Meriola virgata Simon

Meriola virgata Simon

Figs 86–88, 95a

Trachelas virgatus Simon, 1904: 105, fig. 4 (one male and three female syntypes from La Herradura, Elqui, Región de Coquimbo, Chile, in MNHN, examined by Platnick & Ewing 1995).

Meriola virgata Platnick & Ewing, 1995: 12, figs 3, 19–23.

Diagnosis. Males (Figs 87–88) resemble those of M. nague by the sinuous embolus with a retrolateral origin, but differ by the longer and dorsally curved RTA, and by the longer and ribbon-like embolus. Females (Fig. 86) resemble those of M. nague by their median excavation, but it is wide and triangular in M. virgata, and by their S2, elongated and diverging (Platnick & Ewing 1995: figs 22, 23).

Description. Male and female described by Platnick & Ewing (1995).

Natural history and habitat. The specimens were collected in forests and bushes by hand collecting. The specimen collected by fogging, at 1100 m of altitude, was found in a forest of Nothofagus dombeyi.

Distribution. Known from Región IV to VIII in Chile (Fig. 95a).

New records. CHILE: Región V de Valparaíso: Provincia de Quillota: Parque Nacional La Campana, Palmas de Ocoa (MJR-loc-64), S 32.93049°, W 71.08581°, elev. 410 m, 3.XI.2011, forest and bushes, hand collection, M. Ramírez, A. Ojanguren Affilastro & J. Pizarro, 1 male, sample MGM-00430 (MACN-Ar 33042), 1 female, 4 imms., sample MGM-00429 (MACN-Ar 33043). Parque Nacional La Campana, quebrada El Arenal, 22 km (por aire) SSE La Calera, S 32.95362°, W 71.06873° (GPS, +- 50m), elev. 663 m (GPS), 6.I.2018, low forest, M.J. Ramírez, A. Ojanguren, A. Pérez González, G. Azevedo & W. Porto (MJR-loc-296), 1 female vchMJR-2158, photos MJR 8610-8629 (MACN-Ar 39085). Provincia de Valparaíso: Viña SaU.S.A.lito, S 33.014843°, W 71.538205°, 21.X.1982, collector unknown, 1 male (MNHS 622). Región RM Metropolitana de Santiago: Provincia de Santiago: La Florida, S 33.533462°, W 70.574378°, VIII.1983, O. Leon, 1 female (MNHS 795). Provincia de Melipilla: S 33.686159°, W 71.216684°, 8–23.XI.1998, J. Barriga, 1 female, temporary preparation MGM-00222 (MACN-Ar 30360), 1 male (MACN-Ar 30362). Same locality, 2–22.II.1999, J. Barriga, 4 females (MACN-Ar 30361). Cajón de Pichi, Alhué, S 33.948112°, W 71.034014°, 13.XI–23.XII.1998, J. Barriga, 5 females, 3 males, 7 imms. (MACN-Ar 33036). Provincia de Cordillera: Reserva Nacional Río Clarillo, S 33.763407°, W 70.419388°, 6.III–9.IV.2008, collector unknown, 1 male (MACN-Ar 30966). Same locality, 9.IV–14.V.2008, collector unknown, 1 male, temporary preparations MGM-00223–00224 (MACN-Ar 30968). Región VII del Maule: Provincia de Curicó: El Relvo, 20 km E Potrero Grande, S 35.189167°, W 70.958333°, elev. 1100 m, 30.XII.2003, Nothofagus dombeyi, fogging, J. Barriga, 1 female (MACN-Ar 33035).