Chrysopodes (Neosuarius)

Six Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) species from the western regions of South America form a natural group (the flavescens group); this group includes Chrysopodes (N.) escomeli , C. (N.) flavescens , C. (N.) porterinus , and three species endemic to Galápagos Islands [C. (N.) nigricubitus , C. (N.) nigripilosus , C. (N.) pecki]. The following characteristics distinguish them from the collaris -group:

1 Body (dorsal): primary color cream or tan, with brown or brownish markings

2 Head: cream-colored to tan, with brown markings; frons with pair of brown spots below toruli

3 Male: abdomen with terminal segments (S8+9, sometimes T9+ectoproct) having sclerotized transverse bands and invaginated re-enforcements

4 Male: tip of S8+9 with delicate, eversible membrane lacking robust gonocristae; membrane sometimes modified into paired eversible pouches (Galápagos species)

5 Female: spermatheca tubular, opening to the bursa copulatrix via an elongate dorsal slit

6 Female: spermathecal duct relatively short (or weakly sclerotized)

7 Female: Bursal duct apparently modified into a fluted, tightly folded structure below the bursa. [The origin of the fluted area below the bursa is not completely clear. I consider it to be an enlarged part of the bursal duct and treat it as such in the descriptions and on the figures. However, it could be part of the bursa copulatrix, in which case the bursal duct would be greatly reduced.]

8 Female: bursal glands sometimes with elongate, slender accessory ducts