout with triangular, projected socket. Cymbium with pair of strong distal spines (Figs. 2–3). Bulb 0.62 long, medially constricted and with a prominent hump. Distal area with large prolateral keel (Fig. 2) and retrolateral long and strong sclerotized process and narrow retrolateral keel (Figs. 3–4). Abdomen 1.4 long, 1.4 wide, covered with slender hairs.

Female (Paratype, IBSP 116127). Coloration pattern as in male. Total length 3.0. Carapace domed, 1.6 long, 1.3 wide. Eye diameters: PME 0.10, ALE 0.12, PLE 0.10. Lateral eyes on a tubercle. Chelicerae as in male. Labium 0.12 long, 0.22 wide. Sternum 0.78 long, 0.70 wide. Leg measurements: I: femur 1.2, patella 0.4, tibia 1.5, metatarsus 1.6, tarsus 0.5, total 5.2; II: 1.1, 0.4, 1.0, 1.1, 0.4, 4.0; III: 0.8, 0.4, 0.8, 0.8, 0.3, 3.1; IV: 1.2, 0.4, 1.1, 1.0, 0.4, 4.1. Palpal femur as in male. Epigynum with slightly irregular positioning ridges, separated from each other by their width (Fig. 5). Vulva with small spermathecae with long stalk and medially constricted hyaline pockets with a triangular sclerotized area at the base (Fig. 6). Abdomen 1.4 long, 1.2 wide, as in male.

Variation. Ten males: total length 2.5–2.9; carapace 1.2–1.5; femur I 1.7–1.9; bulb 0.6–0.7. Seven females: total length 2.9–3.7; carapace 1.4–1.6; femur I 1.2–1.5.

Distribution. Atlantic Forest. Only known from the type locality, in the northeastern state of Pernambuco.