Coptoprepes laudani Barone, Werenkraut & Ramírez, 2016, new species

Coptoprepes laudani, new species

Figs 1–2

Coptoprepes ecotono Werenkraut & Ramírez 2009: 9 (only female paratype, MACN-Ar 20320, misidentification, examined).

Note. The female paratype of Coptoprepes ecotono (MACN-Ar 20320, from Lago Espejo, Argentina) was collected from a locality about 54 km apart from the type locality of that species (Bariloche). The dual cladistic analysis of the split matrix resulted in a tree in which the Lago Espejo female and an undescribed male from Nahuelbuta National Park in Chile (unfortunately not well preserved for DNA extraction) arise together in a polytomy with Coptoprepes bellavista (Fig. 6 B). Males and females of this last species can be considered as adequately matched, as they were abundantly collected in pitfall traps near Bellavista, a low elevation locality at the north shore of Lake Villarrica. Despite of intensive sampling by entomologists Alfred Newton, Margaret Thayer, Stewart Blaine Peck and Jarmila Kukalova-Peck, only C. bellavista was found there. After this result we decided to match tentatively the undescribed male and the female once regarded as belonging to C. ecotono, as the new species C. laudani; we do this with some hesitation, as they were collected in localities separated by 400 km, but other Coptoprepes species also show wide distributions.

Type material. Holotype. Male from Chile, Región IX (Araucanía), Prov. Malleco, Nahuelbuta National Park, S37.78464°, W72.95329°, March 2001, J.E. Barriga, pitfall trap (MHNS, ex MACN-Ar 31144, temporary preparations MLB 0 4086, MLB 00578).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, dedicated to M. Barone’s parents; “ laudani ” is a combination of their first names, Laura and Daniel.

Diagnosis. Females are similar to those of C. valdiviensis Ramírez by having a flat unsclerotized median field (Werenkraut & Ramírez 2009: fig. 7G) but differs in the first portion of the copulatory ducts, which are longitudinally orientated (Werenkraut & Ramírez 2009: figs 24A–C). Males are distinguished from those of C. valdiviensis by having a median apophysis with wide base and two processes, one conic and short and the other long, curved and thin, less sclerotized (Figs 1 C–D, 2).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 4.52 (including pedicel, stretched). Carapace length 1.83, width 1.23. Tibia of the palp shorter than patella, width/length 1.00. Length of tibia/metatarsus I—1.27/1.10; II—0.93/ 0.83; III—0.70/missing; IV—1.05/1.30. Chelicerae with four (left) or five (right) promarginal teeth and six (left) or five (right) retromarginal teeth. Sternum length 0.97, width 0.75. Abdomen length 2.20, width 1.13. Tracheal spiracle 0.30 from spinnerets, 1.23 from epigastric furrow. Spines: leg I—femur d 1-1-1, p d1ap; patella d 1 bristle bas, r d1; tibia v 2-2 -p1 (all displaced to prolateral side); metatarsus v 2 bas. II = I, except tibia d (r1-0-1) bristles, v r1-r1-2. III—femur d 1-1-1, p and r 0-d1-d1; patella d 1bas bristle, r d1; tibia d r1bas, p and r 1-d1-1-0, v p1-p1-2; metatarsus missing (right legs II and III missing). IV—femur d 1-1-1, p 0-d1-d1, r d1ap; patella d 1bas bristle, r d1; tibia d r1bas, p and r 1-d1-1-0, v p1-2-2; metatarsus d 0-p1-2, p and r d1-1-1, v 2-2 -comb. Color in ethanol: dark brown, carapace reddish brown, sternum and legs lighter than carapace. Abdomen brown, with small light spots. Ventral abdomen lighter than dorsal, with lighter lateral lines (Figs 1 A–B). RTA slightly curved, with truncated tip. Embolus with basal process ample, flattened. Primary conductor with canal where embolus fits, apical tip rounded, unsclerotized. Apical end of secondary conductor straight and laminar, with apical edge thicker and more sclerotized. Median apophysis with wide base and two medium sized processes, one conic and shorter and the other long, curved and lightly sclerotized (Figs 1 C–D, 2).

Female (Paratype of Coptoprepes ecotono). Described in Werenkraut & Ramírez (2009: 14, figs 6, 7G–H, 22A, 24A–C).

Distribution. Known from Nahuelbuta National Park in Región IX (Araucanía) in Chile, and Río Negro and Neuquén provinces in Argentina.

Other material examined. ARGENTINA: Río Negro: Bariloche: Nahuel Huapi Natl. Park, Bariloche, S41.15415º W71.29899º, March 1947, A.G. Giai, 1♂ (MACN-Ar 2227). Neuquén: Los Lagos: Nahuel Huapi Natl. Park, Lago Espejo, S40.61322° W71.74867°, 21.I.1985, M.J. Ramírez 1♀ (MACN-Ar 20320, paratype of Coptoprepes ecotono).